Scorpius

Torrance, California

Composite Type-V pressure vessels for launch vehicles and spacecraft

Linerless tanks and unibody structures with fewer parts and fewer ways to fail. Our tanks flew on the Intuitive Machines IM-1 and IM-2 lunar landers.

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All-composite Type-V pressure vessel with external stringers and a threaded polar boss, photographed in the Scorpius shop
  • 30+ yearsBuilding composite propulsion hardware
  • 20+ customersCommercial aerospace buyers of Pressurmaxx® vessels
  • IM-1 and IM-2Intuitive Machines lunar landers
  • One facilityTorrance, California, near LAX

Capabilities

Four products, one composite process

Scorpius specializes in rocket propulsion components for pressure-fed launch vehicles and spacecraft.

Pressurmaxx®

Composite Type-V pressure vessels

All-composite, linerless and unibody. Built with Hexcel carbon fiber and Sapphire 77™, our cryogenic resin. A vessel can be the primary structure of a launch vehicle or spacecraft.

Fiber
Hexcel carbon fiber
Resin
Sapphire 77™ cryogenic resin
Structure
Linerless, unibody
Bosses
Patented all-composite, threaded options
Spacecraft use
Bladder positive expulsion device

Read more about composite type-v pressure vessels

Tridyne pressurization system

A high-performance pressurization system that adds small amounts of hydrogen and oxygen to helium. It saves about 50% of the mass of the pressurant gas and the pressurant tank.

Read more

Why linerless

No liner and fewer parts

A Type-V vessel has no liner to bond, leak or fail. The tank and its support share one composite structure.

  • Polar bossesPatented all-composite bosses, including threaded ones.
  • StringersExternal structural stringers carry load. Spacecraft tanks add integral shelves for equipment.
  • Slosh bafflesInternal baffles control propellant motion.
  • Thermal stabilityVery low thermal expansion from cryogenic temperatures to 175 F.
Large black composite Type-V tank with stringers and a threaded polar boss, resting on supports in the Scorpius shop
A Scorpius all-composite tank in the Torrance shop.

Flight record

Tanks that went to the Moon

Scorpius composite tanks flew on two Intuitive Machines lunar landers.

IM-1Pressurmaxx® Type-V tanks supported the Intuitive Machines IM-1 mission, which landed in February 2024.
IM-2Two composite propellant tanks, methane and liquid oxygen, flew on the IM-2 Athena lander.
20+Commercial aerospace customers have bought Pressurmaxx® cryogenic Type-V vessels.

How it works

From first call to flight hardware

  1. Send a short brief

    Tell us what you are building, the propellant and the pressure range.

  2. An engineer replies

    A Scorpius engineer reviews your brief and talks through fit and risk.

  3. Scope the work together

    We agree on design, production runs and assembly for your program.

FAQ

Questions engineers ask

What is a Type-V pressure vessel?

A Type-V vessel is an all-composite tank with no liner. Scorpius builds them linerless, in one piece.

Can a tank serve as vehicle structure?

Yes. A Scorpius Type-V vessel can be the primary structure of a launch vehicle or spacecraft.

What materials do you use?

Scorpius uses Hexcel carbon fiber and Sapphire 77, a proprietary cryogenic resin.

Have your tanks flown?

Yes. Scorpius tanks flew on the Intuitive Machines IM-1 and IM-2 lunar landers.

What is tridyne pressurization?

Tridyne adds small amounts of hydrogen and oxygen to helium. A catalyst bed turns them into water and heat, and the heat warms the helium. The system saves about 50% of the mass of the pressurant gas and tank.

How do I start a project?

Book an engineering consultation on this page. Tell us what you are building and an engineer will reply.

Where are you?

Scorpius is at 3111 Lomita Blvd., Torrance, CA 90505, about 30 minutes from LAX.

Engineering consultation

Talk to an engineer about your tank

Describe your program. You do not need final drawings.

Prefer email? info@scorpius.com
Phone: (310) 539-2306