A design framework for the development of an innovative water-electrolysis space propulsion system

The space industry represents a thriving yet challenging environment for developing innovative solutions. Small companies may struggle to succeed due to time limitations, budget, resources, and the sector’s inherent complexities. Design methods are essential for managing the design complexity while considering constraints, requirements, and standards. However, the applied methodologies must support the designer in finding innovative solutions. The present work proposes a streamlined design framework tailored to meet the needs of small and micro enterprises engaged in engineering and developing innovative high-tech products for the New Space economy. The proposed methodology is applied to support the design of an innovative water-electrolysis space propulsion system for satellites.