NASA’s new propulsion technology enhances small spacecraft capabilities for future planetary missions and extends the operational life of existing satellites. By partnering with commercial entities, NASA not only advances its technology commercialization goals but also supports the U.S. space industry’s global leadership. Credit: Northrop Grumman’s innovative propulsion technology propels small spacecraft exploration and extends satellite lifetimes, supporting U.S.
This propulsion capability will also increase the reach of secondary spacecraft, which have been historically limited to scientific targets that align with the primary mission’s launch trajectory. This new technology will enable secondary missions to substantially deviate from the primary mission’s trajectory, which will facilitate exploration of a wider range of scientific targets.
By contrast, planetary science missions benefiting from the NASA-H71M electric propulsion system technology could operate for 15,000 hours and process over 30% of the small spacecraft’s initial mass in propellant. This game-changing capability is well beyond the needs of most commercial LEO missions and comes at a cost premium that makes commercialization for such applications unlikely.