German Space Startup Raises €5.5M for Clean Propulsion

Space is about to get safer, cleaner, and a whole lot more mobile thanks to a breakthrough from Stuttgart.

ISPTech, a German space technology company, just raised €5.5 million to deploy propulsion systems that let spacecraft maneuver in orbit without toxic fuels. The seed funding round was led by Join Capital, with support from Germany's aerospace center DLR and eight other investors.

The problem ISPTech is solving is critical. Today's satellites and spacecraft struggle with agile maneuvering, especially as space gets more crowded. Current systems often use toxic propellants that create safety risks during manufacturing, handling, and launch.

ISPTech's solution includes two game-changing technologies. HyNOx offers affordable, robust propulsion designed for long continuous firings with shorter lead times than competitors. Their patented HIP_11 system goes even further, providing a drop-in replacement for toxic fuels while also switching into an electric mode for efficient maneuvers.

"Regular, reliable and affordable access to space via reusable rockets is possible now," said Lukas, CEO and co-founder. "However, the true in-space ecosystem will only be unlocked by mobility solutions for satellites and spacecraft."

The company is already moving from lab to launch. ISPTech has two customer missions in the pipeline, including a smallsat launch scheduled for 2026. Two CubeSat propulsion systems are currently undergoing acceptance testing before delivery later this year.

The Ripple Effect

The impact extends beyond individual missions. As a spinoff from the German Aerospace Center built on over 10 years of research, ISPTech represents how public investment in science creates commercial innovation. The company is part of Baden-Württemberg's Green Space Center, an initiative positioning the region as a sustainability-driven space technology hub.

Their work enables new possibilities: on-orbit servicing, satellite refueling, and defense applications all depend on safe, reliable maneuvering. By making propulsion systems cleaner and more accessible, ISPTech is helping unlock what space experts call the "true in-space ecosystem."

Julia Flaig of Join Capital praised the leadership team's combination of technical expertise and commercial skill. The backing from both venture capital and Germany's aerospace establishment shows confidence that this technology is ready for prime time.

ISPTech is building the mobility infrastructure that will power humanity's next steps into the solar system, one clean burn at a time.