OhmSpace partners with C3S LLC for its second in-orbit demonstration of water-based electric propulsion technology
Rome, Italy / Southampton, United Kingdom – January 23, 2026 – OhmSpace, a deep-tech company advancing next-generation electric propulsion for satellites, has been selected as a demonstrator payload on the OPS-SAT ORIOLE mission supported by the European Space Agency and delivered by Hungarian satellite integrator and manufacturer C3S Electronics Development LLC.
Under this agreement, OhmSpace’s STAR-Water-nano Gen 1 propulsion system will fly aboard the OPS-SAT ORIOLE satellite as part of a shared-payload In-Orbit Demonstration (IOD), offering a unique opportunity to validate for the second time its performance in Low Earth Orbit. The OPS-SAT ORIOLE mission, designed to showcase cutting-edge optical and infrared technologies, is scheduled to launch in Q1 2027 on SpaceX’s Transporter-19 rideshare mission.
This second in-orbit demonstration plays a critical role in OhmSpace’s commercialisation strategy. Beyond validating core propulsion performance, the mission is designed to demonstrate repeatability, operational robustness, and mission-level integration under real in-orbit conditions. It will provide flight data essential for customer qualification, support upcoming commercial contracts, and de-risk future missions requiring reliable in-orbit manoeuvring. As such, the Q4 2026 IOD represents a decisive step in bridging the gap between technology validation and scalable market deployment.
STAR-Water-nano is an innovative electric propulsion system that uses water as a propellant, offering a safe, non-toxic, and cost-effective solution for satellite manoeuvring. Designed for nano and micro satellites, the system delivers high propellant efficiency while reducing operational complexity and regulatory burden, addressing key constraints faced by small satellite operators.
Under the agreement, C3S LLC will be responsible for the end-to-end mission delivery, including satellite platform provision, payload integration, launch coordination, and in-orbit operations. The collaboration brings together OhmSpace’s advanced propulsion technology and C3S LLC’s experience in delivering reliable, flight-proven small satellite missions.
You don’t prove propulsion on paper, you prove it in orbit. This second demonstration mission with C3S LLC is about showing that our technology works every time, not just once. It’s a critical step towards scaling and delivering a propulsion system operators can rely on.
said Dr Federico Romei, Founder and CEO of OhmSpace
We are proud to integrate OhmSpace’s STAR-Water-nano system on the OPS-SAT ORIOLE mission. This collaboration allows us to combine our flight-proven nanosatellite platform with cutting-edge propulsion technology, creating tangible value in the growing space industry.
said Gyula Horváth, Chief Executive Officer, C3S LLC
The mission underscores OhmSpace’s broader vision to enable more agile, efficient, and sustainable space operations, while reinforcing its position as a leading European player in next-generation electric propulsion for small satellites.
