Arkadia Space Secures First Commercial Contract with MaiaSpace, a Leading European Launcher Company

Castellón, [11-02-25] – Arkadia Space proudly announces its first fully commercial contract, with the renowned European launch service company MaiaSpace. This landmark agreement marks a pivotal moment for Arkadia Space, solidifying its position as a key propulsion provider in the space industry.

The contract encompasses the delivery of 250N monopropellant thrusters, specifically designed for use in the Reaction Control System (RCS) of MaiaSpace’s launcher. These thrusters play a critical role in ensuring the precision and stability of the rocket’s trajectory post-liftoff. Developed under the ARIEL contract awarded by the European Space Agency (ESA), the thrusters benefit from ESA’s rigorous oversight, guaranteeing their reliability and performance.

“This contract highlights the trust that a company like MaiaSpace places in Arkadia to supply key components for its launcher. Now, it’s time to prove our capabilities.“

Francho García, Co-founder & CEO at Arkadia Space

Competitive edge that made the difference

Securing this agreement with MaiaSpace is a remarkable achievement, particularly given the highly competitive environment, where more established and experienced players also sought this opportunity.

In addition to the product’s performance, Arkadia Space’s ability to design and deliver reliable and competitive propulsion systems within tight deadlines was a decisive factor for MaiaSpace. The hydrogen peroxide-based propellant offers exceptional performance while significantly reducing costs and environmental impact compared to traditional hydrazine-based RCS systems. MaiaSpace’s confidence underscores Arkadia’s position as an emerging, reliable and competitive player in the aerospace sector. This agreement not only validates the quality of Arkadia’s products but also demonstrates the company’s readiness to tackle larger challenges and attract new strategic collaborations.

“We are extremely pleased to engage with Arkadia into this win-win partnership. We are confident on the capacity of this innovative company to deliver on time and cost key components to equip the first European reusable and eco-responsible mini-launcher.”

Yohann Leroy, CEO of MaiaSpace

A step toward future collaborations

This contract, tied to MaiaSpace’s inaugural flights, represents the beginning of a strategic partnership that could extend to future missions and projects. For Arkadia Space, the agreement serves as a testament to its technical capabilities in propulsion systems development, showcasing its versatility to address a broad market—from satellite systems to large vehicles and launchers

With this milestone and the upcoming launch of its first propulsion system, DARK, aboard D-Orbit, Arkadia Space is poised to secure additional commercial contracts throughout 2025. The company is well on its way to establishing itself as a prominent player in the field of propulsion

250N thruster prototype being tested as part of ESA ARIEL Contract

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Arkadia Space takes off to space with D-Orbit

Arkadia Space announces its collaboration with D-Orbit, a recognized leader in space transportation and logistics solutions, for the validation of its first product in orbit. This will be the first time Arkadia launches its propulsion module into space, making it the first company in Spain to place a chemical propulsion system in orbit.

The propulsion module from Arkadia, which consists of a fuel tank (hydrogen peroxide), electronic systems, and two 5N monopropellant thrusters, has been designed, tested, and qualified solely by Arkadia’s team. To date, the module has successfully passed all the necessary tests to fly aboard D-Orbit. The inaugural flight is scheduled no sooner than March 2025 aboard the Transporter 13 mission. Vandenberg SFB, California, USA

This propulsion system will become the first Spanish chemical propulsion system to fly in orbit, solidifying Arkadia Space as a pioneer in orbital propulsion for satellites and space vehicles. The primary objective of this mission is to validate in orbit the performance and operation of the 5N thrusters. Furthermore, it will serve to demonstrate the possibility of long-term storage of hydrogen peroxide, the green, safe, and efficient fuel that Arkadia is betting on as the real alternative to fuels traditionally used since the 1960s, such as hydrazine and its derivatives.

“It is a source of pride for us to make history in the Spanish space sector and contribute to its growth. What the Arkadia Space team has achieved in such a short time is admirable, and we are now just one step away from demonstrating in orbit the capabilities of this first product, this team and this company. We expect to gain a lot of trust from customers after this flight and convince them how fast we can develop and deliver reliable propulsion systems”

Francho García, Co-founder & CEO at Arkadia Space

D-orbit: A strategic and reliable partner

D-Orbit has been selected as a strategic collaboration for this mission due to its extensive experience and reliability in space missions. With a proven track record of successful launches, the cooperation with D-Orbit ensures maximum assurance and safety for the inaugural flight of Arkadia’s propulsion system. Aboard the ION platform, Arkadia Space will conduct its IoD/IOV flight, aiming to meet all its objectives. Furthermore, this mission not only strengthens the relationship between both companies but also opens the door to future collaborations on new missions, positioning Arkadia as a provider of high-quality propulsion solutions within industry

“We are very happy to collaborate with Arkadia on this mission. It has been a true pleasure working together and we look forward to testing their innovative technology in space.”

Matteo Zeni, Sales Specialist, D-orbit

Looking to the future

This inaugural flight represents just the beginning for Arkadia Space. The company is already in discussions with potential clients and is presenting proposals for future missions. With the experience gained during this validation process and the results from the orbital operation, Arkadia is confident in securing several commercial contracts based on this monopropellant propulsion system in 2025.

In parallel, Arkadia continues to actively work in several projects with the European Space Agency (ESA), which will be announced soon. These projects involve the development of new propulsion products to meet the diverse needs that the space sector will demand in the coming years.

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Arkadia Space announces the closure of its 2.8M€ Seed round.

Arkadia Space, a Spanish company specializing in chemical propulsion systems for satellites and spacecrafts, is pleased to announce the closure of a €2.8 million Seed funding round from private and public sources. The oversubscribed round was led by Draper B1, a VC based in Valencia and part of the Draper Venture Network, founded by the renowned American investor Tim Draper. It also received significant backing from Expansion Ventures, a VC specialized in the space sector.

“We are very excited about our investment in Arkadia, a promising venture in the aerospace sector. Francho and his team have managed to develop a market-ready product in less than 3 years and secure significant strategic partnerships. This indicates, on one hand, excellent execution by the team and, on the other hand, a growing maturity in Spanish’ Spacetech sector, in which Draper B1 wants to be present,”

Raquel Bernal, Managing Partner Investment Director at Draper B1

In addition, Charles Beigbeder, Chairman of Audacia and Expansion’s Founding partner has pointed out: “we are delighted to accompany Arkadia in the development of their first green chemical thrusters for satellites and space vehicles. We have no doubt that Francho and his experienced founding team have the energy, the ambition and the skills needed to bring green propulsion technology up to space and to contribute to the future of in-space transportation.”

Arkadia Space also secured investments from Business Angels from Valencia and Castellón, along with prominent figures in the space industry such as Pedro Duque, Spanish astronaut, and Antoine de Chassy, founder of successful New Space company Loft Orbital. Both Duque and de Chassy are joining Arkadia Space as advisors.

“We are proud to have the support of top-tier funds like DraperB1 and Expansion, who have firmly decided to invest in the growth of the space sector in Spain. We are also honoured to have first class advisors, whose experience and network will be vital for Arkadia’s success in the coming years,”

Francho García, CEO, and co-founder of Arkadia Space

Test Center at Castellón Airport

Currently, the company operates an orbital engines Test Center at Castellón Airport, the first 100% privately managed facility of its kind in Europe. Thanks to this funding round, Arkadia Space will expand its facilities and workforce with the goal of accelerating the development of hypergolic bipropellant engines and as well as supporting the development of the highest-thrust engine the company has worked on to date: a project funded by the European Space Agency (ESA) which marks Arkadia’s third and last contract with ESA, this one under the Future Launchers Preparatory Programme (FLPP).

The company will begin selling its first engines (5N monopropellant thruster) in 2024, aiming to conduct a first demonstration flight by the end of the same year, a milestone that Arkadia Space will achieve with the investment obtained in this funding round.

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Arkadia Space expands: new offices in Castellón

Arkadia Space, a Castellón-based company specialized in the development and commercialization of space propulsion engines, has announced its expansion with offices in Espaitec 2, the scientific and technological park of Jaume I University, where they are already installed. This forward step arises in response to the significant growth experienced in the last year, the solid increase in the workforce, and the continuous progress in research projects.

The new facility provides Arkadia Space with more space in Castellón, improving connectivity for the staff and proximity to the R&D ecosystem.

The main headquarters remain at Castellón Airport, with a small office and the Space Engine Testing Center, which will undergo expansion this year; and a more extensive one in 2025 with a new bench to ensure the engine operates continuously in vacuum conditions.

“This expansion is an exciting milestone in our history. We want to emphasize that our presence and commitment to the airport remain fundamental to us. Our Test Center, vital for our operations, will continue to operate uninterrupted there, where conditions are ideal.”

Francho García, CEO and co-founder of Arkadia Space

Job offers: the team will quadruple

Arkadia is located on the third floor of Espaitec 2, over 230 m2, with a capacity for 40 people. Since its foundation in 2020, with four people, the workforce has grown to 15 employees currently, with the challenge of reaching 25 this 2024, and quadrupling, surpassing 60, in the next three years. The search for new personnel this year will focus on profiles such as those they already have, in the following areas: engineering (propulsion, fluid dynamics, mechanics, etc.), corporate and operations (quality management, sales, business development), and manufacturing (as the goal is, in a few years, to internalize most of the manufacturing processes of their engines).

Preparing the first demo flight to validate their technology in orbit.

The company spokesperson stressed that they are “confident” they can “close the first sales during this 2024, in addition to completing our demonstration flight – it will be put into orbit by the end of the year or early next 2025 – under real conditions.” Another milestone to achieve in this timeframe is “our second product: a more complex and higher performance green engine: without the toxicity of traditional aerospace engines but with the same starting power, and therefore, it will facilitate, for example, coupling with the International Space Station.”

Pioneering Test Center in Europe and new product in 2024

Arkadia Space’s Test Center at the airport occupies 350 m2 and allows them to “design engines faster, without depending on third parties.” It houses two test benches, a laboratory, assembly area, warehouse, and control center. Its goal is to expand it in extension and facilities. “By the end of 2024, we will have a transient vacuum bench to replicate space conditions during engine start-up. It is a pioneer in private enterprise in Europe, where there are only three, and they are public entities.”

The story of a pioneer company in Castellón

Arkadia Space specializes in the development and commercialization of propulsion systems based on green fuels for satellites and platforms weighing over 50 kg, betting on the use of high-concentration hydrogen peroxide and high-performance fuel. Green propulsion is emerging as a key technology. The company was founded at the end of 2020 by Francho García, Francisco Espinosa, Ismael Gutiérrez, and Sergio Soler, who previously were part of PLD Space, where they worked together. During 2023, Arkadia Space closed a round of €2.8 million, allowing it to develop its products, expand facilities, and workforce.

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