# Argo Space develops water-fuelled spacecraft despite failed solar array deployment

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/this-space-company-is-betting-its-future-on-a-propellant-available-everywhere/
- Published: 2026-11-03T16:50:32+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-03T17:28:08+00:00
- Original publisher: Ars Technica
- Original article: https://arstechnica.com/space/2026/11/this-space-company-is-betting-its-future-on-a-propellant-available-everywhere/
- Topics: Business, Companies, Space, Technology

## Key points

- Argo is building spacecraft propelled by water.
- A solar-array failure prevented its first craft from testing propulsion.
- Two Chiron missions are planned for 2027.

## Summary

Argo Space, founded by three former SpaceX engineers, is developing spacecraft that use water as propellant, with the long-term aim of creating a transport network between Earth orbits and the Moon. Water could also serve as coolant and radiation shielding, and the company hopes future access to water in space could reduce dependence on supplies launched from Earth.

Its first demonstration spacecraft, Navigator, launched in July but a solar array failed to deploy, leaving it without enough power to test its propulsion system. Argo plans two roughly 200 kg Chiron missions in 2027 for an undisclosed national security customer, targeting low-Earth orbit and geostationary transfer orbit. The company says Chiron could achieve more than 2 km/s of delta-v; its flights will use launch vehicles other than Falcon 9 because a suitable ride was not available on the required schedule.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.