The MINNOP propulsion system will be an attractive replacement for both hydrazine monopropellant systems and, at larger scales, MMH-NTO bipropellant systems, providing a nontoxic propellant alternative which will simplify development work and ground operations. As compared to hydrazine monopropellant, we anticipate that small MINNOP thrusters will deliver significant gains in specific impulse; we will work to quantify this advantage in Phase I. Potential applications for these systems range widely from CubeSat applications in LEO to larger systems for orbital insertion and planetary maneuvering.
The MINNOP propulsion system will be directly applicable to DoD and commercial spacecraft also; all will benefit from the safety and performance advantages provided by shifting away from hydrazine.
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