Rapid ASCENT Loading

United State Space Force (USSF) and other DoD agencies require rapid space asset deployment to maintain superiority in the ultimate high ground of space. Responsive space access is a necessity during contested space operations, requiring precise coordination across multiple range equities to ensure time-critical activities are properly executed. Challenges will always remain, however with the advancements of green monopropellants, the US warfighter has the opportunity to potentially move away from the traditional hydrazine-based propellant infrastructure, and pivot to a less toxic propellant like advanced spacecraft energetic non-toxic (ASCENT). There are clear advantages to using ASCENT verse hydrazine, such as significant schedule reduction and increased flexibility during ground operations. During spacecraft and launch vehicle integration in time critical situations, ground operations cannot afford to be halted which occur for hydrazine loading. Alternatively, ASCENT propellant enables key resources and personnel to simultaneously work in the same vicinity during loading operations. Fueling of spacecraft is often overlooked by new-space entrants, which is why BSS currently offers it as a service to its mission partners, enabling spacecraft operators to focus their energy on the mission itself, and eliminating the need to learn strenuous launch site procedures, which can be a drain on valuable in-house resources. Responsive space access needs to have propellants that are compatible with strict, often shifting and very short fueling time slots, which is why green non-toxic propellants are more attractive. ASCENT provides logistical advantages that enable fueling operations to react swiftly when called upon.   Benchmark Space Systems (BSS) is an end-to-end service provider of mobility systems in the space industry with commercial products ranging from mission design support, chemical propulsion and electric propulsion systems including ground loading operations, and intelligent software control of mobility architectures. BSS has an active contract from the Air Force Research Laboratory to develop and test 22N and 100N+ ASCENT propulsion thrusters and associated subsystems to demonstrate technical feasibility. This Phase II contract provides BSS with a direct path to commercialization and subsequent loading operations of this propellant. With the broad experience and active ASCENT work, BSS proposes to develop an ASCENT propellant ground support equipment (PGSE) and fueling procedures, capable of loading 200 kilograms of ASCENT propellant within the specified time window (under 24 hours notice). BSS will utilize prior and existing experience when it comes to PGSE design and best practices, as it already has conducted numerous fueling campaigns adherent to AFSPC 91-710, with various other green non-toxic propellants.