This space company is betting its future on a propellant available everywhere
Is that water in your spacecraft, or are you just happy to see the delta-V?
TL;DR
- Argo Space, founded by brothers Robert, Ryan, and Kirby Carlisle (ex-SpaceX engineers), focuses on building in-space infrastructure.
- The company's core technology uses water as a propellant, coolant, and radiation shield for spacecraft.
- Water is split into hydrogen and oxygen in space using solar power to generate thrust.
- Argo Space's first demonstration mission, Navigator, had a solar array deployment issue and was power-negative, preventing propulsion tests.
- Future missions in 2027 will feature the Chiron spacecraft, designed for demonstrations of its water-based propulsion system.
- Argo Space is developing the Argonaut vehicle for larger payloads and aims to support lunar logistics, with a deal to deliver a satellite to lunar orbit.
- The company has raised $20 million and has fewer than 30 employees, benefiting from spacecraft development being less capital-intensive than rocket development.