Reduced gain thrust control valve

A reduced gain thrust control valve (10) for use in a rocket engine has a housing with a fluid inlet and a piston and cylinder unit (14) for controlling a fluid output of the control valve. The fluid inlet is formed by at least one metering element (30) formed in the housing. The at least one metering element (30) has a rectangular portion (32) for producing improved control stability, a tee and slot portion (34) for controlling thrust during a start transient engine phase, and a fixed turbine bypass portion (36) for accommodating a retainer (38). The retainer (38) incorporates at least one fluid channel (54) so as to produce repeatable fixed bypass flow metering.