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NASA opened the Advanced Mid-Power Electric Rocket (AMPERE) Challenge, which offers $500,000 in prizes to help American companies advance electric propulsion for satellites and future missions. The competition targets Hall effect thrusters in the 3 to 7 kilowatt range, which use electricity to accelerate charged particles and provide gentle, fuel-efficient thrust over long periods. Up to two winning teams can each receive up to $250,000, along with access to NASA testing facilities to evaluate prototypes. Companies must be incorporated in the United States and have their primary place of business there. Registration opens November 9, 2026, and closes January 27, 2027, with complete rules available on the official NASA AMPERE Challenge website. The challenge is intended to move propulsion concepts beyond early development toward systems that can be tested under realistic conditions, with potential applications in satellite operations, defense and robotic exploration. ScienceDaily, which republished NASA material, said the competition runs in three phases.