MIT Delivers 4 Dual-Mode Thrusters to NASA for November CubeSat Mission

3 articles · Updated · Universe Today · Jun 6

Four MIT-built dual-mode thrusters have been handed to NASA for the Green Propulsion Dual Mode mission, a 6U CubeSat launch planned for November.
The system uses one tank of ASCENT green propellant for both electrospray and chemical thrust, aiming to combine long-duration efficiency with short, high-power maneuvers.
ASCENT offers about 50% higher specific impulse than hydrazine and avoids many of the toxic-fuel handling burdens that require extensive protective gear.
MIT said lab tests with 1 gram of ASCENT in a Lego-sized reservoir produced electrospray thrust for up to 100 hours, supporting the case for hybrid CubeSat propulsion.
A successful GPDM flight could expand small, cheaper deep-space missions by giving CubeSats more flexible navigation near targets such as Mars or Jupiter.

Sources

Universe Today3d ago

MIT Delivers Green Dual-Mode Thrusters to NASA for GPDM Mission

Yahoo9h ago

Thruster breakthrough? New 2-in-1 propulsion system is about to get an in-space test

Space.com9h ago

Thruster breakthrough? New 2-in-1 propulsion system is about to get an in-space test | Space

With its November 2026 launch nearing, how will this hybrid engine redefine small satellite capabilities?

Could a single fuel tank become the Achilles' heel for spacecraft combining two different engine types?

Dual-Mode Propulsion Breakthrough: How the GPDM CubeSat and ASCENT Fuel Are Transforming Small Satellite Missions in 2024

Overview

The Green Propulsion Dual Mode (GPDM) CubeSat marks a major breakthrough in small satellite technology by introducing a revolutionary 2-in-1 propulsion system. Developed by Rubicon Space Systems for a NASA demonstration mission, this system uniquely combines chemical and electric thrusters within a single unit, a first for in-space testing. Scheduled for launch in October, the GPDM CubeSat will showcase MIT's advanced dual-mode electrospray thrusters, setting the stage for a new era of small satellite capabilities. This innovation promises greater versatility, efficiency, and mission flexibility for future space exploration.

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