The best propulsion space startups
20 propulsion companies in the directory, ranked by disclosed funding ($1.8B raised between them), spanning 7 countries.
The companies building the engines: from staged-combustion rocket motors to iodine-fueled electric thrusters the size of a shoebox. Every other category in this directory moves because of this one.
Stoke Space The fully reusable Nova rocket
Impulse Space Orbital transfer vehicles
Reaction Engines Shut downAir-breathing rocket engines
Portal Space Systems Solar-thermal rapid-maneuver spacecraft
Latitude Zephyr, the dedicated small launcher
Magdrive Metal-fueled plasma propulsion
Applied Ion Systems LLC Low cost electric propulsion systems
Accion Systems AcquiredSatellite propulsion
Additive Rocket Corporation Shut down3D printing rocket engines
Enpulsion Advanced propulsion systems for small sats
Interstellar Technologies ZERO, the biomethane launcher
Isar Aerospace Spectrum, Europe’s private orbital rocket
Miles Space AcquiredPropulsion and space communications
Morpheus Space Agile electric propulsion
NewRocket DormantEco-friendly rocket engines
Pale Blue Water-fuelled satellite propulsion
Phase Four AcquiredCompact electric propulsion for space
Rocket Factory Augsburg Small rockets, automotive-style production
ThrustMe Iodine electric propulsion
Ursa Major Technologies Engines for small satellites
How many propulsion space startups are there in 2026?
Space Bandits tracks 20 propulsion companies, 14 of them active, with $1.8B in disclosed funding between them. Every funding figure carries a source.
Which propulsion startup has raised the most?
Stoke Space leads the propulsion sector with $990M in disclosed funding.
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