NITROUS-BASED PROPULSION
Non-Toxic 'Green' Chemical Propulsion
Dawn's bi-propellant systems use nitrous oxide (N₂O) and propene (C₃H₆) to deliver reliable thrust without the handling the risk, cost, and operational complexity of traditional toxic fuels such as hydrazine.
The result is propulsion that is simpler to build, integrate, test, and operate, allowing teams to move faster and with greater confidence.
Benefits of Our Chemical Propulsion
-
Refuelable
-
High thrust
-
Lower power
-
Modular
-
Scalable from 30 kg to 500+ kg satellites
-
LOOP refueling network capable
30+ customers across the globe, from the United States to France, India, Japan, Italy, Germany,
The Netherlands, South Korea and more.
Non-Toxic 'Green' Propulsion
SatDrive
SatDrive is Dawn's flagship propulsion system 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 SatDrive
-
High thrust
-
Lower power
-
Modular
-
Fast delivery, low integration effort
-
Safe
Heritage:
-
15+ successfully launched into orbit - missions including LEO, Deep Space
-
Launching to Lunar and GEO in 2026
+ Systems Specifications
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 quantity 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
Non-Toxic 'Green' Propulsion
Cubedrive
CubeDrive is Dawn’s propulsion system for CubeSat-class spacecraft.
Designed for standard CubeSat form factors, CubeDrive delivers integrated chemical propulsion with minimal volume, power, and integration overhead.
Each CubeDrive system is delivered as a self-contained propulsion unit, including thruster, tanks, valves, instrumentation, and control electronics—ready to integrate at the satellite level.
Benefits of CubeDrive
-
High thrust in compact volumes
-
Low power demand
-
Non-toxic “green” propellant
-
Integrated, bolt-on architecture
Heritage:
-
5+ successfully launched into orbit
+ 0.8U Specifications
Status
In Space
Thruster
One B1 thruster
Total impulse (~)
-
400 Ns
89.9 lbf.s
Mass (dry / wet)
-
1080 g / 1275 g
2.38 lbm / 2.81 lbm
Dimensions
-
80 x 96 x 96 mm
3.15 x 3.78 x 3.78 in
Propellants
-
Nitrous oxide (N2O) and
Propylene (C3H6)
Tanks
Type 1: All metallic, 3D printed
Data
CAN bus
Supply voltage
Digital: 5 to 5.2 VDC, and
Actuators: 14 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)
+ 2U 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: 14 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)
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 rapid response, high performance exactly when needed by removing sensitive catalysts.
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
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.
Rideshare Friendly
Dawn’s propulsion systems have flown on almost 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.
Domestic Propellant Suppliers
N₂O + C₃H₆ widely available from domestic suppliers.
ITAR-free and REACH-compliant, avoid the international supply chain, export control, and cost issues of proprietary propellant blends.
SCALEABLE PROPULSION
Standardized or Customized 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.
With 15+ systems now in orbit and a mature production-line, Dawn's experienced team help reduce non-recurring engineering, reduce costs, and reduce lead times.
Standard lead time: 6-12 months for recurring systems.
5kNs SatDrive
70kNs SatDrive
7kNs SatDrive
15kNs SatDrive
SCALEABLE PROPULSION
Modular, Custom SatDrive Systems
-
Dawn’s range of standardized components are assembled into various form factors to meet your mission requirements.
-
For SmallSats, Orbital Transfer Vehicles, CubeSats and everything in between
SCALEABLE PROPULSION
Plug-and-Play Components
Dawn’s propulsion components are designed to remove friction from spacecraft integration.
Thrusters, tanks, and electronics are delivered as proven, flight-ready building blocks.
Using non-toxic green propellants and standard interfaces, Dawn components simplify ground handling, reduce program risk, and accelerate timelines from test to orbit.
THRUSTERS
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
ELECTRONICS
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
TANKS
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.
SYSTEM-LEVEL COMPONENTS
In-house configured to meet your requirements.
NITROUS-OXIDE PROPULSION
Safe, non-toxic propulsion for scalable missions from LEO and GEO to lunar and deep space,
and a refuelable future.
THRUSTERS
1N and 20N
Class Thrusters
The B1 and B20 are both flight-ready green propulsion thrusters designed to make spacecraft operations easier, from integration on the ground to reliable performance in orbit.
The success of Dawn's B1 and B20 have lead to the current in-development sized of the B5 and B200, becoming available later in 2026.
TANKS
Inconel and COPV Tanks
Qualified for rideshare per AIAA-S-080 (Type 1), AIAA-S-081 (Type 3), and ECSS-E-St-32-02C
Type 1 - Metal
-
Inconel 718
-
Titanium
Type 3 - COPV
-
Aluminium Liner and Composite Overwrap
Constant Development
-
Storage Capacity from 0.8L to 33L
-
Orientation Flexibility
Lead Time
-
6 Month - Qualified Tanks
-
12 Month - Custom Tanks
30L - T3 COPV - Ox/Fu
1.8 & 9.4L - T1 Ti - Ox/Fu
1.6L - T1 Inc - Ox/Fu
1.6L & 9.7L - T1 Inc - Ox/Fu
3L & 0.8L - T1 Inc - Ox/Fu
