NASA seeks U.S. companies to develop and demonstrate mid-power Hall-effect thruster prototypes. Up to 2 winners may receive up to $250,000 each in prize funding and no-cost testing at NASA Glenn Research Center’s Vacuum Facility.
Mid-power (3-7 kW) Hall-effect thruster systems have been identified by commercial and government stakeholders as a critical capability for commercial satellite operations, defense applications, and NASA science and exploration missions. Given the need for this capability, NASA is launching the Advanced Mid-Power Electric Rocket (AMPERE) challenge, supported by yet2.
The AMPERE Challenge is designed to directly address this need by incentivizing domestic commercial participants to develop and demonstrate mid-power Hall-effect thruster prototypes to be tested in Vacuum Facility 12 (VF-12) at the NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, OH. Through this challenge, NASA aims to accelerate the maturation of domestic electric propulsion capability, validate real-world performance in NASA test facilities, and build the foundation needed to support the next generation of commercial, military, and NASA missions.
Kimberly Ayers
Kimberly Ayers, Senior Innovation Services Manager at yet2 works across technology licensing, commercialization and scouting, with 20+ years in high-tech business development, including nearly two decades as Director of Consulting at Japan Entry helping Western software companies enter Japan. A UC Santa Cruz physics graduate, she speaks business-level Japanese.
NASA has identified a gap between growing demand for mid-power electric propulsion and the domestic industry’s ability to meet it. The AMPERE challenge is designed to support industry investment in this market segment through prizes, access to testing, and opportunities for government contracts.
Up to 2 winners may receive up to $250,000 each in prize funding.
Up to two winners may receive no-cost testing at NASA Glenn Research Center’s Vacuum Facility.
Solutions must be provided by an established U.S. based commercial supplier and meet the following eligibility criteria: demonstrated electric propulsion flight experience, proof of liability insurance, proof of incorporation in the U.S., etc.
Discharge Power Range: 3-5 kW
Discharge Voltage: 300-400 V
Isp: >1700 s
Total Impulse: >15 MN-s
Discharge Power Range: 2-3 kW
Discharge Voltage: 300-400 V
Isp: >2000 s
Total Impulse: >7 MN-s
Solutions must meet the mass, volume, power, and reliability constraints typical of commercial, defense, or NASA science / exploration spaceflight missions. Mature technology and manufacturing readiness level (TRL/MRL), production capacity, and flight heritage are ideal. Any ITAR or other export-control classification should be identified.
Phase 1 proposal submissions open November 9, 2026 and close February 10, 2027. Full submission guidelines, judging criteria, rules, terms & conditions, and Phase 2 and Phase 3 timelines are detailed on the AMPERE challenge site.
Technology scouting, open innovation consulting, licensing and patent transactions.
