The Steam Thruster
The Steam Thruster is a safe, high-performance, electrothermal propulsion system specifically designed for Small Satellites and CubeSats
► High thrust
► Safe & Green
► Low power consumption
Unlike electric, chemical or cold-gas propulsion systems, the Steam Thruster provides both performance and efficiency. Using low-pressure water as the main propellant, the Steam Thruster is launch-safe and easy to integrate into any platform. The low voltage and the absence of ionised particles, makes the system ideal for both telecommunication and optical payloads.

Support all your satellite needs
Constellation management
Position and maintain each satellite of your constellation.
Satellite life extension
Extend your satellite lifetime to maximize your mission ROI.
Orbit optimization and maneuvers
Optimize your satellite orbit after launch.
Collision avoidance
Raise or lower your satellite orbit to avoid collisions with other space objects.
De-Orbit
De-orbit your satellite at the end of your mission to avoid space debris and international penalties.
Steam TunaCan Thruster

The Steam TunaCan Thruster is a safe, high-performance, electrothermal propulsion system specifically designed for CubeSats.
Dimensions | Ø 80 x 80 mm |
Specifications | Value |
---|---|
Nominal Thrust | 6 mN |
Specific Impulse | 172 s |
Total Impulse | 219 Ns |
Minimum Impulse Bit | 10 mNs |
Power consumption Thrusting / Idle | <19.9 / 0.12 W |
Wet mass | 540 g |
Propellant Mass | 130 g |
Propellant | Water |
Voltage | 9 – 14 VDC |
Communication Protocol | RS 422, TTL UART |
Steam Thruster One

The Steam Thruster One is a safe, high-performance, electrothermal propulsion system specifically designed for CubeSats and Small Satellites.
*A higher thrust is achievable using more than 20W | |
Specifications | Value |
---|---|
Nominal Thrust | 6* mN |
Specific Impulse | 172 s |
Total Impulse | 1000 per 1U Water Tank |
Minimum Impulse Bit | 10 mNs |
Power consumption Thrusting / Idle | 19.9* / 0.12 W |
Wet mass | Mission dependant |
Propellant Mass | Mission dependant |
Propellant | Water |
Voltage | 9 – 14 VDC |
Communication Protocol | RS 422, TTL UART |
Dimensions | Mission dependant |
Get a free Engineering Model for integration testing
Contact us to receive a free Engineering Model of the Steam Thruster. Test the mechanical and electrical integration of the Thruster with your satellite platform for a hassle-free mission.
Range of solutions

Steam TunaCan Thruster |
---|
The best solution for 1-6 U CubeSats |
The Thruster can be installed entirely in the tunacan volume located outside the CubeSat structure |
Thrust: 6 mN Power: 20 W Tot Impulse: 219 Ns Dimensions: Ø 80 x 80 mm |
TRL7 Heritage Q4’2021 |

Steam Thruster One |
---|
For larger CubeSats and Small Satellites |
The water tanks can be manufactured according to the customer needs, to optimize size and volume |
Thrust: 6 mN Power: 20 W Tot Impulse: 1000 Ns per 1U Dimensions : >1U |
TRL5 Heritage Q1’2022 |

Steam Attitude Control Thruster |
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For Small, Medium and Large Satellites |
The multiple thrusters provide attitude control to the satellite, with a much higher efficiency than cold gas thrusters |
Thrust: 1 – 6 mN Minimum Impulse Bit: 10 mNs Dimensions: TBD |
TRL4 Heritage 2022 |
Typical Applications
Propulsion capabilities are essential nowadays to efficiently deploy and operate CubeSat constellations, however, they are also necessary to maintain altitude on very low orbit missions and avoid collisions with other space objects. Please take a look at the application examples for the 400 km orbit:
For 3U (5kg)
Product | Initial Orbit | Total Impulse | Life-time | Orbital Change | Orbit Phasing | Collision avoidance |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No Propulsion | 400 km | 0 Ns | 1.6 years | No | No | No |
Steam TunaCan Thruster | 400 km | 200 Ns | 4.3 years | ±70 km | 0° to 360 | Yes |
For 6U (10kg)
Product | Initial Orbit | Total Impulse | Life-time | Orbital Change | Orbit Phasing | Collision avoidance |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No Propulsion | 400 km | 0 Ns | 1.6 years | No | No | No |
Steam TunaCan Thruster | 400 km | 219 Ns | 3 years | ±35 km | 0° to 360 | Yes |
Steam Thruster One | 400 km | 1000 Ns (1U Water Tank) | 8.3 years | ±170 km | 0° to 360 | Yes |
Please get in touch for a free consultation based on your mission requirements.
SteamJet Team
SteamJet is an international team dedicated to reach new heights in space innovations. The team members has skills and experience in Physics, Fluid-dynamics, Vacuum Physics, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Small Satellite design, Electrical Engineering, Coding, Innovation Project Management, Business Development.

MARCO PAVAN
CEO, co-founder

PAVEL SAVIN
CBDO, founder

VICTOR AGAFONOV
CFO, founder

VLADIMIR FEDOROV
CTO, co-founder

GLEB PHILIN
Production Leader, co-founder

IVAN TIMOFEEV
Prototyping Engineer, co-founder
