badcatdog

badcatdog t1_iyccnl1 wrote

Reply to Japan successfully uses steam to propel Moon spacecraft by yourSAS

What this means, from Wiki:

>The propulsion system, called AQUARIUS, employs 8 water thrusters also used for attitude control (orientation) and momentum management.[10] The spacecraft will carry 1.5 kg of water,[10][11] and the complete propulsion system will occupy about 2.5 units out of the 6 units total spacecraft volume. The waste heat from the communication components is reused to assist in the heating of water vapor, which is heated to 100 °C (212 °F) at the pre-heater.[10] The AQUARIUS' water thrusters produce a total of 4.0 mN, a specific impulse (Isp) of 70 seconds, and consumes about 20 watts power.

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