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Completed TRL 5 (started at 4, targeting 5)
Under the Frontier Aerospace Corporation Engine Testing - Tipping Point (FACET-TP) Project, Frontier Aerospace Corporation further advanced the 150-lbf Axial thrusters, developed under the Thruster for the Advancement of Low-temperature Operation in Space (TALOS) Project, to Techology Readiness Leavel (TRL) 6. The plan was start at TRL 6 and advance to 9; however, the actual entry TRL was 4. To achieve this, Frontier built Axial flight thrusters for delivery to Astrobotic's Peregrine Lunar Lander for Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) Peregrine Mission-1 (PM-1). These Axial flight thrusters were subjected to acceptance level testing and then delivered to Astrobotic Technology. A total of five Axial thrusters and were delivered to be used in the main propulsion system for Peregrine Mission-1.
Science mission studies require spacecraft propulsion systems that are high-performance, lightweight, and compact. Highly matured technology and low-cost, short development time of the propulsion system are also very desirable. The TALOS thruster is being developed to meet these needs.
Most exploration missions are constrained by mass, power and cost. As major propulsion components, thrusters are identified as high-risk, long-lead development items. NASA spacecraft primarily rely on 1960s' heritage in-space thruster designs and opportunities exist for reducing size, weight, power, and cost through the utilization of modern materials and advanced manufacturing techniques.
Advancements in MON-25/MMH hypergolic bipropellant thrusters represent a promising avenue for addressing these deficiencies with tremendous mission enhancing benefits. TALOS is lighter and costs less than currently available thrusters in comparable thrust classes. Because MON-25 propellants operate at lower temperatures, less power is needed for propellant conditioning for in-space propulsion applications, especially long duration and/or deep-space missions. Reduced power results in reduced mass for batteries and solar panels and potentially increased mass for science.
The TALOS thruster is designed to answer a need for a domestic, adaptable thrusters for spacecraft main propulsion, reaction control systems, and lander descent/ascent that has pulse-mode capability and low propellant temperature operation.
Science mission studies require spacecraft propulsion systems that are high-performance, lightweight, and compact. Highly matured technology and low-cost, short development time of the propulsion system are also very desirable. The TALOS thruster is being developed to meet these needs.
Most exploration missions are constrained by mass, power and cost. As major propulsion components, thrusters are identified as high-risk, long-lead development items. NASA spacecraft primarily rely on 1960s' heritage in-space thruster designs and opportunities exist for reducing size, weight, power, and cost through the utilization of modern materials and advanced manufacturing techniques.
Advancements in MON-25/MMH hypergolic bipropellant thrusters represent a promising avenue for addressing these deficiencies with tremendous mission enhancing benefits. TALOS is lighter and costs less than currently available thrusters in comparable thrust classes. Because MON-25 propellants operate at lower temperatures, less power is needed for propellant conditioning for in-space propulsion applications, especially long duration and/or deep-space missions. Reduced power results in reduced mass for batteries and solar panels and potentially increased mass for science.
The TALOS thruster is designed to answer a need for a domestic, adaptable thrusters for spacecraft main propulsion, reaction control systems, and lander descent/ascent that has pulse-mode capability and low propellant temperature operation.
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