Lightweight Low Power Long Duration Attitude Control System (ACS) Thruster

In applying controllable solid propulsion for future long duration Divert and Attitude Control (DACS) missions, the goal of military and industry is to develop new technologies that improve operating time, mass fraction, performance, cost, and mission assurance while maintaining the storability, safety, and insensitivity advantages of a solid propulsion system. To address this need, Valley Tech Systems (VTS) is developing a new lightweight, low power and long duration solid propellant gas supplied ACS thruster that provides continuous ACS thrust during non-divert periods. Driving the thruster design is the critical requirement to continually deliver ACS thrust over the operational time while delivering rapid and highly accurate thrust that meets the future KW ACS minimum impulse bit controllability objectives. Our Phase II program will continue the development of our Phase I concept design with a goal of maturing the new DACS ACS thruster technology through protoype hot fire testing. Approved for Public Release 15-MDA-8169 (20 March 15)