The Green Propellant Infusion Mission (GPIM) was launched aboard SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket as part of the Air Force Space Test Program STP-2 mission on June 24, 2019.
The targeting launch was scheduled by SpaceX on June 24, 2019. A Ball Aerospace satellite was used for NASA’s Green Propellant Infusion Mission and was launched by SpaceX Falcon Heavy launch vehicle.
The coral-colored fuel is developed as an alternative to hydrazine by the Air Force Research Laboratory.
Hydrazine is an inorganic compound used as a propellant onboard space vehicles. However, it is an extremely toxic and dangerously unstable liquid. Therefore it is harmful to humans and the environment. This inorganic compound has serious detrimental effects on human health. If exposed to hydrazine vapor, people could suffer eyes, nose, mouth or similar burns; hydrazine can also cause organ damage to the liver, kidneys and central nervous system.
Green Propellant Infusion Mission is a collaboration project among NASA and Ball Aerospace & Technologies. The demonstration mission will last approximately two months. The project aims for faster and safer space missions while reducing highly toxic satellite propellants like hydrazine.