Digital Solid State Propulsion (DSSP) Educational Tour

About DSSP

DSSP develops, produces, and markets safe, controllable energetic materials for both defense and commercial markets. Their innovative materials are environmentally friendly to produce and are used as safe, electrically-throttled propellants in thrusters, igniters, rocket motors and squib applications such as pyrotechnics. Their products are widely recognized as the world’s first smart energetic materials, with numerous recent awards and patents.

DSSP was founded by Wayne Sawka in Reno in October 2005. DSSP’s initial focus was on developing advanced rocket motor technology for military and commercial space applications such as missile interceptors and satellite positioning.  DSSP’s customers include the Air Force, Navy, DARPA, NASA, and the Missile Defense Agency.   DSSP and Shell have also been evaluating DSSP propellants as a new alternative in the oil and gas industry for “green” water-free fracking. 

In 2014, DSSP’s electric propellant became the first energetic material to ever be allowed inside the International Space Station. A satellite using the propellant was successfully deployed from the Space Station, and DSSP’s rocket thrusters have been performing flawlessly ever since.

The company's indoor electric pyrotechnic eSquibs allow special-effects producers to create multiple explosions (like bullet shots) from one device, for use in both the film industry and live design entertainment. The product took the top prize for best new special-effects product at the 2014 Live Design International show.

About Wayne Sawka

DSSP’s Founder and CEO, Wayne N. Sawka, holds a bachelor’s degree from UC Santa Barbara, master’s degree from UCLA in Geochemistry, and Ph.D. from the Australian National University in Canberra. He was a research physicist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory supporting nuclear waste and weapons programs and was a founding director of the UC Davis CONNECT entrepreneurship program.

Wayne has published numerous papers on geophysics, trace element geochemistry, sensors and rocket motors, and has nine patents issued or pending on electric solid propellants and control technology.  In December he was listed as “10 to Watch in 2015” by the Reno Gazette-Journal.

Wayne is married to Lynne Preslo, a Stanford alum and long-time member of our local club.

From the north

Go South on 395/580 and exit at Moana Lane. Turn left onto Moana Lane, and follow the road

(which turns into Airway Dr.) Go past McCarran Dr. and turn left onto Louie Lane. DSSP will be

on the left.

From the south

Head North on 395/580 and exit at South Virginia St (exit 61). Turn right onto South Virginia St.

Turn right onto Longley Lane and follow this road until you reach Airway Dr. Turn left onto

Airway Dr and turn right onto Louie Lane. DSSP will be on the left

From S. McCarran

Go East on S. McCarran Blvd. past Meadowood Mall. Turn right onto Airway Dr, then left onto

Louie Lane (before you reach Longley Lane). DSSP will be on the left.