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.