SNSA Awards ECAPS Contract for Fast Start-up Thrusters in Sweden’s First Dual-use Program
Stockholm, Sweden – September 2025
The Swedish National Space Agency (SNSA) has awarded ECAPS with funding under the Dual-Use Space Technology Program, established by the Government’s Research & Innovation Bill (2024).
The grant will support ECAPS’s Fast Start-up Thruster (FAST) program, which has already demonstrated the capability to reach operational temperatures for its experimental 22 N thruster in under 48 seconds. ECAPS R&D will continue to expedite start-up durations to as low as 10 seconds, fully integrating the technology into engines by next year.
Broadening Sweden’s Mission Capabilities
ECAPS’s FAST innovation constitutes a critical technological breakthrough, as traditional thrusters typically require more than 20 minutes to preheat before being activated.
FAST is built for quick deployment and adaptability in diverse system types, including monopropellant and bipropellant, as well as systems like gas generators, Auxiliary Power Units (APU’s) and Emergency Power Units (EPUs). This ultimately enables mission flexibility, creating new possibilities for spacecraft maneuvering and orbital capabilities, while facilitating defensive applications, including Unmanned Underwater and Aerial Vehicles (UUVs, UAVs).
“FAST adds to ECAPS’s 15+ year heritage of delivering mission-proven HPGP solutions,” said Odysseas Christofi, CEO of ECAPS. “By making activation times almost instant, Sweden opens new commercial possibilities, while drastically enhancing its military preparedness.”
Background on ECAPS
ECAPS is a Swedish leader in advanced chemical propulsion systems, with over two decades of heritage in developing and delivering high-performance green propulsion. Building on the success of the LMP-103S propellant and a proven track record in orbital and defense missions, ECAPS pioneers next-generation propulsion solutions with a focus on sustainability, safety, and operational responsiveness.
For media inquiries, please contact info@ecaps.se
