Turn-Key Small Satellite Thruster with On-Demand Pressurization and Non-Toxic Propellant

As the “new space� revolution develops, the number of small satellites is expected to grow to thousands launched each year. Following the current commercial satellite demonstration period, production spacecraft and constellations will depend on innovative micro-scaled propulsion technology to meet mission capability and endurance requirements. Most satellite integrators and end-users have not yet identified thruster technology that can meet safety, lead time, and cost objectives. Benchmark Space Systems (BSS) is developing the B125 bipropellant thruster (Specific Impulse Isp = 285s) targeted at commercial and defense small satellite missions. The BSS system uses a patent-pending technique for mixing the oxidizer and a Non-toxic Hypergolic Miscible Fuel to initiate decomposition and combustion without the need for a pre-heated catalyst bed which inherently have significant cost, lead time, and power consumption. The B125 system also takes advantage of our patented on-orbit pressurization subsystem, avoiding several procedural launch costs and regulatory challenges. The propulsion system proposed is based on past work performed by UVM and NASA Goddard. This disruptive solution represents a simple yet sophisticated clean-sheet design, initially aimed at LEO spacecraft and scalable to support future capability roadmaps and rapid technology refresh across commercial and defense applications.