A groundbreaking project led by the University of Bologna, Italy, is exploring the potential of water as a fuel for space travel. The Water-based Electric Thrusters (WET) project, funded by the Horizon Europe MSCA Staff Exchange program, aims to revolutionize space propulsion by utilizing water instead of traditional fuels.
The project, involving scientists from nine leading universities and research institutes across Europe, Africa, and Oceania, focuses on converting water into plasma, a high-energy state of matter, to generate thrust. This innovative approach could pave the way for a more affordable, efficient, and environmentally friendly method of propulsion.
The WET project targets the development of a new electric thruster operating within a 500 to 1000-watt power range, making it suitable for small satellites (SmallSats) and deep-space missions. Unlike traditional chemical fuels, water-based propulsion offers a safer and more sustainable alternative, eliminating harmful emissions.
By transforming water into plasma, electrical energy can be used to accelerate the particles and create thrust. This system could significantly reduce space mission costs and even enable spacecraft to refuel using water sources found in space, such as on the Moon or asteroids.
Professor Fabrizio Ponti, the project's lead researcher, highlights the potential of this initiative to make space access more sustainable and widely available. Advanced research facilities at the Alma Propulsion Laboratory are undergoing upgrades to test water-based plasma thrusters, refining the technology before its integration into real-world space missions.
If successful, the WET project could transform the way satellites and spacecraft are powered, offering a cleaner and more efficient alternative for deep-space exploration, satellite deployment, and long-duration missions. Beyond propulsion, the research could lead to new applications in plasma technology and energy generation.
The growing demand for sustainable technology in space travel aligns with international efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of space activities. This research could be a major step toward making space exploration more affordable and environmentally responsible, opening new opportunities for scientific and commercial innovation.
As scientists continue refining the technology, the future of space travel could soon depend on one of Earth's most abundant and renewable resources: water.