When NASA wants to highlight technologies that have successfully transitioned from research into real-world applications, it publishes Spinoff. This year, Rubicon Space Systems was featured in Spinoff 2026 for its work developing spacecraft propulsion systems powered by ASCENT propellant.

The recognition comes during a year of continued momentum for Rubicon. In early 2026, an aerospace prime contractor selected the company's Velox™ 5-Newton ASCENT thruster for an upcoming mission, marking an important step as the technology transitions from development into operational flight hardware.

A Different Approach to Spacecraft Mobility

Most satellites today rely on hydrazine propulsion for orbit adjustment, station keeping, and attitude control. While proven and widely used, hydrazine requires extensive ground handling precautions and imposes operational constraints on spacecraft designers.

ASCENT (Advanced Spacecraft Energetic Non-Toxic propellant), originally developed by the Air Force Research Laboratory, was created to address many of those challenges. The propellant is safer to handle on the ground, less corrosive to spacecraft hardware, and does not require freeze-protection heaters that consume spacecraft power and mass.

It also delivers more performance. In NASA's feature, Rubicon Director of Propulsion Daniel Cavender notes that ASCENT provides approximately 50 percent greater performance than traditional hydrazine systems, allowing spacecraft operators to accomplish more with the same propellant volume. Those advantages are driving growing interest across both government and commercial space programs.

Built on Flight Heritage

Rubicon's roots trace directly to the early development and flight demonstration of ASCENT technology. NASA's Green Propellant Infusion Mission (GPIM) successfully demonstrated ASCENT propulsion on orbit in 2019, validating years of research and development. NASA later selected Rubicon's parent company, Plasma Processes, to provide propulsion hardware for Lunar Flashlight, a CubeSat mission launched in 2022.

While Lunar Flashlight ultimately did not achieve its intended lunar orbit, the propulsion system performed as designed and provided valuable lessons in filtration, contamination control, and spacecraft integration. Those lessons have since been incorporated into Rubicon's manufacturing and quality processes.

Today, Rubicon develops propulsion products designed to help spacecraft manufacturers adopt ASCENT technology without redesigning entire spacecraft architectures. Rather than creating a custom propulsion system from scratch for every mission, the company focuses on configurable, flight-ready solutions that can be adapted to a wide range of spacecraft platforms.

Expanding the Product Portfolio

The company's newest propulsion product, the Velox™ 5-Newton thruster, is designed for orbit adjustment, rapid repositioning, momentum management, and larger maneuvering requirements. Rubicon manufactures critical components—including chambers, injectors, and catalyst hardware—in-house, enabling rapid development cycles and tight quality control.

Rubicon is also supporting NASA's Green Propulsion Dual Mode (GPDM) technology demonstration. The mission combines chemical and electric propulsion using a shared ASCENT propellant system.

At the center of the chemical propulsion architecture is Rubicon's Sprite propulsion module, which incorporates an integrated 0.1-newton ASCENT thruster. Sprite shares propellant storage and feed system hardware with electrospray thrusters developed by MIT, creating a single spacecraft propulsion architecture capable of both high-thrust maneuvers and highly efficient orbit maintenance.

The GPDM spacecraft is currently scheduled for launch in October 2026, where it will demonstrate the benefits of dual-mode propulsion in orbit.

Looking Ahead

As satellite operators seek greater mobility, longer mission life, and more efficient spacecraft architectures, propulsion systems increasingly play a central role in mission success.

NASA's recognition in Spinoff 2026 highlights how ASCENT technology has progressed from research and demonstration programs into operational spacecraft propulsion systems. For Rubicon, it is also a reminder that the next chapter is already underway—moving from technology development to enabling the missions that will define the future of space operations.

Read NASA's feature, "Making Future Satellite Fuel Today," in Spinoff 2026.