By Chris Forrester
Choosing the right propulsion system is more than just a financial choice. The decision depends on the role of the spacecraft, its weight, its destination and need for potentially a very high degree of thrust to overcome drag when in a low orbit. It could also be dependent on whether in-orbit refuelling might be an option. Overall, propulsion could be a $5 billion market, said moderator Jason Mello, CEO at The KMC Group LLC.
Dr. Ane Aanesland, Founder & CEO at ThrustMe said the market for propulsion systems was transitioning into an industrial phase, with mass manufacture increasingly the norm. We like to carry out innovation and constantly challenge the usual customs and practices. She said that by the end of this year ThrustMe would have some 200 systems in orbit. “ThrustMe has a product that will be introduced next February in 2026 which will use Iodine which we see as a major breakthrough for the industry.”
Dr. Alexis Harroun, Founder & CEO at Juno Propulsion said some clients continued to favor chemical fuelling with Hydrazine as a propellant. The cost of it, sourcing it, and regulations which forbid its use must be recognised. However, Juno firmly backed green applications for propulsion and taking rocket propulsion to the next level. She added that on-going discussions with clients there were frequent questions regarding in-orbit refuelling, and how expensive might the technique be. “Reliability is crucial, and our design eliminates the pressure vessel usually needed for Hydrazine. This removes some of the risks of failure. Bit fuel efficiency is a key aim.”
Peter Hruby, VP at Busek, said he felt in-orbit refuelling was some way off. “We do not have a client asking for in-orbit fuelling connections.” Hruby ‘s company supplied Airbus/OneWeb with their (Hall-effect) electric propulsion thrusters. OneWeb use Busek thrusters for orbit-raising, station-keeping, collision avoidance and de-orbit at the conclusion of each satellite’s mission.
Dr Jun Asakawa, Co-founder & CEO at Pale-Blue explained that his company was looking to power space mobility with water, which was he said “the ultimate green propellant”. Their systems use water as propellant and do not require high pressure storage, which leads to a safe, cost-effective and sustainable solution for in-space propulsion and up to 700 kgs.