Arkadia Space Raises €14.5M for Green Rocket Fuel Tech

Spanish aerospace innovator Arkadia Space has secured a significant €14.5 million funding package, marking a pivotal moment for the company and the European deep-tech sector. This substantial investment, primarily from the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator, includes a €2.5 million grant and €6 million in equity from the EIC Fund. An additional €6 million was contributed by private investors, underscoring strong market confidence in Arkadia's disruptive technology.

The funding propels Arkadia Space to the forefront of sustainable propulsion development, aiming to replace the hazardous hydrazine fuel commonly used in spacecraft. Hydrazine, a long-standing industry staple, poses significant toxicity and carcinogenicity risks. Arkadia's proprietary solution, the DARK propulsion system, utilizes a hypergolic bipropellant combination of high-concentration hydrogen peroxide and a novel green fuel. This formulation ignites spontaneously upon contact, simplifying engine design by eliminating the need for complex ignition systems and enhancing mission reliability for critical maneuvers.

This technological advancement was validated in orbit in March 2025 when the DARK system was successfully deployed aboard a D-Orbit ION Satellite Carrier on a SpaceX Transporter-13 mission. This flight represented the first European-based hydrogen peroxide propulsion system to operate in space. Subsequent in-orbit tests conducted by June 2025 confirmed the system's performance, with firings aligning precisely with ground-based simulations, a crucial validation for commercial viability.

Founded approximately five years ago by CEO Francho García and CTO Ismael Gutierrez, Arkadia Space operates from Castellón Airport in eastern Spain. The company is also developing ARIEL, a 250-newton monopropellant thruster intended for reaction control systems. The newly acquired capital will be instrumental in scaling commercial operations, advancing research and development initiatives, and expanding testing infrastructure at their Castellón facility.

The EIC Accelerator's selection process is highly competitive, with Arkadia Space being chosen from 923 applicants as one of only 61 innovative startups to receive funding in this round. This achievement highlights the EIC's commitment to fostering groundbreaking European deep-tech companies. The broader aerospace sector is increasingly prioritizing environmental sustainability, with a growing demand for cleaner propulsion alternatives. Arkadia's success positions them to capture a significant share of this evolving market.

“We have demonstrated that our technology meets market requirements and that there is a real performance alternative to highly toxic fuels,” stated CEO Francho García. This successful funding round, combining public and private investment, signals a strong endorsement of Arkadia's vision to revolutionize spacecraft propulsion with environmentally responsible solutions, paving the way for a greener future in space exploration and operations.