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Enabling Bolder Missions

Bolstering commercial space growth and the defense industrial base as the leading source of world-class propulsion systems.

About the Company

Ursa Major is the leading independent rocket propulsion provider and a critical player in building the defense industrial base in the United States.

As the first American company to fire an oxygen-rich staged combustion engine—a milestone previously only achieved by Russian engine-makers—Ursa Major provides reusable, high-performing propulsion systems to commercial space enterprises, defense contractors, and the Department of Defense for launch, hypersonics, and national security missions.

Why propulsion

Why propulsion?

It is notoriously difficult, slow, and expensive—and the most likely cause of launch failure.

Our focus leads to technology that can up to double launch capacity and solve supply chain risks at a lower cost.

Manufactured using 3D printing for scalable production, Ursa Major propulsion systems save customers an average of five years and $50 million compared to building propulsion in-house.

about us why propulsion

History

Founded in 2015 by former SpaceX and Blue Origin propulsion engineer Joe Laurienti, Ursa Major has been pushing aerospace and defense forward ever since.

Oct 2016

Awarded first engine contract for a space launch vehicle

Feb 2017

First hotfire attempt

Jun 2018

First customer engine complete

Oct 2019

First Ripley engine built

Jun 2020

Awarded first contract for hypersonics

Jun 2022

Introduced the Arroway engine

Nov 2022

Hadley engines hotfire on two customer vehicles

Mar 2023

Redesigned 50,000-pound-thrust Ripley engine hotfires

May 2023

Introduced the Draper engine

Our Facilities

Headquarters – Berthoud, Colorado

Our 90-acre headquarters co-locates engineering, manufacturing, & testing operations, allowing for unmatched development time and rapid iteration. With multiple full-engine test stands, sub-component testing, multi-propellant testing, and more than 60,000 square feet of manufacturing and build space, we’re proud to call Colorado home.

Ursa Major east facade
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Ursa Major Manufacturing
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Youngstown Facility
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Advanced Manufacturing Lab – Youngstown, Ohio

As part of the Youngstown Business Incubator, our Ohio facility is home to 3D printing of proprietary copper alloys​. There, we manage in-house additive manufacturing for rapid prototyping, research, and development for future products, ​and low rate of initial production.

Our Values

Cohesion
We build and value strong relationships.​ We believe communication should be open and transparent.​ We put others before ourselves whenever we can.​ We are a team.
Conviction
We let others talk; we are busy doing.​ We find a way to solve a problem when others say it's impossible.​ We adapt quickly.​ We get more done with less.​
Humility
We own up to our mistakes.​ We constantly look for improvement.​ We take the time to teach.​ We are all willing to sweep the floors.​

Join Us

Interested in Enabling Bolder Missions as part of Ursa Major team?
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