A space startup aims to transform water into rocket fuel in orbit, potentially revolutionizing satellite propulsion and deep space exploration.
This fall, they will send a small satellite to space. The satellite weighs 1,100 pounds. It will only use water as its fuel while in orbit. If it works, it could help solve the “fuel problem” for space missions.
Many space plans talk about using ice on the moon and Mars. They say we can break ice into hydrogen and oxygen to make rocket fuel. But no one has done this in space yet, not for big spaceships. General Galactic wants to be the first to prove it works.
There are two main ways to move spaceships in space. One way is to burn fuel like liquid methane with oxygen. This gives lots of power but uses a lot of fuel. The other way is to use electric power to push out gas. This uses very little fuel but moves the ship slowly.
Water can be used for both methods. For burning, you split water into hydrogen and oxygen with electricity. For electric power, you split water and then use electricity to push out the parts. Water is safer than other fuels because it won’t explode or freeze.
On their mission named Trinity, General Galactic will try both methods. They will show how to make fuel from water while in space. This could help make satellites move better. It could also help future space bases get fuel while they are far from Earth.