.png)
Benchmark Demonstrates World’s First High-Throughput ASCENT Thruster Hotfire at AFRL’s Edwards Air Force Base
Breakthrough performance positions ASCENT for real-world missions and national defense applications
Benchmark’s 22-Newton Macaw ASCENT thruster prepared for testing at the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Edwards Air Force Base site
Burlington, Vermont – December 10, 2025 – Benchmark Space Systems has achieved a major propulsion milestone with the successful hotfire demonstration of its 22-Newton ASCENT thruster, marking the first large-scale, sustained burn of the government-developed monopropellant ever conducted. The achievement, validated in partnership with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Aerospace Systems Directorate, at Edwards AFB, proves that ASCENT propulsion has transcended the developmental phase into operational readiness.
Building on years of AFRL-funded development and a comprehensive test campaign, the thruster demonstrated a sustained performance across the complete test matrix of firings that culminated in a 10-minute continuous burn in a relevant vacuum environment, establishing the most throughput known to date by an ASCENT-class system. The thruster concluded the campaign still fully operational, suggesting significantly extended lifetime potential for space missions requiring long-duration maneuvers. The result: a high-performance monopropellant system that delivers bipropellant-class performance at a fraction of the cost, complexity, and lead time.
“This test is the moment ASCENT became real for mission planners. Our 22-Newton unit didn’t just meet expectations, it exceeded them. For the first time, mission planners can rely on ASCENT for real, sustained mobility for spacecraft in the 250 to 1000 kg range.”
-Peter Woodson, Executive Vice President for Mission Success and Program Manager for ASCENT at Benchmark Space Systems
Benchmark’s 22-Newton Macaw ASCENT thruster during hotfire at the company’s propulsion test facility near Pleasanton, California
Expanding Mission Possibilities
Until now, ASCENT propulsion systems were limited to small-scale, low-thrust applications, typically 1-Newton or less, suitable only for short-lived or technology demonstration missions. Benchmark's successful test of a high-thrust ASCENT thruster now enables large spacecraft to conduct high delta-V maneuvers, including orbital transfers and responsive on-orbit repositioning for DoD and commercial operators alike. For mission planners, this breakthrough removes a key constraint: the thrust and throughput limitations that once confined ASCENT to research environments. The thruster’s thermal ignition design, which eliminates the need for catalytic beds, offers a thermally robust, cost-effective platform that scales naturally to higher thrust ranges. This approach not only reduces per-unit cost and complexity but also accelerates iteration cycles for larger propulsion classes, offering a practical, flight-ready path for integrating ASCENT into current and future mission architectures.
“We’re no longer talking about what ASCENT could be. We’re demonstrating actual delivered performance, and that it’s now in a position to support missions being planned today.”
-Peter Woodson
Partnering with AFRL to Build the Ecosystem
Benchmark emphasized that the test campaign’s success represents a collaborative win with AFRL, whose early investments have helped bridge ASCENT propulsion from concept to operational capability. The company continues to work closely with AFRL and other United States government development and early adoption agencies to explore follow-on demonstrations, including on-ground and in-space validation for tactically responsive and dynamic space initiatives.
As ASCENT transitions to flight qualification, Benchmark is expanding its supplier and partner network, seeking collaboration with component manufacturers, spacecraft integrators, and subsystem providers interested in contributing to the growing ASCENT ecosystem. The company’s Rapid ASCENT Loading Phase II program, supported through a traditional SBIR award, is already advancing rapid propellant handling and integration techniques for tactically responsive launch applications.
A Call to the Defense and Space Community
With ASCENT now proven viable at operational scale, Benchmark is encouraging mission planners, acquisition leaders, and defense program offices to consider ASCENT propulsion in upcoming architectures.
“This is exactly what defense leadership has been asking for, industry showing up to expand national security capability now, not years from now,” said Wesley Grove, CEO of Benchmark Space Systems. “ASCENT is ready for missions that demand greater responsiveness, maneuverability, and mission assurance. It’s the mobility advantage our missions require.”
-Wesley Grove, CEO of Benchmark Space Systems
Next Steps: From Ground to Orbit
Benchmark’s roadmap now focuses on qualifying the 22-Newton Macaw ASCENT thruster for flight and integrating it into upcoming missions. Parallel efforts with AFRL aim to extend testing to the Quetzal 100-Newton class thruster and gas generator concepts. These programs build upon Benchmark’s heritage of turning challenging propellant chemistries such as High-Test Peroxide and ASCENT into operational systems, cementing its reputation as the U.S. leader in non-traditional propulsion.
For media inquiries, contact:
Laura Smith
lsmith@benchmark-space.com
About Benchmark Space Systems
Benchmark is a trusted space logistics solutions partner supporting missions from initial concept planning through asset decommission from LEO to the moon. Combining mission experience, heritage propulsion products and advanced control systems, Benchmark delivers unparalleled in-space mobility solutions for the dynamic space era.
Benchmark offers a wide array of non-toxic propulsion products, customized propulsion systems, and dedicated mobility solutions enabling space access and maneuvering to meet your mission needs. High-volume production capacity, vertically integrated manufacturing, and a seasoned team of propulsion experts ensure reliable performance backed by decades of system design, development, qualification, and delivery experience.
Committed to building a sustainable, secure, and accessible space ecosystem, Benchmark enables resilient, tactically responsive mobility in support of commercial, civil, and defense partners across the industry.
Additional coverage:
Benchmark demonstrates high-throughput ASCENT thruster in hotfire testing at Edwards Air Force Base
To learn more about Benchmark's work with ASCENT, visit:
https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/ascent
Previous Benchmark ASCENT news:
Press Release: Benchmark Awarded $4.9M Air Force Research Lab Contract To Scale ASCENT-Fueled Thrusters For Government Missions