420N HTP Bipropellant Kick-Stage Engine

The 420 N engine is a bipropellant rocket engine using 98% hydrogen peroxide as oxidizer, built on the results of the ESA-funded GRACE 1 and GRACE 2 projects managed by the Łukasiewicz Research Network – Institute of Aviation (Łukasiewicz – ILOT), together with Thaliana Space’s own investment. It is intended for launcher upper stages, orbital transfer vehicles (OTV) and satellite propulsion applications requiring higher thrust than monopropellant units.

In April 2025, MaiaSpace signed a multi-party agreement with Łukasiewicz – ILOT and Thaliana Space to develop and deliver these engines, used in clusters, for the Colibri maneuvering (kick) stage of MaiaSpace’s orbital rocket – the first European launcher whose first stage will be recovered via vertical landing on a sea barge. Under the agreement, Łukasiewicz – ILOT is responsible for flight-version development and hot-fire qualification testing (including a new vacuum propulsion test facility), while Thaliana Space plays the strategic role of production and delivery of the engines. An atmospheric hot-fire test campaign – including assessment of combustion stability and measurement of thrust, temperatures and pressures at critical points – was successfully completed at the Łukasiewicz – ILOT rocket engine test stand in April 2026, ahead of vacuum test stand qualification.