Today, the space industry is developing rapidly, creating new challenges for academic programs. According to BryceTech’s Smallsats by the Numbers 2025 report, a record 4,466 smallsats were launched in 2025, accounting for 98% of all spacecraft launched that year. Moreover, low Earth orbit (LEO) broadband megaconstellations accounted for 79% of smallsat deployments, highlighting their growing role in the space sector.
Against this backdrop, it is no longer sufficient to teach theory to students preparing for careers in aerospace, satellite operations, and mission control. They need hands-on, practical experience with real CubeSat propulsion systems. Research titled Skills Gap Analysis in the Space Sector: Bridging the Gap Between Curricula and Job Requirements identifies several mismatches between academic training and industry needs. The study highlights that teamwork and project management are often taught only indirectly, while specific hard skills related to new space technologies and software are frequently missing from curricula. It also identifies a demand for greater professional experience and more opportunities for students to gain workplace exposure during their studies. These findings underscore the importance of practical training in aerospace education.
The Aerospace Education Gap in CubeSat Propulsion
Many universities worldwide provide excellent fundamental knowledge in orbital mechanics, control systems, satellite design, and mission planning. Students run simulations, model satellite behaviours, and plan manoeuvres. But many recent graduates find themselves not fully prepared for real-world in-orbit operations.
This gap between theory and practice is particularly noticeable in areas like CubeSat propulsion technology, trajectory optimisation, and satellite navigation. A lack of operational experience may lead to costly mistakes. Thus, it is clear that students need earlier access to real spacecraft systems.
Why Hands-On CubeSat Propulsion Training Matters
There is a big difference between simulation and operating a thruster in orbit. When students install, test, and eventually operate thrusters in flight, they gain invaluable technical and problem-solving skills and build professional confidence. These kinds of skills and approaches are impossible to teach only through software tools.
Real-life experience with propulsion systems allows students to practice mission-critical roles:
- Planning and executing orbital manoeuvres
- Monitoring system performance
- Diagnosing and responding to challenges in real-time
Steam-Based CubeSat Propulsion for Universities
Steam-based propulsion systems can offer practical advantages for educational programs, particularly when safety, accessibility, and ease of integration are key considerations. SteamJet technology uses water as a propellant and is designed for small satellite missions, making it a potential option for hands-on CubeSat propulsion training.
Several features may support its use in university laboratories:
- Water-based propellant – water avoids the handling of hazardous propellants, although appropriate laboratory safety procedures are still required.
- Low-pressure operation – can help reduce certain integration risks, provided that operating conditions and pressure-system requirements are assessed for the specific configuration.
- CubeSat compatibility – enables students to explore propulsion technologies designed for small satellite missions.
- Simplified electronics – may facilitate integration and operation in educational settings with limited technical resources.
Real Missions for Future Engineers
By working with spacecraft propulsion systems, students receive experience with a full mission lifecycle, and they learn to make decisions that have real consequences. This kind of training builds precisely the expertise that the current aerospace industry demands.
Whether your university is launching its first CubeSat or expanding a satellite program, SteamJet offers a tangible path to professional-level experience. Our systems give student teams the chance to build, test, and fly real space propulsion — all while staying safe and budget-friendly.
Interested in integrating space propulsion training into your university’s program? We’re here to help. Contact SteamJet to learn how our technology can support your student satellite missions and help bridge the gap between theoretical education and practical, real-world spacecraft operations.
We offer a special program and pricing for universities and academic institutions — making it easier to bring real propulsion systems to your students. Learn more about our Academia program for universities and academic institutions.
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.