Numerical Modeling and Validation of a Water Electrolysis Propulsion System for CubeSats
Raviteja VEMULA, Pratyush Kumar SINGH, Maria Grazia DE GIORGI
Abstract This work presents the conceptual design and numerical modeling of a electrolysis based water propulsion system tailored for CubeSat applications. A Python based simulation framework models the complete electrolyze–store–burn cycle, integrating a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyzer, gas storage reservoirs, a catalytic ignition chamber, and an isentropic nozzle expansion stage. The system evaluated over an input power range of 3.95–9.7 W, with electrolyzer efficiencies ranging from 71% to 76%. At optimal conditions (Pc = 6 bar, Tc = 3300 K), the quasi-steady nozzle model predicts a theoretical specific impulse of 450.3 s. However, realistic pulsed operation includes startup and shutdown transients that reduce the effective specific impulse to 405 s approximately 10% performance penalty. Each operational cycle consumes around 1.25 g of water, producing sufficient thrust for CubeSat scale maneuvers. These performance metrics demonstrate alignment with small satellite propulsion requirements. The integrated model offers a foundational tool for linking electrochemical generation with thrust performance, supporting future development of green, multi-mode micro propulsion systems for agile CubeSat missions.
Keywords
Water Electrolysis Propulsion (WEP), CubeSat, Micro Propulsion, Green Propellant, Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Electrolysis
Published online 7/20/2026, 6 pages
Copyright © 2026 by the author(s)
Published under license by Materials Research Forum LLC., Millersville PA, USA
Citation: Raviteja VEMULA, Pratyush Kumar SINGH, Maria Grazia DE GIORGI, Numerical Modeling and Validation of a Water Electrolysis Propulsion System for CubeSats, Materials Research Proceedings, Vol. 69, pp 701-706, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21741/9781644904251-124
The article was published as article 124 of the book CEAS – AIDAA Conference 2025
Content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI.
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