Thales Alenia Space And MIPRONS Team Up To Develop A Water-powered Satellite Propulsion System
Thales Alenia Space, the joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), has signed an agreement with Italian startup MIPRONS to develop of a highly innovative propulsion system for satellites, using water as a fuel!
Based on MIPRONS’ proprietary technology, with the Italian patent being extended to 49 other countries, this miniaturized, high-thrust thruster will use a very green, cost-effective propellant – water! An electrolysis process breaks down the water into hydrogen and oxygen, which are fed into the combustion chamber. Only loading water, the system would allow for faster maneuver times such as orbit-raising, de-orbiting and collision avoidance. Because the system is both compact and scalable, it can be used on all size satellites, from small to large.
The innovative MIPRONS concept also calls on 3D printing for a number of components.
Purposed-designed for Thales Alenia Space’s satellites, this powerful and high-efficiency thruster will feature reduced weight and volume. Thales Alenia Space will guide thruster development to achieve a reliable, high-performance propulsion solution for small and medium satellites. Thales Alenia Space in Italy will support the environmental testing of the engineering model.
“We are very proud to team up with MIPRONS, which is gaining increasing international recognition, since our collaboration could well change the paradigm for space missions,” said Massimo Claudio Comparini, CEO of Thales Alenia Space in Italy. “This agreement confirms Thales Alenia Space’s strategy to play a pivotal role in new space initiatives, reflected in synergies generated with exciting new startups that catalyze the entire space ecosystem. We are always willing to tackle new challenges that emphasize the growing strategic importance of the space sector.”
“I am extremely proud of our agreement with Thales Alenia Space,” added Angelo Minotti, CEO and founder of MIPRONS. “It’s truly a privilege to earn the trust of one of the world’s largest space companies. Our project, although still in its early stages , clearly has the potential to define a new paradigm in space, and we will do everything we can to have the system up and running as soon as possible.”
About MIPRONS
MIPRONS was founded by Angelo Minotti to address The need to speed up satellite orbital positioning and react more quickly in the event of a collision threat.
About THALES ALENIA SPACE
Drawing on over 40 years of experience and a unique combination of skills, expertise and cultures, Thales Alenia Space delivers cost-effective solutions for telecommunications, navigation, Earth observation, environmental management, exploration, science and orbital infrastructures. Governments and private industry alike count on Thales Alenia Space to design satellite-based systems that provide anytime, anywhere connections and positioning, monitor our planet, enhance management of its resources, and explore our Solar System and beyond. Thales Alenia Space sees space as a new horizon, helping to build a better, more sustainable life on Earth. A joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), Thales Alenia Space also teams up with Telespazio to form the parent companies’ Space Alliance, which offers a complete range of services. Thales Alenia Space posted consolidated revenues of approximately 2.15 billion euros in 2021 and has around 8,900 employees in 10 countries with 17 sites in Europe and a plant in the US.
www.thalesaleniaspace.com
