Engineers at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center have finished a comprehensive testing phase for a new CubeSat mission aimed at revolutionizing spacecraft maneuverability. The ASCENT (Advanced Spacecraft Energetic Non-Toxic) Propulsion Dual Mode mission utilizes a single integrated system to power both high-thrust chemical engines and low-thrust electric thrusters from one shared fuel tank.
Traditional spacecraft designs often require separate propulsion systems, which increase weight and occupy significant space. By utilizing a single, non-toxic propellant, this new design aims to reduce mass and volume, potentially allowing for more scientific instrumentation and the use of smaller, more cost-effective launch vehicles. The project is a collaborative effort involving the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Plasma Processes, and the Georgia Institute of Technology.
To prepare for the harsh conditions of low Earth orbit, the hardware underwent rigorous evaluation at the Small Spacecraft Servicing and Integration Lab. Testing included pressurized helium leak checks to verify seal integrity, thermal vacuum testing to simulate extreme temperature fluctuations, and spin tests to ensure the spacecraft’s center of gravity and stability. "Ensuring the functionality of the propulsion system across all these different teams is what makes the mission successful," noted Nehemiah Williams, the project manager at NASA Marshall.
The mission is scheduled to launch no earlier than October 1 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base. Once in orbit, the spacecraft will undergo a nine-month demonstration, alternating between its high-thrust and low-thrust engines to validate the dual-mode concept through various orbit-raising and lowering maneuvers.
Source: NASA
暂无评论。快来发表第一条评论吧。