SpaceTech Expo Europe 2019

On November 19-21, 2019 the SteamJet team visited the Space Tech Expo Europe 2019 in Bremen, Germany. The international conference Space Tech Expo is a specialized exhibition dedicated to the design, production, and testing of space technology, including spacecraft for various purposes, satellites, propulsion systems, and ground infrastructure, etc. 

The conference participants, consisting of representatives of ThrustMe, Eutelsat, T4i and Exotrail companies, shared their experiences and had an interesting discussion regarding the choice of the right propulsion system to enhance the sustainable development of satellite constellations.

During the discussion, it turned out that there is no ideal propulsion system that can fit all customer needs. The fact is that each propulsion system has its pros and cons. The SteamJet team, in turn, presented the capabilities of our propulsion engine and made useful contacts for future flight tests and hosted payloads.

Most of the companies, the largest on the CubeSat market, showed interest in our thrusters moreover, expressed a desire to provide flight platforms for launches and even invest in our projects. Our propulsion system demonstrates better benefits than our competitors in such market segments as LEO orbits and nanosatellites up to 20 kg. Herewith, after discussion at the conference, the SteamJet team plans to increase our product portfolio to extend the market.

Small Satellite conference 2019

The SmallSat Conference put together companies – manufacturers of small satellites who were looking for innovative ways to increase the chances of mission success by using various design techniques, autonomy techniques, and streamlined processes that help detect and mitigate potential challenges. Conference participants had the opportunity to examine new technologies, design methods, processes that could finally promote their propulsion systems.

On August 3-8, 2019, the SteamJet team (hereinafter SJ) visited the SmallSat Conference 2019 in Logan, Utah, USA. The purpose of the visit was to present the capabilities of our propulsion system, search for potential customers and launch partners for flight tests. 

The majority of the exhibiting companies provided lively, detailed explanations about their products. Moreover, it was a great opportunity to have chats and meetings with representatives of the major companies in the CubeSat market. The SJ team found out that our trust system was of great interest in solving various challenges of small satellites.

Herewith, companies that planned to launch satellite constellations have expressed particular interest in our propulsion system. Finally, the SJ reached preliminary agreements on flight tests of the trust system and the provision of test results to potential customers. It was decided to demonstrate the propulsion system at its booth in 2020.

Firms team up to power new age of steam in space

Originally published at Westcottvp.com

Two hi-tech Westcott based companies are working together to develop steam technology for satellites.

SteamJet Space Systems and Total Carbide will work together on producing a steam-fuelled propulsion system that will be used on small satellites including miniature CubeSats.

The companies met at the monthly Space Innovators networking event at the Westcott Space Cluster and realized their technologies had real synergy. As a result, Total Carbide, which specializes in highly durable tungsten carbide manufacturing, will support the production of SteamJet’s innovative propulsion system, believed to be the first of its kind in Europe.

Funding has come from support provided by the Westcott Incubation Centre (WBIC) which led to SteamJet receiving a £5,000 grant from the UK Space Agency.

Both firms are also part of the Westcott Space Cluster of companies and members of the Government’s SPRINT program which provides funding for innovative firms in the sector.

SteamJet Director Dr. Marco Pavan said: “We were the first company to join the Westcott Business Innovation Centre in June 2018 and it has been an ideal location as there is an ecosystem of space sector firms on the Park which has led to this collaboration.

“Total Carbide specializes in the sort of skilled, highly accurate manufacturing to deliver this type of production and we have also had business and funding support which has been really helpful.”

A prototype of the propulsion system has now been built and will be tested in space-simulated conditions in Southampton by the end of March with a patent due to be filed.

More than 3,000 CubeSats will be sent into orbit in the next five to six years driven by demand for earth observation and telecommunications. The technology will enable satellites to stay longer in space, change and optimize their orbit, avoid collisions, operate in constellations, and de-orbit.

Andreas Hohmann, Managing Director of Total Carbide, said: “It’s great to be working with another Space Cluster business at Westcott. We have worked in space and aviation sectors for years and produce components for the Rolls Royce jet engines and for Collins Aerospace, so this is an exciting addition to our client portfolio.”

With its six-strong workforce likely to expand, SteamJet will soon require larger office space and are hoping to move into the new Westcott Innovation Centre at the Park once built-in 2020.

Nigel MacKenzie, Project Manager at Westcott, said: “A big part of our message is collaboration and we are committed to building a positive ecosystem which will attract like-minded companies and individuals to develop their ideas.

“It’s great to see SteamJet and Total Carbide working together to bring this new innovation to life.”