Desert Works Propulsion
Desert Works Propulsion is a New Mexico-based private company that develops gridded-ion electric propulsion systems and engineering services for government agencies, prime contractors, and spacecraft companies needing high delta-V, long-life propulsion. Its patented Annular Ion Engine, IONPRO modular platform, and TIE-20 thruster serve NASA and commercial space programs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersCarrizozo, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Desert Works Propulsion does
Desert Works Propulsion (DWP) is a privately held LLC founded and led by Michael J. Patterson, former NASA Senior Technologist for In-Space Propulsion, operating from Carrizozo, New Mexico. The company develops, designs, tests, and supports gridded-ion electric propulsion systems for spacecraft, anchored by three granted U.S. patents on the Annular Ion Engine (AIE) architecture and a patent-pending modular engine platform (IONPRO Series). Its product portfolio includes the AIE, the IONPRO Series modular thruster platform spanning Sub-kW, kW-Class, and High Power configurations, and the TIE-20 — a 20cm gridded-ion krypton system developed for Turion Space with GEN 1 and GEN 2 variants.
DWP serves government mission owners, prime contractors, and spacecraft companies requiring high delta-V, long-life, and high-total-impulse propulsion, with a customer base that explicitly includes NASA (via a Research License Agreement and a 2024 Property Loan Agreement for AIE hardware) and Turion Space (TIE-20 development), plus Zin Technologies and Jaguar PM listed as partner logos. The company operates a direct, consultative, relationship-driven B2B sales motion with no indirect channels or resellers.
The business model blends professional services (requirement definition, architecture trades, component testing, life modeling, qualification planning, and proposal support) with hardware sales, technology licensing of the IONPRO modular design, and testing services from the in-house DW-1 vacuum facility launched in December 2024 at approximately one-quarter the cost of a turnkey system. Headcount is 1–10 employees, no funding rounds are disclosed, and revenue is not publicly reported.
Desert Works Propulsion firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Desert Works Propulsion
- Legal name
- Desert Works Propulsion, LLC
- Website
- https://desertworkspropulsion.com
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Desert Works Propulsion is a New Mexico-based private company that develops gridded-ion electric propulsion systems and engineering services for government agencies, prime contractors, and spacecraft companies needing high delta-V, long-life propulsion. Its patented Annular Ion Engine, IONPRO modular platform, and TIE-20 thruster serve NASA and commercial space programs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Desert Works Propulsion industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Spacecraft Electric Propulsion
- 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)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Propulsion Test, Integration & Certification Services (IMABADAN)
Keywords
Where Desert Works Propulsion is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Carrizozo
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Desert Works Propulsion business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Electric Propulsion Expertise as a Service: DWP provides comprehensive electric propulsion program support across the full development path including requirement definition, gridded-ion architecture trades, component and subsystem testing, life modeling, qualification planning, and domestic hardware execution. Revenue derived from consulting, testing services, and engineering development.
- Propulsion Hardware Sales: DWP develops and delivers gridded-ion propulsion systems including the TIE-20 and IONPRO Series. Hardware execution includes thruster, power processing, control, propellant management, and test-interface components matched to customer mission requirements.
- Technology Licensing: DWP offers licensing of its patent-pending IONPRO modular design and construction process, enabling customers to apply the Engine Common Core approach for their specific mission requirements.
- Testing and Qualification Services: The DW-1 vacuum test facility provides cost-effective testing environment for electric propulsion thruster cathodes and components, supporting both internal development and client projects. Testing services include component testing, life modeling, and qualification evidence generation.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
Desert Works Propulsion product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Desert Works Propulsion develops, designs, tests, and supports gridded-ion electric propulsion systems for spacecraft. The company sells the IONPRO™ Series modular engine platform, the patented Annular Ion Engine (AIE), and the TIE-20 20cm gridded-ion system, alongside engineering services spanning requirement definition, architecture trades, component testing, life modeling, qualification planning, and domestic hardware execution. Hardware execution includes thruster, power processing, control, propellant management, and test-interface components matched to customer mission requirements.
Product overview
Desert Works Propulsion offers a portfolio of gridded-ion electric propulsion products and development services. The core product line includes the IONPRO™ Series (patent-pending modular engine platform supporting multiple power classes), the Annular Ion Engine (patented scalable technology with enhanced thrust density and lifespan), and the TIE-20 (20cm gridded-ion system for Turion Space with GEN 1 and GEN 2 variants). The company also provides electric propulsion development services spanning requirement definition, architecture trades, testing, life modeling, and qualification planning. The IONPRO platform serves as the foundational architecture enabling both conventional and annular ion engine configurations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- IONPRO™ Series: Patent-pending modular electric propulsion engine series with Engine Common Core™ sizes supporting Sub-kW, kW-Class, and High Power configurations for auxiliary and primary propulsion applications
- Annular Ion Engine (AIE)
- TIE-20
Quantifiable outcome
- 10x more total impulse than other EP technology
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use Desert Works Propulsion
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Desert Works Propulsion technology and API
TechnologyAPI detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Desert Works Propulsion partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- NASAcoreDWP executed a property loan agreement with NASA granting access to Annular Ion Engine (AIE) hardware. Collaboration aims to advance AIE technology under DWP's existing Research License Agreement with NASA, moving toward TRL 9 for flight application. DWP has invested over $300,000 in infrastructure including $100,000 for testing and analytical tools to develop the patented AIE technology. Potential applications for NASA, commercial, and national security missions.
- Turion SpacecoreDWP is developing a 20cm gridded-ion propulsion system (TIE-20) for Turion Space's internal program needs. The partnership includes development of prototype discharge and neutralizer cathodes for Turion's high-performance krypton thruster. DWP can adapt the same development path for other mission-specific propulsion requirements.
- NewSpace Nexus / NewSpace AlliancecoreProudly affiliated with NewSpace Nexus/NewSpace Alliance. Company news and press coverage published through NewSpace Nexus platform. Selected for NewSpace Ignitor program to reduce barriers in moving concepts beyond R&D.
- Defense Systems Information Analysis CenterminorAffiliated organization supporting defense systems information analysis.
- American Institute of Aeronautics and AstronauticsminorAffiliated professional organization for aerospace industry.
- Electric Rocket Propulsion SocietyminorAffiliated professional society for electric rocket propulsion.
- Space Force AssociationminorAffiliated organization supporting U.S. Space Force and space industry.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Desert Works Propulsion competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Phase Four: Phase Four is a U.S. small-satellite electric propulsion startup developing RF thrusters. Comparable as an emerging U.S. non-chemical propulsion vendor targeting the same smallsat and constellation customer base, though using a different (plasma) technology approach.
- Accion Systems: Accion Systems develops electrospray propulsion systems for small satellites. Comparable as a U.S. small-sat EP hardware company targeting commercial constellation customers, though Accion's underlying technology (electrospray) differs from DWP's gridded-ion approach.
- ThrustMe: ThrustMe is a French startup developing iodine-fueled electric propulsion (gridded ion and electrospray) for small satellites. Comparable as a non-chemical EP hardware vendor for emerging constellations, with a shared niche in compact gridded-ion systems, though operating primarily in Europe.
Direct peers
- Busek Co. Busek is a U.S. small-business developer of electric propulsion systems including Hall-effect thrusters, gridded ion thrusters, and RF thrusters — directly comparable to DWP as a specialized EP hardware and development services provider serving smallsat and government customers.
Broad incumbents
- Apollo Fusion (Astra): Apollo Fusion, acquired by Astra, developed Hall-effect thrusters for satellite constellations. Comparable as a U.S. small-sat EP hardware provider that competed for the same commercial constellation customers as DWP, though now part of a larger launch-space platform.
- Aerojet Rocketdyne (L3Harris): Aerojet Rocketdyne, now part of L3Harris, is a major U.S. propulsion prime with heritage in ion and Hall-effect thrusters (e.g., XR-5, NEXT-C). Comparable as a U.S. provider of flight-qualified electric propulsion for government and commercial missions, though at vastly larger scale.
- Safran Aircraft Engines (Snecma): Safran, via Snecma/PPS, builds the PPS-1350 Hall-effect thruster and has heritage in European electric propulsion. Comparable as a flight-qualified EP systems provider in the same broader electric propulsion category, though at much larger scale and with HET focus.
- Northrop Grumman (Space Propulsion): Northrop Grumman produces flight-qualified ion and Hall-effect thrusters for government and commercial satellites. Comparable as a major U.S. prime with gridded-ion and EP manufacturing heritage, operating in adjacent niche but at vastly larger scale.
Others
- Electric Rocket Propulsion Society (ERPS): ERPS is the professional society for electric propulsion researchers and companies. Listed as a DWP affiliation/partner; comparable as an ecosystem organization that signals technical credibility and connects DWP to the broader EP technical community.
- NASA Glenn Research Center: NASA Glenn is the long-standing center of U.S. gridded-ion propulsion R&D (NEXT, NSTAR, AIE heritage). Comparable as the originating R&D institution whose technology DWP is commercializing, and as a key partner/customer relationship via the Research License Agreement and property loan.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Desert Works Propulsion social profiles
Digital presenceDesert Works Propulsion financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Desert Works Propulsion leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Desert Works Propulsion funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Desert Works Propulsion M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Desert Works Propulsion
What does Desert Works Propulsion do?
Desert Works Propulsion develops, designs, tests, and supports gridded-ion electric propulsion systems for spacecraft. The company sells the IONPRO™ Series modular engine platform, the patented Annular Ion Engine (AIE), and the TIE-20 20cm gridded-ion system, alongside engineering services spanning requirement definition, architecture trades, component testing, life modeling, qualification planning, and domestic hardware execution. Hardware execution includes thruster, power processing, control, propellant management, and test-interface components matched to customer mission requirements.
Is Desert Works Propulsion a public or private company?
Desert Works Propulsion is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Desert Works Propulsion founded?
Desert Works Propulsion was founded in -1. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Desert Works Propulsion based?
Desert Works Propulsion is headquartered in Carrizozo, United States, in the North America region.
How does Desert Works Propulsion make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Electric Propulsion Expertise as a Service is the primary driver. The others are propulsion Hardware Sales, technology Licensing and testing and Qualification Services.
Who are Desert Works Propulsion's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Phase Four, Accion Systems and ThrustMe. Busek Co. is listed as a direct peer. Broad incumbents are Apollo Fusion (Astra), Aerojet Rocketdyne (L3Harris), Safran Aircraft Engines (Snecma) and Northrop Grumman (Space Propulsion). Others are Electric Rocket Propulsion Society (ERPS) and NASA Glenn Research Center.
Does Desert Works Propulsion have an API?
No public API is recorded for Desert Works Propulsion.
What industry is Desert Works Propulsion in?
Desert Works Propulsion's product category is Spacecraft Electric Propulsion. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABACAE, Spacecraft Propulsion (In-Space) & Thrusters, with a secondary code of IMABADAN, Propulsion Test, Integration & Certification Services. Its NAICS code is 336415 and its SIC code is 3760.