The packaging of a high performance engine into a small volume could readily be used for both DOD and commercial satellite use. Variable orbits used in DOD satellites could benefit from reduced volume thrusters with high thrust output. Additionally GEO communication satellites could readily use this technology as for orbit transfer burns.
The development of a high performance monopropellant aerospike engine has the advantage of compact storage, elimination of a mechanical gimble, and increased reliability due to clustering of more reliable commercial combustion chambers. These attributes are very desirable for single stage to orbit ascent engines and second/third stage engines (to package into tight volumes associated with staging). We believe this solution to be tailorable to the thrust of a mission based on clustering a number of commercial thrusters.
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