Green Propulsion Supports Multiple Spacecraft Launched by Transporter-12
Six Passenger Satellites Employ 28 Dawn Thrusters
Six satellites launched aboard the SpaceX Transporter-12 mission earlier this week are powered by Dawn Aerospace nitrous oxide thrusters. Four of those are using the green propulsion thrusters as SatDrive systems. Dawn propulsion has been onboard 11 of the last 12 SpaceX transporter missions.
“We believe Dawn’s green propulsion aids the scalability of rideshare programs, setting a new standard for fueling operational efficiency and safety in the chemical propulsion industry."
Jeroen Wink, Dawn Aerospace.
The thrusters have had a consistent presence on SpaceX rideshare launches since T-1 in January 2021. Dawn has proven itself as a reliable green-chem propulsion provider, with both customers and launch providers benefitting from reduced risk and simplified fueling nitrous-oxide offers.
Dawn’s latest rideshare related propellant loading on SpaceX premises took place at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California in December 2024. This was for Pixxel, which has three Dawn Aerospace SatDrive systems on board their Firefly hyperspectral constellation, as well as another unnamed customer and SatDrive system.
The non-toxic nature of Dawn’s fuels means safety requirements for on-site propellant loading, as well as hot fire testing prior to customer delivery, are minimal. A full system-level propulsion test requires a bunker and basic PPE, including ear protection and safety glasses. What's noticeable with nitrous-oxide systems compared to hydrazine systems, is just how benign the safety requirements and processes.
Hydrazine-based systems, long a cornerstone of chemical propulsion, are facing increased scrutiny. Their toxicity, complexity, and logistical challenges underscore the transformative advantages of nitrous-based propulsion—an elegant solution to the demands of rideshare services. With rideshare launches becoming the dominant pathway for small satellites to reach orbit, streamlining logistics is more important than ever. Dawn Aerospace’s SatDrive and CubeDrive deliver simplicity, safety, and ease of onsite fueling, making them a compelling alternative.
With launch capacity an ongoing major bottleneck in the space industry, the next leap will likely come with Starship. Starship could increase payload capacity from Falcon’s 20 metric tons to up to 150 metric tons. SpaceX is targeting operational Starship flights, including commercial missions, between 2026 and 2027.
“We believe Dawn’s green propulsion aids the scalability of rideshare programs, setting a new standard for fueling operational efficiency and safety in the chemical propulsion industry," said Jeroen Wink, Director at Dawn Aerospace.