Imagine a future where rocket fuel is derived from water, a seemingly simple yet groundbreaking concept. This is the vision of General Galactic, a startup led by a pair of young engineers, who aim to revolutionize space travel. But here's the twist: No one has ever successfully turned water into rocket fuel for a significant spacecraft. Will they be the first?
This fall, General Galactic plans to launch an 1,100-pound satellite, utilizing water as its sole propellant in orbit. If successful, this could solve the long-standing problem of space fuel and enhance US satellite maneuverability, especially in the event of a potential space conflict. CEO Halen Mattison and CTO Luke Neise envision a future where they build a 'gas station on Mars' and establish a refueling network.
The challenge lies in the two main types of engines used in spacecraft: chemical and electric propulsion. Chemical propulsion, like liquid methane, provides high thrust but is less efficient. Electric propulsion, using gases like xenon, offers low thrust but incredible efficiency. Water, however, is not ideal for either method.
General Galactic's Trinity mission will demonstrate both approaches. For chemical propulsion, they'll split water into hydrogen and oxygen through electrolysis, then burn hydrogen with oxygen as the oxidizer. For electric propulsion, they'll ionize oxygen, creating a plasma, which is then shaped by a magnetic field and ejected. This dual approach aims to cater to both long-term efficiency and rapid maneuvers.
The potential impact is significant, especially with the increasing proximity of Chinese and Russian satellites to American ones. The US Space Force is keen to find ways to quickly maneuver away from rivals. General Galactic's goal is to provide five to ten times the mission Delta-V, a measure of a spacecraft's velocity and direction change.
Mattison and Niese, who met at Stanford, developed this water-based propellant idea while working at SpaceX and other companies. They've raised $10 million in venture capital, a modest amount in the aerospace sector, but sufficient for their mission. However, challenges remain, such as the corrosive nature of ionized oxygen on electrical propulsion systems and the competitiveness of chemical propulsion with added mass.
Despite the obstacles, General Galactic's efforts could be a game-changer for future space missions, offering a potential solution to the long-standing 'yada yada' problem of space fuel.
