A space startup founded by three brothers who previously worked at SpaceX during the Falcon 9 era is betting on water as a propellant for in-space transportation. Argo Space, founded in late 2022, plans to build spacecraft using water potentially harvestable on the Moon and found across the solar system, with a vision of removing the need to use propellants from Earth.
The Carlisle brothers, Robert, Ryan, and Kirby, worked at SpaceX during the Falcon 9 era, gaining firsthand experience in the revolution of the global launch industry. When they founded Argo Space, they chose not to build rockets but to focus on spacecraft and in-space infrastructure.
Their vision centers on water as a propellant, which is potentially harvestable on the Moon and found throughout the solar system. By using locally sourced water for propulsion, the company aims to enable in-space transportation without relying on propellants launched from Earth.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- In-space refueling with locally sourced water could cut the cost of deep-space missions and support a sustainable lunar economy.
- Argo Space's bet on water propulsion represents a shift from launch-focused ventures to infrastructure in orbit.
- The company's success would demonstrate the viability of using planetary resources for propulsion.
Background
Water is abundant in the solar system, particularly as ice on the Moon and in asteroids. It can be split into hydrogen and oxygen to fuel spacecraft. Argo Space's founders bring experience from SpaceX, a company that dramatically lowered launch costs, which positions them well in the growing in-space services market.
What to Watch
- Whether Argo Space secures contracts from space agencies or commercial partners for water-based propulsion services.
- Advances in lunar water extraction that could support the company's propellant plans.
- The timeline for Argo Space's first demonstration mission.
Checked
8 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 8 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedArgo Space is betting on water as a propellant.Space - Ars Technica: “They chose water, which is potentially harvestable on the Moon and found all over the Solar System, as a means of propulsion.”
- SupportedThree brothers who formerly worked at SpaceX founded Argo Space to build spacecraft using water potentially harvestable on the Moon as propellant.Space - Ars Technica: “Robert, Ryan, and Kirby Carlisle are three engineers who worked at SpaceX during the Falcon 9 era [...] In late 2022, the three Carlisles founded Argo Space to build infrastructure in space.”
- SupportedArgo Space was founded in late 2022.Space - Ars Technica: “In late 2022, the three Carlisles founded Argo Space to build infrastructure in space.”
- SupportedThe Carlisle brothers worked at SpaceX during the Falcon 9 era.Space - Ars Technica: “Robert, Ryan, and Kirby Carlisle are three engineers who worked at SpaceX during the Falcon 9 era”
- SupportedThe brothers chose not to build rockets, instead focusing on spacecraft and in-space infrastructure.Space - Ars Technica: “they chose not to build rockets. Rather, they focused on spacecraft. In late 2022, the three Carlisles founded Argo Space to build infrastructure in space.”
- SupportedThe brothers saw the revolution in the global launch industry from inside SpaceX.Space - Ars Technica: “three engineers who worked at SpaceX during the Falcon 9 era, seeing the revolution in the global launch industry from the inside.”
- SupportedArgo Space's vision includes removing the need to use propellants from Earth for in-space transportation.Space - Ars Technica: “Their vision was not just in-space transportation but also removing the need to use propellants from Earth to move around the heavens.”
- SupportedWater is potentially harvestable on the Moon and found throughout the solar system.Space - Ars Technica: “water, which is potentially harvestable on the Moon and found all over the Solar System”
