Letara provides hybrid propulsion modules that combine a 3‑D‑printed plastic solid fuel grain with a liquid oxidizer, delivering high thrust while avoiding toxic propellants. The system includes low‑power ignition and thrust‑control electronics for multiple restarts and throttling, and a patented Camui grain geometry with regenerative cooling for efficient, scalable burns across CubeSat to launch‑vehicle sizes.
Funding
$5.8M raised to dateRaised to date based on public sources. This may differ from the amount the company actually raised and is based only on what is publicly available on the internet.
FIFounders
Product
Problem
Current chemical propulsion systems rely on toxic liquid bipropellants or hazardous solid fuels, leading to high launch costs, complex handling procedures, and safety risks. These limitations hinder rapid, affordable access to space and constrain in‑orbit maneuverability for satellites and other spacecraft.
Solution
Letara delivers hybrid propulsion modules that combine a solid plastic fuel grain with a liquid oxidizer, providing high thrust while eliminating the toxicity and handling challenges of conventional engines. Proprietary low‑power ignition and thrust‑control electronics enable reliable, repeatable starts and throttling in vacuum. The patented Camui grain geometry maximizes combustion efficiency and supports regenerative cooling for sustained burns. Fuel grains can be 3‑D printed into custom shapes, allowing fast iteration and scalable production for platforms ranging from CubeSats to launch‑vehicle stages. By offering a safer, cost‑effective thrust solution, Letara makes rapid, 24‑hour access to any orbital destination feasible.
Features
- Hybrid engine architecture using 3‑D‑printed plastic solid fuel and a liquid oxidizer, eliminating hazardous toxic propellants.
- Demonstrated thrust of 5 kN with a stable 7‑second burn in a world‑first flight test.
- Low‑power, patented ignition system that supports multiple restarts and fine thrust throttling in space.
- Camui grain design with alternating fuel segments and optimized oxidizer ports for high combustion efficiency and scalable thrust levels.
- Regenerative cooling channel integrated into the nozzle to prevent overheating and erosion during long burns.
- Modular integration capability for a wide range of payload sizes, from CubeSat propulsion units to full‑scale launch vehicle stages.
- Rapid manufacturing workflow enabled by additive‑manufactured fuel grains, reducing development cycles and production costs.