A Japanese power company that develops water-based propulsion is set to test its system on a Sony nanosatellite launched earlier this month.
Sony has selected Pale Blue to provide orbital propulsion for its Star Sphere project, which will offer still image and 4K video services for artistic and educational use and provide “space perspectives”.
The first Sony satellite for this project was launched along with 113 other satellites on a Falcon 9 rocket as part of the SpaceX Transporter 6 mission in January. 3. Cubesat 6U is called Star Sphere-1 and is equipped with a full frame camera.
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The satellite is also equipped with the Pale Blue water vapor propulsion system, which will be used for the company’s first demonstration of a water engine in space in late January.
According to Pale Blue, the small engine will extend the life of the satellite by 2.5 years, helping it maintain its orbit. The company says that steam-based fuel offers an environmentally friendly solution to the growing demand for small satellites with built-in engines.
“I am thrilled that our safe, sustainable and low cost water engine can contribute to this project and we are committed to advancing the space industry,” said Jun Asakawa, CEO and co-founder of Pale Blue. statement (will open in a new tab).
Pale Blue was founded in 2020 and is developing a range of water-based propulsion systems based on research conducted by the Japanese space agency JAXA and the University of Tokyo.
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