WET Featured on ForlìToday

The WET – Water-based Electric Thrusters project has recently been featured in the local newspaper ForlìToday, which reported on its launch and ambitious scientific goals.

Coordinated by the University of Bologna, WET brings together an international consortium of universities and research institutes from:

• Italy (University of Padua, CNR)
• France (CNRS)
• Germany (University of Stuttgart)
• Morocco (International University of Rabat, Université Chouaib Doukkali)
• New Zealand (University of Auckland)
• Australia (Australian National University)

This collaboration combines expertise in plasma physics, advanced engineering, and innovative space technologies.

The project explores a bold idea: using water as a propellant for space travel. By converting water into plasma and using electrical energy to generate thrust, the researchers aim to develop next-generation electric thrusters. These will be particularly suitable for small satellites (SmallSats), while also offering potential for deep space missions.

“With this project we want to take a decisive step towards the standardisation of sustainable propulsion technologies, capable of reducing the environmental impact of space missions and using resources available in space” explains Prof. Fabrizio Ponti, coordinator of WET.

Beyond technological innovation, WET represents a new vision for space exploration—one that is more sustainable, more accessible, and more inclusive. Standardising water-based propulsion could:

• Reduce the environmental footprint of future missions
• Support the design of more autonomous and efficient spacecraft
• Help limit the problem of space debris
• Create opportunities for young researchers worldwide, with a focus on diversity and inclusion

By being featured in ForlìToday, the project also highlights the strong link between local excellence and global collaboration, positioning Forlì as a key hub in the future of international space research.

Take a look at the article here!