HyImpulse Secures Over 50 Million Euros for European Rocket Launches

The German space tech company HyImpulse Technologies has raised more than 50 million euros in equity as part of its Series A funding round. The round is jointly led by JOIN Capital and Ace Capital Partners. The company plans to use the capital to commercialize its suborbital and orbital rocket programs, expand production, and prepare for the next launch of its SR75 as well as the maiden flight of the SL1 orbital launch vehicle.

According to the company, HyImpulse has now raised a total of more than 125 million euros in equity and public funding. At the same time, the company reports an order book of more than 350 million euros for its suborbital and orbital programs.

JOIN Capital and Ace Capital Partners Lead the Round

The Series A extension is led by JOIN Capital and Ace Capital Partners. New investors include North Ventures, BW-Capital, Bayern Kapital, and the German Aerospace Center (DLR). Existing shareholders such as Campus Founders Ventures are also reinvesting.

Europe needs sovereign, responsive, and economically sustainable launch capabilities.

Dr. Christian Schmierer, CEO and Co-Founder of HyImpulse

For HyImpulse, this marks the beginning of the next phase of the company’s development. The capital will not only be used for technological development but, in particular, to enable the establishment of commercial launch capabilities. With its proprietary hybrid propulsion technology and its suborbital and orbital offerings, HyImpulse aims to meet the growing demand from commercial, institutional, and military markets.

Second SR75 Launch Planned for 2026

An important milestone is already on the horizon. By the end of 2026, HyImpulse plans to launch its suborbital SR75 rocket for the second time from the SaxaVord Spaceport in Scotland. The SR75’s first flight campaign took place in 2024 at the Koonibba Test Range in Australia. Now, the system is set to be further developed toward commercial use.

The SR75 and the additional suborbital systems currently in the planning stages are aimed at research institutions, government organizations, and defense customers, among others. According to HyImpulse, speeds of up to Mach 15 and ranges of up to 10,000 kilometers are expected to be possible in the future. The company sees potential applications in hypersonic testing, threat simulations, and other suborbital research and test missions, among others.

SL1 is designed to launch satellites into orbit

At the same time, HyImpulse is working on its orbital launch vehicle, the SL1. In the future, it is intended to transport smaller satellites in particular into low Earth orbit, thereby providing further European access to space.

The new capital will also be used to advance the SL1’s maiden flight. This brings HyImpulse to the technologically decisive step from a successful suborbital flight to an orbital launcher. The company is positioning itself specifically for so-called dedicated and responsive launches. This will allow customers to launch their satellites in a more targeted manner and with greater independence from the flight schedules of larger launch vehicles.

Paraffin and oxygen instead of conventional rocket propulsion

Technologically, HyImpulse relies on its own hybrid rocket propulsion system, which combines non-explosive paraffin as fuel with liquid oxygen.

The company expects this to result in lower technical complexity and fewer components compared to conventional systems. JOIN Capital points out that the architecture requires roughly half the number of components and could significantly reduce the cost per kilogram transported in the long term.

For investors, therefore, the decisive factor is not merely whether HyImpulse can launch a rocket into orbit. What will be crucial is whether it can do so at a cost that enables a sustainably viable commercial business model.

Order book of more than 350 million euros

HyImpulse can already point to what it describes as a well-filled commercial pipeline. The order book for its orbital and suborbital programs totals more than 350 million euros. The new funding is intended to expand production capacity and scale commercial activities both within and outside Europe. In addition to satellite launches, the company sees growth opportunities in in-space mobility as well as suborbital research and defense applications.

HyImpulse now employs more than 100 people at its locations in Neuenstadt, Ottobrunn, and Glasgow.

Europe’s Own Access to Space Is Gaining Importance

This funding round comes at a time when independent access to space is becoming increasingly strategic for Europe. Satellites have become a fundamental component of communication, navigation, Earth observation, and defense. At the same time, geopolitical tensions and rising defense spending are increasing the demand for launch capabilities that are available on short notice and are independent of third parties.

HyImpulse is thus addressing a market that has long since ceased to be dominated exclusively by traditional commercial satellite missions. It is precisely the combination of orbital launches and suborbital applications for research and defense that expands the potential customer base.

Europe’s launcher market must now deliver commercially

The financing, totaling more than 50 million euros, also demonstrates that investors remain willing to invest substantial capital in European launch vehicle companies. With an order book exceeding 350 million euros, HyImpulse has already demonstrated commercial demand.

The real test, however, is yet to come. The second flight of the SR75 and, in particular, the planned maiden flight of the SL1 must demonstrate whether the technology can be reliably transitioned into commercial launch operations. After all, Europe’s challenge is no longer limited to developing its own rockets. The key is to establish reliable, regularly available, and economically competitive access to orbit.