Today, CubeSat mobility is a mandatory requirement for any modern mission. Ten years ago, a CubeSat was simply launched into orbit and left to drift. It relied entirely on the trajectory into which the rocket had placed it. Essentially, it was a passive object in space. Such a satellite could neither avoid a collision, nor correct its orbit, nor perform a controlled deorbiting at the end of its mission.
Space industry has changed fundamentally. So did the requirements for the mission design. Furthermore, regulatory standards became stricter. The FCC’s five-year deorbiting rule and ESA’s Zero Debris Charter have to be taken into account when planning a mission. At the same time, launch providers now deploy satellite constellations into orbit on a regular basis. All of these factors have turned controlled manoeuvrability from a useful feature into a critically important capability.
Why Small Satellites Need Active CubeSat Propulsion Systems
The lack of mobility presents engineers with several serious problems that cannot be solved after launch.
- Uncontrolled orbital decay. Due to atmospheric drag, the satellite gradually loses altitude.
- Inability to avoid collisions. Low Earth orbit is becoming increasingly crowded. Therefore, tracking networks regularly issue collision warnings. However, without a propulsion system, the manoeuvre for CubeSat collision avoidance would be impossible.
- Uncontrolled deorbit. At the end of the mission, the satellite re-enters the atmosphere at an unpredictable time and in an unpredictable location.
- Limited mission capabilities. Lack of mobility decreases the satellite’s service life. On top of that, the range of tasks it is capable of performing is significantly smaller.
The Economics of Mobility
At first glance, a propulsion system may look expense. However, after calculating the cost of not having one, it becomes obvious that it is not.
Extending the service life leads to increased return on investment
Station-keeping adds 1–3 years of active operation to a satellite. At the same time, the launch cost remains the same. Consequently, every additional month in orbit reduces the effective cost of the mission.
The investment is lost if the satellite crashes unexpectedly
To develop and launch a single CubeSat costs hundreds of thousands of dollars. If a collision happens, the investment is misspent.
Failure to comply with regulatory requirements
Without a deorbit system, the mission will not comply with mandatory regulations. As a result, all development and launch costs will be wasted.
Precise manoeuvring saves the launch costs
The satellite’s own propulsion allows operators to manoeuvre the satellite into its target orbit, if the launch provider placed it off-course.
CubeSat mobility is no longer an expense. It is a solution that protects an investment. A propulsion system turns a CubeSat into a controllable asset. It operates longer, doesn’t get lost in a collision, and is guaranteed to meet regulatory requirements. Today, the question isn’t whether you can afford a propulsion system, but whether you can afford not to have one.
Enabling CubeSat Mobility
First, understanding which types of propulsion systems are suitable for CubeSats is important to choose the right one for a mission. CubeSat propulsion guide helps to evaluate different thrusters and their parameters.
It used to be a difficult task to pick the propulsion system for CubeSat. Chemical thrusters provide good thrust but run on toxic propellant. Hence, they require complex approvals and pose risks during launch preparation. Electric thrusters are efficient. However, they are expensive and operate at high voltages. Either of these options means extra cost, extra weight, and lengthy approvals with the launch provider.
Unlike conventional propulsion systems, SteamJet thrusters use water resistojet technology and water as propellant. It is non-toxic, non-explosive, and completely safe. Our propulsion systems provide many advantages:
- Easier launch preparation. No hazardous propellant means no lengthy safety checks or restrictions on launches.
- Cheaper and more reliable. Water costs next to nothing, and the system itself is simpler than its chemical counterparts.
- Safe at every stage. In addition, operators can safely store, transport, and refuel the satellite.
- Compact. The system fits within the CubeSat’s strict weight and volume limits, leaving room for payload.
Mission Performance and Lifetime Extension
At the same time, this green satellite propulsion solution handles all the necessary tasks. Namely, positioning satellites in formation, maintaining orbit, avoiding collisions, and deorbiting within the timeframe required by the regulator.
The baseline SteamJet Thruster One configuration delivers a total impulse of 1200 Ns for a typical 3U to 12U CubeSat, or small satellites up to 100 kg. Moreover, the system is based on ITAR-free propulsion hardware, simplifying international collaboration and procurement. Depending on the deployment altitude (typically between 400 km and 600 km) and the spacecraft’s ballistic coefficient, this impulse capability translates directly into 1 to 3 years of active orbit maintenance and life extension.
Engineers once considered CubeSat mobility an expensive luxury. Today, sustainable space propulsion makes active manoeuvring accessible without introducing hazardous propellants. As a result, water removes this barrier and makes the thruster what it should be for a CubeSat — a safe, inexpensive, and essential part of the mission, rather than a source of problems.
About SteamJet Space Systems
SteamJet Space Systems is a leading UK-based provider of high-performance satellite propulsion solutions. We specialise in water-based propulsion solutions designed specifically for CubeSats and Small Satellites (SmallSats), prioritising operational safety and rapid launch integration.
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:
Steamjet TunaCan Thruster: A compact, high-efficiency solution for 1U-3U CubeSats.
Steamjet TunaTank Thruster: A safe, high-performance electrothermal propulsion system.
Steamjet 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 for technical specifications and ICDs.