SAN FRANCISCO – Japanese startup Pale Blue announced an agreement Jan. 8 with Italian transportation company D-Orbit to conduct two 2025 demonstrations of a tiny water-fueled thruster.
Slightly larger than a 10-centimeter cube, the Pale Blue 1U+ Water Ion Thruster, is designed to help small satellites maneuver throughout missions, dodge space debris and de-orbit when missions conclude, according to the news release.
“By partnering with D-Orbit, we are taking a significant step forward in validating the performance and reliability of our propulsion technology,” Jun Asakawa, Pale Blue co-founder and CEO, said in a statement. “This collaboration will enable us to meet the growing demand, while contributing to space sustainability.”
Flight Heritage
Pale Blue’s demonstrated its Resistojet thruster in orbit for the first time in 2023. Since then, the University of Tokyo spinoff has raised $16 million in a Series B round and won a Japanese Small Business Innovation Research contract worth as much as $27 million to develop water-based ion and Hall-effect thrusters.
“We are confident that our water-based propulsion system will redefine the future of satellite missions and open up new possibilities for space exploration,” Asakawa said.
Water propellants offer the advantages of safety, availability and ease of handling, if they perform as advertised in orbit.
Pale Blue plans to demonstrate thruster performance in June and October 2025 on flights of D-Orbit’s ION Satellite Carrier. Since 2020, D-ORbit has deployed 105 satellites and hosted 48 payloads on 14 ION missions.
“Water-based propulsion technology perfectly aligns with D-Orbit’s commitment to sustainable space operations,” Renato Panesi, D-Orbit co-founder and chief commercial officer, said in a statement. “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.”
Asian Market
Pale Blue is D-Orbit’s first Japanese customer.
The new contract “highlights our commitment to strengthening ties within Japan’s advanced space sector and expanding D-Orbit’s reach in the Asia-Pacific region,” Ash Takao, D-Orbit sales development Manager and member of Marubeni Corp., said in a statement.
When Marubeni led D-Orbit’s 150 million euro Series C round, the Japanese trading giant obtained exclusive rights to distribute D-Orbit’s services in Japan and Southeast Asia.
