$34.9M Award Boosts Ursa Major’s Draper Engine for Space Defense

Ursa Major, a leading American rocket propulsion company, has been awarded a $34.9 million contract from an undisclosed U.S. aerospace and defense partner to further develop and deliver its Draper rocket engine. The contract will accelerate production and deployment of Draper for critical national security missions in space, while also validating the engine’s ability to operate reliably in real-world defense environments.

This latest award underscores the growing urgency for advanced propulsion technologies to support America’s expanding space defense requirements. As potential adversaries increase their activities in orbit and missile defense becomes a multidomain challenge, the United States is investing in new propulsion systems that can provide greater flexibility, speed, and responsiveness than traditional engines. Draper is being positioned as one of those key solutions.

A Tactical Engine Built for Modern Threats

Draper is a tactical, storable liquid rocket engine engineered for rapid-response missions, hypersonic applications, and in-space maneuverability. Unlike conventional solid rocket motors that are often single-use and limited in flexibility, Draper combines storability and readiness with the ability to restart, throttle, and precisely maneuver. This makes it well-suited for missions requiring adaptability, such as intercepting fast-moving threats or repositioning assets in orbit.

The engine’s design prioritizes affordability and scalability. Nearly two-thirds of Draper’s components are manufactured using additive (3D) printing, allowing for rapid production with fewer parts while maintaining reliability. Furthermore, all materials and manufacturing processes are 100 percent American-made, ensuring supply chain security and compliance with defense sourcing requirements.

“Draper provides the responsiveness, control, and flexibility required for the U.S. to defend against emerging threats,” said Dan Jablonsky, CEO of Ursa Major. “As adversaries increase their activity in space, the need for propulsion systems that can perform across multiple domains is critical. Draper is not just a space engine—it represents a paradigm shift in defense propulsion on land, at sea, in the air, and now in space.”

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Building on Momentum

This new contract follows a $28.6 million award from the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) earlier this year. Under that program, Ursa Major is leading a tactical flight demonstration that aims to validate Draper in a hypersonic application by the end of the calendar year. The back-to-back awards highlight the rapid progress of the Draper program and the government’s confidence in Ursa Major’s ability to deliver production-ready propulsion solutions on accelerated timelines.

The company’s design philosophy emphasizes speed and cost-efficiency without sacrificing performance. Draper has already been successfully hot-fired more than 250 times, proving both its durability and repeatability. Each test has provided additional data to refine performance, reliability, and ease of manufacturing.

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Safe, Storable, and Reliable

One of Draper’s most significant advantages is its use of non-cryogenic, non-toxic propellants combined with a closed catalyst cycle. This configuration eliminates many of the logistical and safety challenges associated with traditional cryogenic fuels, which require extensive handling infrastructure and constant cooling. Instead, Draper is safe to handle, can be stored for more than a decade without degradation, and can be deployed quickly in the field when needed.

The reusable design also lowers lifecycle costs, making Draper attractive not only for national security missions but also for future commercial and civil applications that demand flexible propulsion options.

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A Paradigm Shift in Propulsion

As the United States adapts to new security challenges in orbit, propulsion technology is emerging as a critical enabler. Draper’s combination of tactical responsiveness, storability, and advanced maneuverability positions it as a cornerstone of future defense systems. With significant government investment and rapid development milestones already achieved, Ursa Major is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in rocket propulsion—extending its impact across domains and into the next era of national security.