Tag: Propulsion Systems
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Momentus Achieves First Orbit Raise with Pioneering Propulsion System
Momentus Inc., a U.S. commercial space company that offers orbital transportation and in-space infrastructure services, successfully achieved the first orbital raise of its Vigoride-5 spacecraft using its pioneering Microwave Electrothermal Thruster (MET) that uses distilled water as propellant. The successful maneuvers raised the altitude of the Vigoride Orbital Service Vehicle (OSV) by more than 3…
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Benchmark Combines Space Heritage with Its Advanced Control Systems Products and Services
Benchmark Space Systems to make space more accessible and sustainable by providing world-class in-space mobility solutions to their customers and partners. Their mission includes three major criterias : Accessible: Space is a natural resource that should be available for the good of all humanity. In-Space Mobility: Mobility is enabled through hardware, software and services, allowing…
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Busek Powers the Future of Spaceflight with 35 Years of Experience in Propulsion Systems
Busek Space and Propulsion Systems, a US-based space company, is powering the future of spaceflight with its range of propulsion systems in space. Their flight heritage started in 2006 with a 200 W Hall Thruster on TacSat-2, which was the first US Hall Thruster in space. They have also pioneered in developing and deploying first…
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Astra Space to Provide Propulsion Kits for Apex’s Satellite Bus Platform
Astra Space and Apex Technology announced a contract for Astra to initially provide 5 Spacecraft Propulsion Kits for Apex’s satellite bus platform. Astra is expected to begin delivering the Spacecraft Propulsion Kits in 2023. The Spacecraft Propulsion Kit disaggregates the four subsystems of the Astra Spacecraft Engine module: (1) thruster, (2) power processing unit, (3)…
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Ursa Major to Provide Upper Stage Rocket Engines for Astra’s Rocket 4
Ursa Major, America’s privately funded company that focuses solely on rocket propulsion, announced an agreement with Astra that will support next-generation communications, national security and defense, and Earth observation. Under the agreement, Ursa Major will provide Hadley engines for the upper stage of Astra’s Launch System 2 on its newly architected, higher-capacity Rocket 4 launch…
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ExoTerra Aces the Growth of Space Exploration Through Their Products and Services
ExoTerra, a pioneer in the space industry, missions to enable the growth of space exploration and commercialization through high-quality, reliable products and services that reduce the cost of gravity. ExoTerra specializes in developing and optimizing solar electric propulsion systems. In addition to their own Courier system and Halo thruster, they have worked on SEP systems…
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Evolution Space Successfully Completes First Space Mission Passing the Kármán Line
Evolution Space, a Mojave, Calif-based solid propulsion and launch provider, announced the successful completion of their first space mission, Gold Chain Cowboy. The rocket reached apogee at 124.5 kilometers (408,456 ft), 24.5 km past the Kármán line – the internationally recognized boundary of space. This marks a significant milestone for the company and the greater…
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Blue Origin Reveals New Shepard Mishap Due to Engine Nozzle Failure
Blue Origin’s NS-23 mishap was direct cause of thermo-structural failure of the engine nozzle. The resulting thrust misalignment properly triggered the Crew Capsule escape system, which functioned as designed throughout the flight. The Crew Capsule and all payloads onboard landed safely and will be flown again. All systems designed to protect public safety functioned as…
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Ursa Major Successfully Completes Hotfire Test Campaign of Ripley Engine
Ursa Major, America’s leading privately funded company focused solely on rocket propulsion, today announced a milestone in the development of its redesigned 50,000-POUND THRUST “Ripley” rocket engine: successful hot fire tests. The test campaign showed the integrated Ripley engine including turbomachinery, oxidizer-rich pre-burner, and additive-manufactured copper thrust chamber assembly firing as a complete system in…
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Benchmark Space Systems Ramps Up Production of Metal Plasma and Bi-Propellant Thrusters
Laser-focused on delivering mobility without compromise, Benchmark Space Systems announced that it has signed contracts for nearly two dozen new electric metal plasma thrusters (MPTs), with some set to play a key role in upcoming, unnamed in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing (ISAM) satellite docking demonstration missions. The bulk of Benchmark’s first MPT orders will be…