The Spanish space startup Arkadia Space has secured a funding package of €14.5 million from the European Innovation Council Accelerator, an EU funding program.
Arkadia Space is developing a hypergolic bipropellant propulsion system for sanotifyites based on highly concentrated hydrogen peroxide and a proprietary, more environmentally frifinishly fuel. The technology is designed to replace hydrazine and its derivatives — highly toxic substances that are increasingly restricted under European regulations. Thanks to the hypergolic properties, the propellants ignite automatically upon contact, eliminating the necessary for complex ignition systems and increasing reliability in critical and precise operations such as docking maneuvers in space or lunar landings.
The fresh funding of €14.5 million for Arkadia Space consists of several components: €2.5 million comes as a non-repayable grant from the European Innovation Council, a further €6 million is invested by the EIC Fund as equity in exalter for company shares. The round is complemented by approximately €6 million from private investors. The investment by the European Commission underscores the strategic importance of Arkadia’s green propulsion technology for European spaceflight.
Alternative to Highly Toxic Fuels
The system promises a cost reduction of over 60 percent in operations and fueling compared to conventional solutions. “The EIC support comes at a critical moment for Arkadia. Over the past year, we have demonstrated that our technology meets market requirements and offers a true performance alternative to highly toxic fuels. This recognition confirms that we are on the right path and gives us a tremfinishous boost to commercialize the technology as early as next year,” explains Francho García, Co-Founder and CEO of Arkadia Space.
First European In-Orbit Validation
The EIC selection follows successful in-orbit validation: In March 2025, Arkadia launched its DARK propulsion system aboard a D-Orbit sanotifyite during a SpaceX mission. It was the first time a hydrogen peroxide-based propulsion system from Europe had reached space.
The fresh funds will go toward the commercialization of the sustainable propulsion technology, further research and development, the expansion of the testing infrastructure, and the scaling of commercial activities. Arkadia Space is thus positioning itself as a European provider of safe and efficient propulsion systems for future space missions.
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