:

Space

AFRL Awards Benchmark Space Systems Funds to Develop ASCENT Thrusters

By Rachel Jewett

Friday, September 1st, 2023

SHARE:

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…

Congress

Trump Urges Senate To Move ‘Immediately’ On $350 Billion Defense Reconciliation Bill In Lame Duck

President Trump on Thursday urged Senate leadership to move “IMMEDIATELY” on a reconciliation bill that would include $350 billion for defense. The call arrives as Republicans navigate a lame duck […]

Congress

House Republicans Block Measure To Impeach Hegseth

House Republicans on Tuesday evening voted to block an attempt to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. In a 211-204 vote, the House moved to refer Rep. Thomas Massie’s (R-Ky.) articles […]

Congress

Top House Defense Appropriator Calvert Officially Wins Reelection Bid

Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Calif.), House Republicans’ top defense appropriator, has officially won his reelection bid. Calvert was running for a redistricted seat against fellow House Republican Rep. Young Kim (R-Calif.), […]

Congress

No Path To Defense Reconciliation, Including GOP’s $350 Billion, Coons Says

Top Senate Democrats threw cold water on any GOP plans for a $350 billion fiscal 2027 reconciliation bill, or any defense reconciliation bill, before a new Congress is sworn in […]