ISPTech Lands 5.5M to Redefine In-Orbit Mobility

The big picture: Satellite constellations are getting crowded, but current propulsion is either too slow or too toxic. ISPTech is replacing hazardous hydrazine with “green” engines to enable precision maneuvering and safe de-orbiting.

Why it matters:

• Regulations: Europe is phasing out toxic propellants; manufacturers need immediate, non-toxic alternatives.
• Mobility: In-orbit servicing and collision avoidance require instant, repeatable thrust that electric propulsion can’t always match.

How it works:

• HyNOx: A self-pressurizing system for small sats—no complex pumps required.
• HIP_11: Hypergolic performance without the chemical risk, built for larger spacecraft.
• Status: First mission set for 2026; backed by ESA projects for orbital refueling.

The catch: ISPTech is fighting “flight heritage” bias. Space operators are notoriously risk-averse; proving multi-year reliability against legacy aerospace giants will be its steepest climb. Much like the hurdles seen in autonomous engineering, ISPTech must prove that its non-toxic engines can maintain precise thrust consistency over multi-year missions without the reliability degradation common in early-stage hardware.

Key Details

• Funding: €5.5M (Seed)
• Lead: Join Capital
• CEO: Dr. Lukas Werling
• Sector: SpaceTech / DeepTech