The Argonaut: Water-Propelled Reusable High DeltaV Spacecraft Transfer Stage

Argo Space Corp. is developing the Argonaut, a highly reusable small spacecraft transfer vehicle with large amounts of deltaV that captures payloads on-orbit. The massive growth in small satellites and cislunar activity is driving an urgent need for affordable and reliable in-space transportation. The Argonaut offers affordable and dependable transportation through the introduction of true in-space reusability for propulsive in-space vehicles, from the choice of propellant to the docking mechanism. The Argonaut is propelled by Argo’s water-fed microwave electrothermal thruster (MET) and leverages existing common launch vehicle interfaces to simplify orbital docking and capture operations for client spacecraft. This MET enables use of readily storable water propellant with both a low thrust, high efficiency plasma mode and a low efficiency, higher thrust steam mode. By using water as propellant, the Argonaut increases the safety of transport, ground handling, and launch operations while also simplifying in-space propellant storage and management. Additionally, water propellant can be refueled through in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) on the lunar surface to support America’s permanent human presence there. Initial Argonauts are designed to transport small spacecraft from CubeSats up to ESPA-class from low Earth orbit (LEO) to lunar orbits, but future iterations will scale in capability to transport payloads up to 10 metric tons. Argonaut’s unique mechanical spacecraft capture system requires no additional hardware installation on or pre-launch integration with client spacecraft. Launch vehicles with limited payload capacity to LEO need to maximize their useful payload delivered to orbit, and this new capability extends the reach of small launch vehicles and enables new mission architectures. The unique combination of our vehicle's reusability and efficiency is designed to make in-space transport abundant and affordable throughout cislunar space and beyond.

Argo’s in-space transport vehicle is uniquely positioned to help NASA perform science and explore the solar system with small spacecraft, particularly in cislunar space. With Argonaut, NASA can dramatically increase access to destinations beyond LEO at much lower costs than previously available. By combing our reusable, high-deltaV vehicles and on-orbit payload pickup, NASA can utilize the full capability of small launch vehicles for science payloads and small spacecraft can use their propulsion for life extension rather than orbit raising.

For non-NASA customers, Argo’s solution primarily provides affordable, dependable transportation to high energy orbits from LEO. Additionally, our reusable, refuellable Argonaut is well suited to perform in-space servicing, de-orbit, and inspections. By leveraging reusability and sourcing propellant from the lunar surface, Argo will make in-space maneuver responsive and abundant for any purpose.

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