Space Trends 2024
Water Electrolysis Propulsion Review
This conference project focused on a scoping review of water electrolysis propulsion systems for small satellites and deep-space missions. The paper evaluated technical progress, key challenges, and the long-term relevance of water electrolysis systems as a sustainable propulsion option.
Project Overview
The review benchmarks advances in water electrolysis propulsion against historical milestones and competing propulsion technologies, with an eye toward mission fit rather than hype.
Key Takeaway
Water electrolysis offers compelling advantages including non-toxic storage, strong mission flexibility, and long-term compatibility with in-situ resource utilization, but the technology still faces real systems-level challenges before broad adoption.
ISRU Potential
A key focus of the review was the compatibility of water electrolysis propulsion with in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) — water can be sourced from lunar or asteroid resources, making it a strong candidate for sustainable deep-space mission architectures.
Conference Venue
Presented at SpaceTrends 2024 at the Łukasiewicz Research Network – Institute of Aviation (iLOT) in Warsaw, Poland. The conference brought together researchers and industry professionals working on emerging space technologies and commercialization.
Project Media
Conference context and the full paper.
Full Conference Paper
The paper discusses advancements, challenges, TRL, and ISRU potential for water electrolysis propulsion systems.