The United States Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has awarded Pratt and Whitney Rocketdyne a $2.2 million contract for the fabrication and ground test of a Solar Thermal Propulsion rocket engine.
This contract extends the current High Delta-V Experiment Program (HiDVE) another six months and follows a successful critical design review last March.
Pratt and Whitney Rocketdyne is a United Technologies company.
The Solar Thermal Propulsion engine encompasses an innovative new technology that allows it to use less fuel by harnessing the sun's energy.
This gives the satellite greater ability to maneuver in space and conduct longer missions by extending the use of its fuel.
"We are proud to be part of this cutting edge technology that will revolutionize nanosatellites and on-orbit propulsion," said Patrick Frye, program manager for the HiDVE program at Pratt and Whitney Rocketdyne.
"This will provide a dramatic increase in propulsive capability over current chemical thruster systems."
