ispace plans water-propelled lunar satellite; propulsion untested after July failure

ispace announced Alpine, the first satellite of its lunar network, to be carried by a water-propelled vessel developed by former SpaceX employees. The propulsion system failed in July and remains untested, with two Chiron flights planned for 2027 to demonstrate it. The technical viability is uncertain, but the plan signals continued commercial lunar infrastructure development.

AI disclosure: Model-written summary of the source, not a verified fact. Check the sources. How Mosaic works