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Propulsion Systems Database

Comprehensive reference of space propulsion technologies -- engines, thrusters, and experimental systems powering humanity's expansion into space.

Total Systems

Operational

Propulsion Types

Manufacturers

32 of 32 systems

Thrust: 695 kN

Isp: 350 s

In Development

Thrust: 2,400 kN

Isp: 339 s

Operational

Thrust: 0.39 N

Isp: 2,100 s

Operational

Thrust: 0.5 N

Isp: 65 s

Operational

Thrust: ~25,000 N

Isp: 900 s

In Development

Thrust: 1,663 kN

Isp: 275 s

Operational

Thrust: 1.0 N

Isp: 255 s

Operational

Thrust: 0.0004 N

Isp: 6,000 s

Operational

Thrust: N/A (power source)

In Development

Thrust: 1.0 N

Isp: 252 s

Operational

Thrust: 981 kN

Isp: 311 s

Operational

Thrust: 981 kN

Isp: 348 s

Operational

Thrust: 0.0015 N

Isp: 3,200 s

In Development

Thrust: 0.236 N

Isp: 4,190 s

Operational

Thrust: 4,500 kN

Isp: 278 s

Operational

Thrust: 0.326 N

Isp: 1,800 s

Operational

Thrust: 1,000 kN

Isp: 360 s

In Development

Thrust: 2,256 kN

Isp: 350 s

Operational

Thrust: 4,152 kN

Isp: 338 s

Retired

Thrust: 106 kN

Isp: 453 s

Operational

Thrust: 2,279 kN

Isp: 452 s

Operational

Thrust: 25.8 kN

Isp: 343 s

Operational

Thrust: 0.29 N

Isp: 1,770 s

Operational

Thrust: 16,000 kN

Isp: 269 s

Operational

Thrust: 68 kN

Isp: 292 s

Operational

Thrust: 0.055 N

Isp: 1,600 s

Operational

Thrust: 0.143 N

Isp: 4,120 s

Operational

Thrust: 0.0001 N

Isp: 1,800 s

Operational

Thrust: 180 kN

Isp: 457 s

Operational

Thrust: 1,390 kN

Isp: 434 s

Operational

Thrust: 5.42 N

Isp: 2,650 s

In Development

Thrust: 0.165 N

Isp: 3,500 s

Operational

Propulsion Type Overview

Chemical Liquid

High thrust, moderate Isp. Turbopump-fed liquid propellants. Workhorse of orbital launch.

Chemical Solid

Very high thrust, lower Isp. Simple and reliable. Boosters and kick stages.

Electric

Very low thrust, very high Isp. Ion and Hall thrusters for long-duration in-space propulsion.

Green

Non-toxic alternatives to hydrazine. Lower handling costs, reduced launch-site hazards.

Nuclear

Fission-heated propellant or reactor power. Highest theoretical Isp for high-thrust applications.

Cold Gas / Electrospray

Miniaturized systems for CubeSats and nanosats. Low thrust, high precision or simplicity.

Related Resources

🚀

Launch Vehicles

Rocket database and performance comparison

🔬

Tech Readiness

Technology readiness levels and assessments

🛠️

Engineering Tools

Calculators, converters, and planning tools

Data compiled from manufacturer specifications, NASA technical reports, and ESA documentation. Specifications may vary by configuration and mission profile.

Related Intelligence

⚡

Propulsion Comparison

Propulsion Systems Database

Comprehensive reference of space propulsion technologies -- engines, thrusters, and experimental systems powering humanity's expansion into space.

Total Systems

Operational

Propulsion Types

Manufacturers

32 of 32 systems

Thrust: 695 kN

Isp: 350 s

In Development

Thrust: 2,400 kN

Isp: 339 s

Operational

Thrust: 0.39 N

Isp: 2,100 s

Operational

Thrust: 0.5 N

Isp: 65 s

Operational

Thrust: ~25,000 N

Isp: 900 s

In Development

Thrust: 1,663 kN

Isp: 275 s

Operational

Thrust: 1.0 N

Isp: 255 s

Operational

Thrust: 0.0004 N

Isp: 6,000 s

Operational

Thrust: N/A (power source)

In Development

Thrust: 1.0 N

Isp: 252 s

Operational

Thrust: 981 kN

Isp: 311 s

Operational

Thrust: 981 kN

Isp: 348 s

Operational

Thrust: 0.0015 N

Isp: 3,200 s

In Development

Thrust: 0.236 N

Isp: 4,190 s

Operational

Thrust: 4,500 kN

Isp: 278 s

Operational

Thrust: 0.326 N

Isp: 1,800 s

Operational

Thrust: 1,000 kN

Isp: 360 s

In Development

Thrust: 2,256 kN

Isp: 350 s

Operational

Thrust: 4,152 kN

Isp: 338 s

Retired

Thrust: 106 kN

Isp: 453 s

Operational

Thrust: 2,279 kN

Isp: 452 s

Operational

Thrust: 25.8 kN

Isp: 343 s

Operational

Thrust: 0.29 N

Isp: 1,770 s

Operational

Thrust: 16,000 kN

Isp: 269 s

Operational

Thrust: 68 kN

Isp: 292 s

Operational

Thrust: 0.055 N

Isp: 1,600 s

Operational

Thrust: 0.143 N

Isp: 4,120 s

Operational

Thrust: 0.0001 N

Isp: 1,800 s

Operational

Thrust: 180 kN

Isp: 457 s

Operational

Thrust: 1,390 kN

Isp: 434 s

Operational

Thrust: 5.42 N

Isp: 2,650 s

In Development

Thrust: 0.165 N

Isp: 3,500 s

Operational

Propulsion Type Overview

Chemical Liquid

High thrust, moderate Isp. Turbopump-fed liquid propellants. Workhorse of orbital launch.

Chemical Solid

Very high thrust, lower Isp. Simple and reliable. Boosters and kick stages.

Electric

Very low thrust, very high Isp. Ion and Hall thrusters for long-duration in-space propulsion.

Green

Non-toxic alternatives to hydrazine. Lower handling costs, reduced launch-site hazards.

Nuclear

Fission-heated propellant or reactor power. Highest theoretical Isp for high-thrust applications.

Cold Gas / Electrospray

Miniaturized systems for CubeSats and nanosats. Low thrust, high precision or simplicity.

Related Resources

🚀

Launch Vehicles

Rocket database and performance comparison

🔬

Tech Readiness

Technology readiness levels and assessments

🛠️

Engineering Tools

Calculators, converters, and planning tools

Data compiled from manufacturer specifications, NASA technical reports, and ESA documentation. Specifications may vary by configuration and mission profile.

Related Intelligence

⚡

Propulsion Comparison

Propulsion Systems Database

Archimedes

BE-4

BHT-6000

Cold Gas Nitrogen System

DRACO NTP

GEM 63XL

GPIM / ASCENT (AF-M315E)

IFM Nano Thruster

Kilopower / KRUSTY

LMP-103S Thruster

Merlin 1D

Merlin Vacuum

MiXI Miniature Ion Thruster

NEXT-C

P120C

PPS-5000

Prometheus

Raptor 3

RD-180

RL-10C-1-1

RS-25

Rutherford

SPT-140

SRB (5-Segment)

Star 48BV

Starlink Hall Thruster

T6 Ion Thruster

TILE Electrospray

Vinci

Vulcain 2.1

X3 Nested Hall Thruster

XIPS-25

Propulsion Type Overview

Related Resources

Launch Vehicles

Tech Readiness

Engineering Tools

Related Intelligence

Propulsion Systems Database

Archimedes

BE-4

BHT-6000

Cold Gas Nitrogen System

DRACO NTP

GEM 63XL

GPIM / ASCENT (AF-M315E)

IFM Nano Thruster

Kilopower / KRUSTY

LMP-103S Thruster

Merlin 1D

Merlin Vacuum

MiXI Miniature Ion Thruster

NEXT-C

P120C

PPS-5000

Prometheus

Raptor 3

RD-180

RL-10C-1-1

RS-25

Rutherford

SPT-140

SRB (5-Segment)

Star 48BV

Starlink Hall Thruster

T6 Ion Thruster

TILE Electrospray

Vinci

Vulcain 2.1

X3 Nested Hall Thruster

XIPS-25

Propulsion Type Overview

Related Resources

Launch Vehicles

Tech Readiness

Engineering Tools

Related Intelligence