Pale Blue: Pioneering Sustainable Future in Space with Water-Based Thruster Innovation

Pale Blue: Pioneering Sustainable Future in Space with Water-Based Thruster Innovation

Pale Blue was founded by four members who have been engaged in basic research on propulsion machines, and the development and operation of the satellite-mounted actual machine together for more than 7 years. Pale Blue is striving every day to realize sustainable space development and utilization, centering on the technology of ultra-small propulsion systems with water as the propellant. Their mission is to enable safe, high-performance thrusters using water as a “green” propellant, disrupting traditional propulsion systems with reliable and sustainable alternatives.

Water-based Propulsion Systems

Pale Blue offers advanced electric propulsion systems suited for a wide variety of missions for spacecraft ranging from 3U CubeSats to 700 kg satellites. The systems use water as propellant and do not require high-pressure storage, which leads to a safe, cost-effective, and sustainable solution for in-space propulsion.

  • PBR-10: Designed for 3U–6U CubeSats, this 0.5U thruster delivers nominal thrust at ~6 mN with ultra-compact power consumption.
  • PBR-20: A 1U-format thruster optimized for 6U–8U CubeSats, delivering approximately 20 mN thrust.

  • PBR-50: Intended for larger microsatellites (100–200 kg class), provides about 10 mN of thrust at 50 W, within a 250 × 300 mm envelope.
  • PBI: A 1U+ ion thruster delivering over 7,000 Ns total impulse, for nanosats and larger microsatellites.

Water Hall-Effect Thruster: Scalable to small satellites up to ~700 kg, offering up to ~10 mN thrust in a flexible form factor.

Pale Blue is redefining satellite propulsion through its innovative water-based thruster technology. With a broad product lineup designed for CubeSats and small microsats, proven in-orbit operations, and growing industry recognition, the company is advancing toward a safer and more sustainable future in space mobility.

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