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.”