The CubeSat, made up of standardized 10cm cube-shaped blocks, could revolutionize satellites by replacing large and complex spacecraft with small and simple constellations that can be deployed quickly and inexpensively.
However, the small size of the satellites also means there is a trade-off in the design. Larger satellites can carry enough fuel for years or even decades to keep them in orbit or change as needed, but CubeSats don't have much room for engines, fuel and power systems to operate them.
To overcome this, Howe Industries is developing ThermaSat, which is a separate module that can be installed on one side of the CubeSat. The water heats up until it turns into steam, which creates thrust.
According to the company, ThermaSat weighs 2.4 kg, including a standard load of 1 kg of distilled water, and consists of two CubeSat units (2U). They can provide the movement of spacecraft up to 16 CubeSat units. When water turns to steam, it creates a thrust of 1.02 N and a specific impulse of 203 seconds. That's enough to keep CubeSat in low-earth orbit for more than five years, or in very low-earth orbit for months instead of weeks.
In addition, ThermaSat gives CubeSat the ability to change its orbit. This means that space satellites can fly in formation, de-orbit on command, and avoid collisions with other satellites.
How useful it can be?
