Intuitive Machines Nova-C lunar lander in a hangar, in front of a US flag — Photo: Intuitive Machines

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.

Book an engineering consultation See capabilities

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 product lines, 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 Sapphire 77™, our cryogenic resin. A vessel can be the primary structure of a launch vehicle or spacecraft.

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

Composite spacecraft propellant tanks

Type-V propellant tanks for chemical and electric propulsion. Optional skirts and custom stringers with integral shelves replace struts, straps, braces, clamps and brackets.

Unibody composite structures

One structure that combines the propellant tank with primary and secondary support. It is lighter, stiffer and stronger than a traditional tank.

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.

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.

Close-up of a threaded polar boss on a Scorpius composite tank — A threaded polar boss on a Scorpius tank.

Earth seen from an Intuitive Machines lander, with the lander's solar panel and antennas in front — Earth from an Intuitive Machines lander. Photo: Intuitive Machines.

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.

TRL 9 certified Read the flight record

How it works

From first call to flight hardware

Send a short brief
Tell us what you are building, the propellant and the pressure range.
An engineer replies
A Scorpius engineer reviews your brief and talks through fit and risk.
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 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 in the Consultation section below. 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