All articles tagged with #ascent
MIT researchers propose ASCENT, a greener, non-toxic propellant that could power both chemical and electrospray propulsion in a single cubesat package; ground tests show comparable thrust to dedicated thrusters, and NASA-backed Green Propulsion Dual Mode will test the system in space no earlier than November to demonstrate dual‑mode capability for smaller, cheaper satellites.
An American climber has begun a rope-free ascent of Taipei 101, the iconic Taipei skyscraper, drawing photographers and onlookers as the daring climb commences.
Benchmark Space Systems has been awarded a $2.81 million contract by the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to develop and test thrusters using Advanced Spacecraft Energetic Non-Toxic (ASCENT) fuel. The contract aims to optimize the thrusters for size, weight, and longevity, with the development of a 22 Newton thruster for hot-fire demonstrations and a preliminary design of a 100 Newton thruster assembly. Benchmark is also establishing an Advanced Propellants Group to explore nontoxic chemical, electric, and hybrid propulsion systems, potentially expanding the usage of ASCENT and other green propellants in the space industry.
Rubicon Space Systems, a division of Plasma Processes LLC, is working to encourage the adoption of ASCENT, a non-toxic propellant developed by the Air Force Research Laboratory. The company has achieved flight heritage on its 0.1N thruster and is close to completing the first low-rate production run. Rubicon has orders for one-newton and five-newton thrusters with government customers for deliveries beginning in the first quarter of 2024. The company is also developing larger propulsion systems and a new 110-newton thruster.