Benchmark Space Systems has successfully flown its first electric thruster, the Xantus, on the Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) Weather Systems (EWS) demonstration cubesat. The thruster, acquired through the company's acquisition of Alameda Applied Science Corporation, uses molybdenum as propellant and is expected to be used for end-to-end spacecraft operations, including deorbiting. Benchmark plans to produce more than 50 units this year, with a focus on serving the microsat and ESPA-class spacecraft market.
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.
