Thrusters are the engines that move ships, planes and drones in Space Engineers, the building game where you design craft out of blocks. Each one pushes in a single direction, so a craft needs thrusters facing every way to move freely. The game has four types, ion, atmospheric, hydrogen and Prototech, and each one suits a different kind of flying.
Thruster Type
Atmospheric
Atmospheric Thruster
An electric thruster for flight inside a planet's atmosphere.
- Runs On
- Electricity
- Max Thrust
- Small grid: 96 kN; large grid: 648 kN
- Power or Hydrogen Use
- Small grid: 0.6 MW; large grid: 2.4 MW (maximum power draw)
- Size
- 1×1×3 blocks on either grid
- Where It Works
- Atmospheric thrusters work only in planetary atmospheres; available output follows local atmospheric density and falls toward zero as the craft reaches vacuum.
- DLC Pack
- Base game
Large Atmospheric Thruster
A larger electric thruster for flight inside a planet's atmosphere.
- Runs On
- Electricity
- Max Thrust
- Small grid: 576 kN; large grid: 6,480 kN
- Power or Hydrogen Use
- Small grid: 2.4 MW; large grid: 16.8 MW (maximum power draw)
- Size
- 3×3×5 blocks on either grid
- Where It Works
- Atmospheric thrusters work only in planetary atmospheres; available output follows local atmospheric density and falls toward zero as the craft reaches vacuum.
- DLC Pack
- Base game
Flat Atmospheric Thruster
A low-profile electric thruster for planetary flight.
- Runs On
- Electricity
- Max Thrust
- Small grid: 32 kN; large grid: 200 kN
- Power or Hydrogen Use
- Small grid: 0.2 MW; large grid: 0.8 MW (maximum power draw)
- Size
- 1×1×1 blocks on either grid
- Where It Works
- Atmospheric thrusters work only in planetary atmospheres; available output follows local atmospheric density and falls toward zero as the craft reaches vacuum.
- DLC Pack
- Base game
Large Flat Atmospheric Thruster
A larger low-profile electric thruster for planetary flight.
- Runs On
- Electricity
- Max Thrust
- Small grid: 230 kN; large grid: 2,600 kN
- Power or Hydrogen Use
- Small grid: 1.0 MW; large grid: 6.7 MW (maximum power draw)
- Size
- 3×3×2 blocks on either grid
- Where It Works
- Atmospheric thrusters work only in planetary atmospheres; available output follows local atmospheric density and falls toward zero as the craft reaches vacuum.
- DLC Pack
- Base game
Sci-Fi Atmospheric Thruster
A Sparks of the Future version of the standard atmospheric thruster.
- Runs On
- Electricity
- Max Thrust
- Small grid: 96 kN; large grid: 648 kN
- Power or Hydrogen Use
- Small grid: 0.6 MW; large grid: 2.4 MW (maximum power draw)
- Size
- 1×1×3 blocks on either grid
- Where It Works
- Atmospheric thrusters work only in planetary atmospheres; available output follows local atmospheric density and falls toward zero as the craft reaches vacuum.
- DLC Pack
- Sparks of the Future Pack
Sci-Fi Large Atmospheric Thruster
A Sparks of the Future version of the large atmospheric thruster.
- Runs On
- Electricity
- Max Thrust
- Small grid: 576 kN; large grid: 6,480 kN
- Power or Hydrogen Use
- Small grid: 2.4 MW; large grid: 16.8 MW (maximum power draw)
- Size
- 3×3×5 blocks on either grid
- Where It Works
- Atmospheric thrusters work only in planetary atmospheres; available output follows local atmospheric density and falls toward zero as the craft reaches vacuum.
- DLC Pack
- Sparks of the Future Pack
Flat Atmospheric Thruster D Shape
A D-shaped mount version of the low-profile planetary thruster.
- Runs On
- Electricity
- Max Thrust
- Small grid: 32 kN; large grid: 200 kN
- Power or Hydrogen Use
- Small grid: 0.2 MW; large grid: 0.8 MW (maximum power draw)
- Size
- 1×1×1 blocks on either grid
- Where It Works
- Atmospheric thrusters work only in planetary atmospheres; available output follows local atmospheric density and falls toward zero as the craft reaches vacuum.
- DLC Pack
- Base game
Large Flat Atmospheric Thruster D Shape
A D-shaped mount version of the large low-profile planetary thruster.
- Runs On
- Electricity
- Max Thrust
- Small grid: 230 kN; large grid: 2,600 kN
- Power or Hydrogen Use
- Small grid: 1.0 MW; large grid: 6.7 MW (maximum power draw)
- Size
- 3×3×2 blocks on either grid
- Where It Works
- Atmospheric thrusters work only in planetary atmospheres; available output follows local atmospheric density and falls toward zero as the craft reaches vacuum.
- DLC Pack
- Base game
Thruster Type
Hydrogen
Hydrogen Thruster
A compact thruster that uses hydrogen to work in atmosphere and space.
- Runs On
- Hydrogen
- Max Thrust
- Small grid: 98.4 kN; large grid: 1,080 kN
- Power or Hydrogen Use
- Small grid: 80.33 L/s hydrogen; large grid: 803.34 L/s hydrogen (maximum demand at full thrust)
- Size
- 1×1×1 blocks on either grid
- Where It Works
- Hydrogen thrusters work in atmosphere and vacuum at full listed thrust when hydrogen reaches the block; the thruster itself has no direct electrical propulsion draw.
- DLC Pack
- Base game
Large Hydrogen Thruster
A larger thruster that uses hydrogen to work in atmosphere and space.
- Runs On
- Hydrogen
- Max Thrust
- Small grid: 480 kN; large grid: 7,200 kN
- Power or Hydrogen Use
- Small grid: 385.60 L/s hydrogen; large grid: 4,820.05 L/s hydrogen (maximum demand at full thrust)
- Size
- 3×3×3 blocks on either grid
- Where It Works
- Hydrogen thrusters work in atmosphere and vacuum at full listed thrust when hydrogen reaches the block; the thruster itself has no direct electrical propulsion draw.
- DLC Pack
- Base game
Industrial Hydrogen Thruster
A Heavy Industry version of the compact hydrogen thruster.
- Runs On
- Hydrogen
- Max Thrust
- Small grid: 98.4 kN; large grid: 1,080 kN
- Power or Hydrogen Use
- Small grid: 80.33 L/s hydrogen; large grid: 803.34 L/s hydrogen (maximum demand at full thrust)
- Size
- 1×1×1 blocks on either grid
- Where It Works
- Hydrogen thrusters work in atmosphere and vacuum at full listed thrust when hydrogen reaches the block; the thruster itself has no direct electrical propulsion draw.
- DLC Pack
- Heavy Industry Pack
Industrial Large Hydrogen Thruster
A Heavy Industry version of the large hydrogen thruster.
- Runs On
- Hydrogen
- Max Thrust
- Small grid: 480 kN; large grid: 7,200 kN
- Power or Hydrogen Use
- Small grid: 385.60 L/s hydrogen; large grid: 4,820.05 L/s hydrogen (maximum demand at full thrust)
- Size
- 3×3×3 blocks on either grid
- Where It Works
- Hydrogen thrusters work in atmosphere and vacuum at full listed thrust when hydrogen reaches the block; the thruster itself has no direct electrical propulsion draw.
- DLC Pack
- Heavy Industry Pack
Sci-Fi Hydrogen Thruster
A Core Systems version of the compact hydrogen thruster.
- Runs On
- Hydrogen
- Max Thrust
- Small grid: 98.4 kN; large grid: 1,080 kN
- Power or Hydrogen Use
- Small grid: 80.33 L/s hydrogen; large grid: 803.34 L/s hydrogen (maximum demand at full thrust)
- Size
- 1×1×1 blocks on either grid
- Where It Works
- Hydrogen thrusters work in atmosphere and vacuum at full listed thrust when hydrogen reaches the block; the thruster itself has no direct electrical propulsion draw.
- DLC Pack
- Core Systems Pack
Sci-Fi Large Hydrogen Thruster
A Core Systems version of the large hydrogen thruster.
- Runs On
- Hydrogen
- Max Thrust
- Small grid: 480 kN; large grid: 7,200 kN
- Power or Hydrogen Use
- Small grid: 385.60 L/s hydrogen; large grid: 4,820.05 L/s hydrogen (maximum demand at full thrust)
- Size
- 3×3×3 blocks on either grid
- Where It Works
- Hydrogen thrusters work in atmosphere and vacuum at full listed thrust when hydrogen reaches the block; the thruster itself has no direct electrical propulsion draw.
- DLC Pack
- Core Systems Pack
Thruster Type
Ion
Ion Thruster
A compact electric thruster for vacuum flight.
- Runs On
- Electricity
- Max Thrust
- Small grid: 14.4 kN; large grid: 345.6 kN
- Power or Hydrogen Use
- Small grid: 0.2 MW; large grid: 3.36 MW (maximum power draw)
- Size
- 1×1×2 blocks on either grid
- Where It Works
- Ion thrusters reach full listed thrust in vacuum. At maximum atmospheric influence they retain about 20% effectiveness, with output rising continuously as the atmosphere thins.
- DLC Pack
- Base game
Large Ion Thruster
A larger electric thruster for vacuum flight.
- Runs On
- Electricity
- Max Thrust
- Small grid: 172.8 kN; large grid: 4,320 kN
- Power or Hydrogen Use
- Small grid: 2.4 MW; large grid: 33.6 MW (maximum power draw)
- Size
- 3×2×4 blocks on either grid
- Where It Works
- Ion thrusters reach full listed thrust in vacuum. At maximum atmospheric influence they retain about 20% effectiveness, with output rising continuously as the atmosphere thins.
- DLC Pack
- Base game
Sci-Fi Ion Thruster
A Sparks of the Future version of the compact ion thruster.
- Runs On
- Electricity
- Max Thrust
- Small grid: 14.4 kN; large grid: 345.6 kN
- Power or Hydrogen Use
- Small grid: 0.2 MW; large grid: 3.36 MW (maximum power draw)
- Size
- 1×1×2 blocks on either grid
- Where It Works
- Ion thrusters reach full listed thrust in vacuum. At maximum atmospheric influence they retain about 20% effectiveness, with output rising continuously as the atmosphere thins.
- DLC Pack
- Sparks of the Future Pack
Sci-Fi Large Ion Thruster
A Sparks of the Future version of the large ion thruster.
- Runs On
- Electricity
- Max Thrust
- Small grid: 172.8 kN; large grid: 4,320 kN
- Power or Hydrogen Use
- Small grid: 2.4 MW; large grid: 33.6 MW (maximum power draw)
- Size
- 3×2×4 blocks on either grid
- Where It Works
- Ion thrusters reach full listed thrust in vacuum. At maximum atmospheric influence they retain about 20% effectiveness, with output rising continuously as the atmosphere thins.
- DLC Pack
- Sparks of the Future Pack
Warfare Ion Thruster
A Warfare 2 version of the compact ion thruster.
- Runs On
- Electricity
- Max Thrust
- Small grid: 14.4 kN; large grid: 345.6 kN
- Power or Hydrogen Use
- Small grid: 0.2 MW; large grid: 3.36 MW (maximum power draw)
- Size
- 1×1×2 blocks on either grid
- Where It Works
- Ion thrusters reach full listed thrust in vacuum. At maximum atmospheric influence they retain about 20% effectiveness, with output rising continuously as the atmosphere thins.
- DLC Pack
- Warfare 2 Pack (Broadside)
Large Warfare Ion Thruster
A Warfare 2 version of the large ion thruster.
- Runs On
- Electricity
- Max Thrust
- Small grid: 172.8 kN; large grid: 4,320 kN
- Power or Hydrogen Use
- Small grid: 2.4 MW; large grid: 33.6 MW (maximum power draw)
- Size
- 3×2×4 blocks on either grid
- Where It Works
- Ion thrusters reach full listed thrust in vacuum. At maximum atmospheric influence they retain about 20% effectiveness, with output rising continuously as the atmosphere thins.
- DLC Pack
- Warfare 2 Pack (Broadside)
Thruster Type
Prototech
Prototech Thruster
An endgame electric thruster with reduced output in atmosphere.
- Runs On
- Electricity
- Max Thrust
- Small grid: 561.6 kN; large grid: 14,040 kN
- Power or Hydrogen Use
- Small grid: 4.8 MW; large grid: 67.2 MW (maximum power draw)
- Size
- 3×3×8 blocks on either grid
- Where It Works
- Full listed force in vacuum; reduced but usable output in atmosphere. The current block page does not give a fixed atmospheric percentage.
- DLC Pack
- Base game
How Thrusters Work in Space Engineers
A thruster pushes in the direction opposite its exhaust, so the flame out the back is what drives the craft forward. Because each thruster only pushes along one line, a craft that needs to move freely needs thrusters facing all six ways: forward, back, left, right, up and down. Thrusters only create straight-line movement. Turning comes from gyroscopes instead.
To fly, a craft needs a power source, a gyroscope and at least one thruster facing each direction. You fire thrusters with the movement keys in a cockpit, or from the manual override on a control panel. Many players put small thrusters on all six faces as a reaction control system, which handles the small corrections.
How to Fly, Coast and Brake With Thrusters
Nothing slows a ship in open space, so it keeps drifting after its thrusters stop. Inertial dampeners solve that by firing counter-thrusters for you until the ship slows down. The most efficient way to cover distance is to hold forward to build speed, switch the dampeners off with Z, and then let go and coast, since drifting in a straight line costs no power. Aim a little off your target so you still have a way to stop if you run short of time or power.
Braking takes several seconds, so turn the dampeners back on well before you arrive. Ships are also capped at 100 meters per second, about 360 km/h.
Ion, Atmospheric, Hydrogen and Prototech Thruster Types
Ion thrusters are built for open space, where they work best in a vacuum. Atmospheric thrusters are the opposite. They give the most efficient thrust inside a planet's air and only work there. Hydrogen thrusters are the all-rounders, equally strong in air and in vacuum, which makes them a good fit for shuttles. Prototech thrusters are the late-game option. They work much like ion thrusters and can run in air too, though less efficiently. On large ships they produce more force than any other type.
Mixing types on one craft is allowed. A hydrogen and ion mix can handle both lift-off from a planet and efficient flight in space, but every extra type adds weight, and weight is a real tradeoff.
If you only want one type, hydrogen covers the most ground since it works in both places. Atmospheric thrusters are the pick for craft that never leave a planet's air, and ion thrusters suit ships that stay in space. Prototech is the one to aim for later, once you have the parts to build it.
Thruster Power and Hydrogen Fuel
Ion, atmospheric and Prototech thrusters run on electricity and need no fuel. Atmospheric thrusters can't do their job in space, so switch them off once you leave a planet's air.
Hydrogen thrusters draw no power themselves, but they burn fuel quickly. That fuel comes from hydrogen tanks, which need power and a conveyor connection to feed the thrusters. An O2/H2 generator turns ice into oxygen and hydrogen, but it can't keep up with a thruster's appetite, so players fill their tanks before a long flight.
Thrusters hold no fuel of their own, so the tank is their only reserve. The tank's stockpile setting decides which way hydrogen flows. Turn it on to fill the tank, and turn it off to let the thrusters draw from it.
How to Unlock and Build Each Thruster Type
With progression turned on, atmospheric and ion thrusters both need a cockpit or remote control built first. Hydrogen thrusters need an O2/H2 generator and a hydrogen tank first. Atmospheric and hydrogen thrusters are built from common parts like steel plates, motors, large steel tubes and metal grids, with no thruster components, so they're usually the earliest you can build.
Ion thrusters need thruster components, which take platinum and gold to make, so they usually show up in the middle to late game.
Prototech thrusters are the hardest to get. Each placed block needs a Prototech Frame in your inventory, and frames can't be crafted or made by assemblers, so you have to find them in the cargo of Factorum encounters. The build also takes many Prototech Propulsion Units, made from iron, cobalt, gold, platinum and Prototech scrap.
Thruster Exhaust Damage and How to Avoid It
Thruster exhaust damages blocks behind it, and how far it reaches depends on the thruster's type and size. Keep the space behind each nozzle open, and don't let other blocks sit in the flame.
If you'd rather not plan around exhaust, damage can be turned off in the advanced world settings.
FAQ
Do atmospheric thrusters work on every planet?
They work on any planet with a thick enough air layer, and oxygen levels don't matter. Their push fades as you climb and drops to zero once you leave the air, so they do nothing in space.
How do I stop a ship quickly?
Dampeners will stop you, but the process takes time. If your ship's rear thrusters are stronger than its front ones, flip the ship around and burn with those stronger thrusters facing forward to brake.