The Future of Orbital Sustainability: ISRU for the New Space Economy

Water propulsion system supporting the future space economy and ISRU infrastructure

The space industry changes rapidly. The “new space” sector is making missions more frequent, commercial, and decentralized. More small satellites are being launched into orbit, and new services are emerging. On top of that, there is a growing interest in lunar and near-lunar infrastructure.

However, sustainable space development demands more than just reducing launch costs. Consequently, the future space economy requires efficient logistics. Future missions must deliver, store, and utilise resources in space without constant dependence on Earth.

In-Situ Resource Utilisation (ISRU) plays a major role in the future of space exploration. This approach reduces the need for propellant delivery, water, and other resources from Earth.

Water is one of the most valuable resources. Besides supporting life, it can also power CubeSat propulsion systems, provide radiation shielding, and enable future near-lunar logistics. Hence, water is an important element that helps to develop ISRU, sustainable orbital infrastructure, and new space missions.

What ISRU Means for the New Space Economy

In simple terms, ISRU means using the resources that exist in space rather than bringing them from Earth. The new space economy is going to benefit greatly from ISRU. Furthermore, the more missions there are in orbit, near the Moon, and in deep space, the more difficult and expensive it will be to continuously send all the necessary supplies from Earth. In-Situ Resource Utilisation will help to build a more independent and sustainable space infrastructure.

Furthermore, national programs such as the Luxembourg Space Resources initiative also show that space resources are becoming an important part of the future commercial space economy.

Resource
Moon
Asteroids
Mars
Cislunar / Orbit
Water ice
Medium
Medium
High
Future supply
Oxygen
High
Medium
High
Future supply
Regolith
High
High
High
Limited
Metals
Medium
High
Medium
Limited
Solar energy
High
High
Medium
High

In addition, ESA also highlights the importance of lunar resources and materials, including regolith, oxygen and other materials that could support future exploration infrastructure.

Why Water is the Ultimate Strategic Resource for ISRU

Water is one of the most important resources for future space infrastructure. Unlike many other types of propellant, water is safe and convenient in terms of storage. As a result, water becomes an excellent choice for long-term missions and orbital services.

For example, in space, water can serve several purposes at once. Namely, propulsion systems, radiation shielding, thermal control, and crew life support.

Scientists have found water ice on the Moon and may find it on other celestial bodies. If future missions extract and process it on site, water could become part of future ISRU supply chains. Consequently, for near-lunar and deep-space missions, water can become an important logistical commodity. It will be possible to extract, store, transport, and use it wherever it is needed to support space infrastructure.

Water-Based Propulsion is a Step Toward Sustainable Mobility

Water-based propulsion systems are an efficient solution for small satellites and CubeSats. Water as a propellant is much safer than traditional types of propellant. As a result, integration, testing, transportation, and preparation are simplified.

In the future, water electrothermal thrusters will fit perfectly into the ISRU supply chains. Eventually, future missions could use extracted and stored water not only to support life but also to power the orbital mobility of satellites and other spacecraft.

Scaling from SmallSat Constellations to Cislunar Infrastructure

Today, propulsion systems enable CubeSats and small satellites to perform low Earth orbit (LEO) manoeuvres, adjusting their orbit, and managing the mission flexibly. Looking ahead, the next step is in-orbit mobility. In this environment, water-based propulsion systems are useful for orbital servicing, satellite inspection, rendezvous, collision avoidance, and the management of satellite constellations.

In the future, future missions could use water obtained through ISRU for refuelling and logistics in near-lunar space. This will make it possible to build a more sustainable infrastructure connecting Earth, the Moon, and other destinations.

Thus, water propulsion serves as a bridge between today’s small satellites and the space infrastructure of the future.

Combining Water Propulsion and 3D Printing for Space Mobility

The SteamJet propulsion system bridges the gap between water-based green propellant technology and additive manufacturing. By utilising 3D printing, we can manufacture highly compact, safe, and custom-shaped thruster components tailored for modern small satellites. As a result, additive manufacturing minimises total dry mass, simplifies assembly, and maximises layout flexibility within tight CubeSat form factors.

“Our strategic goal is to bring our sustainable propulsion systems to the Moon, asteroids, and beyond,” states Marco Pavan, CEO of SteamJet Space Systems. “Water propulsion technology is the foundation required to build an independent, efficient, and truly sustainable space infrastructure.”

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:

Steam TunaCan Thruster: A compact, high-efficiency solution for 1U-3U CubeSats.

Steam TunaTank Thruster: A safe, high-performance electrothermal propulsion system.

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 for technical specifications and ICDs.

Reducing Satellite Launch Lead Times with Water Propulsion Systems

Water propulsion system for small satellite launch preparation and integration

While thrust, power, specific impulse, and mass dictate a small satellite’s delta-v capabilities and mission profile, overall schedule risk depends heavily on ground operations. A successful mission requires assessing how seamlessly a satellite propulsion system can be integrated, tested, transported, and cleared for launch.  Propellant that requires complex safety procedures, special infrastructure, or additional approvals extend the mission preparation time and increase the risk of delays. Therefore, at the planning stage, it is important to consider not only the thruster’s capabilities but also the predictability of the satellite’s preparation for launch.

Water Propulsion Simplifies Mission Integration

Water-based electrothermal propulsion offers a benign, non-toxic alternative that drastically simplifies spacecraft ground operations.

As a result, water propulsion offers several operational advantages:

  • Streamlined Operations: Eliminates the need for self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), blast facilities, specialised HVAC ventilation, or toxic fueling infrastructure. 
  • Simplified Logistics: Facilitates standard commercial shipping and unrestricted transport between laboratories, environment test centers, and launch sites. 
  • Late-Stage Launch Pad Access: Allows low-risk refuelling and non-hazardous inspections late in the integration flow, mitigating critical path schedule delays. 
  • Fewer potential bottlenecks: documentation and approvals are still required. However, water propulsion reduces the complexity of procedures on the ground. It also helps bring the satellite to launch readiness more quickly.

Water Propulsion Reduces Schedule Risk for Small Satellite Teams

Because of this, the ground operations team usually does not need to go through complicated procedures related to hazardous materials, since water is a safe and non-toxic propellant. Consequently, mission managers and system engineers spend less time on additional safety reviews, approvals, designated refuelling areas, and restrictions on launch site operations.

As a result, mission preparation becomes more predictable. Teams can effectively plan integration, testing, and final checks before launch. Consequently, they significantly reduce the risk of schedule delays in the later stages of the mission.

Easier Testing and Verification for Engineering Teams

Water propulsion makes the testing and verification processes more straightforward. By lowering facility requirements and removing high-pressure or toxic storage hazards, engineering teams and university laboratories can execute ambient and vacuum chamber testing safely without specialised hazardous material infrastructure.

Furthermore, the requirements for facilities, equipment, and safety procedures are lower. This is particularly important for university laboratories and research organisations. They can move more quickly from development to practical testing without spending a lot of time and resources dealing with hazardous propellants.

Better Fit for Rideshare Launch Environments

Water propulsion is well-suited for rideshare launches with multiple payloads carried on a single rocket. Moreover, a safe and non-toxic propellant reduces risks and simplifies joint integration.

This is important for a multi-payload launch stack. In addition, fewer restrictions on hazardous materials make it easier to coordinate the satellite’s placement alongside other payloads. As a result, teams can reduce integration complexities, minimise launch-provider restrictions, and speed up launch preparations.

The SteamJet Water Thruster was selected for a K-RadCube critical orbit correction as a part of Artemis II mission. You can read about the mission in detail here.

Water propulsion is a green and safe technology for small satellites. Moreover, it helps small satellites move faster from integration to launch readiness. In addition, a safe and non-toxic propellant simplifies testing, approvals, operations at the launch site, and integration with other payloads. As a result, teams reduce the risk of delays and reach the launch readiness phase more quickly.

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:

Steam TunaCan Thruster: A compact, high-efficiency solution for 1U-3U CubeSats.

Steam TunaTank Thruster: A safe, high-performance electrothermal propulsion system.

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 for technical specifications and ICDs.