
(Photo courtesy of NASA)
By using steam rather than fuel, the microwave-size spacecraft prototype can theoretically explore celestial objects “forever.”
Using steam to propel a spacecraft from asteroid to asteroid is now possible, thanks to a collaboration between a private space company and the University of Central Florida.
UCF planetary research scientist Phil Metzger worked with Honeybee Robotics of Pasadena, California, which developed the World Is Not Enough spacecraft prototype that extracts water from asteroids or other planetary bodies to generate steam and propel itself to its next mining target.
UCF provided the simulated asteroid material and Metzger did the computer modeling and simulation necessary before Honeybee created the prototype and tried out the idea in its facility Dec. 31. The team also partnered with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, to develop initial prototypes of steam-based rocket thrusters
“We could potentially use this technology to hop on the Moon, … Pluto, the poles of Mercury, asteroids — anywhere there is water and sufficiently low gravity.” – Phil Metzger, UCF scientist
“It’s awesome,” Metzger says of the demonstration. “WINE successfully mined the soil, made rocket propellant, and launched itself on a jet of steam extracted from the simulant. We could potentially use this technology to hop on the Moon, Ceres, Europa, Titan, Pluto, the poles of Mercury, asteroids — anywhere there is water and sufficiently low gravity.”
WINE, which is the size of a microwave oven, mines the water from the surface then makes it into steam to fly to a new location and repeat. Therefore, it is a rocket that never runs out of fuel and can theoretically explore “forever.”
The process works in a variety of scenarios depending on the gravity of each object, Metzger says. The spacecraft uses deployable solar panels to get enough energy for mining and making steam, or it could use small radiosotopic decay units to extend the potential reach of these planetary hoppers to Pluto and other locations far from the sun.
Metzger spent three years developing technology necessary to turn the idea into reality. He developed new equations and a new method to do computer modeling of steam propulsion to come up with the novel approach and to verify that it would actually work beyond a computer screen.

By using steam rather than fuel, the World Is Not Enough (WINE) spacecraft prototype can theoretically explore “forever,” as long as water and sufficiently low gravity is present
The development of this type of spacecraft could have a profound impact on future exploration. Currently, interplanetary missions stop exploring once the spacecraft runs out of propellant.
“Each time we lose our tremendous investment in time and money that we spent building and sending the spacecraft to its target,” Metzger says. “WINE was designed to never run out of propellant so exploration will be less expensive. It also allows us to explore in a shorter amount of time, since we don’t have to wait for years as a new spacecraft travels from Earth each time.”
The project is a result of the NASA Small Business Technology Transfer program. The program is designed to encourage universities to partner with small businesses, injecting new scientific progress into marketable commercial products.
“The WINE-like spacecrafts have the potential to change how we explore the universe.” – Kris Zacny, vice president of Honeybee Robotics
“The project has been a collaborative effort between NASA, academia and industry; and it has been a tremendous success,” says Kris Zacny, vice president of Honeybee Robotics. “The WINE-like spacecrafts have the potential to change how we explore the universe.”
The team is now seeking partners to continue developing small spacecraft.
Metzger is an associate in planetary science research at UCF’s Florida Space Institute. Before joining UCF, he worked at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center from 1985 to 2014. He earned both his master’s (2000) and doctorate (2005) in physics from UCF. Metzger’s work covers some of the most exciting and cutting-edge areas of space research and engineering. He has participated in developing a range of technologies advancing our understanding of how to explore the solar system. The technologies include: methods to extract water from lunar soil; 3D printing methods for structures built from asteroid and Martian clay, and lunar soil mechanic testers for use by gloved astronauts.
Learn more: Steam-Powered Asteroid Hoppers Developed through UCF Collaboration
The Latest on: Steam-powered spacecraft
via Google News
The Latest on: Steam-powered spacecraft
- Something To Think About While You’re Mowing The Lawnon January 18, 2021 at 4:00 pm
Or simply because it’s less effort to fill the space with grass than it is to ... is credited with the first steam-powered mover, and over the decades before the First World War there appeared ...
- BUTTERMERE, eco-friendly, beautiful outdoor terrace, private parking, near – Home 9187557 Houseon January 16, 2021 at 4:00 pm
Private off-road parking for one car, with further space across the stream ... From walking in the mountains to exhilarating watersports or just a gentle cruise on a steam-powered yacht, Cumbria is ...
- Inside £15k Amazing Spaces shepherd's hut built from scratch for just £2kon January 12, 2021 at 7:46 am
And the incredible result - complete with steam-powered hot tub - dazzled TV architect George Clarke when it was featured on the star's Amazing Spaces Channel 4 show. Architect George Clarke.
- It may sound ridiculous, but the future of satellites could be steam-poweredon January 8, 2021 at 2:09 pm
On the surface, a steam-powered satellite sounds like something ... Arizona-based company that develops space-based power systems, and has previously received grants from the likes of NASA and ...
- ThermaSat design would see CubeSats propelled by jets of steamon January 4, 2021 at 4:00 pm
Made up of standardized cube-shaped units measuring four inches (10 cm) on a side, CubeSats have the potential to revolutionize how satellites operate, by replacing large, complicated spacecraft ...
- Why sailing ships are making waves againon January 3, 2021 at 7:34 am
Sailing ships ruled the oceans for centuries until they were put out of business by steam-powered engines and ... which freed up deck space, made more economic sense. But now, there’s a sail ...
- The 'portable port': New Orleans was built on shipping, but its center of gravity continues to shifton January 1, 2021 at 2:48 pm
The leasing system, in which the city rented wharf space to private operators ... failed to keep up with the latest technologies, such as steam-powered grain elevators and specialized warehousing ...
- The Air Force Is Building a Spacecraft That Will Beam Solar Power to Earthon December 31, 2020 at 2:15 pm
Solar power from space could be a consequence of solar power used in space for other purposes. The Air Force has a special spacecraft for gathering solar power, which will launch in 2024.
- Majestic former Manly Ferry that once served as 'royal yacht' for the Queen hits the market for almost $3millionon December 28, 2020 at 8:07 pm
Known as the world's largest steam-powered passenger ferry ... or even a beautiful waterfront office space. Since her use as a restaurant ship, the South Steyne underwent full refurbishments ...
- Searching For The Origins of Creativityon December 24, 2020 at 4:59 am
He was trying to basically build a programmable computer with, you know, industrial-era steam-powered ... in terms of innovation in the Web space. FLATOW: Uh-hmm. And one of the great innovations ...
via Bing News