Natick's Busek partners with NASA
Busek Co.
Busek's green monopropellant thruster uses a non-toxic propellant that can be handled without a hazmat suit.
Busek Co., of Natick, has partnered with NASA to develop a safer, cheaper and “greener” propellant to replace a propellant that has been in service since the 1960’s.
The agreement will allow Busek to conduct research and carry out testing of an experimental engine in partnership with NASA at the NASA GLENN Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio. The company’s core focus for the last 20 years has been space propulsion, ensuring that NASA and Air Force spacecraft as well as satellites are able to maneuver in space and undertake controlled descents back into the atmosphere out of orbit, according to Pete Hruby, of Busek's Business and Strategy division.
The experimental propellant would replace hydrazine, which has been used since the 1960’s but is expensive and highly carcinogenic, according to Hruby, who explained the Natick company does not work with the substance. The new propellant could make an appearance on both commercial spacecraft as well as scientific spacecraft and U.S. Department of Defense satellites.
A European space agency satellite with another of the company’s engines will be launched on Dec. 2 out of French Guiana.
Busek is one of 13 companies that will partner with NASA to advance emerging space technology, NASA said in a release.
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