CubeSat launched by SpaceX will test water-based propulsion in space

A Japanese company developing water-based thrusters is set to test its system on a Sony nanosatellite launched earlier this month on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

Called Pale Blue, the company was chosen by the multinational to provide orbital propulsion for its project. star ball (Sphere Stellar), which will offer still images and 4K video services for artistic and educational use, providing “spatial perspectives”.

Carrying a full-frame camera, Sony’s first satellite for the project, which has been named Stellar sphere-1it launched on Jan. 3 along with 113 other satellites atop SpaceX’s Transporter 6 mission.

According to Pale Blue, its tiny water-based thruster will extend the satellite’s lifespan by 2.5 years, helping it maintain its orbit. According to the company, the water vapor propellant offers an environmentally friendly solution to the growing demand for small satellites with built-in thrusters.

“I am pleased that our safe, sustainable and low-cost water booster can contribute to this project and we are committed to the development of the space industry,” said Jun Asakawa, CEO and co-founder of Pale Blue, in a statement. .

Established in 2020, Pale Blue is developing a variety of water-based propulsion systems based on research conducted by the Japan Space Agency (JAXA) and the University of Tokyo.

The post CubeSat launched by SpaceX will test water-based propulsion in space first appeared in Olhar Digital.

Source: Olhar Digital