Spanish startup Arkadia Space has secured €14.5 million through the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator. Out of 923 applicants, only 61 companies were chosen, reflecting a success rate of just 6.6%.
With this, it became the first Spanish space company to receive backing from the programme. The financing package includes a €2.5 million grant, €6 million in equity from the EIC Fund, and an additional €6 million from private investors. By backing Arkadia, the EU is investing in a critical part of the space supply chain, propulsion systems that are both efficient and environmentally responsible.
Building Europe’s next-generation space mobility
Founded in 2020 by Francho García alongside Francisco Espinosa, Ismael Gutiérrez, and Sergio Soler, all formerly of PLD Space. Arkadia Space is focused on developing propulsion systems for satellites and space vehicles, spanning from monopropellant to advanced bipropellant solutions. Its technology is designed for a wide range of applications, including satellite manoeuvring, in-orbit servicing, and broader space logistics.
The company’s long-term vision is to establish a fully European supply chain for propulsion, free from external dependencies and ITAR restrictions. This aligns closely with Europe’s broader push for sovereignty in critical technologies.
Replacing toxic fuels with a cleaner alternative
At the heart of Arkadia’s innovation is a new propulsion system based on high-concentration hydrogen peroxide paired with a proprietary green fuel. This hypergolic bipropellant technology is designed to replace hydrazine and its derivatives, which are widely used but highly toxic and increasingly restricted across Europe.
Unlike conventional systems, Arkadia’s solution ignites instantly when the two propellants meet. This removes the need for complex ignition mechanisms, improving reliability while enabling precise manoeuvres such as satellite docking and lunar landings.
The benefits extend beyond performance. The system significantly improves safety during handling and operations, while cutting operational and refuelling costs by more than 60%. Arkadia is currently the only company globally with such an advanced development of hydrogen peroxide-based hypergolic propulsion, giving it a clear edge in a rapidly evolving market.
From in-orbit validation to industrial scale
The company’s progress is already moving from theory to reality. In March 2025, Arkadia successfully validated its DARK propulsion system in orbit aboard an Italian D-Orbit satellite, launched via a SpaceX mission. This marked the first time a hydrogen peroxide-based propulsion system reached space in Europe.
The mission confirmed the system’s safety, performance, and readiness for real-world applications. It also demonstrated that the technology, developed entirely in Spain, could meet the demanding conditions of space operations.
To support its next phase, Arkadia is expanding its testing facilities at Castellón Airport. The site is set to become one of Europe’s most advanced private propulsion test centres, allowing the company to accelerate development cycles and scale production more efficiently.
At the same time, commercial momentum is building. Arkadia has already signed several contracts, with announcements expected in the coming months—an early signal of growing demand for its technology.
“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 tremendous boost to commercialize the technology as early as next year,” said Francho García, co-founder and CEO of Arkadia Space.
