Innovating Space with SteamSteamJet, the first Westcott BIC incubatee, is developing a safer, compact and affordable water-based propulsion system for CubeSats and Small Satellites. The aim is to expand current mission capabilities, enabling satellites to stay in Space longer, change and optimise their orbit, avoid collisions, operate in constellations and de-orbit at the end of their mission.
Route to ImpactSteamJet develops and produces water-based thrusters for SmallSats/CubeSats using water or other low pressure, non-toxic, non-corrosive fluid as the propellant to form thrust in a low power resistojet. The major advantages of using water as the propellant are:
A networking event at the Catapult led to SteamJet becoming the first incubatee at the Catapult’s Westcott Business Incubation Centre (BIC). From here it was possible to focus on the CubeSat challenges SteamJet were aiming to resolve:
The SolutionThe propulsion system is smaller than 1U and exploits the ‘tuna can’ volume available on CubeSat deployers. Its unique shape allows for installation outside the main CubeSat structure. This is a major benefit for the final customer because it provides more space for the payload or other subsystems within the satellite.
This compact option provides a minimum overall dimension with maximum flexibility. The solid thruster design and efficient mass exhaustion increases reliability and decreases costs yet meets all CubeSat safety requirements.
SteamJet have collaborated with Total Carbide who now manufacture part of the SteamJet system. To date, we have two prototypes and 3D printing underway.
The SteamJet system, post manufacture tolerances, are tested at The University of Southampton where we have recently commenced a SPRINT project.
The specialist knowledge gained whilst at the Westcott BIC has created the foundations for our first technology demonstration mission.
To protect SteamJet’s intellectual property, commenced during our year as a Westcott Incubatee.
As the company continues to grow, we will seek to move from the current six employees to ten within the next couple of years.
The FutureA launch service agreement with Momentus, an in-space transportation company, is underway. This will be SteamJet’s first technology demonstration mission for a reliable, compact, and available water-based propulsion system. It will be launched from a Falcon9 rocket to a Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO). At the moment, we have signed up for 2020 and 2021 Vigoride flights. These flights are designed to remain in Low Earth Orbit for several months depending upon the customers’ missions.
In the future, SteamJet has ambitious plans to apply its proprietary rapid water-heating technology to a wide range of space propulsion products, not just to serve small satellites, but medium and big satellites as well, introducing a New Age of Steam in Space!
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