From August 23 to 26, 2026, the SteamJet Space team participated in the SmallSat 2026 conference in Salt Lake City, Utah. One of the key observations was the growing interest among market participants in compact propulsion solutions for small satellites. In particular, the form factors that combine high performance with a limited platform volume were widely discussed.
“It’s always nice to come back to SmallSat. This was our first year exhibiting, which made it particularly special for me and the team. It was great to see so much interest in what we do and have the chance to talk about it in person. It was a really good show, and I’m already looking forward to coming back,” said Marco Pavan, CEO of SteamJet Space.
The SteamJet Space booth attracted representatives from companies developing small satellite constellations. As well as systems integration engineers who specialise in adapting platforms for specific missions. Most of the conversations centred on one practical question: how to avoid sacrificing thrust for the sake of compactness. The interest was very specific; people came with the technical specifications of their platforms and wanted to understand whether our solution would fit within their volume and mass constraints.
Our team had the pleasure of welcoming satellite integrators and companies developing constellations of small satellites at our booth, among others. Their main questions revolved around the thruster design, performance characteristics and flight heritage.
One of the general observations is that water as a propellant for a thruster is gradually becoming a more common solution on the market. That said, electric thrusters remain the most common choice for small satellites.
Specialists paid close attention to the TunaCan and TunaTank form factors, even more for 6U and 12U platforms. The main reason is that on small satellites, every cubic centimetre counts. Hence, developers need to achieve maximum propulsion system efficiency while minimising the space occupied.
We observed a marked surge in interest in Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) applications. In particular, several system integrators approached us about specialised thruster configurations. One recurring requirement was a thruster with a cross-sectional area of less than 25 cm². In VLEO conditions, aerodynamic drag becomes a critical factor. A compact thruster profile opens up a real possibility for long-duration missions of small satellites in very low Earth orbits.
It’s worth noting that as of today, SteamJet Space is the only company on the market offering a propulsion solution in the TunaCan/TunaTank form factor.
Electric thrusters remain the most popular solution on the market. However, they have a significant drawback. Namely, this type of thruster takes up a considerable amount of space. Alternative options offer lower performance and require even more space.
In comparison, the SteamJet CubeSat propulsion solution is particularly appealing. Our systems deliver high thrust needed for aggressive manoeuvres while maintaining a compact size. This makes them a viable alternative to electric thrusters in applications where both power and space efficiency are important.
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, thereby 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.