https://www.spacebandits.io/industries/propulsion Dated, sourced milestones from the propulsion companies Space Bandits tracks. en https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/stoke-space stoke-space/2026-09-08/Raises a $1B first close of a Series E led by Point72 Ventures and Spark Capital, taking total funding to $2.3B, with Nova's debut now early 2027 Tue, 08 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Raises a $1B first close of a Series E led by Point72 Ventures and Spark Capital, taking total funding to $2.3B, with Nova's debut now early 2027. Source: https://payloadspace.com/stoke-space-raises-1b-initial-series-e-round/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/isar-aerospace isar-aerospace/2026-09-05/Spectrum reaches orbit on its second flight, the first orbital launch from Western European soil, and releases five cubesats and a DLR experiment Sat, 05 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Spectrum reaches orbit on its second flight, the first orbital launch from Western European soil, and releases five cubesats and a DLR experiment. Source: https://spacenews.com/isar-aerospace-reaches-orbit-on-second-spectrum-launch/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/isar-aerospace isar-aerospace/2026-09-01/Signs a launch contract with Astroscale Japan to fly the ADRAS-J2 debris-removal mission on Spectrum from Andøya in 2027 or 2028 Tue, 01 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Signs a launch contract with Astroscale Japan to fly the ADRAS-J2 debris-removal mission on Spectrum from Andøya in 2027 or 2028. Source: https://isaraerospace.com/press/isar-aerospace-signs-launch-contract-with-astroscale-japan https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/agnikul-cosmos agnikul-cosmos/2026-09/India's Technology Development Board agrees to provide ₹200 crore, in convertible debentures, toward a reusable Agnibaan Tue, 01 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT India's Technology Development Board agrees to provide ₹200 crore, in convertible debentures, toward a reusable Agnibaan. Source: https://en.channeliam.com/2026/09/26/agnikul-cosmos-funding-reusable-agnibaan-rocket/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/isar-aerospace isar-aerospace/2026-08-27/ESA awards a €197.8M European Launcher Challenge contract for Spectrum flights through 2030 and vehicle upgrades Thu, 27 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT ESA awards a €197.8M European Launcher Challenge contract for Spectrum flights through 2030 and vehicle upgrades. Source: https://europeanspaceflight.com/esa-awards-e544-million-in-european-launcher-challenge-contracts/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/rocket-factory-augsburg rocket-factory-augsburg/2026-08-27/ESA awards a €186.9M European Launcher Challenge contract for RFA ONE flights through 2030 and vehicle upgrades Thu, 27 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT ESA awards a €186.9M European Launcher Challenge contract for RFA ONE flights through 2030 and vehicle upgrades. Source: https://europeanspaceflight.com/esa-awards-e544-million-in-european-launcher-challenge-contracts/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/ursa-major-technologies ursa-major-technologies/2026-08-25/Agrees to go public by merging with Bleichroeder Acquisition Corp. III at about $2.3B post-money, with at least $350M of committed PIPE capital and closing expected in early 2027 Tue, 25 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT Agrees to go public by merging with Bleichroeder Acquisition Corp. III at about $2.3B post-money, with at least $350M of committed PIPE capital and closing expected in early 2027. Source: https://ursamajor.com/media/press-release/ursa-major-to-go-public/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/letara letara/2026-08-21/Raises ¥2.6B (about $16M) led by Headline Asia, JIC Venture Growth Investments and Incubate Fund, ahead of an in-orbit firing test Fri, 21 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT Raises ¥2.6B (about $16M) led by Headline Asia, JIC Venture Growth Investments and Incubate Fund, ahead of an in-orbit firing test. Source: https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/21/japanese-space-tech-startup-letara-expands-beyond-satellite-thrusters-with-16m/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/impulse-space impulse-space/2026-08-12/Space Force adds $28M to its contract for two more Mira vehicles, for the Victus Salo 2 and 3 responsive-space missions Wed, 12 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT Space Force adds $28M to its contract for two more Mira vehicles, for the Victus Salo 2 and 3 responsive-space missions. Source: https://spacenews.com/space-force-orders-two-more-impulse-space-vehicles-for-maneuvering-demonstrations/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/rocket-factory-augsburg rocket-factory-augsburg/2026-07-28/Tank problem forces a destack, cancelling the launch window Tue, 28 Jul 2026 12:00:00 GMT Tank problem forces a destack, cancelling the launch window. Source: https://spacenews.com/tank-problem-delays-first-rfa-launch/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/skyroot-aerospace skyroot-aerospace/2026-07-18/Vikram-1 reaches orbit on its first flight, the first orbital launch by a private Indian company Sat, 18 Jul 2026 12:00:00 GMT Vikram-1 reaches orbit on its first flight, the first orbital launch by a private Indian company. Source: https://spacenews.com/skyroot-aerospace-reaches-orbit-on-first-vikram-1-launch/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/ursa-major-technologies ursa-major-technologies/2026-07-15/US Navy awards $10 million to develop the MK 104 solid motor Wed, 15 Jul 2026 12:00:00 GMT US Navy awards $10 million to develop the MK 104 solid motor. Source: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/us-navy-awards-ursa-major-10m-mk-104-development-contract-302826496.html https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/impulse-space impulse-space/2026-07/The Mira from LEO Express-2 closes to within about 200 metres of the Mira from LEO Express-3, and the two photograph each other Wed, 01 Jul 2026 12:00:00 GMT The Mira from LEO Express-2 closes to within about 200 metres of the Mira from LEO Express-3, and the two photograph each other. Source: https://www.impulsespace.com/updates/a-family-reunion-the-leo-2-and-leo-3-flyby https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/impulse-space impulse-space/2026-06-02/Raises a $500M Series D led by 137 Ventures and Banner VC, taking total funding past $1B a year after the Series C Tue, 02 Jun 2026 12:00:00 GMT Raises a $500M Series D led by 137 Ventures and Banner VC, taking total funding past $1B a year after the Series C. Source: https://payloadspace.com/impulse-space-closes-500m-series-d/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/reaction-engines reaction-engines/2026-06/An undisclosed buyer completes an £884,000 purchase of the IP Mon, 01 Jun 2026 12:00:00 GMT An undisclosed buyer completes an £884,000 purchase of the IP. Source: https://www.flightglobal.com/archive/2026/06/undisclosed-buyer-finalises-deal-for-reaction-engines-assets/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/stoke-space stoke-space/2026-06/Completes Nova first-stage structural verification ahead of the rocket’s debut Mon, 01 Jun 2026 12:00:00 GMT Completes Nova first-stage structural verification ahead of the rocket’s debut. Source: https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2026/06/stoke-nova-update/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/skyroot-aerospace skyroot-aerospace/2026-05-07/Raises $60M at a $1.1B valuation, becoming India's first space tech unicorn Thu, 07 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT Raises $60M at a $1.1B valuation, becoming India's first space tech unicorn. Source: https://techcrunch.com/2026/05/07/indias-first-space-tech-unicorn-emerges-as-skyroot-gears-up-for-orbital-launch/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/agnikul-cosmos agnikul-cosmos/2026-05/Test-fires four Agnilet engines together as a cluster, a step toward the orbital Agnibaan Fri, 01 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT Test-fires four Agnilet engines together as a cluster, a step toward the orbital Agnibaan. Source: https://manufactur3dmag.com/agnikul-3d-printed-rocket-engine-cluster/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/thrustme thrustme/2026-04/Contracts above ten million euros to equip 40 Japanese Earth observation satellites Wed, 01 Apr 2026 12:00:00 GMT Contracts above ten million euros to equip 40 Japanese Earth observation satellites. Source: https://spacewatch.global/2026/04/thrustme-to-equip-40-japanese-eo-satellites-with-its-propulsion-systems-as-macron-visits-japan/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/bellatrix-aerospace bellatrix-aerospace/2026-03-28/Raises a $20M pre-Series B led by Cactus Partners to expand production Sat, 28 Mar 2026 12:00:00 GMT Raises a $20M pre-Series B led by Cactus Partners to expand production. Source: https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/stocks/articles/indias-bellatrix-aerospace-nets-20-095613971.html https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/bellatrix-aerospace bellatrix-aerospace/2026-03/Harbinger, its first complete satellite, launches on SpaceX's Transporter-16 and tests Bellatrix's own attitude control system in orbit Sun, 01 Mar 2026 12:00:00 GMT Harbinger, its first complete satellite, launches on SpaceX's Transporter-16 and tests Bellatrix's own attitude control system in orbit. Source: https://payloadspace.com/bellatrix-aerospace-tapped-to-build-korean-vleo-demo-sat/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/enpulsion enpulsion/2026-03/Secures €22.5M led by Nordwind Growth to expand into the US, its first big outside raise Sun, 01 Mar 2026 12:00:00 GMT Secures €22.5M led by Nordwind Growth to expand into the US, its first big outside raise. Source: https://europeanspaceflight.com/enpulsion-secures-e22-5-million-to-expand-us-market-presence/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/rocket-factory-augsburg rocket-factory-augsburg/2026-03/First RFA ONE stages shipped to SaxaVord Spaceport Sun, 01 Mar 2026 12:00:00 GMT First RFA ONE stages shipped to SaxaVord Spaceport. Source: https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/rfa-ships-stages-of-its-rfa-one-rocket-to-saxavord-spaceport-2026-03/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/magdrive magdrive/2026-02/Its orbital demo proves charging and plasma generation but never maneuvers the spacecraft Sun, 01 Feb 2026 12:00:00 GMT Its orbital demo proves charging and plasma generation but never maneuvers the spacecraft. Source: https://aerospaceamerica.aiaa.org/magdrives-plasma-thruster-proves-its-mettle-in-first-orbital-test/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/ursa-major-technologies ursa-major-technologies/2026-01-27/Draper engine powers an AFRL missile demonstrator past Mach 1 Tue, 27 Jan 2026 12:00:00 GMT Draper engine powers an AFRL missile demonstrator past Mach 1. Source: https://ursamajor.com/media/press-release/afrl-ursa-major-perform-hypersonic-flight-demo/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/impulse-space impulse-space/2025-12-15/In the Remora mission with Starfish Space, the LEO Express-2 Mira closes on its own to within about 1,250 m of the LEO Express-1 Mira Mon, 15 Dec 2025 12:00:00 GMT In the Remora mission with Starfish Space, the LEO Express-2 Mira closes on its own to within about 1,250 m of the LEO Express-1 Mira. Source: https://www.impulsespace.com/updates/leo-express-2-mission-updates https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/jiuzhou-yunjian jiuzhou-yunjian/2025-12/Seven Longyun engines power Long March 12A to orbit, but only two of three relight for the landing burn and the booster is lost Mon, 01 Dec 2025 12:00:00 GMT Seven Longyun engines power Long March 12A to orbit, but only two of three relight for the landing burn and the booster is lost. Source: https://www.china-in-space.com/p/shanghai-academy-debuts-reusable https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/impulse-space impulse-space/2025-11-29/LEO Express-3, Mira's third flight and the first for the upgraded vehicle, launches on Transporter-15 and deploys its customer's satellites Sat, 29 Nov 2025 12:00:00 GMT LEO Express-3, Mira's third flight and the first for the upgraded vehicle, launches on Transporter-15 and deploys its customer's satellites. Source: https://www.impulsespace.com/updates/leo-express-3-mission-updates https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/agnikul-cosmos agnikul-cosmos/2025-11-22/Raises ₹150 crore (about $17M) at a $500M valuation Sat, 22 Nov 2025 12:00:00 GMT Raises ₹150 crore (about $17M) at a $500M valuation. Source: https://www.businesstoday.in/technology/news/story/spacetech-startup-agnikul-raises-rs150-cr-to-fuel-3d-printed-rocket-expansion-hits-500-mn-valuation-503296-2025-11-22 https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/ursa-major-technologies ursa-major-technologies/2025-11-18/Raises a $100 million Series E led by Eclipse plus $50 million debt Tue, 18 Nov 2025 12:00:00 GMT Raises a $100 million Series E led by Eclipse plus $50 million debt. Source: https://spacenews.com/ursa-major-secures-100-million-in-new-capital-as-it-leans-hard-into-defense-work/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/skyroot-aerospace skyroot-aerospace/2025-11/Prime Minister Modi opens its Infinity Campus in Hyderabad and unveils Vikram-1 Sat, 01 Nov 2025 12:00:00 GMT Prime Minister Modi opens its Infinity Campus in Hyderabad and unveils Vikram-1. Source: https://ddnews.gov.in/en/pm-modi-inaugurates-skyroots-infinity-campus-unveils-vikram-i-orbital-rocket/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/phase-four phase-four/2025-09-22/Quantum Space buys the multi-mode line and Hawthorne facility Mon, 22 Sep 2025 12:00:00 GMT Quantum Space buys the multi-mode line and Hawthorne facility. Source: https://payloadspace.com/quantum-space-acquires-phase-fours-propulsion-tech/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/ursa-major-technologies ursa-major-technologies/2025-09-18/A defence prime orders $34.9 million of Draper engines Thu, 18 Sep 2025 12:00:00 GMT A defence prime orders $34.9 million of Draper engines. Source: https://defence-industry.eu/ursa-major-awarded-34-9-million-contract-to-advance-draper-rocket-engine-for-space-defence-missions/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/phase-four phase-four/2025-09-12/Apex buys the Hall effect thruster line, hardware and staff Fri, 12 Sep 2025 12:00:00 GMT Apex buys the Hall effect thruster line, hardware and staff. Source: https://www.apexspace.com/blog/apex-raises-200-million-series-d-financing https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/portal-space-systems portal-space-systems/2025-09/First commercial vacuum test of a solar thermal propulsion system, for the Supernova spacecraft Mon, 01 Sep 2025 12:00:00 GMT First commercial vacuum test of a solar thermal propulsion system, for the Supernova spacecraft. Source: https://www.portalsystems.space/news/press-release-portal-becomes-first-commercial-company-to-successfully-test-solar-thermal-propulsion-system-for-multi-orbit-spacecraft https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/manastu-space manastu-space/2025-08-13/Raises $3M in a round led by Capital-A, its first space investment Wed, 13 Aug 2025 12:00:00 GMT Raises $3M in a round led by Capital-A, its first space investment. Source: https://analyticsindiamag.com/ai-news-updates/manastu-space-raises-3-mn-to-boost-sustainable-space-technologies/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/skyroot-aerospace skyroot-aerospace/2025-08-08/Test-fires Kalam-1200, the solid motor for Vikram-1's first stage, for about 110 seconds at Sriharikota Fri, 08 Aug 2025 12:00:00 GMT Test-fires Kalam-1200, the solid motor for Vikram-1's first stage, for about 110 seconds at Sriharikota. Source: https://www.siasat.com/ahead-of-maiden-flight-of-vikram-1-skyroot-test-fires-largest-privately-developed-rocket-stage-3256799/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/rocket-factory-augsburg rocket-factory-augsburg/2025-07-07/Preselected by ESA for the European Launcher Challenge Mon, 07 Jul 2025 12:00:00 GMT Preselected by ESA for the European Launcher Challenge. Source: https://spacenews.com/esa-selects-five-companies-for-next-phase-of-launcher-competition/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/latitude latitude/2025-07/Converts a former AstraZeneca plant in Reims into a factory for up to 50 rockets a year Tue, 01 Jul 2025 12:00:00 GMT Converts a former AstraZeneca plant in Reims into a factory for up to 50 rockets a year. Source: https://spacenews.com/latitude-announces-new-factory-and-contracts-for-zephyr-small-launcher/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/morpheus-space morpheus-space/2025-07/GO-2 electric propulsion is validated in orbit aboard a D-Orbit ION carrier Tue, 01 Jul 2025 12:00:00 GMT GO-2 electric propulsion is validated in orbit aboard a D-Orbit ION carrier. Source: https://www.morpheus.space/post/morpheus-space-validates-next-gen-electric-propulsion-with-successful-go-2-in-orbit-demonstration https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/thrustme thrustme/2025-06-23/100th propulsion system reaches orbit, 26 units on a single rideshare Mon, 23 Jun 2025 12:00:00 GMT 100th propulsion system reaches orbit, 26 units on a single rideshare. Source: https://satnews.com/2025/06/24/thrustme-celebrates-the-firms-100th-propulsion-system-launched-into-space/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/ursa-major-technologies ursa-major-technologies/2025-06-18/Stratolaunch orders 16 upgraded Hadley engines for $32.9 million Wed, 18 Jun 2025 12:00:00 GMT Stratolaunch orders 16 upgraded Hadley engines for $32.9 million. Source: https://spacenews.com/ursa-major-secures-32-9-million-contract-to-supply-engines-for-u-s-military-hypersonic-tests/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/latitude latitude/2025-06/Wins €15M from France 2030 to bring Zephyr turbopump production in-house Sun, 01 Jun 2025 12:00:00 GMT Wins €15M from France 2030 to bring Zephyr turbopump production in-house. Source: https://europeanspaceflight.com/latitude-awarded-e15m-in-new-france-2030-funding/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/magdrive magdrive/2025-06/Flies two Rogue metal-plasma thrusters on a D-Orbit vehicle, its first flight hardware Sun, 01 Jun 2025 12:00:00 GMT Flies two Rogue metal-plasma thrusters on a D-Orbit vehicle, its first flight hardware. Source: https://www.ukspace.org/magdrive-launches-first-flight-of-next-generation-plasma-thruster/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/reaction-engines reaction-engines/2025-06/Administrators line up a sale of the hypersonic technology Sun, 01 Jun 2025 12:00:00 GMT Administrators line up a sale of the hypersonic technology. Source: https://www.flightglobal.com/engines/2025/06/reaction-engines-administrators-line-up-sale-of-hypersonic-technology/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/jiuzhou-yunjian jiuzhou-yunjian/2025-05/First flight of a Longyun engine, throttling and reigniting on Space Epoch's sea-recovery hop Thu, 01 May 2025 12:00:00 GMT First flight of a Longyun engine, throttling and reigniting on Space Epoch's sea-recovery hop. Source: https://www.china-in-space.com/p/space-epoch-conducts-reusable-rocket https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/bellatrix-aerospace bellatrix-aerospace/2025-04-11/Opens a US subsidiary Fri, 11 Apr 2025 12:00:00 GMT Opens a US subsidiary. Source: https://bellatrix.aero/updates/bellatrix-aerospace-expands-to-us-with-new-subsidiary https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/latitude latitude/2025-04/Fires the Navier engine’s flight-configuration combustion chamber for ten seconds Tue, 01 Apr 2025 12:00:00 GMT Fires the Navier engine’s flight-configuration combustion chamber for ten seconds. Source: https://europeanspaceflight.com/latitude-completes-hot-fire-test-of-flight-ready-combustion-chamber/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/isar-aerospace isar-aerospace/2025-03/Receives Norway’s first launch permit, clearing Spectrum’s test flight from Andøya Sat, 01 Mar 2025 12:00:00 GMT Receives Norway’s first launch permit, clearing Spectrum’s test flight from Andøya. Source: https://isaraerospace.com/press/isar-aerospace-receives-ncaa-permit-for-launch-and-is-ready-for-first-test-flight https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/isar-aerospace isar-aerospace/2025-03/Spectrum lifts off on the first orbital attempt from continental Europe and is lost half a minute in Sat, 01 Mar 2025 12:00:00 GMT Spectrum lifts off on the first orbital attempt from continental Europe and is lost half a minute in. Source: https://isaraerospace.com/press/isar-aerospace-lifts-off-successfully-during-first-test-flight-of-orbital-launch-vehicle