An apparatus for igniting a larger rocket motor is provided. The apparatus may be a smaller rocket motor that can be ignited hypergolically, when a pressurized oxidizer contacts hypergolic fuel grains of the smaller rocket motor. The hypergolic ignition causes the larger rocket motor to be ignited. The hypergolic ignition of the smaller rocket motor may be stopped after the larger rocket motor is ignited, and the remaining hypergolic fuel grains and the pressurized oxidizer can be reserved for reigniting the larger rocket motor at a later time.