The startup Argo Space plans to change the rules of space logistics by relying on water as a propellant and coolant, in an attempt to create a sustainable transport network connecting various Earth orbits and the lunar orbit. This vision comes from the company's founders, engineers Robert, Ryan, and Kirby Carlisle, who gained their experience working at SpaceX during the Falcon 9 rocket era.
The technology developed by the company relies on using solar energy to electrolyze water into hydrogen and oxygen gases, then burning them to generate thrust. This approach is distinguished from traditional electric engines (Ion thrusters) by its ability to provide stronger thrust, and it outperforms traditional fuel systems by avoiding the complexities of storing materials at cryogenic temperatures, as water can be stored as a liquid with high density and moderate pressure until it is time to use it. In addition to being a fuel, water also acts as a coolant for electronics and a shield for radiation protection, which increases the efficiency of the mass allocated for fuel in the vehicle.
What does this approach actually change?
The technical and economic essence of this innovation lies in the shift from relying on Earth-based supplies to exploiting orbital resources. Instead of lifting massive amounts of fuel through Earth's strong gravity, Argo Space aims to enable water harvesting operations from the Moon and other regions in the solar system. This shift will open the door to a true "lunar economy," including services for refueling satellites, repairing them, and redeploying them into different orbits, which will radically reduce operational costs in space.
Technical challenges and future plans
The company faced challenges in its first experimental mission, Navigator, which was launched last July via a Falcon 9 rocket; one of the solar panels malfunctioned, leading to battery depletion and the inability to test the propulsion system, despite the company's success in verifying the software, avionics, and structures. However, the company is preparing to launch two missions for its next-generation vehicle, Chiron, in 2027, where one will fly to Low Earth Orbit and the other to Geostationary Transfer Orbit for clients in the national security sector.
It is noteworthy that Argo Space has decided not to rely on SpaceX rockets for upcoming Chiron missions due to long waitlists, preferring to use other commercial rockets or government vehicles to accelerate its schedule. The company aspires in the future to develop the Argonaut vehicle with a payload capacity of up to 1,400 kg and a delta-v of up to 17 km/s, a step that will support its signed agreement with ispace to deliver a communications satellite to lunar orbit during this decade.