The satellite industry has experienced historic growth over the last few years. This is particularly evident in the small satellite sector. CubeSats or smaller satellites are cost-effective and versatile. They have become a vital instrument in space exploration, communications, and research, with innovations like water propulsion contributing to their development.
One of the keys to a mission success is selecting the right propulsion system. Choosing a suitable thruster can be difficult, yet it is essential for any mission or service that necessitates in-space maneuvering and control. While the market provides multiple CubeSat propulsion systems, including water propulsion, it is crucial to know how to evaluate them.
Performance, safety, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability are among the most important factors to consider in propulsion design.
Precise Control and Reliability
Water propulsion offers enhanced maneuverability, enabling precise orbit adjustments and facilitating complex mission profiles. It provides the capability to adjust thrust levels for accurate maneuvers, crucial for missions that need exact positioning and alignment. Moreover, this type of space propulsion system is relatively simple to design and operate. The technology is streamlined because it doesn’t require complex chemical reactions, thus minimizing the likelihood of technical failures.
Safety and Non-Toxicity
Water is one of the promising propellants because it is non-toxic and non-combustible. Thus, water propulsion eliminates the need for high-pressure gas systems. It is readily available, easy to handle and store, as well as poses few risks to both the spacecraft and the personnel engaged in mission preparation. On top of that, a water propulsion system may expedite the time required for safety evaluations.
Cost-effectiveness
Water as a propellant allows for the alignment of budget limitations with optimal performance while maintaining quality standards. It is an accessible resource that has a much lower price than numerous conventional chemical propellants. The water propulsion system is suitable for missions with limited funding.
Sustainability
Water propulsion is eco-friendly since it generates only water vapor, which is harmless to the space environment. This feature is in perfect alignment with a trend on sustainable space exploration and reducing the generation of space debris. Water vapor presents no danger to other spacecraft or orbital environments.
SteamJet engineered reliable and efficient space thrusters with optimal performance. Their simple design allows for customization to meet various mission requirements and does not cause any RF or magnetic interference.
More technical information regarding the thrusters is available on our website. This includes specifications, performance data, and recent test results. Steam TunaCan Thruster and Steam Thruster One. Discover how SteamJet innovations are shaping the future of sustainable satellite propulsion.