Pale Blue: Revolutionizing Space Travel with Aquatic Propulsion Technology

Pale Blue, a startup based in Japan focusing on water-based propulsion technologies for satellites, announced a partnership with D-Orbit yesterday to showcase their technology in two missions planned for 2025.

This collaboration will see Pale Blue’s 1U+ Water Ion Thruster sent into space aboard D-Orbit’s ION Satellite Carrier—set to launch in the months of June and October.

It operates on water, man: The range of propulsion systems available to satellite operators has never been more extensive. As the orbital pathways become increasingly crowded, these systems can assist in avoiding debris while retaining enough power to deorbit satellites at the conclusion of their operational lifetimes.

Nonetheless, Pale Blue’s system aims to make this technology as eco-friendly as feasible, without compromising performance.

Utilizing water as a propellant allows companies to circumvent the issues associated with using hazardous fuel propellants on Earth. Weighing in at under 2kg, the system provides a total impulse of 7,000 Ns, equipping satellites with sufficient thrust to execute multiple maneuvers in orbit without occupying excessive bus space.

Additionally, multiple thrusters can be combined to deliver extra thrust for larger satellites or more agile maneuvers.

Ocean of possibilities: For the Italian startup D-Orbit, this agreement signals the company’s entry into the Japanese space market, which it anticipates will prosper in the forthcoming years.

“As our inaugural collaboration with a Japanese enterprise, this contract underscores our dedication to fortifying connections within Japan’s advanced space industry and broadening D-Orbit’s presence in the Asia-Pacific area,” mentioned D-Orbit’s Sales Development Manager Ash Takao in a statement.