The company, which is based in Heilbronn in Baden-Württemberg, says it will use the new capital to speed development of its SL1 (Small Launcher) orbital rocket. It will also expand its production capacities.
The round was led by Campus Founders Ventures with investors including Helantic, GIMIC, the Global Resilience Innovation Fund (GRIF), Mittelständische Beteiligungsgesellschaft (MBG) BadenWürttemberg, Start-up BW Innovation Fonds, Sparkassen-Beteiligungsgesellschaft (SBG) HeilbronnFranken, Vienna Point and BTRON.
HyImpulse
“Europe does not have its own access to space,” said co-founder and CEO of HyImpulse, Dr. Christian Schmierer, right. “With this injection of capital we will accelerate the commercialization of our orbital rocket, making Europe more independent and competitive.”
“While providers such as SpaceX offer a scheduled bus service to space, our solutions allow us to develop a flexible taxi service so that our customers can choose individual launch solutions and flexibly plan their schedules.”
The latest investments means the company has raised €74 million in capital since its formation in 2018.
Campus Founders
Campus Founders Ventures, which has been involved with HyImpulse Technologies for three years, highlighted the importance of research.
“HyImpulse has already made space history,” said Oliver Hanisch, the CEO of the VC. “With extremely efficient use of resources, HyImpulse is the first privately financed German space company to develop a hybrid rocket and successfully complete a suborbital test flight.”
“HyImpulse is a role model for how start-ups can successfully translate cutting-edge research and deep tech into marketable products.”
SL1
The SL1 launch vehicle, right, features hybrid rocket engines to transport satellites with a payload of up to 600kg into a dedicated Earth orbit. It uses very low cost of propellants of paraffin and liquid oxygen.
According to the company, the hybrid propulsion allows safe and flexible operation of the launch service. Twelve motors are in use for a single SL1, allowing serial production of the hardware. And the propulsion system now features a newly developed turbopump system for the liquid oxygen.
HyImpuse achieved a sub-orbital rocket launch in 2024 with its SR75 rocket. It is planning the first orbital launch of the SL1 rocket in 2027.
Shetlands
In the UK, the company has built relationships with the Saxavord Spaceport in Shetland.
As with fellow German rocket makers, Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA), HyImpulse was planning sub-orbital launches from Unst.
Images: HyImpulse
