The satellite industry’s rapid growth is driving corresponding demand in propulsion: operational satellites worldwide numbered in the thousands, and launch activity has multiplied several times over the last decade as constellations and small-sat programs scale. The Union of Concerned Scientists’ satellite database lists more than 7,500 operational satellites, providing context for why in-orbit mobility and propulsion are now core capabilities for many missions (Source: www.ucs.org).
Policy and sector reports also document dramatic launch and small-sat growth: the OECD notes that the population of operational satellites rose from roughly 3,300 at the end of 2020 to more than 6,700 in 2022, driven largely by commercial constellations; small satellites have come to dominate recent launch manifest lists (Source: www.oecd.org). NASA’s SmallSat state-of-the-art review likewise highlights in-space propulsion as a key enabler for mission lifetime, collision avoidance, and payload pointing for modern small spacecraft.
These trends are the backdrop for the satellite propulsion systems market: from green monopropellants and electric Hall thrusters to micro-cold gas units and monopropellant CubeSat systems. As per estimates by Kings Research, the global satellite propulsion systems market is projected to generate a revenue of $3.78 billion by 2030. propulsion suppliers are innovating to meet demands for higher performance, lower mass, and regulatory and operations constraints.
Below is the list of ten companies, established primes and agile newcomers, and summarizes their most recent, verifiable developments.
1. Dawn Aerospace
Dawn Aerospace focuses on non-toxic, high-performance chemical propulsion and rapid testing for small-to-medium satellites. The company reports that its propulsion systems have now flown on multiple missions and that, as of its site update, it has delivered 170 thrusters across 41 satellites in orbit, with product lines covering SatDrive and CubeDrive systems.
As of August 2025, Dawn Aerospace announced that its non-toxic propulsion systems had reached flight heritage on 38 satellites, with 167 thrusters operational in orbit, using nitrous oxide–based green propellants. The company also expanded its production to support small and medium satellite constellations.
2. Safran (Safran Spacecraft Propulsion / Safran Electronics & Defense)
Safran remains a leading European developer of electric propulsion (Hall thrusters) and plasma-based technologies and has been widening its manufacturing footprint to serve North American small-sat demand. The firm highlights its leadership in stationary plasma thrusters and announced steps to boost U.S. production capacity for small-sat propulsion during 2024.
In March 2024, Safran Spacecraft Propulsion expanded its U.S. manufacturing capacity to meet rising small satellite propulsion demand. The company continues to lead in plasma and Hall-effect thrusters designed for electric propulsion and deep-space applications.
3. Northrop Grumman Corporation
Northrop Grumman supplies a broad range of propulsion systems (from large launch-vehicle engines to spacecraft thrusters) and continues R&D on next-generation hardware and design methods. In 2025, the company announced work applying artificial-intelligence design techniques to spacecraft propulsion elements, a program aimed at accelerating thruster design and hardware iteration.
In April 2025, Northrop Grumman unveiled an initiative integrating AI-based generative design to develop more efficient spacecraft propulsion components. This approach aims to reduce engineering cycle times while enhancing fuel efficiency and structural performance.
4. MT Aerospace AG (OHB Group / MT Aerospace Satellite Products)
MT Aerospace is an established European supplier of spacecraft structural components, tanks, and propulsion-related hardware, and remains an industrial partner on European launcher and spacecraft programs. MT Aerospace continues to win production contracts tied to Ariane family programs and ESA demonstrators.
In February 2025, MT Aerospace AG, part of the OHB Group, confirmed its participation in the Ariane 6 industrial ramp-up, supplying lightweight propellant tanks and structural components. The company also collaborated on ESA’s PHOEBUS demonstrator, advancing composite cryogenic tank technology.
5. Moog Inc.
Moog provides spacecraft propulsion subsystems, precision actuators and gimbals, and recently introduced compact thruster-gimbal assemblies for small satellites as well as propulsion integrations for modular satellite buses.
In May 2024, Moog Inc. introduced its new Model-S Thruster Gimbal Assembly (TGA), a compact and lightweight propulsion component designed for small satellite applications. The system integrates vibration isolation and launch-lock mechanisms for improved in-orbit performance.
6. Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd.
Rafael’s space unit supplies electric propulsion modules (Hall thrusters and power processing units) and monopropellant chemical solutions, with flight heritage highlighted in its 2024/2025 space propulsion catalogue. Rafael cites multiple qualified EPS products and continued qualification of higher-power Hall thrusters.
In January 2025, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems released its Space Propulsion Catalogue 2024–2025, featuring the R-800 electric propulsion system (450–900 W). The system is now flight-qualified and designed for long-duration small satellite missions.
7. IHI Corporation (IHI Aerospace)
IHI Aerospace is a long-standing Japanese propulsion supplier with a wide range of monopropellant and bipropellant thrusters and Hall-effect devices. The company’s materials note that it has delivered over 400 bipropellant thrusters since development began, and it remains a supplier of apogee and attitude control engines for GEO and exploration missions. The company continues to support next-generation missions through collaboration with JAXA on small-satellite thrusters.
8. CU Aerospace (CUA)
CU Aerospace specializes in micro-propulsion for CubeSats and small satellites and is an active participant in DARPA and NASA smallsat propulsion development programs. NASA technical materials and U.S. funding announcements identify CUA’s Monopropellant Propulsion Unit for CubeSats (MPUC) and other prototype thrusters as part of NASA/DOD smallsat efforts.
In October 2024, CU Aerospace secured a USD 3.29 million DARPA contract to develop an air-breathing pulsed plasma propulsion system for Low-Earth-orbit satellites. The innovation aims to extend mission lifetimes by using atmospheric gas as propellant.
9. ArianeGroup GmbH
ArianeGroup is Europe’s principal launcher prime and propulsion systems integrator; while its portfolio emphasizes large-launcher engines, the firm’s ongoing work with CNES and ESA to mature next-generation high-thrust engines and upper-stage technologies has direct relevance to high-performance orbit-transfer and in-space propulsion architectures.
In July 2025, ArianeGroup GmbH was selected by CNES to develop a next-generation, high-thrust reusable engine under France’s national propulsion roadmap. The effort supports both launch and in-space propulsion technology for future missions.
10. Exotrail
Exotrail is a French company focused on small-sat electric propulsion (micro-Hall thrusters) and in-orbit mobility / space-services (spacevan/OTV). The company has demonstrated operational capability with in-orbit delivery and servicing activities and has been working with prime integrators such as Airbus on micro-thruster integration.
In May 2025, Exotrail successfully completed an in-orbit delivery mission (EXO-0) using its spacevan orbital transfer vehicle. The company is also collaborating with Airbus Defense and Space to integrate micro-Hall thrusters into upcoming Earth observation satellites.
Final Thoughts
The satellite propulsion systems market is defined by rapid technological advancement and a global shift toward cleaner, more efficient in-space mobility solutions. Companies are not only optimizing propulsion performance but also incorporating sustainable propellants and AI-driven design methodologies.
From green monopropellant systems to reusable engines and micro electric thrusters, these innovations reflect a broader transition toward sustainability and agility in satellite operations. The companies profiled here exemplify how the next era of space propulsion will balance performance, efficiency, and environmental responsibility, powering the satellites that connect and observe our planet every day.
