An HPGP rocket engine. Photo: ECAPS

[Via Satellite 07-26-2016] Orbital ATK has signed an agreement with European green propulsion technology firm ECAPS to fully develop, demonstrate and market a High Performance Green Propulsion (HPGP) system.

Orbital ATK’s team will leverage exclusive use of ECAPS’ LMP-103S, a very-low toxicity monopropellant technology designed as a direct replacement for hydrazine-based systems. LMP-103S offers significantly higher specific impulse and density, meaning greater performance and lower volume. Furthermore, the fuel is low-toxicity and environmentally benign, providing enhanced safety and health benefits over conventional hydrazine.

According to Orbital ATK, the HPGP offers the promise of propellant loading prior to satellite transport and considerably lower logistics cost. ECAPS and Orbital ATK are teaming up to design HPGP systems for both attitude control and main propulsion.

“Greener propulsion is one of the keys to making access to space safer while lowering life cycle costs. We believe our partnership will go a long way toward developing innovative and practical solutions for public and private use,” said Pat Nolan, VP and general manager of Orbital ATK’s Missile Products Division of the Defense Systems Group.