A former SpaceX engineer believes he has found a way to turn ordinary water into usable rocket fuel, a breakthrough that could transform space exploration and enable permanent bases on the Moon and Mars.
For decades, scientists have assumed that ice discovered on the Moon or Mars could be converted into rocket fuel, allowing spacecraft to refuel in space instead of launching everything from Earth. However, this idea remained theoretical because no one had successfully demonstrated a practical system capable of converting water into propulsion fuel for real spacecraft.
A startup called General Galactic is now attempting to prove that concept. Founded by former SpaceX engineer Halen Mattison and aerospace engineer Luke Neise, the company plans to launch a satellite mission later this year that will use water as its only propellant source, as reported by Wired.
The system works by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using electrolysis. The hydrogen can then be burned as fuel, while the oxygen acts as the oxidizer in a traditional chemical propulsion system. At the same time, oxygen can also be ionized into plasma and expelled using an electric propulsion system called a Hall thruster, allowing spacecraft to maneuver efficiently over long periods.
This dual propulsion capability could solve a major limitation in spaceflight. Chemical propulsion provides strong thrust but consumes large amounts of fuel quickly, while electric propulsion is highly efficient but produces low thrust. Water based propulsion could combine both advantages in a safer and more practical system.
Unlike traditional rocket fuels such as liquid methane, water is stable, non explosive, and easier to store. It does not require extremely low temperatures to remain stable and does not risk boiling away when exposed to sunlight. This makes it especially attractive for long duration missions and orbital refueling systems.
The company’s upcoming Trinity mission will test whether water propulsion can provide sufficient maneuverability and efficiency for satellites. If successful, it could significantly extend mission lifetimes and allow spacecraft to change orbit more frequently.
The implications extend far beyond satellites. Mattison envisions a future network of orbital refueling stations using water sourced from lunar or Martian ice. This could enable spacecraft to travel deeper into the solar system without needing to carry massive amounts of fuel from Earth.
Such infrastructure could make permanent Moon bases, Mars missions, and deep space exploration far more practical and affordable. Instead of launching fully fueled spacecraft, missions could refuel along the way using resources already available in space.
While significant engineering challenges remain, including corrosion risks and system efficiency, aerospace experts believe the concept has real potential. If General Galactic’s demonstration succeeds, it could mark a major step toward sustainable human expansion beyond Earth.
