GREEN PROPULSION FOR ANY SATELLITE

Dawn’s bi-propellant systems are high-performance, use non-toxic fuels (N2O & C3H6), and have a simplified, modular and scalable architecture which means your satellites get to where they need to go fast, so your payloads can get to work.

Turn-key systems for SmallSats, Orbital Transfer Vehicles, CubeSats and everything in between.

Three satellite propulsion systems with different forms for different customer satellite missions.
SatDrive logo with the word SatDrive - which is the name for our satellite propulsion system

Turn-key propulsion systems for 30 kg to 500+ kg satellites. Through standardised interfaces and flexible form factors, we deliver purpose-built systems — fast.

All systems include thrusters, tanks, valves, instruments, and control electronics. We’re a full-service partner, working with you wherever you need us, from initial design to on-orbit commissioning and operations.

Benefits of Chemical Propulsion

  • High thrust

  • Lower power

  • Modular

  • Scalable - 30 kg to 500+ kg satellites

  • Download PDF Specifications

    Physical
    Turn-key systems
    All systems include thrusters, tanks, tubing, health monitoring, control electronics, and structures

    Propellants
    Nitrous oxide (N2O)
    Propylene (C3H6)

    Pressurization
    Self-pressurising. Propellants are stored as liquified gases under their vapor pressure

    Form factor
    Standardised interfaces, flexible form factors. Adjust to volume, layout, and keep-out zone requirements

    Thrusters
    Select QTY and thrust class(es). All connect to the same tank and control systems. Operate together or independently

    Tank options
    Type 1: All metallic. 3D printed using Inconel or Titanium
    Type 3: Metallic liner with full, wound carbon-epoxy overwrap
    Additional Specifications

    Environmental
    Operational temperature
    23°F to 86°F (-5°C to 30°C)

    Survival temperature
    -22°F to 104°F (-30°C to 40°C)

    Regulatory
    ITAR free and REACH compliant

    Launcher compliance
    SpaceX Payload (Oct 2022) user’s guide. Please enquire for all other launchers

    Performance
    Total impulse
    5,000 to 500,000+ N.s
    Scalable in size and configuration

    Thrust range
    0.46 to 1.28 N (0.11 to 0.30 lbf) per B1 thruster
    6.1 to 16.7 N (1.37 to 3.75 lbf) per B20 thruster

    Isp, vac
    250 to 280 s
    Depending on system-level configuration

    Interfaces
    Data
    CAN bus, RS-485, or RS-422

    Supply voltage
    Digital: 5.0 to 5.20 VDC
    Actuators: 24.50 to 33.20 VDC

    Services
    Full-service list

Off-the-Shelf or Customised Systems

Work with our engineers to create a custom system tailored to your requirements or leverage our extensive mission heritage by selecting a standardized design.

Reduced non-recurring engineering. Reduced costs. Reduced lead times.

Standard lead time: 6 months for recurring systems.

Satellite propulsion system - 5KNs
Satellite propulsion system - 7KNs

SD5 - 5kNs Class SatDrive

SD7 - 7kNs Class SatDrive

  • Total impulse - 5,000 N.s

    Mass - 5 kg (dry), 7.5 kg (wet)

    Volume (adjustable) - 36 x 31 x 15 cm

    Variations - Two Completed

  • Thrusters: 4x B1 thrusters

    Tanks (Type 1 - Inconel): 1x Oxidizer, 1x Fuel

  • Total impulse - 7,600 N.s

    Mass - 7 kg (dry), 11 kg (wet)

    Volume (adjustable) - 87 x 42 x 10 cm

    Variations - One Completed

  • Thrusters: 1x B1 thrusters

    Tanks (Type 1 - Inconel): 3x Oxidizer, 1x Fuel

Satellite propulsion system - 70kNs
Satellite propulsion system- 15KNs

SD70 - 70kNs Class SatDrive

SD15 - 15kNs Class SatDrive

  • Total impulse - 70,000 N.s

    Mass - 20 kg (dry), 50 kg (wet)

    Volume (adjustable) - 70 x 70 x 48 cm

    Variations - Two Completed

  • Thrusters: 5x B20 thrusters

    Tanks (Type 1 - Titanium): 4x Oxidizer, 4x Fuel

  • Total impulse - 14,500 N.s

    Mass - 11.3 kg (dry), 17.7 kg (wet)

    Volume (adjustable) - 27 x 25 x 45 cm

    Variations - One Completed
    Further variations available - contact us.

  • Thrusters: 4x B1 thrusters

    Tanks (Type 1 - Inconel): 1x Oxidizer, 1x Fuel

    Nodes: 1 Controller, 6 Peripheral

    Frame: In-house design. Easy bolt-on style for customer.

Your satellite propulsion system - customised

Custom Systems

  • Customize to achieve:

    • Dedicated impulse performance (within volume constraint, as possible)

    • Dedicated control authority

    • Dedicated thrust performance

    • Thrusters

    • Tanks

    • Nodes

  • Standard lead time: 6-18months

    See our building block methodology below enabled by additive manufacturing, in-house technological capabilities and in-house testing facilities.

Modular SatDrive Systems - How it Works

Dawn’s range of standardized components are assembled into various form factors to meet your mission requirements.

Components for chemical satellite propulsion systems - thrusters, tanks and electronics.

Plug-and-Play Components

Thrusters for satellite propulsion
Propellant tanks for our green propulsion systems.

  • Our core building block.

    1N + 20N components, scaled together to offer a wide range of possible thrust configurations.

    B20 (20N bipropellant) & B1 (1N bipropellant) thruster).

    Learn More

  • Our fully standardised thrusters can be grouped and arranged to meet different requirements but cannot be customised.

    Learn more about our thrusters

Control electronics for satellite propulsion systems

  • We offer teardrop, toroidal, and capsule tanks.

    Additively manufactured in inconel or titanium in various sizes.

    Composite tanks currently in development for larger sizes.

    Options

    Type 1:
    All metallic. 3D printed Inconel or Titanium

    Type 3: Metallic liner with full, wound carbon-epoxy overwrap

    Propellant storage
    Stored separately. No pre-mixed propellants.

    Pressurization
    Self-pressurising

    Valves
    Pressure relief valves on tanks

    Heaters
    Polyimide flexible heaters on each tank and feedline.

  • We have standardised our design and qualification process for tanks meaning customisation is possible with minimal NRE time.

    Size range
    0.8L - 10L
    Larger sizes in development

Valves used as part of spacecraft propulsion systems.
Software for satellite propulsion systems
Feedlines for satellite propulsion systems

  • Modular control electronics design utilizes a main controller node to interface with the satellite, and downstream nodes for subsystems.

    This ensures the interface between the propulsion module and satellite is kept constant, even when the propulsion module design changes in successive generations.

    Interfaces

    Data
    CAN bus, RS-485 or RS-422

    Power
    5.0 to 5.20 VDC (Digital/logic supply rail)24.50 to 33.20 VDC (Actuator supply rail)

    Engineering model / flatsat
    Represents power, data, and software interfaces for HIL testing

  • Modular components can be scaled up or down for different system sizes.

  • In-house configured to meet your requirements.

    • Feed Lines

    • Valves

    • Software
satellite propulsion system - 5kNs

"We are moving fast, and we need suppliers that can match our cadence and quality. The in-space heritage, creative thinking and solutions-focused approach we've seen from Dawn give us great confidence in their ability to deliver."

— Stephen Steg, CEO, Blue Canyon Technologies

BCT logo - a Dawn satellite propulsion custimer

16

Satellites

3

Launchers

76

Thrusters

2

Thrust classes

CubeDrive Logo - for CubeSat Propulsion

CubeSat propulsion systems and bolt-on collision avoidance kits for ESPA-class satellites. Each CubeDrive includes a B1 thruster, tanks, valves, and control electronics. Structures are 3D printed as a single monolithic piece using Inconel, including fuel and oxidizer tanks. Health monitoring instrumentation includes various thermocouples and pressure sensors.

CubeSat propulsion system- CubeDrive. A propulsion system with one B1 thruster desiged for CubeSat mobility.
B1 thruster icon - a 1N thruster used in cubedrives and precision maneuvers in SatDrives.
Tanks - icon - propellant tanks for spacecraft propulsion
Control electronics icon - these control the cubesat propulsion system

  • Download PDF Specifications

    Status
    In space

    Thruster
    One B1 thruster

    Total impulse
    405 N.s
    91 lbf.s

    Mass (dry / wet)
    981 g / 1200 g
    2.16 lbm / 2.65 lbm

    Dimensions
    80 x 96 x 96 mm
    3.15 x 3.78 x 3.78 in

    Propellants
    Nitrous oxide (N2O) and
    Propylene (C3H6)

    Tank type
    Type 1: All metallic, 3D printed

    Data
    CAN bus

    Supply voltage
    Digital: 5 to 5.2 VDC, and
    Actuators: 12 VDC unregulated

    Operational temperature
    -5°C to 30°C (23°F to 86°F)

    Survival temperature
    -30°C to 40°C (-22°F to 104°F)

  • Download PDF Specifications

    Status
    In development

    Thruster
    One B1 thruster

    Total impulse (~)
    1450 N.s
    325 lbfs

    Mass (dry / wet)
    2050 g / 2700 g
    4.52 lbm / 5.95 lbm

    Dimensions
    200 x 96 x 96 mm
    7.87 x 3.78 x 3.78 in

    Propellants
    Nitrous oxide (N2O)
    Propylene (C3H6)

    Tanks
    Type 1: All metallic, 3D printed

    Data
    CAN bus

    Supply voltage
    Digital: 5 to 5.2 VDC, and
    Actuators: 12 VDC unregulated

    Operational temperature
    -5°C to 30°C (23°F to 86°F)

    Survival temperature
    -30°C to 40°C (-22°F to 104°F)

Thrusters

Our standardised thrusters for scalable, modular SatDrive systems.

B20 Thruster - a 20N bipropellant rocket engine for satellites.
B20 Thruster logo - our 20N spacecraft engine

- 20N

  • The B20 thruster assembly includes the thruster body, valves, and control electronics.

    The thruster body is additively manufactured as a single structure using Inconel 718 and includes the injector, combustion chamber, and nozzle. Isolation valves are included upstream of the firing valves for added redundancy.

    Health monitoring instrumentation includes an integrated and isolated thermocouple and chamber pressure sensor.

    With standard data and power interfaces, thrusters are easy to command and operate.

    The B20 is also operable under ambient conditions to enable fast turnaround ground testing.

  • Download PDF Specifications

    Physical
    Thruster dimensions
    176 x 80 x 79 mm
    6.93 x 3.15 x 3.11 in

    Dry mass
    600 g
    1.32 lbm

    Nozzle expansion ratio
    100:1

    Valves
    Normally-closed solenoid
    Four per thruster (firing and isolation)

    Interfaces
    Mounting
    3x M5 threaded holes

    Performance
    Thrust, range
    6.1 to 16.7 N (1.37 to 3.75 lbf)

    Minimum impulse bit
    Bi-prop: 1 N.s (0.22 lbf.s)
    Cold-gas: 50 mN.s (0.01 lbf.s)

    Ignition
    Spark-based igniter

    Pulse frequency
    4 Hz

    Restarts
    11,000+ per thruster

    Control
    Operable together or independently
    Select your desired quantity
    Pair with B1 thrusters.

    Firing modes
    Bi-prop & cold-gas. Switch at will. Managed by not engaging the spark-ignitor.

    Cold-start capable
    Yes. Highly repeatable

  • Download PDF and STEP files here.

B1 thruster - a 1N bipropellant rocket engine for satellite propulsion.
B1 Thruster logo for cubesats

- 1N

  • Available in various form factors, the B1 thruster is currently utilized as the central thruster in Dawn’s CubeDrive propulsion modules and as a modular building block within Dawn's turn-key SatDrive systems. They can be positioned throughout the spacecraft, in clusters, and at various cant angles.

    The B1’s assembly includes the thruster body, valves, and control electronics.

    Thruster bodies are additively manufactured as a single structure using Inconel 718 and include the injector, combustion chamber, and nozzle.

    Health monitoring instrumentation includes an integrated and isolated thermocouple and chamber pressure sensor. With standard data and power interfaces, thrusters are easy to command and operate.

  • Download PDF Specifications

    Physical
    Thruster dimensions
    108 x 79 x 40 mm
    4.25 x 3.11 x 1.58 in

    Dry mass
    260 g
    0.57 lbm

    Nozzle expansion ratio
    100:1

    Valves
    Normally-closed solenoid
    Two per thruster

    Interfaces
    Mounting
    4x 3.2mm holes.

    Performance
    Thrust, range
    0.49 to 1.35 N (0.11 to 0.30 lbf)

    Minimum impulse bit
    Bi-prop: 74 mN.s (0.016 lbf.s)
    Cold-gas: 1.4 mN.s (3.1e-4 lbf.s)

    Ignition
    Spark-based igniter

    Pulse frequency
    4 Hz

    Restarts
    18,000+ per thruster

    Control
    Operable together or independently
    Select your desired quantity
    Pair with B20 thrusters

    Firing modes
    Bi-prop & cold-gas. Switch at will. Managed by not engaging the spark-igniter

    Cold-start capable
    Yes. Highly repeatable

  • Link to download PDF and STEP files

DEFINING FEATURES

High-performance propulsion
Experience significant time and power savings by switching to spark-based ignition, allowing you to conduct cold-start to full thrust firings in under 100ms. Achieve high performance exactly when needed by removing sensitive catalysts.

Rideshare friendly
Dawn’s propulsion systems have flown on every SpaceX Transporter mission to date, Starlink rideshare, and Arianespace’s Vega rideshare. Learn more about our safe failure modes and why launchers like what we’re building.

A unified architecture
All Dawn systems use the same highly scalable N2O/C3H6 architecture. Select your desired thruster quantity and thrust class(es), tank size, and interface, then let us do the rest.

Less parts = higher reliability
Propellants are self-pressurising and don't require external pressurants, high-pressure regulators, or mechanical PMDs. There are no rare-Earth materials, catalyst beds, or proprietary propellants. The result: low part count, low weight, low cost, and high reliability.

Dual firing modes
Unique for rendezvous and proximity operations, all thrusters can operate in both a bi-propellant and cold-gas mode by controlling the spark igniter. Even with large thrusters, achieve tiny impulse bits for RPO, fine pointing, and servicing.

Domestic propellant suppliers
N2O (purity class 2.0) and C3H6 (purity class 2.5) are widely available from domestic suppliers. ITAR-free and REACH-compliant, avoid the international supply chain, export control, and cost issues of proprietary propellant blends.

“We are excited to partner with Dawn Aerospace on this important feature for our LizzieSat™ constellation.  We believe Dawn’s turnkey propulsion technology will allow us to extend our time in orbit and deliver on our future value proposition of providing space-based data to a multitude of industries.”

— Carol Craig, CEO & Founder, Sidus Space

Sidus Space logo - a spacecraft propulsion customer
UARX logo - a satellite propulsion customer

"With their series of space-proven components, Dawn's modular system is designed to grow as we grow. They have all the building blocks and thrust levels we need, allowing us to scale systems as needed, up or down."

— Andrés Villa, CTO, UARX Space

“We’re proud to utilize Dawn’s propulsion system on our mission to provide the world’s best hyperspectral Earth-imaging satellites. Our goal is to launch a constellation that acts as a global health monitor for the planet. With Dawn’s help, we’re one step closer to achieving that and build a healthier planet.”

— Awais Ahmed, CEO & Co-founder, Pixxel

PIxxel logo - a satellite propulsion customer of Dawn's

DESIGN, DELIVERY, & SUPPORT 🚀

Mission design
Whether you want orbit insertion, phasing, stationkeeping, debris avoidance, life extension, momentum management, de-orbiting, or all the above, we’ll help you with mission success.

Engineering support
Although our systems all use a unified architecture, we know that satellite builders have different needs. That’s why we give engineering support to all our customers.

Production
High-volume and high-cadence production. State-of-the-art additive manufacturing with lean production methodology. In-house 5-axis machinery and cleanrooms.

Accelerated schedules
Enabled by vertically integrated capabilities of engineering, manufacturing, and testing.

Environmental qualification
In-house hot-fire and hydrostatic test facilities. Access to world-class test facilities for thermal cycling, shock, 3-axis vibration, and radiation testing.

Acceptance testing
In-house vacuum chambers and ambient test setups for hot-fire and full hardware-in-the-loop tests. Standardized and well-defined test procedures and quality assurance plans.

Export
Global export licenses, exporting from New Zealand and The Netherlands. Flown on satellites launched aboard 🇺🇸 and 🇪🇺 vehicles.

Launch-site fueling support
Dawn provides worldwide support for satellite fueling and propellant sourcing, whether at the launch site or your own premises.

On-orbit commissioning
We don’t just deliver you hardware, a few ICDs, then leave you to it. We are a full-service partner by your side the entire way.