Green Propulsion

Aerojet Rocketdyne is developing propulsion systems to utilize high-performance “green” propellants. Green propulsion systems are an alternative to conventional chemical propulsion systems that use hydrazine propellants for a variety of applications, including next-generation launch vehicles and spacecraft.

Key Features

Higher Performance: Green propellants offer 50 percent higher performance over a traditional hydrazine propulsion system, due to its higher density and higher specific impulse (Isp). It also has a lower freezing point, requiring less spacecraft power to maintain its temperature.

Safer Operations: Green propellants are easier to handle and, therefore, lower cost to integrate and fuel for operation.

Our Role

Green Propellant Infusion Mission: Aerojet Rocketdyne is the primary payload provider of a demonstration propulsion system for the Green Propellant Infusion Mission (GPIM). Green Propellant was successfully demonstrated on NASA mission.

CubeSat Propulsion Systems: Aerojet Rocketdyne is leveraging lessons from the GPIM program and its additive manufacturing efforts to develop a low-cost propulsion system for CubeSats using green propellants. CubeSats today typically lack propulsion, leaving them with limited ability to maneuver or maintain orbit. Aerojet Rocketdyne’s modular propulsion systems cover a range of propulsion module sizes from 1U to 8U offering up to 750 m/sec delta-v capability. Aerojet Rocketdyne is working with a number of satellite manufacturers to deliver flight CubeSat propulsion modules.