Rocket Propulsion Market Report 2025

This Rocket Propulsion report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market’s historic and forecast market growth by geography.

The rocket propulsion market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $7.08 billion in 2024 to $8.07 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to space exploration and satellite launches, military and defense applications, commercial space ventures, scientific research missions, national space programs and agencies.

The rocket propulsion market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $12.5 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to reusable rockets and cost reduction, satellite constellations and broadband connectivity, lunar and mars exploration missions, small satellite propulsion systems, green and sustainable rocket propellants, advanced space tourism initiatives, global space industry expansion. Major trends in the forecast period include electric and ion propulsion for deep space missions, 3D-printed rocket components, rapid turnaround and launch capabilities, in-space refueling and depot systems, advanced propulsion for asteroid mining, rocket engines for hypersonic travel.

The growth of the rocket propulsion market is significantly propelled by increased spending and capital investment from government bodies and space companies. Capital investment involves acquiring physical assets to further long-term business goals. Industries are channeling substantial capital into space exploration, technological innovation, and research and development initiatives, supported by government agencies. Space Capital LP reports that in Q1 2022, venture capital invested $7.2 billion, contributing to a total of $17.1 billion in 2021 across 328 space companies, comprising 3% of the global venture capital flows. According to USAspending, NASA had a budgetary allocation of $30.44 billion in FY 2022, distributed among its sub-components, aiming to drive advancements in technology, aeronautics, and space exploration. This increased spending and investment are expected to boost the demand for rocket propulsion systems in the forecast period.

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.

Key trends in the rocket propulsion market include technological advancements and innovations. Research institutes and companies are actively developing innovative products to meet industry demands and enhance their presence. In November 2022, Skyroot Aerospace, an India-based aerospace company, launched the Vikram-S rocket, featuring four 3D-printed engines and made from carob fiber. This mission aimed to secure approval for the technology to be used in the upcoming Vikram-1 orbital rocket scheduled for launch in 2023.

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 August 2022, Phantom Space Corporation, a U.S.-based company specializing in space transportation and rocket manufacturing, acquired Micro Aerospace Solutions for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition is anticipated to enable Phantom Space Corporation to enhance space access by mass-producing launch vehicles, satellites, and space propulsion technologies. Micro Aerospace Solutions, also based in the U.S., manufactures space propulsion systems and specializes in thruster design and propulsion systems.

Major companies operating in the rocket propulsion market include 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, Space Perspective Inc., Stratolaunch Systems Corporation.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the rocket propulsion market in 2024, 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, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, and Africa. The countries covered in the rocket propulsion market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, and USA.

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 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.

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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