Water-Based Propulsion System Demonstration Flight Planned
Pale Blue Truster to Fly Aboard D-Orbit ION Satellite Carrier
A Launch Service Contract has been signed between D-Orbit and Pale Blue Inc., a Japanese space propulsion company specializing in water-based propulsion systems. Under the agreement, D-Orbit will conduct an in-orbit validation mission of Pale Blue's innovative water ion thrusters using its orbital transfer vehicle (OTV), ION Satellite Carrier.
"Water-based propulsion technology perfectly aligns with D-Orbit's commitment to sustainable space operations.”
Renato Panesi, D-Orbit
The contract covers the integration of two propulsion systems on D-Orbit's OTV and includes the operations period. The missions are scheduled for launch in June and October 2025. The mission will validate two propulsion systems from Pale Blue. These water-based propulsion systems offer a safe, cost-effective, and environmentally conscious alternative to traditional spacecraft thrusters, requiring no high-pressure storage while maintaining high performance levels.
"Water-based propulsion technology perfectly aligns with D-Orbit's commitment to sustainable space operations,” said Renato Panesi, co-founder and CCO at D-Orbit. “Drawing on our extensive experience in successful in-orbit demonstrations and the proven versatility of ION Satellite Carrier, we are happy to support Pale Blue in advancing their innovative propulsion solution."
“By partnering with D-Orbit, we are taking a significant step forward in validating the performance and reliability of our propulsion technology," said Jun Asakawa, Co-founder and CEO at Pale Blue. "This collaboration will enable us to meet the growing demand, while contributing to space sustainability. We are confident that our water-based propulsion system will redefine the future of satellite missions and open up new possibilities for space exploration.”
Founded in 2020 by propulsion specialists from the University of Tokyo, Pale Blue has developed a patented miniaturized ECR (Electron Cyclotron Resonance) technology that enables their thrusters to maximize the benefits of water as a propellant while achieving high performance. Their systems are designed to serve spacecraft ranging from 3U CubeSats to 700 kg (≈1,540 pound) satellites.
The mission will leverage D-Orbit's ION Satellite Carrier, a space vehicle that has demonstrated its versatility through 14 successful missions that performed multiple satellite deployment, hosted payload operations, and in-orbit demonstrations.
“This contract with Pale Blue marks an exciting first step in D-Orbit’s journey into the Japanese market, and we are thrilled to support the validation of such a pioneering propulsion technology,” said Ash Takao, Sales Development Manager for D-Orbit and member of Marubeni Corporation, one of D-Orbit's main investors. “As our first collaboration with a Japanese company, this contract highlights our commitment to strengthening ties within Japan’s advanced space sector and expanding D-Orbit’s reach in the Asia-Pacific region.”