Ursa Major revealed that it has been awarded a $34.9 million contract to continue the development and deployment of its Draper engine, along with related services. According to the company, this agreement will help push the engine toward readiness for national security space missions.
The Draper engine is designed as a storable liquid propulsion system intended for tactical use in space. Ursa Major highlighted that it blends the long-term availability of solid rocket motors with benefits like restart capability, adjustable thrust, and precise maneuvering — features that allow greater flexibility for mission planning.
Company representatives explained that the Draper has a simplified design with fewer parts and relies entirely on U.S.-produced components. Nearly two-thirds of its weight comes from 3D-printed manufacturing, which the firm says lowers production costs and accelerates timelines.
Ursa Major CEO Dan Jablonsky stated that as threats in space increase and missile defense evolves, Draper provides the agility, control, and adaptability needed to meet those challenges. He called the propulsion system a “paradigm shift” not only for space but also for defense across air, land, and sea.
This new deal builds on previous support: the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory had earlier awarded Ursa Major $28.6 million to conduct a flight test of Draper before the end of the year. Under that arrangement, the company also serves as the primary integrator for a tactical demonstrator with hypersonic applications.
Some of the engine’s noted features include:
- Use of non-cryogenic, non-toxic propellants with a closed-catalyst cycle,
- More than 250 successful hot-fire tests,
- Designed for reuse and capable of long-term storage of up to a decade,
- Heavy reliance on additive manufacturing to shorten development and reduce complexity.
Ursa Major, headquartered in Colorado with additional manufacturing capabilities in Ohio, emphasized that its propulsion technologies are adaptable for multiple defense environments, including space, air, land, and maritime systems.
