NASA Invites U.S. Companies to Compete in AMPERE Challenge

U.S. companies are invited to design and build a new class of electric propulsion thruster as part of NASA's AMPERE (Advanced Mid-Power Electric Rocket) Challenge, announced on November 9, 2026. The challenge aims to address a gap NASA has identified between the growing demand for mid-power electric propulsion and the domestic industry's ability to meet it.

NASA may select two winning teams, each receiving up to $250,000 in prize funding: $125,000 for the Phase 1 concept and $125,000 more when the prototype is delivered. The challenge is structured in three phases. In Phase 1, participants submit a concept design, manufacturing plan, and cost and performance projections. NASA may select two winners to receive up to $125,000 each and move to Phase 2, where those two teams have approximately six months to develop a working prototype, with an additional $125,000 awarded to each team on delivery.

Winning teams in Phase 2 will have the opportunity to build on NASA's krypton Hall-effect thruster technology during prototype development. Through no-cost licensing, these teams gain early access to NASA-developed krypton technologies for demonstration of potential commercial infusion, a chance to test their products directly with federal technology, and gain experience that could support a competitive edge in the market.

The challenge is open to organizations incorporated in and maintaining a primary place of business in the United States, led by a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, consistent with the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010, as amended by the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. § 3719), under which the challenge is conducted. Concept papers are due by February 10, 2027. Full eligibility requirements, submission guidelines, and judging criteria will be available at https://ampere.nasatechmaturation.org/.

Teams that advance to Phase 2 will receive access to krypton propellant furnished by NASA for prototype testing. Participants retain intellectual property rights to their submissions. The challenge presents an opportunity to negotiate a license for NASA to use solutions developed through the challenge, and the government license option is a live part of the program's IP terms, with the retention and licensing terms still being finalized.

The AMPERE Challenge is administered by yet2 through a contract with the NASA Center of Excellence for Collaborative Innovation within the agency's Research and Technology Mission Directorate. Teams will have the opportunity to test their prototypes at NASA's Vacuum Facility 12 (VF-12) at NASA's Glenn Research Center, a rare access opportunity for companies outside NASA and its partners.