AF-M315E (ASCENT) Green Monopropellant
Digital Solid State Propulsion
Low-toxicity hydroxylammonium nitrate-based green monopropellant, a higher-performance alternative to hydrazine.
Technical specifications
- Chemical basis
- Hydroxylammonium nitrate (HAN)-based monopropellant
- Hazard classification
- 1.4C
- Packaging
- 10 lb (1 gal) and 50 lb (5 gal) containers
- Regulatory requirement
- Current ATF permit and end-user agreement required for purchase
- Heritage
- Developed by AFRL; flight-demonstrated on NASA Green Propellant Infusion Mission (GPIM)
About
AF-M315E (also known as ASCENT) is a hydroxylammonium nitrate (HAN)-based green monopropellant originally developed by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and licensed for commercial production by Digital Solid State Propulsion (DSSP). It was demonstrated in orbit by NASA’s Green Propellant Infusion Mission (GPIM). Compared to hydrazine, AF-M315E offers higher density-specific impulse and significantly lower toxicity, easing ground handling, storage, and transportation requirements. It ships as a 1.4C hazard class material. Purchase requires a current ATF permit and end-user agreement due to its regulated propellant status. DSSP supplies AF-M315E in small quantities for propulsion R&D, thruster qualification, and flight missions.
Documentation
No public datasheet yet — request the datasheet / ICD from the supplier.
