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Hydrogen peroxide demonstrates its strengths in spaceflight.
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Hydrogen Peroxide Enables Sustainable, Efficient Space Exploration

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) can send rockets and satellites into space. In fact, it is an excellent alternative to some other fuels that have historically been used in rocketry. Why? For a few reasons: First, highly concentrated H₂O₂ is a powerful propellant that can either act on its own to launch spacecraft, or as part of a fuel mix in larger engines. But since it decomposes only into water and oxygen, spent hydrogen peroxide leaves no harmful chemicals on the environment. In addition, H₂O₂ can provide the energy to deploy and navigate satellites, guiding their orbits throughout their lifecycle. 

LAUNCH VEHICLES POWERED BY H₂O₂ TAKE SATELLITES TO SPACE. THERE, THEY ARE INDISPENSABLE TO OUR DAILY LIVES. FOR EXAMPLE IN:

Navigation systems such as GPS or Galileo guide road, maritime, and air traffic.

Navigation

Navigation systems such as GPS and Galileo guide road, maritime, and air traffic.

Satellites provide remote regions with internet access, transmit television and radio signals, and enable the exchange of machine data.

Communication

Satellites provide remote regions with internet access, transmit television and radio signals, and enable the exchange of machine data.

Satellites help in creating weather forecasts and disaster warnings.

Weather Forecasting & Climate Research

Satellites help predict the weather and warn of hazards.

Satellites monitor the condition of fields and crops, as well as changes in sea level and glaciers.

Earth Observation

Satellites monitor the condition of fields and vegetation, as well as changes in sea level and glaciers.

BUT LET’S TAKE A CLOSER LOOK: WHY IS H₂O₂ SUCH A GOOD FIT FOR SPACEFLIGHT?

Hydrogen peroxide with a concentration above 80 percent by weight delivers remarkable power. It can move loads weighing several tons, including space rockets. Highly concentrated H₂O₂ also offers another advantage: It contains very little water, which would otherwise be nothing more than dead weight. As a result, high energy meets low ballast. And lower weight means lower transport energy and cost. Concentrated H₂O₂ can power the new, mostly smaller generations of launch vehicles that deploy satellites with pinpoint accuracy into low Earth orbit. In addition, hydrogen peroxide is comparatively easy to handle and store. All of these factors open the door for smaller operations—even start-ups—to enter the space industry.

With hydrogen peroxide as a propellant, space rockets reach orbit.

Paving the way for green rocketry

Hydrogen peroxide is a key enabler for rocket launches with less environmental impact. That's because, after releasing its enormous power, H₂O₂ decomposes solely into its natural components—water and oxygen. It leaves behind no residues that are harmful to the environment or hazardous to health.

What other rocket fuel can make the same claim?

Maneuver satellites into a different orbit and extend their operational lifetime? No problem when hydrogen peroxide is used as a propellant.

Redirecting and decelerating satellites
As with launch vehicles, satellites are also evolving toward significantly more compact designs. Even nano‑ and microsatellites now offer space for more high-tech equipment that enables a connected world. Satellites fueled by H2O2 can be redirected into new orbits, extending their useful life. And once a satellite has reached the end of its service, it can be decelerated using H₂O₂ — bringing into an ever-lower orbit, where it incinerates in a controlled manner and avoids a fate as space junk.

Hydrogen peroxide is thus an important factor in the next evolutionary step of spaceflight: Smaller vehicles, less environmental impact, less debris in orbit.

Constellations of nano‑ and microsatellites are playing an increasingly important role in space.

ENORMOUS POWER: HYDROGEN PEROXIDE PROPELS HEAVY LOADS AND LEAVES NO POLLUTANTS BEHIND

Sustainable spaceflight

Rocket Propulsion

Catapulting high‑tech rockets weighing several tons into space? No problem with H₂O₂.

2A72X2X A pass of the International Space Station with Canadian astronaut David St. Jacques on board, on the evening of January 26, 2019. I started the sequen

Satellite Navigation

Gently adjusting the orbits of Earth’s satellites? Nothing could be easier with H₂O₂.