What Aurora Propulsion Technologies does

Aurora Propulsion Technologies is a Finnish privately-held space-hardware startup founded in 2018 and headquartered in Espoo. The company designs and builds water-based plasma propulsion components — primarily thrusters and plasma braking systems — that enable small satellites to perform orbital maneuvers and end-of-life deorbiting. Its underlying technology replaces conventional toxic chemical propellants with water, targeting a propulsion system cost reduction of up to one-third while improving safety. Aurora Sat-1, the company's proprietary in-orbit test platform, is being flown on a Rocket Lab mission to validate the technology in flight conditions.

The company's product portfolio currently consists of three core offerings: thrusters for satellite maneuvering, plasma braking systems for deorbiting and drag augmentation, and the Aurora Sat-1 demonstration satellite. Aurora serves a horizontal customer base of satellite operators and spacecraft manufacturers whose primary use cases are orbital maneuvering, end-of-life disposal, and compliance with space-debris mitigation guidelines. Revenue is generated through direct B2B hardware sales of propulsion components, with pricing handled via custom quotes rather than public list pricing.

Aurora's go-to-market is oriented around deep technical engagement with satellite primes and constellation operators, supplemented by strategic alliances — most notably its launch partnership with Rocket Lab. As of the available data, the company remains in a pre-commercial or early-commercial phase, with cumulative disclosed funding of approximately €1.7M in seed capital (September 2021) plus follow-on European Innovation Council tranches in late 2022, and no disclosed recurring revenue or named anchor customers.

Name

Aurora Propulsion Technologies

Legal name

Aurora Propulsion Technologies

Website

https://aurorapt.fi

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Aurora Propulsion Technologies is a Finnish space-hardware startup developing water-based plasma thrusters and plasma braking systems for satellite maneuvering, deorbiting, and space-debris mitigation, serving satellite operators and spacecraft manufacturers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Spacecraft Propulsion Systems

NAICS

Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Propulsion Unit and Propulsion Unit Parts Manufacturing (336415)

SIC

Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760)

akta.pro primary industry

Spacecraft Propulsion (In-Space) & Thrusters (IMABACAE)

Keywords

• Spacecraft propulsion systems
• Satellite thruster hardware
• Plasma braking technology
• Satellite deorbiting solutions
• Small satellite propulsion

Headquarters

HQ city

Epoo

HQ country

Finland

HQ region

Europe

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Spacecraft Propulsion Hardware Sales: Sale of thrusters and plasma braking systems to satellite operators and spacecraft manufacturers

Core offering

Aurora Propulsion Technologies designs and manufactures spacecraft propulsion hardware, including thrusters and plasma braking systems, that enable satellite maneuvering and end-of-life deorbiting. Its water-based plasma propulsion technology offers a safer, non-toxic, and more cost-effective alternative to conventional chemical propulsion for small satellite operators and manufacturers.

Product overview

Aurora Propulsion Technologies is a Finnish startup founded in 2018 that develops spacecraft propulsion products including thrusters and plasma braking systems. The company offers a portfolio of propulsion solutions designed for satellite maneuvering and deorbiting capabilities. The Aurora Sat-1 satellite serves as a technology demonstration platform for testing these propulsion systems in orbit via a Rocket Lab mission.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Thrusters Spacecraft propulsion thrusters designed for satellite maneuvering and orbital control, using water-based plasma propulsion technology as a safer, non-toxic, and cost-effective alternative to conventional chemical propulsion. Sold to satellite manufacturers and operators.
• Plasma Braking Systems Plasma-based braking systems for spacecraft deorbiting and drag augmentation, enabling satellite end-of-life disposal and space debris mitigation. Targeted at satellite operators and constellation owners needing compliant deorbit solutions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Potential cost reduction of up to one-third compared to conventional toxic fuel propulsion systems

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Rocket LabcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Rocket Lab will provide launch services for the Aurora Sat-1 satellite, enabling in-orbit testing of Aurora's propulsion technology. This is a critical partnership for technology validation and demonstration.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Enpulsion: Austrian manufacturer of field-emission electric propulsion (IFM) thrusters for small satellites. Direct competitor in the smallsat in-space propulsion category, serving the same constellation and cubesat integrators that Aurora targets.
• ThrustMe: French in-space propulsion startup offering electric and cold-gas thrusters for smallsats, including iodine- and water-compatible systems. Competes head-to-head with Aurora on water/green-propellant smallsat propulsion and end-of-life deorbiting.
• Morpheus Space: German-American provider of electric propulsion systems (nanoFEEP) for small satellites and satellite constellations. Direct competitor targeting the same smallsat attitude-control and deorbit use cases as Aurora's thrusters.
• Phase Four: US-based plasma thruster developer for small satellites, using RF-excited plasma instead of chemical propellants. Closely comparable technology approach (plasma-based propulsion) and customer base to Aurora's water-plasma thrusters.
• Accion Systems: US developer of electrospray propulsion systems for smallsats. Directly competes for smallsat attitude-control and orbit-manoeuvelling propulsion slots that Aurora is targeting with its plasma thrusters.
• Busek: US manufacturer of electric and chemical propulsion for spacecraft, including Hall-effect thrusters and plasma systems. Competes with Aurora across in-space propulsion categories for both commercial and government smallsat customers.
• D-Orbit: Italian in-space transportation and satellite lifecycle services company using its own propulsion (ION Satellite Carrier). Comparable end-market in satellite deorbit, orbital manoeuvring and constellation deployment services.

Emerging players

• GomSpace: Danish smallsat prime contractor offering cubesat platforms with integrated propulsion options. Represents both a customer channel and a competitive threat for Aurora, as GomSpace could integrate in-house or partner propulsion that displaces third-party thrusters.

Broad incumbents

• Thales Alenia Space: Major European spacecraft manufacturer with broad propulsion capabilities across chemical and electric systems. Sets the standard for institutional/European customers that Aurora may eventually sell into, and competes for large satellite propulsion contracts.
• Aerojet Rocketdyne (L3Harris): Large US propulsion incumbent covering chemical, electric and in-space propulsion for government and commercial spacecraft. Represents the established supplier baseline against which smallsat-focused players like Aurora must differentiate.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AuroraPropulsio

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors4 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Aurora Propulsion Technologies