The Future of Rocket Transport: Schottel’s High-Tech Propulsion for ULA’s SpaceShip

How Rudder Propellers and Thrusters Are Revolutionizing Space Logistics

The race to streamline space logistics just got a major upgrade. Schottel, the German propulsion specialist, has been tapped to equip Bollinger Shipyards’ new RoRo vessel, SpaceShip, with a cutting-edge propulsion system for United Launch Alliance (ULA). The vessel will rely on three SRP 460 LE rudder propellers—each with a 2.6m diameter and 2100kW output—and two STT 1 thrusters (1.3m diameter, 373kW each) to transport Vulcan rockets across the U.S. This isn’t just a ship; it’s a floating precision instrument.

“The SRP 460 L-Drive variant is a game-changer,” says an industry insider. “Its compact electric motor saves space, reduces maintenance, and improves maneuverability—critical for high-value cargo like rockets.”

At 111 meters long and 25 meters wide, SpaceShip will shuttle Vulcan rockets from Decatur, Alabama, to launch sites at Cape Canaveral, Florida, and Vandenberg, California, cruising at up to 15 knots. The Vulcan itself is no slouch: first launched in January 2024, it replaces ULA’s Delta IV and Atlas V rockets, capable of hauling satellites to multiple orbits with support for up to six boosters. But getting these giants to the launchpad safely requires next-gen marine tech.

Schottel’s STT 1 thrusters play a pivotal role, offering pinpoint control during docking and positioning. Designed for both ocean and river navigation, they ensure the delicate rockets endure no unnecessary jostling. Meanwhile, elkon, part of the Schottel Group, is supplying an AFE Drive system to optimize the electric propulsion, slashing fuel consumption while boosting efficiency. It’s a symphony of engineering where every watt counts.

Scheduled for completion in 2026, SpaceShip represents a leap in maritime logistics. With Schottel’s propulsion systems at the helm, ULA’s rocket transport just got smarter, faster, and more reliable—proving that the final frontier begins long before liftoff.