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ASCEND PROPULSION SYSTEM

Ascend-101 Cutout.png
  • Customizable tank size and location

  • Launch safe, delivered pre-filled

  • SpaceX rideshare compliant (RPUG)

  • Availability off the shelf

  • Fully integrated (plug&play)

  • Best-in-class thrust & specific impulse (resistojet)

  • Dual leak safe design

  • Design and testing based on ECSS

ASCEND PROPULSION SYSTEM

Propulsion made clean, safe and easy

The Ascend propulsion system is a family of fully integrated thermo-resistive, water-based propulsion solutions. Generating thrust using superheated steam, it ensures a safe, robust, and exceptionally reliable propulsion.

Engineered as a plug-and-play subsystem, it combines the best aspects of the various propulsion technologies, offering substantially higher thrust than electric propulsion, along with greater simplicity and reliability than chemical thrusters. Ideal for end-of-life de-orbiting applications, its high performance and modularity also makes it a prime choice for other maneuvers, including orbit raising, collision avoidance, and formation flying.

Thanks to Ascend Beyond Space's technological advancements, this propulsion system achieves superior thrust and specific impulse, establishing it as the leading water-based propulsion system on the market. Designed for high reliability, with extensive direct and indirect fluidics, electrical, sensor redundancy,  making it fully compliant with launcher and ground-safety requirements from all major launch authorities.

USE CASE EXAMPLE

  • Single unregulated power bus compatible.

  • Single digital communication bus minimizing use of OBC interfaces count.

  • Fully internally handled concepts of operations.

  • Extensive included housekeeping for propulsion system monitoring.

Performance

Total impulse                 
Thrust

Specific impulse
Minimum impulse bit

Preheating time

Thrust duration

Propellant

1 kNs, 2 kNs, 5 kNs, 10 kNs, 20 kNs, 30 kNs
10 ... 40 mN (TC control)

200 s
< 10 mNs
                                          
< 5 minutes
Continuous

H2O

Interface

Electrical interface

Supply voltage

Quiescent power

Thrust power

Communication interface

Mechanical interface

Size (starting)               

Wet Mass (starting)

Fluidic interface

DMM (MIL-DTL-83513G)

11 V - 34 VDC

< 1 W

25 ... 100 W (TC control)

RS-485                                                        

10 x M3 fasteners                      

96 mm x 96 mm x 220 mm (2U compatible)

Starting from 1600 g              

1/16" Swagelok fitting

Environmental

Temperature range     

                                                  

Radiation

Random vibration

Shock                       

+5 °C to +60 °C operational

+5 °C to +70 °C non-operational

TID > 30 krad

19.9 grms

SRS 1000 g (ECSS-E-ST-10-03C)

Customizations

Electrical interfaces

Mechanical interfaces

Communication interface

Fluidics interface

Tank/head configuration

Thruster configuration          

Temperature range extension

Fueling

Analysis

Custom connector                            

Custom mounting pattern     

CAN                                                     

Fluidic extension lines

Custom placement                  

Up to 4 thrusters (160 mN)    

-20 °C to +70 °C non-operational

Fill at facility

PSA, WCA, FIT, Structural

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