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Our team spent a week in the California desert testing ASCENT thruster technology as part of our latest AFRL SPRINT award work scope. We knew this test site was our spot when we discovered a marking of the Rebel Alliance from a satellite image.
Things we’ve learned while testing in the desert:
- Pack sunscreen
- Stay hydrated
- Bring your snake bite kit
- Look out for gophers
- Resourceful, "Can-Do" attitude needed
A huge thank you to our dedicated team members who worked tirelessly through long days and desert nights, testing and refining every step of the way. In just over two weeks, we built a new test stand, set up a test site, and completed 61 successful hotfires, generating a wealth of valuable data. We're excited to continue advancing ASCENT as a high-performing, viable alternative to hydrazine, supporting critical dynamic space operations for the Department of Defense.