WaterCube Propulsion Unit
Capsule Corporation
The WaterCube Propulsion Unit is a compact, modular propulsion system for CubeSats and SmallSats, offering various configurations to provide delta-v for collision avoidance, station-keeping, and de-orbiting.
Key figurescomparable across the catalogue
- Mass
- 0.17 kg
- Thrust
- 0.03 N
- Specific impulse
- 3.02 s
- Total impulse
- 160 N·s
Normalised to common units so this product can be compared with others in its category. The supplier's own wording is below.
As published by the supplier
- Form factor
- 3U
- Form factor (2)
- 6U
- Form factor (3)
- 12U
- Form factor (4)
- Smallsat
- Watercube propulsion unit volume
- 0.7U (baseline product)
- Watercube propulsion unit volume (2)
- 1.2U (with modular 3D printed tank)
- Watercube propulsion unit volume (3)
- 1.7U (with modular 3D printed tank)
- Watercube propulsion unit volume (4)
- 2x 1.5U clustered
- Watercube propulsion unit volume (5)
- 4x 1.8U clustered
- Propellant mass
- 0.170 kg
- Propellant mass (2)
- 0.610 kg
- Propellant mass (3)
- 1.050 kg
- Propellant mass (4)
- 1.740 kg
- Propellant mass (5)
- 4.200 kg
- Assumed spacecraft wet mass
- 5.5 kg
- Assumed spacecraft wet mass (2)
- 10.8 kg
- Assumed spacecraft wet mass (3)
- 18.0 kg
- Assumed spacecraft wet mass (4)
- 21.6 kg
- Assumed spacecraft wet mass (5)
- 100.0 kg
- Total impulse (Ns)
- 160
- Total impulse (Ns) (2)
- 565
- Total impulse (Ns) (3)
- 1000
- Total impulse (Ns) (4)
- 1620
- Total impulse (Ns) (5)
- 3900
- Total delta v [m/s] @ 95s ISP (4 mN thrust; 3 mNs MIB)
- 29.6 m
- Total delta v [m/s] @ 95s ISP (4 mN thrust; 3 mNs MIB) (2)
- 53.8
- Total delta v [m/s] @ 95s ISP (4 mN thrust; 3 mNs MIB) (3)
- 46.2
- Total delta v [m/s] @ 95s ISP (4 mN thrust; 3 mNs MIB) (4)
- 78.2 (8 mN thrust)
- Total delta v [m/s] @ 95s ISP (4 mN thrust; 3 mNs MIB) (5)
- 39.8 (16 mN thrust)
- Added lifetime (*CAM = Collision Avoidance Maneuvre)
- 1.5 years + 30 CAM
- Added lifetime (*CAM = Collision Avoidance Maneuvre) (2)
- 2.0 years + 30 CAM
- Added lifetime (*CAM = Collision Avoidance Maneuvre) (3)
- 2.0 years + 30 CAM
- Added lifetime (*CAM = Collision Avoidance Maneuvre) (4)
- 2.5 years + 30 CAM + faster de-orbiting
- Added lifetime (*CAM = Collision Avoidance Maneuvre) (5)
- 2.0 years + 30 CAM
About
The WaterCube Propulsion Unit is a series of propulsion systems designed for CubeSats and SmallSats, available in multiple form factors to suit different mission requirements. It utilizes water as a propellant and offers configurations for 3U, 6U, 12U CubeSats, and larger Smallsat platforms. The unit provides significant total impulse and delta-v capabilities, enabling critical maneuvers such as collision avoidance (CAM), station-keeping, and accelerated de-orbiting. The baseline product occupies 0.7U, with modular 3D printed tank options increasing the volume to 1.2U or 1.7U for enhanced propellant capacity. Clustered configurations are also available for larger spacecraft, offering increased thrust and total impulse. The system is designed to extend the operational lifetime of satellites and contribute to cost savings for operators by facilitating responsible space operations.
Documentation
Need the full ICD, test reports or a specific revision? Ask the supplier directly.