SteamJet water propulsion is being demonstrated during NASA’s Artemis II mission, setting a new safety benchmark for CubeSat operations on crewed spaceflight. Artemis II is an upcoming lunar spaceflight mission led by NASA. The launch date is currently set for March, 2026. Since Apollo 17 in 1972, Artemis II is the first manned mission beyond low Earth orbit.
Four astronauts will perform a lunar flyby aboard the Space Launch System. The spacecraft will fly around the far side of the Moon, reaching a closest approach of approximately 6,513 km. During the mission, the crew will monitor the spacecraft, study the effects of deep-space travel, and make trajectory corrections as required.
Safety Requirements for Crewed Missions
Every crewed space mission must meet strict safety requirements to ensure crew safety. This means that all systems must include redundancy so that no single failure can lead to the loss of the crew.
That is why the mission allows zero tolerance for propulsion risk. Secondary payload must comply with high safety standards and undergo strict testing procedures.
K-Rad Cube Satellite Mission Challenge
The K-Rad Cube satellite, developed by South Korean company NaraSpace, will fly aboard NASA’s Artemis II mission. After it is deployed into a highly elliptical orbit the satellite will face a challenge. Its first perigee is within Earth’s upper atmosphere. Without orbital correction, the satellite will be lost.
The K-Rad Cube satellite will perform an orbital correction using the SteamJet Thruster One propulsion system. The thruster had to be configured to operate safely during a prolonged burn, with all systems remaining stable and functioning smoothly for approximately 12 hours.
SteamJet Thruster One Water Propulsion System
SteamJet Thruster One is a water-based propulsion system making it safe for crewed missions because there are no additional risks such as with high-pressure tanks and hazardous materials. On top of that, this system allows for diverse mission applications, ensures advanced performance and operational flexibility.
Qualification and Acceptance Testing
SteamJet Thruster One went through rigorous testing procedures in order to qualify for NASA manned mission standards. As a part of mission qualification our team performed fuel tank burst pressure testing to confirm that the pressurised tank meets the Design Burst Pressure requirement defined in ANSI/AIAA S-080A-2018, Section 10.4.10. Furthermore, SteamJet engineers completed an acceptance test campaign compliant with industry standards, covering functional, vibration dynamic, thermal vacuum, and leak-rate testing.
During this mission, SteamJet water-based propulsion can demonstrate its capabilities in high-stakes, real-world conditions. The thruster will execute a high-thrust, high-precision maneuver once limited to chemical systems.
Pushing the Boundaries of Green Water Propulsion
Before the Artemis II mission, Cubesats required chemical propulsion to operate in these challenging conditions. Chemical propulsion is costly, toxic and complex in terms of operations. On top of that, it presents additional risks for the crewed mission. SteamJet water-based propulsion technology offers a safe and scalable solution for deep-space and high-energy orbit missions without added hazards.
This mission proves that sustainable propulsion can handle demanding orbits, opening the door for future CubeSats to take on complex missions without sacrificing safety or environmental responsibility.
About SteamJet Space Systems
SteamJet Space Systems is a leading UK-based provider of high-performance satellite propulsion solutions. We specialise in water-based thrusters designed specifically for CubeSats and Small Satellites (SmallSats), with a strong focus on water-based thruster safety.
By pioneering the use of green propellants and intelligent thermal engineering, SteamJet enables complex LEO (Low Earth Orbit) manoeuvres — including orbital maintenance, collision avoidance, and de-orbiting — without the risks associated with toxic hydrazine or high-pressure cold gas systems, advancing green propulsion for space missions.
Steamjet Propulsion Technology
Our modular systems are engineered for seamless integration and maximum safety compliance:
- Steam TunaCan Thruster: A compact, high-efficiency solution for 1U-3U CubeSats.
- Steam Thruster One: Scalable propulsion for larger SmallSat constellations.
Discover how SteamJet’s sustainable space propulsion innovations are providing the safety and reliability required for the next generation of crewed and robotic missions. Contact our engineering team (link) for technical specifications and ICDs.