Arkadia Space to supply thrusters for Reflex Aerospace satellite

Arkadia Space, a Spanish startup, has signed a deal with Reflex Aerospace to supply hydrogen peroxide-based thrusters for a 200-kilogram satellite launching no earlier than Q2 2027 via SpaceX’s Transporter-20 mission. The agreement includes thrusters, a propellant tank, and electronics, with Arkadia citing its flight-proven green propulsion technology as a key factor in securing the contract." "article": "Arkadia Space, a Spanish propulsion startup, has secured a contract with Berlin-based Reflex Aerospace to provide hydrogen peroxide thrusters for a 200-kilogram satellite. The satellite, scheduled for launch no earlier than the second quarter of 2027 aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-20 rideshare mission, will use Arkadia’s 5-newton thrusters for orbital maneuvers and end-of-life deorbiting. Arkadia’s technology, previously tested in orbit on DARK—a hosted payload flown on D-Orbit’s ION vehicle in 2025—will also include a propellant tank and electronics for the spacecraft. Reflex Aerospace CEO Walter Ballheimer highlighted Arkadia’s modular approach and ITAR-free status as key advantages, emphasizing the company’s ability to meet mission requirements while ensuring supply chain independence. This deal follows Arkadia’s recent selection by MaiaSpace for reaction control system thrusters on a small launch vehicle and Dassault Aviation’s choice to use its thrusters on the VORTEX-D spaceplane technology demonstrator. Arkadia CEO Francho Garcia noted growing interest in hydrogen peroxide (HTP) propulsion, despite past skepticism due to its use in programs like the X-15 rocket plane. The company has successfully used HTP without safety issues and expects its first U.S. contract this year, though it previously declined an American customer due to scheduling constraints. Arkadia currently employs 28 people and plans to expand to 70 by 2027, aiming for 10 million euros ($11.6 million) in contracts by year-end. The company is also pursuing a Series A funding round and relocating to a 2,000-square-meter production facility to scale thruster production. Arkadia is in discussions with multiple potential customers and seeks a contract with the European Space Agency for missions launching around the end of the decade, viewing such a deal as a major validation of its technology. With a pipeline of potential deals, Arkadia is positioning itself as a key player in green propulsion, leveraging its flight-proven systems to meet the demands of satellite developers worldwide.