Dawn Aerospace, a global company in green satellite propulsion, has announced its role in providing propulsion modules for two lunar data relay satellites, in which Blue Canyon Technologies will design the microsatellite buses and integrate the communications payloads. The two Venus-class microsatellite buses are developed by Blue Canyon Technologies (BCT), a subsidiary of Raytheon Technologies. 

Radiation testing of SatDrive electronics

Dawn is working closely with BCT to realize a highly capable reaction control system, to give responsive and precise maneuvering capability using green propellants.  These satellites will play a critical role in enabling communication to a lunar lander relaying data from Earth to the lunar surface.  This collaboration marks the second lunar mission and third beyond LEO for Dawn Aerospace’s nitrous based green propulsion. This builds on flight heritage of 82 thrusters on 17 satellites in low Earth orbit. “With three missions beyond LEO on the books, I can see there is a wider acceptance of nitrous propulsion as a compelling solution for demanding missions, especially in deep space” commented CEO, Stefan Powell.     

The Deep Space Advantage for Nitrous-Based Propulsion

It is well understood that traditional chemical propellants, such as hydrazine, require substantial thermal management to stop propellant from freezing in deep space. It can drive satellite design sustainably, and is a risk should heaters fail, even if only temporarily. Nitrous and propylene propellants have extremely low freezing points; 90°C and 185°C lower than hydrazine respectively, which has a similar freezing point to water. This means that the satellites using nitrous propulsion can be allowed to run at much lower temperatures, and without risk of propellant freezing, saving power and complexity, while maintaining high performance and low toxicity. 

Click here to learn more about BCT's Control Moment Gyroscopes

Click here to learn more about Dawn Aerospace's Thrusters