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Space

AFRL Awards Benchmark Space Systems Funds to Develop ASCENT Thrusters

By Rachel Jewett

Friday, September 1st, 2023

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AFRL Awards Benchmark Space Systems Funds to Develop ASCENT Thrusters

Benchmark Space Systems has previously developed and tested thrusters up to 500 Newton Class. Photo: Benchmark Space Systems

The Air Force Research Laboratory has awarded Benchmark Space Systems a $2.81 million award to further develop and test thrusters running on ASCENT fuel. ASCENT stands for Advanced Spacecraft Energetic Non-Toxic fuel, and it is an AFRL-developed fuel. Benchmark Space Systems develops and manufacturers propulsion systems for spacecraft. The award announced Wednesday is a Space Propulsion Research and Innovation for Neutralizing Satellite Threats (SPRINT) award and it is Benchmark’s second such award in two years. In the first award Benchmark demonstrated a thruster…

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