SteamJet Space Systems has been selected as the propulsion system supplier for one of the key satellites of the Artemis II mission. It is about the K-RadCube cubesat, developed by the South Korean company NaraSpace, which will be launched into a highly elliptical orbit.
A feature of the trajectory of the device is a very low perigee, which poses a potential threat of its burning in the atmosphere already during the first revolution around the Earth. To avoid this, a water electrothermal SteamJet engine will be used, able to provide high efficiency, comparable to chemical systems, but without the use of toxic components.
After deployment, the spacecraft will perform a continuous 12-hour perigee raising maneuver to an altitude of approx 200 km. This will avoid premature entry into the atmosphere and ensure the implementation of the scientific program of the device in the radiation belts of the Earth.
Essential Mission Tasks for the SteamJet Propulsion System:
- Raising the perigee to a safe height;
- Precise orbit adjustment;
- Extending the service life of the satellite.
This flight may become a record for the duration of a continuous orbital maneuver for a watercraft. It demonstrates a new level of capability for sustainable space propulsion systems for small satellites, which can now perform complex orbital tasks without compromising the environment or safety.
Choosing SteamJet to participate in the mission, associated with the Artemis II program, is an important milestone in the evolution of water electrothermal technologies and a step forward towards sustainable space exploration.