This Startup Thinks It Can Make Rocket Fuel From Water. Stop Laughing

The Water-Based Propulsion Revolution: Can General Galactic Make It Happen?

In the world of space exploration, there's a long-standing assumption that has been at the core of our long-term space programs. If we can return astronauts to the moon, we'll find ice there. And if we find that ice in sufficient quantities, we'll break it down into hydrogen and oxygen, and use that fuel to fly deeper into the solar system, maybe even to Mars. And if we get to Mars, we'll find even more ice on the Red Planet. We'll mine that, combine it with the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, and use that to fly the astronauts back.

This idea has been around since the Apollo era and has been touted in recent years by the likes of former NASA administrator Bill Nelson and SpaceX's Elon Musk. But here's the thing: No one has ever successfully turned water into rocket fuel, not for a spaceship of any significant size. A startup called General Galactic, led by a pair of twentysomething engineers, is aiming to be the first.

The Challenges of Water-Based Propulsion

Water isn't ideal for either electrical or chemical propulsion. But it might be just good enough for both. Unlike, say, liquid methane, you don't need to worry about water accidentally blowing up your spacecraft or keeping it cooled at -260 degrees Fahrenheit or having it boil off when your satellite faces the sun. However, ionized oxygen interacts with everything, potentially corroding the electrical propulsion system. "It's not an easy element to work with," says Ryan Conversano, a former Jet Propulsion Laboratory technologist who is serving as a consultant to General Galactic. "It makes material selection and design of the device or devices very, very challenging."

The General Galactic Approach

General Galactic plans to demonstrate the two methods during its Trinity mission. For chemical propulsion, it'll use electrolysis to split the water into hydrogen and oxygen, then burn the hydrogen, with oxygen as the oxidizer. For the electrical propulsion system—this one's called a "Hall thruster"—it'll split the water, then apply enough electrical energy that the oxygen becomes a plasma. From there, you use a magnetic field to shape the plasma and shoot it out.

The idea is to show "we can provide both the long-efficiency maneuver but also sometimes folks need to get somewhere fast or respond really quickly to a dramatic event in the orbital environment," says Luke Neise, General Galactic's CTO. "Sometimes you need more than a burp in space."

The Potential Benefits

For example, Chinese and Russian satellites increasingly have been flying in close proximity to American ones. Finding a method for maneuvering away from those rivals in a hurry is something the US Space Force and others are extremely interested in. The hope, Mattison says, is that "we can give you five or 10 times the mission Delta-V," using the jargon for the total change in velocity and direction a spacecraft can make over time.

The Road Ahead

So far, Mattison and Neise have raised $10 million in venture capital, a relative pittance in the aerospace sector but more than enough for this mission. They've got a spot on a Falcon 9 rocket launch, scheduled liftoff is October or later in the fall. If General Galactic can meet or top its expectations for this introductory effort, it could begin to be an answer to that yada yada at the core of tomorrow's missions to the moon and beyond.

The Future of Space Exploration

The success of General Galactic's mission could have far-reaching implications for the future of space exploration. If water-based propulsion becomes a viable option, it could enable more efficient and cost-effective missions to the moon, Mars, and beyond. It could also enable the creation of a refueling network in space, making it possible to send missions to the outer reaches of the solar system.

In conclusion, General Galactic's mission to develop water-based propulsion is an exciting and ambitious undertaking. While there are challenges to be overcome, the potential benefits are significant. If successful, it could revolutionize the way we explore space and make it possible to send missions to the moon, Mars, and beyond.

Source: https://www.wired.com/story/general-galactic-water-rocket-fuel-test/