Revolutionary Water-Powered Nano-Satellites Successfully Launched into Orbit by Japanese Company PB!
A nano-sat for the first time using water vapor propulsion has been successfully flown by a Japanese company PB (Pale Blue).
The propellant method, an environmentally friendly & low—cost, passed its first test.
The propulsion system aboard Sony’s Star Sphere 1, or EYE, satellite was tested by PB.
PB’s water-based thrusters fired off for roughly 2 minutes, during the test on March 3.
It was confirmed later by data that the engine’s initial test was successful.
Sony’s first satellite-EYE-aims to make space photography more accessible, with its Star Sphere project.
113 other satellites aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket were launched along with EYE on January 6.
A camera is featured on a nanosat, which will operate from an altitude of about 310 to 372 miles above the surface of the Earth.
A PB‘s successful test of the propulsion system means it can now help the satellite maneuver to its targeted orbit.
The design of water-based thrusters is to prolong the life of the small EYE satellite by 2.5 years with small periodic orbital corrections through maneuvers.
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