A combustion management device for generating a thrust burst to impart a physical impulse. In operation, a combustion chamber, defined by a valve unit (33), is primed to a set pressure and fueled by fuel injectors (23). An ignitor (22) then initiates combustion. Under force of combustion, the valve unit is moved, pulling an exhaust valve (18) from an exhaust port (16), releasing combustion products as thrust. Work may be derived from the travel of the valve unit, independent of the thrust generated. After combustion, a return mechanism returns the valve unit to the start position, ready to repeat the process. Simple design, and valve operations needing little more than pressure differentials to function, make for simplified construction, and more modular applications.