This first award for ESP includes delivery of thrusters for six spacecraft and an option for hardware for an additional six spacecraft. FORMOSAT-7/COSMIC-2 program is a joint constellation metrological satellite mission between Taiwan and the United States for observing and monitoring the global meteorology, climate and ionosphere.

"This first award represents a key step in establishing the foundation of ESP," said Bill Smith, head of Business Development for ESP and Aerojet Rocketdyne in Europe. "We welcome the opportunity to bring high performance in-space propulsion to SSTL and Europe's growing portfolio of satellites."

The MR-103G thruster, a 1N hydrazine monopropellant thruster, was designed and flight proven by Aerojet Rocketdyne. The MR-103 has a long flight heritage for use on a variety of space programs including commercial and civil spacecraft. The MR-103 was originally designed for the Voyager program and the thrusters on that vehicle remain operational today nearly 36 years after launch.

"ESP represents a new competitive force in the European arena," said Aerojet Rocketdyne President, Warren M. Boley, Jr. "It will maintain a strong European identity while leveraging Aerojet Rocketdyne's seven-decade legacy of propulsion performance. International collaboration, which is fundamental to ESP's approach, will lower costs and enhance customer support."