Rocket Propulsion Market Report 2026

The rocket propulsion market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $8.02 billion in 2025 to $8.96 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growing deployment of cryogenic propulsion systems for heavy-lift launch missions, advancements in solid and liquid propellant formulations improving thrust performance, expansion of commercial and government satellite launch programs, early development and testing of electric propulsion technologies for spacecraft, increasing investment in nuclear propulsion research for deep-space exploration.

The rocket propulsion market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $13.28 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.3%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising demand for high-efficiency propulsion solutions to support long-duration space missions, increasing commercialization of low-earth-orbit operations requiring frequent launches, advancements in electric propulsion scalability for larger spacecraft platforms, development of next-generation cryogenic engines with improved fuel efficiency, expanding government and private-sector initiatives to accelerate nuclear thermal and nuclear electric propulsion maturation. Major trends in the forecast period include advanced cryogenic propulsion technologies, development of nuclear thermal propulsion, high-efficiency electric propulsion systems, multi-stage hybrid propellant optimization, thrust vectoring and propulsion control innovations.

The rising number of commercial satellites is expected to drive the growth of the rocket propulsion market in the future. Commercial satellites are devices launched into space to orbit the Earth, used for information collection or radio communication. Rocket propulsion systems are utilized to launch these commercial satellites, providing the necessary thrust to lift them into orbit and maintain their desired positions. For example, in June 2024, SpaceNews, a U.S.-based non-governmental organization, reported that in 2023, U.S. manufacturers accounted for approximately 85% of commercially procured satellites, with satellite manufacturing revenue increasing by 9% to $17.2 billion, supported by flexible software-defined payloads and advanced small satellites. A record 190 commercially procured launches occurred, representing an 18% increase from 2022. These launches deployed 2,781 commercial satellites, a 20% increase year-over-year, largely driven by SpaceX. Thus, the increasing number of commercial satellites is propelling the growth of the rocket propulsion market.

Major companies in the rocket propulsion market are focusing on strategic partnerships to develop rocket propulsion engines, maximizing their market revenues. These collaborations leverage the expertise and resources of different organizations to expedite engine development and reduce costs. For instance, in May 2023, Ursa Major announced a contract with the Air Force Research Laboratory to advance U.S. hypersonics defense programs and space launch capabilities. This partnership involves the development of the Arroway engine for space launch and the Draper engine for hypersonic travel. Arroway is a reusable liquid oxygen and methane-staged combustion engine for medium and heavy launch vehicles, while Draper is a closed-cycle hydrogen peroxide engine for hypersonic applications.

In July 2023, L3Harris Technologies Inc., a U.S.-based aerospace and defense company, acquired Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings Inc. for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, L3Harris aimed to strengthen its capabilities in missile defense systems, hypersonic technologies, and advanced propulsion, accelerate the development of next-generation aerospace solutions, and broaden its portfolio of high-performance defense systems. The company also intended to utilize Aerojet Rocketdyne’s expertise in rocket propulsion to drive innovation, enhance operational efficiency, and provide more integrated and reliable solutions to defense and aerospace clients worldwide. Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings Inc. is a U.S.-based aerospace company that supplies rocket propulsion.

Major companies operating in the rocket propulsion market are Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings Inc., Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., Space Exploration Technologies Corp., Safran S.A., Blue Origin LLC, Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems Inc., Virgin Galactic Holdings Inc., Rocket Lab USA Inc., United Launch Alliance LLC, Boeing Space Launch System, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, Reaction Engines Ltd., Firefly Aerospace Inc., Sierra Nevada Corporation, ExPace Technology Co. Ltd., Relativity Space Inc., Arianespace SA, IHI Corporation, Skyrora Ltd., Masten Space Systems Inc., Gilmour Space Technologies Pty Ltd., ArianeGroup GmbH, Terran Orbital Corporation, PLD Space S.L., Dauria Aerospace, Raptor Aerospace Inc., Axiom Space Inc., CubeCab Services Private Limited, Stratolaunch Systems Corporation.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the rocket propulsion market in 2025, and it is also expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the rocket propulsion market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

Tariffs on rocket engines, propellant materials, and high-precision aerospace components have increased production costs and slowed the development of solid, liquid, hybrid, and advanced propulsion systems. Regions with major manufacturing hubs like North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific are most impacted. Nonetheless, tariffs have prompted investment in local production, encouraged innovation in cost-efficient propulsion technologies, and strengthened domestic supply chains, ultimately benefiting long-term market resilience and competitiveness.

The rocket propulsion market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides rocket propulsion market statistics, including rocket propulsion industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a rocket propulsion market share, detailed rocket propulsion market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the rocket propulsion industry. This rocket propulsion market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

Rocket propulsion involves the application of force to propel a rocket forward, enabling its launch into the atmosphere. This propulsion system is essential for generating thrust, the force responsible for propelling a rocket through both the air and space. Rockets rely on either solid or liquid propellants, comprising a fuel source and an oxidizer that supplies the necessary oxygen for combustion.

The primary categories within the rocket propulsion market are solid propulsion, liquid propulsion, and hybrid propulsion. Solid propulsion entails a system in which the fuel and oxidizer are combined into a solid propellant, often used as boosters during launch. Rocket propulsion orbits encompass Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO), and beyond GEO. Various launch vehicle types utilizing rocket propulsion systems include manned and unmanned configurations. The end-users of rocket propulsion systems span civil and commercial applications, as well as military applications.

The countries covered in the rocket propulsion market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The rocket propulsion market consists of sales of cryogenic propulsion, electric propulsion system and nuclear propulsion. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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