Shaping the Future of CubeSat Research through Global Collaboration
At SteamJet Space Systems, we believe that academic and student-led missions are the vanguard of space exploration and technology validation. We foster strong academic relationships worldwide, working hand-in-hand with universities to turn ambitious orbital concepts into reality.
Our regular contributors and mission partners include students and researchers from ERAU, the University of Southampton, the University of Sheffield, MPU, and other leading academic institutions across 26 countries. By bridging the gap between classroom theory and flight-proven reality, we are dedicated to advancing global cubesat mobility.
We provide a specialized range of water-based, electrothermal resistojet thrusters engineered to fit seamlessly into any CubeSat architecture without introducing risk or operational complexity.
SteamJet TunaCan Thruster
Best for 1U to 3U, mounts outside the main CubeSat structure to save 100% payload space.
SteamJet TunaTank Thruster
Best for 2U to 6U, internal tank tailored to your specific delta-V budgets.
SteamJet Thruster One
Best for 6U to 16U, maximum capacity internal tanks tailored to your specific delta-V budgets.
Academic missions often face tight budgets, strict safety regulations, and rapid timelines. Our green propulsion systems are uniquely engineered to overcome these exact hurdles.
1. Complete Orbital Mobility
Don’t let your secondary payload deployment dictate your science. Our systems unlock all critical orbital maneuvers:
- Stationkeeping & Orbit Phasing: Maintain and adjust your exact target altitude.
- Collision Avoidance: Rapidly react to space debris or passing spacecraft.
- De-orbiting: Ensure compliance with international “Zero Debris” guidelines at end-of-life.
- Constellation Management: Learn the dynamics of building and maintaining satellite groupings.
- Mission Life Extension: Significantly prolong your satellite’s operational lifetime in orbit.
2. Payloads & Optics Protection
Unlike traditional chemical propellants that leave oily residues or particulates, our pure water-based exhaust is completely clean. It eliminates the risk of “fogging” or sedimentation on sensitive optical instruments, mirrors, or infrared sensors.
3. Plug-and-Play Integration
- Integrated Electronic Control: The Electronic Control Unit (ECU) is fully embedded within the thruster package – no complex external avionics integration needed.
- Zero RF Interference: Traditional electric propulsion creates plasma clouds that disrupt communications. Our electrothermal design ensures complete electromagnetic compatibility (EMI/EMC neutrality). Your antennas and payload can operate at maximum gain even during firing.
4. Maximized Subsystem Space
- Zero Payload Footprint (0U): The TunaCan thruster utilizes the external cylindrical volume of standard deployers, meaning you can add active propulsion to a 1U satellite without stealing a single cubic centimeter from your student payload.
- Last-Minute Addition: Because it attaches externally, you can confidently finalize your main satellite architecture and integrate our propulsion module at the very last stage of assembly.
- Rapid Deployment: Requires no specialized ground support equipment beyond what you already use to assemble your satellite and payload.
5. COTS Ideology & Elite Space Heritage
Our commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) components deliver high reliability without high costs. Every flight unit undergoes strict pre-flight testing in compliance with rigorous NASA GSFC-STD-7000A and ESA ECSS-E-ST-10-03C standards. With extensive in-orbit flight heritage your university team is flying hardware trusted by the world’s leading space agencies.
We provide a specialized range of water-based, electrothermal resistojet thrusters engineered to fit seamlessly into any CubeSat architecture without introducing risk or operational complexity. We recognize that university programs need more than just hardware; they need comprehensive support. We proudly offer tailored programs for student missions:
- Student Consultations: Direct technical support to educate and guide students on cubesat propulsion dynamics and mission design.
- Annual EM Equipment Rental: Lease an engineering model for an entire academic year to use as a practical training tool in aerospace laboratories.
- Special Academic Pricing: To make space accessible, all our hardware, software, and consulting services are available to universities and student groups at significant discounts.
Ready to baseline SteamJet for your mission?
SteamJet is constantly growing, and we want the brightest academic minds to join us in bringing the “New Age of Steam” to the space industry.
Time to time we offer dedicated paths for:
- Internships: Hands-on experience developing cutting-edge green propulsion hardware.
- Graduate Careers: Full-time roles for university graduates specialized in aerospace, electronics, thermal engineering, and space systems.