As the strategic importance of space continues to grow, so too does the need for robust and agile propulsion solutions. In an era where our adversaries are rapidly advancing their own space capabilities, the ability to maneuver our national assets in orbit is no longer a luxury – it is a necessity.
“Sustained space maneuver is crucial to our resilience and lethality through the mobility and endurance of our spacecraft,” U.S. Space Force Gen. Stephen Whiting, Commander of U.S. Space Command, said in August at the Space and Missile Defense Symposium in Huntsville, Alabama. “This year, we’re elevating the importance of executing maneuver without threat, especially in geosynchronous orbit, where assets like space situational awareness satellites must have the agility to move when and where they’re needed to enable space superiority.”
By facilitating maneuverability, in-space propulsion not only enhances space domain awareness and resiliency; it also serves as a powerful deterrent against aggression.
If adversaries believe the U.S. can dynamically maneuver satellites and spacecraft to survive and adapt, the calculus for expanding conflict into space changes dramatically. The knowledge that U.S. assets can survive a first strike makes the prospect of waging war in space far less attractive. Resilience is thus a cornerstone of deterrence, ensuring that our nation’s interests remain protected above the atmosphere.
“Our active propulsion production lines are agile and scalable to meet future demands, ensuring operators have the flexibility to reposition assets, avoid debris and threats, and extend the mission life of satellites,” said Katrina Kilbron, In-Space General Manager, Aerojet Rocketdyne, L3Harris. “We design, build and test a full range of propulsion systems, from chemical to electric, and we’re investing in next-generation nuclear propulsion. This breadth allows us to tailor solutions to any mission profile.”
Whether the mission calls for rapid deployment, sustained maneuvering or long-duration endurance, L3Harris is prepared to deliver.
With a long heritage of delivering 22,000 chemical thrusters over the years, coupled with robust in-house test capabilities, L3Harris fully understands these products’ limits, possibilities, and compatibility with mission requirements – both common and unique. As government and commercial customers shift to agile constellation architectures, the company is poised to meet the growing demand for in-space propulsion in the coming years by leveraging its ability to produce more than 1,400 thrusters annually.
“Our extensive variety of products – from small engines that provide a tiny bit of thrust for precise maneuvers to larger engines capable of quickly repositioning large spacecraft in orbit – and design expertise ensure that our technology performs when it matters most,” added Kilborn.
Looking to the future, L3Harris is investing in advanced nuclear propulsion technologies. The company already supplies the radioisotope thermo-electric generators currently powering NASA’s car-sized Perseverance and Curiosity rovers operating on Mars. Building on this heritage, the company is studying nuclear thermal propulsion systems that offer high thrust for missions requiring rapid maneuverability over long durations, and nuclear electric propulsion systems that provide unmatched efficiency for transporting cargo and payloads across vast distances.
L3Harris is committed to mission-driven solutions to ensure the United States maintains its advantage in the high ground of space.
