Ursa Major Secures $34.9M to Advance Draper Engine for Space-Based Defense Missions

As a publication rooted in Colorado’s vibrant aerospace ecosystem, Aerospace Trends is uniquely positioned to spotlight the breakthroughs and milestones emerging from our state. With deep connections to Colorado’s dynamic community of innovators, researchers, and companies, we take special pride in bringing you the latest updates and achievements from local industry leaders. In this section, we highlight recent advancements that underscore Colorado’s continued influence on the national and global aerospace landscape.

Colorado-based propulsion innovator Ursa Major has been awarded a $34.9 million contract from an undisclosed U.S. aerospace and defense firm to accelerate deployment of its Draper engine, a tactical, storable liquid rocket engine designed for hypersonic and space-based defense applications. The award builds on Draper’s rapid development timeline and positions Ursa Major as a key player in the evolving landscape of responsive space propulsion.

Draper: A Tactical Engine for Multidomain Defense

Unlike traditional solid rocket motors, Draper offers restart capability, throttle control, and precise maneuverability while maintaining the storability and launch-readiness of solid systems. These features make it particularly suited for hypersonic missions, in-space maneuvering, and rapid response scenarios where flexibility and control are paramount.

Draper’s architecture is built around affordability and scalability. With nearly two-thirds of its components additively manufactured and all materials sourced domestically, the engine reflects a shift toward agile, production-ready propulsion systems that can be fielded quickly across land, sea, air, and space domains.

Building on AFRL Momentum and Flight Demonstration Goals

This latest contract follows a $28.6 million award from the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), which tasked Ursa Major with demonstrating Draper in flight by year-end. Under that agreement, the company serves as lead integrator for a tactical flight demonstrator aimed at showcasing Draper’s capabilities for hypersonic applications.

The engine has already undergone more than 250 hot-fire tests and operates on non-cryogenic, non-toxic propellants using a closed catalyst cycle. It is designed to be reusable and storable for up to 10 years, offering a compelling alternative to legacy systems that require extensive infrastructure and maintenance.

 Why Draper Matters for Aerospace Stakeholders

As adversaries expand their presence in orbit and missile defense becomes increasingly multidomain, propulsion systems like Draper offer a strategic advantage. The engine’s ability to support new mission profiles with minimal logistical overhead makes it a candidate for future satellite servicing, orbital defense platforms, and rapid launch architectures.

For aerospace contractors and integrators, Draper represents a convergence of additive manufacturing, tactical flexibility, and operational resilience. Its development underscores a broader industry trend toward modular, software-defined propulsion systems that can adapt to shifting defense priorities.

Ursa Major’s dual footprint in Colorado and Ohio also reflects a revitalization of the U.S. defense industrial base, with advanced manufacturing hubs playing a central role in delivering next-generation capabilities. As the company continues to scale Draper for operational deployment, aerospace stakeholders should watch closely for opportunities to integrate this engine into broader mission architectures.