Press Release: Benchmark Awarded $4.9M Air Force Research Lab Contract to Scale ASCENT-Fueled Thrusters For Government Missions

Press Release

Benchmark Awarded $4.9M Air Force Research Lab Contract to Scale ASCENT-Fueled Thrusters for Government Missions

 Marks Benchmark’s fourth government ASCENT development award in 4 years totaling $8.4 million   

 In supporting AFRL, Benchmark will leverage expertise in thruster development and testing, including in-house hotfire capabilities, as demonstrated here with the 22 Newton Ocelot bipropellant thruster. 

Burlington, Vermont – September 4, 2024 – Benchmark Space Systems, the leading developer and integrator of in-space mobility solutions, today announced it has won a critical two-year, $4.9 million Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) award to further develop its non-catalytic 22 Newton-to-100 Newton class propulsion systems to power government missions using high-performance ASCENT monopropellant. 

ASCENT (Advanced Spacecraft Energetic Non-Toxic) is a next-generation spacecraft monopropellant, developed by AFRL, that can outperform hydrazine across a wide range of space mission scenarios. In addition to increased impulse density relative to state-of-the-art monopropellants of approximately 50%, the long-term storability and transportability of ASCENT monopropellant offers significantly reduced hazard and handling complexity. Benchmark is leading new ASCENT propulsion system advancements and capabilities that are driving ASCENT propulsion system technology to full mission readiness.  

A beaker with a liquid in it

Description automatically generatedThe U.S. Government has identified ASCENT fuel as a safer, high-performing alternative to hydrazine in a wide range of space mission scenarios (photo credit AFRL.) 

This marks Benchmark’s second follow-on AFRL SPRINT (Space Propulsion Research and Innovation for Neutralizing Satellite Threats) award to help solve the elusive challenges, such as scalability and operational lifetime, that have been ongoing technical challenges for ASCENT propulsion technology product line proliferation.

As part of the latest AFRL award modification, Benchmark will continue development of its ASCENT 22 Newton Macaw propulsion system, which is expected to be ready for integration by the conclusion of the latest SPRINT testing program in 2026.

A close up of a metal object

Description automatically generated A portion of the latest round of the AFRL award will fund continued development of Benchmark’s ASCENT-fueled non-catalytic 22 Newton “Macaw” thruster. 

Benchmark will also deliver preliminary designs for a larger 100 Newton thruster assembly this year, then build and test prototypes tailored to meet demand for scaled ASCENT propulsion systems for spacecraft that can deliver thrust in the 10-500 Newton range.

Benchmark is also developing all the necessary systems to support ASCENT based missions, including the delivery of a ground support equipment (GSE) solution, initially funded by a separate USAF SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) project grant, to accelerate ASCENT adoption with safe and reliable pre-launch and on-orbit spacecraft propellant loading capabilities.  

“Benchmark Space Systems is thrilled to receive our second AFRL SPRINT follow-on award, as a strong vote of confidence in our ability to successfully crack the elusive ASCENT propellant code for scaled up government and military missions in space,” said Michael Martin, Director of Benchmark’s Advanced Propellants Group. “Benchmark’s approach to making ASCENT a viable and reliable alternative to hydrazine is centered around the elimination of expensive catalyst beds to reduce thruster costs and accelerate the scalability and commercial adoption of ASCENT for future spacecraft in the 10-500 Newton thrust range.”

“Benchmark is making important new discoveries about ASCENT propellant as our teams prepare to unlock the full potential of an entirely new non-toxic, high-performance fuel for scalable government missions in space,” explained Kevin DiMarzio, Director of Business Development for Benchmark Space Systems. “Benchmark’s Macaw thruster is well on its way to making ASCENT a viable go-to propellant within the next two years, as we collaborate closely with AFRL and other key government organizations and bring Benchmark’s innovative end-to-end design approach to the table to solve the ASCENT challenge.”

Two men standing in front of a glass wall

Description automatically generatedDirector of Business Development, Kevin DiMarzio and CEO, Ryan McDevitt are key members of the team advancing ASCENT viability with support from the $8.4M AFRL award. 

Benchmark’s ASCENT-specific Macaw 22 Newton thrusters can serve ESPA class satellites and orbital transfer vehicles as main thrusters, attitude control thrusters, or reentry thrusters depending on the size of the satellite at the 22 Newton scale. Benchmark’s 100 Newton class thrusters will enable orbital transfers and orbital maneuvering among medium to large satellites. A mix of thruster sizes can be configured to support a host of different applications and mobility requirements in space.   

Benchmark’s collaborative work with the AFRL and the U.S. Government is a model example of how the company develops high-performance propulsion systems leveraging novel propellants with impressive operational and logistical benefits.

Related Media:

Paul Sims 

For Benchmark Space Systems 

paul@simscomm.com 

About Benchmark Space Systems 

Benchmark Space Systems is a full life cycle in-space mobility provider, delivering products and partnerships from mission planning through decommission. Founded in 2017 to develop and deliver green propulsion technologies and flexible product configurations to market, the team’s rapid growth and focus on the development and sustainability of a democratized space domain has resulted in a product lineup of turn-key propulsion systems for 3U cubesat through ESPA and OTV class spacecraft in LEO, GEO, and beyond. Benchmark’s patented and proprietary innovations focus on eliminating customer pain-points and increasing asset value for unparalleled ROI. To explore how Benchmark can help improve your mission, from rapid orbit insertion to advanced RPO (Rendezvous and Proximity Operations), visit:  

Website: www.BenchmarkSpaceSystems.com  
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/benchmark-space-systems/ 

 About AFRL 

The Air Force Research Laboratory, or AFRL, is the primary scientific research and development center for the Department of the Air Force. AFRL plays an integral role in leading the discovery, development and integration of affordable warfighting technologies for our air, space and cyberspace force. With a workforce of more than 11,500 across nine technology areas and 40 other operations across the globe, AFRL provides a diverse portfolio of science and technology ranging from fundamental to advanced research and technology development. For more information, visit: 

Website: www.afresearchlab.com 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/air-force-research-laboratory/