Ursa Major Awarded U.S. Air Force Contract to Develop Flight-Ready Rocket Engine for Launch in 2022

Leading American Rocket Propulsion Company to Provide 5,000-Pound Thrust Oxygen-Rich Staged Combustion "Hadley" Engine to Launch Satellites into Low Earth Orbit

DENVER, Aug. 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ursa Major, America's only privately funded company that focuses solely on rocket propulsion, today announced a contract under the U.S. Air Force Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI) program. Under the agreement, Ursa Major will provide a flight-qualified 5,000-pound thrust, oxygen-rich staged combustion "Hadley" rocket engine, suited for both the booster and upper-stage phases of launch for satellites into low-earth orbit.

While more challenging to engineer than other systems, oxygen-rich staged combustion (ORSC) is more efficient for better engine performance and is the architecture preferred by the world's advanced space programs. This effort continues to build upon past investments into ORSC technology by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to provide ORSC systems to the nation.

"We are proud of the Air Force's continued support and recognition of Ursa Major's leadership in developing reliable, high-performing, American-made rocket propulsion," said Ursa Major founder and CEO Joe Laurienti. "Choosing Ursa Major and the Hadley engine means more U.S. satellites in space, which is more important than ever for our national security and global technical leadership."

Hadley was developed by Ursa Major's team of world-class propulsion experts, who have more than 1,000 combined years of collective engine development experience on numerous successful launches and engine programs. Like all Ursa Major engines, Hadley delivers high performance, flexibility, and reliability at a significantly lower cost by using advanced manufacturing (3D printing) and a technology-first, market-driven design approach.

Hadley features active throttle, active thrust vector control, and a configurable fuel mixture ratio. It is qualified for operation in flight at various power levels and capable of continuously throttling from minimum to nominal flight power levels. Ursa Major has already delivered numerous Hadley engines to customers from its uniquely integrated 90-acre Colorado facility, which houses its engineering, manufacturing, and testing functions on a single property.

"We selected Ursa Major and its Hadley rocket engine based on the company's experienced technical and leadership teams and the engine's proven performance," said Shawn Phillips, Chief of the AFRL Rocket Propulsion Division (aka The AFRL Rocket Lab). "This partnership is one example of how the federal government is furthering its research and development progress by engaging with our country's promising entrepreneurs and innovators."

As part of the AFRL contract deliverables, Ursa Major will also be providing the Air Force Research Lab with statistically significant data sets from extensive testing of multiple Hadley engines, including measurements of specific impulse, or ISP, combustion stability, vibration and shock profiles, and range of inlet pressures and temperatures.

Hadley will be qualified using similar metrics according to an internal test plan based on industry guidelines and best practices, focusing on engine life, operating space, functional requirements, and performance. The qualification test campaign under this effort will include runtime at and beyond the extremes of the power level and mixture ratio targets, demonstrating that Hadley operates safely and reliably within the power level and mixture ratio required for missions of DOD interest.

Reliable rocket propulsion is critical to maintaining the space supply chain and growing the space industry. Ursa Major's flexible rocket engines can be used for various DOD and non-DOD missions, from air launch to hypersonic flight and on-orbit missions. The company's customers get to launch faster and without the development cost of building engines in-house. Ursa Major has built and tested more than 50 staged-combustion rocket engines and plans to deliver 30 to customers by year-end. Ursa Major engines have accumulated more than 50,000 seconds of runtime.

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About Ursa Major 
Ursa Major is America's only privately funded company focusing solely on rocket propulsion, bringing high-performance, staged combustion engines to market for space launch and hypersonic applications. Ursa Major customers, ranging from "New Space" startups to enterprise-level aerospace leaders and the U.S. government, get to flight faster, more reliably, and cost-effectively. The company employs the most sought-after engineers from top space programs and universities and is backed by world-class investors, including XN and Explorer 1 Fund. Headquartered in Berthoud, Colorado, Ursa Major was named one of the best places to work by Built in Colorado two years in a row. For more information, visit www.ursamajor.com. For downloadable images and videos, visit https://www.ursamajor.com/media#downloadable-assets.

About AFRL
The Air Force Research Laboratory is the primary scientific research and development center for the United States Air Force. AFRL plays an integral role in leading the discovery, development, and integration of affordable warfighting technologies for our air, space, and cyberspace force. With a workforce of more than 11,000 across nine technology areas and 40 other operations across the globe, AFRL provides a diverse portfolio of science and technology ranging from fundamental to advanced research and technology development. For more information, visit: www.afresearchlab.com.

Media Contact: 

Perch Partners for Ursa Major
[email protected]
310.289.3515

Air Force Research Laboratory
[email protected]

Case Number AFRL-2022-3954

SOURCE Ursa Major