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AIAA-RM Speaker Series: Ursa Major Technologies

Updated: Jul 24, 2024


Ursa Major Technologies, advanced propulsion systems across space, hypersonics, and national security domains, and Joe Laurienti, Founder & CEO, hosted AIAA RMS at their facility and test range in Berthoud, CO, on June 26th, 2024 with a video presentation (currently showing on their website https://www.ursamajor.com/) and talks by Joe and Nick Doucette, COO. Joe provided a tour of their rocket engine manufacturing area covering their three major liquid fuel engines, which are comprised of 3D printed components allowing for rapid manufacturing cycles:


Hadley Engine: The Hadley engine is one of Ursa Major's main developments. It is designed for upper-stage applications and utilizes liquid oxygen (LOX) and rocket propellant-1 (RP-1) as propellants. The Hadley engine is known for its high performance and reliability.


Ripley Engine: The Ripley engine is another key development by Ursa Major. It is designed for small to medium-sized launch vehicles and is optimized for cost-effectiveness and versatility. It also uses LOX and RP-1 propellants.


Draper Engine: The Draper engine is a new addition to Ursa Major's lineup. It is designed for small satellite propulsion and is characterized by its compact size and efficient performance. It uses green propellants, specifically liquid oxygen and methane.


These engines demonstrate Ursa Major's capability to develop a range of propulsion systems catering to different needs in the aerospace industry, from small satellite launches to larger orbital missions and upper stages. Currently, most of their customers are from the government. They also develop solid rocket motors.


Ursa Major is the leading independent rocket propulsion provider and a critical player in building the defense industrial base in the United States. As the first American company to fire an oxygen-rich staged combustion engine—a milestone previously only achieved by Russian engine-makers—Ursa Major provides reusable, high-performing propulsion systems to commercial space enterprises, defense contractors, and the Department of Defense for launch, hypersonics, and national security missions. Joe Laurienti will explain Ursa Major’s vision and provide an overview of their unique testing and advanced manufacturing capabilities. The program will include a tour of Ursa Major’s 90-acre headquarters, which co-locates engineering, manufacturing, & testing operations, allowing for unmatched development time and rapid iteration. With multiple full-engine test stands, sub-component testing, multi-propellant testing, and more than 60,000 square feet of manufacturing and build space, we’re proud to call Colorado home. Additionally, Ursa Major’s Youngstown, Ohio, facility is home to 3D printing of proprietary copper alloys, which enables additive manufacturing for rapid prototyping, research, and development for future products and a low rate of initial production.


Joe Laurienti is the Founder and CEO at Ursa Major Technologies. Mr. Laurienti started his career as a propulsion engineer at SpaceX and at Blue Origin. He took the experience he gained working for those companies to found Ursa Major in 2015. In 2016, Ursa Major was awarded its first engine contract for a space launch vehicle, and its first hotfire attempt was in 2017. In 2022, Ursa Major was awarded a contract to develop a “Hadley” rocket engine for the U.S. Air Force. In 2023, Phantom Space Corporation agreed to purchase more than 200 rocket engines, including both the 5,000-pound thrust Hadley engines and the new 50,000-pound thrust Ripley engines. Mr. Laurienti’s company now offers a line of engines from 4,000-200,000lbf thrust. Mr. Laurienti attended the University of Southern California.


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ABOUT AIAA ROCKY MOUNTAIN

The AIAA Rocky Mountain Section is the official AIAA chapter for Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, Alberta, Northwest Territories and Nunavut regions. We are one of the largest AIAA chapters in the world and we host regular events throughout the region for professionals, students and the public.

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