The spacecraft propulsion industry embodies a varied range of companies working towards innovative propulsion solutions for space travel. These firms are engaged in designing, manufacturing, and customizing a diverse selection of propulsion systems, from advanced rockets to components and platforms optimized for various space missions. Emphasizing efficiency, power, and the capacity to withstand the harsh conditions of space, the industry leaps towards breakthrough technologies. Companies like SpaceX and Sierra Space take center stage, propelling the industry towards new horizons with their cutting-edge solutions. The industry is increasingly leaning towards reusable systems predicting a promising future for sustainable space exploration.


Top 25 Spacecraft Propulsion Companies

1. SpaceX

  • Website: spacex.com
  • Headquarters: Hawthorne, California, United States
  • Founded: 2002
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Latest funding type: Private Equity
  • LinkedIn

SpaceX is a private aerospace manufacturer and space transportation company. It offers advanced rockets and spacecrafts for various missions.


2. Sierra Space

  • Website: sierraspace.com
  • Headquarters: Louisville, Colorado (Co), France
  • Founded: 2021
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Latest funding type: Series A
  • LinkedIn

Sierra Space is a commercial space company that is building a platform in space to benefit life on Earth. They develop high-performance space components and systems, including rocket engines and propulsion. Sierra Space offers a supportive and upbeat culture where personal contributions have an impact.


3. Avio

  • Website: avio.com
  • Headquarters: Colleferro, Roma, Italy
  • Founded: 1912
  • Headcount: 501-1000
  • Latest funding type: Ipo
  • LinkedIn

Avio is a leading company specialized in space propulsion, offering production services for small lift launch vehicles such as Vega and Vega C. They are also involved in the manufacturing of solid rocket motors and upper stages for various European Space Agency (ESA) programs. With a strong presence in Italy, Avio plays a crucial role in designing, manufacturing, and integrating space launch systems and tactical missiles.


4. ABL Space Systems

  • Website: ablspacesystems.com
  • Headquarters: El Segundo, California, United States
  • Founded: 2017
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Latest funding type: Series B
  • LinkedIn

ABL Space Systems is an American company that specializes in the manufacturing and assembly of rocket engines and launch systems. They utilize both traditional and additive manufacturing techniques, allowing for a purpose-built approach to create highly efficient and reliable engines. With a focus on simplicity and rapid manufacturing, ABL Space Systems offers cost-effective solutions to meet the needs of their customers.


5. Ursa Major

  • Website: ursamajor.com
  • Headquarters: Berthoud, Colorado, United States
  • Founded: 2015
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Latest funding type: Series C
  • LinkedIn

Ursa Major Technologies is a company that specializes in the development and production of innovative propulsion systems for space launch, hypersonics, and national security. They provide expertly crafted engines and propellants that are crucial for successful aerospace missions.


6. PLD Space

  • Website: pldspace.com
  • Headquarters: Elche, Alicante, Spain
  • Founded: 2011
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Latest funding type: Series B
  • LinkedIn

PLD Space is a company that specializes in aerospace technology and offers a range of products and services. They are known for their expertise in rocket propulsion systems and spacecraft design. With a focus on innovation and quality, PLD Space is dedicated to advancing the field of space exploration.


7. Masten Space Systems

  • Website: masten.aero
  • Headquarters: Mojave, California, United States
  • Founded: 2004
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Latest funding type: Acquired
  • LinkedIn

Masten Space Systems is a company specializing in reusable vehicles for space exploration. They offer terrestrial landers and rocket engine technology for various applications in the space industry.


8. Pulsar Fusion

Pulsar Fusion is a UK-based green rocket company that delivers operational and functional propulsion systems for in-space travel. They offer hybrid and HDPE engines and are developing liquid hydrogen engines for future fusion propulsion. Pulsar Fusion partners with organizations and provides solutions for interstellar space travel.


9. SETS - Space Electric Thruster Systems

  • Website: sets.space
  • Headquarters: Dnipro, Kyyiv, Ukraine
  • Founded: 2016
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn

SETS is a space propulsion company that develops and manufactures electric propulsion systems for spacecraft. Their team of experts designs, tests, and produces components such as Hall Thrusters, Xenon Storage and Feed System, Power Processing Unit, and Automatic Control System.


10. SpaceRyde

  • Website: spaceryde.com
  • Headquarters: Concord, Ontario, Canada
  • Founded: 2018
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Latest funding type: Seed
  • LinkedIn

SpaceRyde is a company that is building a network of rockets to provide on-demand cargo transportation in space. Their mission is to eliminate the bottleneck of space innovation by offering regular, convenient, and affordable transportation from Earth to the Moon and everywhere in between.


11. Seran Systems

Seran Systems develops and implements Hall Thruster electric propulsion systems for spacecraft, offering a complete line of thrusters and components that can be customized to suit customer needs.


12. NewRocket

  • Website: newrocket.co.il
  • Headquarters: Netanya, -, Israel
  • Founded: 2014
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Latest funding type: Series A
  • LinkedIn

NewRocket: Gel Propellant Technology for Space and Aviation NewRocket is developing advanced, environmentally friendly (Green Propulsion) rocket engines based on innovative gel-propellant technology. Conventional rocket engine technology in either solid or liquid form has many risks, including high toxicity, transportation challenges and produces rockets that are difficult to control or extinguish. NewRocket is developing proprietary gel technology enabling a stable and non-toxic engine propellant, without sacrificing performance and control. A green propulsion technology, NewRocket's gel propellant combines all the advantages of both liquid and solid propellants. Safe to use and transport, the propellant will improve rocket performance, offering a powerful thrust that can be controlled and extinguished when needed. NewRocket's gel propulsion technology is designed to meet the strictest industry regulations. The company has successfully completed a proof of concept for the proprietary technology and identified key applications for the aviation, space and power generation markets. Led by a team of experienced engineers and leading scientists, NewRocket is associated with the Technion โ€“ Israel Institute of Technology (www.technion.ac.il), one of the world's top universities for science and technology research. Currently supported by a seed investment from Incubit Technology Ventures (www.incubitventures.com), (owned and backed by Elbit Systems Ltd.), NewRocket is seeking strategic partnerships in the space and aviation markets. Engines on!


13. Aphelion Aerospace

  • Website: aphelionaerospace.com
  • Headquarters: Denver, Colorado, United States
  • Founded: 2017
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Latest funding type: Equity Crowdfunding
  • LinkedIn

Green, Low-Cost, On-Demand Design-Build-Launch Services for Nanosatellite Operators


14. Pyramid Space

Pyramidspace.space is a company that specializes in hypersonic research vehicles and earth surface to orbit travel. They offer a series of three vehicles capable of reaching mach 7 speeds with a range of missions depending on the payload.


15. Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings Inc

  • Website: aerojetrocketdyne.com
  • Headquarters: El Segundo, California, United States
  • Founded: 2014
  • Headcount: 5001-10000
  • Latest funding type: Acquired
  • LinkedIn

Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings is a technology-based company providing innovative solutions to aerospace and defense and real estate markets. It manufactures products and systems that empower and protect troops globally.


16. Space Team Aachen e.V.

SpaceTeamAachen.de is a student association focused on aerospace projects. They offer students from RWTH and FH Aachen the opportunity to pursue their passion for space technology. Their diverse team of more than 100 members leads the way in aerospace research in Aachen. They participate in international rocketry competitions, develop custom rocket engines, and collaborate on research projects with university and industry partners.


17. ARCA Space

  • Website: arcaspace.com
  • Headquarters: Rรขmnicu Vรขlcea, Valcea, United States
  • Founded: 1999
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Latest funding type: Equity Crowdfunding
  • LinkedIn

ARCA is an innovative, non-profit organization that specializes in cutting-edge technologies such as EcoRocket, a reusable, sea-launched, ecological propulsion, extremely cost-effective orbital launcher designed to launch payloads into space using water-based propulsion technology. They aim to unlock the biggest wealth through asteroid mining operations.


18. Pythom Space

  • Website: pythom.space
  • Headquarters: Bishop, California, United States
  • Founded: 2019
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn

Pythom.Space is a space technology company that designs and manufactures rockets, landers, and spaceships for human space exploration.


19. SpaceNext

  • Website: spacenext.eu
  • Headquarters: Szczecin, Zachodniopomorskie, Poland
  • Founded: 2019
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn

SpaceNext is a source for information on space exploration, featuring articles on current events, technology, and the industry.


20. Vanderbilt Aerospace Design Laboratory (VADL)

  • Website: vadl.org
  • Headquarters: Nashville, Tennessee, United States
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn

Vanderbilt Aerospace Design Lab (vadl.org) is a rocket team that specializes in designing and launching rockets for various purposes.


21. Arex

Founded in 2016, the Aerospace Research and Exploration Company is a Costa-Rican-based start-up whose goal is to contribute to the globalization of space by developing innovative aerospace related projects.


22. The Mars Society of Canada

๐—ข๐—จ๐—ฅ ๐—ฉ๐—œ๐—ฆ๐—œ๐—ข๐—ก We, The Mars Society of Canada (MSC), are committed to developing a multi-planetary future for humanity through the exploration and inhabitation of Mars. Establishing a permanent human presence on Mars is not only a logical objective, it is pivotal in the future of human life and is arguably one of the most important things that our species will ever do. It will bring profound benefit to humanity, to our home world, and to the biosphere that raised us. This will ultimately inspire and guide human societies into a new era of sustainability, environmental responsibility and peaceful coexistence. ๐—ข๐—จ๐—ฅ ๐— ๐—œ๐—ฆ๐—ฆ๐—œ๐—ข๐—ก As a volunteer and membership-based organization, the MSC will help build the foundations for humanityโ€™s leap into space and support settlement activities on Mars once it arrives. To support Canadaโ€™s participation in the future establishment of communities on Mars, we are committed to the development of educational programs, research & innovation projects and analog studies for the benefit of Canada and everyone who shares our vision. We are dedicated to the values of diversity, inclusion and sustainability and will continue to conduct outreach programs in Canada through the development of local chapters, the staging of conferences and workshops and by forging active relationships with interdisciplinary organizations in academia, industry and the government. In cooperation with our local chapters and chapters of the Mars Society throughout the world, we will develop and sustain a knowledge-exchange network that is capable of engaging our general membership, the public and space professionals with the evolving challenges of building sustainable communities on Mars with the lessons learned in the terrestrial ecosphere. ๐—›๐—ฒ๐—น๐—ฝ ๐˜‚๐˜€ ๐˜๐—ผ ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐—น๐—ถ๐˜‡๐—ฒ ๐—ผ๐˜‚๐—ฟ ๐˜ƒ๐—ถ๐˜€๐—ถ๐—ผ๐—ป ๐—ฏ๐˜† ๐—ฏ๐—ฒ๐—ฐ๐—ผ๐—บ๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ด ๐—ฎ ๐—บ๐—ฒ๐—บ๐—ฏ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ ๐˜๐—ผ๐—ฑ๐—ฎ๐˜†: ๐—ต๐˜๐˜๐—ฝ๐˜€://๐˜„๐˜„๐˜„.๐—บ๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐˜€๐˜€๐—ผ๐—ฐ๐—ถ๐—ฒ๐˜๐˜†.๐—ฐ๐—ฎ/๐—ฝ๐—ฟ๐—ผ๐—ฑ๐˜‚๐—ฐ๐˜/๐—บ๐—ฒ๐—บ๐—ฏ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐˜€๐—ต๐—ถ๐—ฝ-๐—ฝ๐—น๐—ฎ๐—ป๐˜€/


23. eSpace: The Center for Space Entrepreneurship

eSpace: The Center for Space Entrepreneurship is an unique collaboration of industry, government, and academia accelerating the formation of entrepreneurial space companies and a diverse workforce to support them. eSpace is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization formed from a partnership of the University of Colorado, a national leader in aerospace engineering, and Sierra Nevada Corporationโ€™s Space Systems Group. We support the creation and development of entrepreneurial space companies, the commercialization of the technologies they create, and the workforce to fuel their growth. Our mission is to: ยท Help aerospace entrepreneurs start new companies by providing them with an environment that maximizes the probability of business success, ยท Develop commercial applications from the innovative technologies created within these companies, and ยท Collaborate with industry, government, and academia to provide life-changing career opportunities for high school, community college, and university graduates. Take a look at our innovative programs. We expect that you will share our passion for the exciting world that is eSpace! Follow us on twitter: http://www.twitter.com/eSpaceCenter eSpace Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/eSpaceCenter


24. TEMS International Academy

Technology, Engineering, Maths and Science Digital Learning Platform for advancing your career.


25. Aerojet Rocketdyne

  • Website: rocket.com
  • Headquarters: Los Angeles, California, United States
  • Founded: 1942
  • Headcount: 5001-10000
  • LinkedIn

Rocket.com is a trusted leader in defending America and its allies. They offer strategic systems, tactical missiles, and munitions for missile defense. They specialize in hypersonics, liquid engines, and nuclear propulsion. With a focus on defense and discovery, Rocket.com is at the forefront of innovation in the aerospace industry.


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