NASA is offering $500,000 in prizes to encourage American companies to develop improved Hall effect thrusters, a type of electric propulsion system. The competition, called the Advanced Mid-Power Electric Rocket (AMPERE) Challenge, targets mid-power systems operating at 3 to 7 kilowatts.
Hall effect thrusters use electric and magnetic fields to accelerate charged particles and expel them at high speeds, propelling spacecraft in the opposite direction. Unlike chemical rockets that deliver brief, powerful bursts of thrust, these electric systems use propellant far more efficiently and can provide gentle acceleration over long periods. They are already used in space to adjust satellite orbits and maintain spacecraft positions.
The challenge focuses on this power range because government agencies and aerospace industry experts have identified mid-power thrusters as important for satellite operations, national defense, and space exploration. Participating companies will develop and demonstrate working prototypes. NASA plans to assess their performance using its testing facilities and provide winning teams access to NASA testing resources and technology.
The competition spans three phases, with up to two winning teams eligible to receive $250,000 each. Registration opens November 9, 2026, and closes January 27, 2027. The challenge is open only to companies incorporated in the United States with their primary place of business in the country.