Alameda Applied Sciences Corporation (AASC), acquired by Benchmark Space Systems in 2022, is a manufacturer specializing in electric propulsion technologies for small satellites. They are known for their metal plasma thrusters (MPT), which use solid metal fuel and have no moving parts, offering a compact and reliable propulsion solution. AASC's MPT thrusters have been developed with NASA support and are marketed as the Xantus thruster by Benchmark Space Systems, targeting applications like orbit raising, station keeping, and de-orbiting.
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The milestone debut of Benchmark Space Systems’ electric propulsion system in space occurred less than eighteen months after Benchmark acquired the metal plasma thruster technology from Alameda Applied Sciences Corporation.
Benchmark acquired the metal plasma thruster technology from Alameda Applied Sciences Corporation less than 18 months before the Xantus launch on 2024-03-04.
The earlier Xantus thruster that failed to deploy in January 2023 was built by Alameda Applied Science Corporation before its acquisition by Benchmark Space.
Benchmark Space obtained Xantus technology in its August 2022 acquisition of Alameda Applied Science Corporation.
After acquiring Alameda Applied Science Corp.’s electric propulsion technologies, Benchmark Space Systems expanded its product line to include chemical, electric, and hybrid propulsion systems.
Benchmark manufactured high-test peroxide chemical thrusters before acquiring Alameda Applied Science Corp.'s electric propulsion technology.
Benchmark Space Systems acquired Alameda Applied Sciences Corp.’s (AASC’s) metal plasma thruster technology six months before 2023-03-14.
Benchmark Space Systems will acquire Alameda Applied Sciences Corporation’s electric propulsion technologies.