Rubicon Space Systems

New NASA Space Propulsion System Can Operate in Two Different Modes NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center is working on a new space propulsion system that combines the high efficiency of electric thrusters with the high performance of chemical thrusters. Marshall's Green Propulsion Dual Mode (GPDM) project has built and tested a small-scale combined electric and chemical propulsion system that relies on a single type of fuel, called ASCENT. Developed by the Air Force Research Laboratory, this fuel is made of an ionic liquid and is 50% more efficient, more environmentally friendly, and safer to handle than many conventional rocket fuels. Future spacecraft using this dual-mode propulsion technology could switch between high thrust and high efficiency at any given time during a mission, depending on its needs. Recent testing in NASA labs has proven this technology at small scales with low thrust levels. In late 2025, this technology will be tested in space on a small satellite mission developed by Marshall and its partners. Read more about this project, its NASA centers, and key partners on our TechPort database: https://lnkd.in/evEYGB_F

The team is pumped for thruster testing next week. It's been a busy but great week.

Its been a while since we've posted. We're busy building flight 1N ASCENT thrusters. Launching in 2025. more news to come. Learn more at www.rubicon.space.

Daniel Cavender and Dr. Brandon Denton snag a photo op with Dr. Nehemiah Williams, the project manager of NASA's Green Propulsion Dual Model (GPDM) mission, at Small Satellite Conference (SmallSat). Rubicon built the green propulsion module for the spacecraft. GPDM, a 6U cubesat (model on table), will demo chemical and electric thrusters that use a single fuel, ASCENT (AF-M315E).

Welcome to the Team, Monica Thomas! Since childhood, and through middle and high school, Monica Thomas was passionate about space travel. She pursued her interests and attended Tuskegee University to study aerospace engineering, where she was involved in numerous student-led groups honing her analytical skills and problem solving acumen. Monica graduated with a bachelors in Aerospace Engineering in May 2024 and joined Rubicon Space Systems in July 2024. She shares her excitement about join an amazing team, enriching her skills, and pursuing her passion of contributing to space travel. Welcome to the team, Monica!

Welcome to the Team, Monica Thomas! Since childhood, and through middle and high school, Monica Thomas was passionate about space travel. She pursued her interests and attended Tuskegee University to study aerospace engineering, where she was involved in numerous student-led groups honing her analytical skills and problem solving acumen. Monica graduated with a bachelors in Aerospace Engineering in May 2024 and joined Rubicon Space Systems in July 2024. She shares her excitement about join an amazing team, enriching her skills, and pursuing her passion of contributing to space travel. Welcome to the team, Monica!

Daniel Cavender and Dr. Brandon Denton snag a photo op with Dr. Nehemiah Williams, the project manager of NASA's Green Propulsion Dual Model (GPDM) mission, at Small Satellite Conference (SmallSat). Rubicon built the green propulsion module for the spacecraft. GPDM, a 6U cubesat (model on table), will demo chemical and electric thrusters that use a single fuel, ASCENT (AF-M315E).

Brought to you by Raven Space Systems and Rubicon Space Systems, this month's FOV includes the following Tracked Opportunities: - National Science Foundation (NSF) announced a SBIR/STTR Fast-Track program to enable companies with NSF lineage (as defined in the solicitation) to submit a single proposal that can provide a pathway for up to $1,555,000 in non-dilutive funding, access to the full suite of NSF SBIR/STTR Phase I and Phase II funding opportunities, and enable a rapid, seamless transition from Phase I to Phase II - AFWERX announced the Program Year 2025 (PY25.1) Department of the Air Force (DAF) STRATFI Notice of Opportunity and it is now OPEN. STRATFI is an AFVentures program to help bridge the “Valley of Death” between SBIR/STTR Phase II and Phase III - The United States Space Force (USSF) Assured Access to Space (AATS) Directorate of Operations (AA3) has an ongoing solicitation for Space Vehicle Processing Services at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS). This effort intends to increase USSF mission capabilities and to mitigate cost and schedule risks for AATS caused by oversubscribed launch manifests - Proposals are due for Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC)’s Multi-Service Advanced Capability Hypersonic Test Bed (MACH-TB) 2.0. MACH-TB 2.0 provides technology testing to reduce overall hypersonic development risks and to provide rapid transition of innovative hypersonic technologies to the warfighter - Space Development Agency (SDA) issued an RFI for their (Proliferated Warfare Space Architecture) PWSA Tranche 3 Tracking Layer. This effort will establish sources for producing the next layer of SDA small satellites #spaceexploration #governmentopportunities #proposals https://lnkd.in/guA-YmTV

Thanks Approach Venture for the endorsement.