PATHFINDER-1

Terran Orbital built and launched the Pathfinder Technology Demonstrator (PTD) 1 spacecraft on behalf of NASA, the first in a series of missions that will test the operation of a variety of novel CubeSat technologies in low-Earth orbit, providing significant enhancements to the performance of these small and effective spacecraft. Over the course of multiple planned PTD missions, the successful demonstration of new subsystem technologies will increase small spacecraft capabilities enabling direct infusion into a wider range of future science and exploration missions.​ The spacecraft is based on Terran Orbital’s Thriumph platform.

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The PTD missions utilize a Terran Orbital Corporation’s state-of-the-artMKII Avionics platform. The 6-unit (6U) spacecraft, named Trestles, is common to all PTD missions and easily accommodates different technology payloads being demonstrated without the need to redesign the spacecraft each time completely. In addition to providing the spacecraft, Terran Orbital also serves as the integrator for each technology payload into its respective spacecraft and performs in-orbit mission operations from the Terran Orbital mission operations center after each launch.​​

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The PTD-1 mission launched on January 24, 2021, to demonstrate the Hydros-C propulsion system with a water-based propellant developed through a public-private partnership with Tethers Unlimited, Inc., of Bothell, Washington. Carrying approximately one pint of water in a flexible bladder contained within a metal vessel aboard the CubeSat, the propulsion system separates water into hydrogen and oxygen propellants by applying an electric current through the water. The propulsion system uses power provided by the spacecraft’s solar arrays to operate the miniature water electrolysis system. The demonstration tested propulsion performance through programmed thrust events, which change spacecraft velocity and altitude executed by the hydrogen and oxygen-fueled combustion. This propulsion system provides higher thrust compared to other propulsion technologies while requiring lower power input. The data collected during this flight demonstration will be incorporated in future Hydros-C and its larger Hydros-M systems. The Hydros-M system is planned for several missions, including NASA Science Mission Directorate’s Polarimeter to UNify the Corona and Heliosphere (PUNCH) mission. PTD-1 is the first mission to demonstrate a water-based electrolysis propulsion system on any type of spacecraft.