The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has awarded Gryphon Technologies a $14 million task order to support the Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations (DRACO) program, the company reported on Tuesday.
"A successfully demonstrated NTP system will provide a leap-ahead in space propulsion capability, allowing agile and rapid transit over vast distances as compared to present propulsion approaches," said Dr. Tabitha Dodson, Gryphon's chief engineer on the support team and a national expert in NTP systems.
Under the task order, Gryphon will support the development and demonstration of a High-Assay Low Enriched Uranium (HALEU) Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) system. The rocket will enable the defense department to operate spacecraft in cislunar space.
"Gryphon is committed to providing high-end technical solutions to our nation's most critical national security challenges," said P.J. Braden, CEO of Gryphon. "We are proud to support DRACO and the development and demonstration of NTP, a significant technological advancement in efforts to achieve cislunar space awareness."
About Gryphon Technologies
Gryphon Technologies Inc. is a transformational leader in providing digital engineering, cyber, cloud solutions, predictive analytics and technical solutions and services to national security organizations.
From science and technology, research and development, to design, to construction, to operations and sustainment, to decommissioning and disposal; our experience across this spectrum informs our approach to each stage, allowing us to deliver maximum value to our customers in each of our engagements.
