Sony Star Sphere Nanosatellite Tests First Water-Based Space Propulsion

Sony has introduced its all-new satellite technology that goes by the name Star Shere, which seeks to revolutionize how we take photos.

And the Japanese tech giant tapped a propulsion firm based in Japan, Pale Cube, to test the waters on a space propulsion technology that uses a water-based thruster.

Sony Star Sphere

Sony's Star Sphere project is an orbiting satellite in space that features a high quality camera, allowing its users to take photos from the space, Peta Pixel reports.

The giant Japanese firm says it allows users to "shoot your own space photography and videography with exclusive camerawork including never-before-possible angles of view."

On top of that, the giant Japanese firm says its users "can get a sense of life-changing space perspectives through the experience of connecting with space."

Sony is working hand in hand with the space agency of Japan, JAXA, and the University of Tokyo to develop their new innovative project.

The tech firms are working with them to help them operate not only the ground systems, but the satellites as well. Not to mention that the three are working collectively to make commercialization of this revolutionary project possible.

After all, the goal here is to bring space photography and videography on the consumer level.

First-Ever Water-Based Space Propulsion

It is worth noting that the Sony Star Sphere project is not only experimenting on new space photography capabilities. It is also using the first-ever water-based thruster technology, as per a news story by Interesting Engineering.

The tech behemoth is working with Pale Blue to try out the new space propulsion technology for its Star Sphere project.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and co-founder of Pale Blue, Jun Asakwa, says they "are committed to the development of the space industry."

The big boss of Pale Blue further adds that he is "very pleased that [their] safe, sustainable, and low-cost water thruster can contribute" to the project of Sony.

Interesting Engineering notes in its report that Pale Blue has been working on various water-based space propulsion technology since it was founded in 2020.

These systems are based on the research of the Japanese space agency and the University of Tokyo.

Pale Blue notes that using a small thruster like their water-based system would help Sony

eventually prolong the lifespan of their nanosatellites. The Japanese propulsion firm touts that it could potentially increase its life by roughly 2.5 years.

On top of that, the space firm highlights that the water-vapor propellant is also friendlier to the environment. So given that the demand for small satellites are rapidly increasing these days, this might be a good solution to be more caring for the environment.