Marotta Controls targets pump-fed spacecraft propulsion with BPE-35 gear pump

MONTVILLE, N.J. - Marotta Controls in Montville, N.J., has introduced the BPE-35 Propellant Gear Pump, an electrically driven gear pump designed for compatibility with hypergolic propellants monomethylhydrazine (MMH) and nitrogen tetroxide (NTO) for spacecraft propulsion systems.

Developed as part of a hypergolic engine program, the BPE-35 has completed functional testing with mixed oxides of nitrogen (MON3) and is being brought to market to support pump-fed propulsion architectures. The company says it is continuing to mature the product’s technology readiness level in collaboration with an engine manufacturer.

The BPE-35 is intended to address longstanding limitations of pressure-fed propulsion systems, which have traditionally been used with storable hypergolic propellants but impose mass and volume penalties due to pressurization hardware.

The positive displacement pump uses an external gear design for both the fuel and oxidizer flow paths and is driven by an electrically controlled brushless DC motor compatible with modern spacecraft power systems. The compact architecture supports both MMH and NTO, simplifying propellant management and reducing overall propulsion system complexity and cost.

Marotta says the pump is suited for missions where propulsion performance directly influences mission duration and capability, including responsive space operations, cislunar transfer vehicles, and high delta-V defense applications.

For more information, please visit https://www.marotta.com.