ION-X, the rising French star that wants to revolutionize space mobility

© ION-X

The French New Space is in full swing at the beginning of this year, and a small company called ION-X is particularly scrutinized. The start-up will soon test its prototype engine for small satellites.

A technology developed in the 1980s

Founded in 2021 and from the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), ION-X operates in a booming sector: microsatellites and satellite constellations. But the start-up intends to stand out thanks to its system which it considers to be “ the most efficient space propulsion technology“. It was developed in the 1980s by Jacques Gierak, an engineer at the CNRS and co-founder and principal technical advisor to the firm.

It is based on an electrospray thruster which “consists of tearing charged particles from the surface of a conductive ionic liquid by applying an intense electric field, which triggers the creation of Taylor cones, the electrohydrodynamic phenomenon from which the ions are extracted“, the company explains on its website. “ The device then expels quantities of rapidly charged particles which are further accelerated to give them a great momentum ,” she continues.

ION-X assures that its technology offers promising performance, allowing “to significantly increase the emitted flux, the speed of the ions, the duration of the unipolar thrust sequence, and the stability of the emission process without observable degradation ».

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A solution that is attractive because it is also beneficial for the environment by reducing fuel consumption by 30% compared to traditional propulsion methods. In December, the startup raised 13 million euros in a Series A funding round. It must now take a crucial step in its development: testing its prototype, in partnership with the Danish group Space Inventor.

© ION-X

The prototype tested in real conditions for six months

This mission, lasting six months, will begin with the launch of the 10 cm3 engine by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket “in January 2025“, indicates ION-X. During this period, numerous tests will be carried out on the device, with the company planning to market its first engine by the middle of the year.

And it is already looking much further ahead with the production of 10 thrusters per month by 2026, to reach 200 thrusters per year by 2028. « We are deeply convinced that our propulsion solutions can revolutionize the space mobility market, contribute to sustainable, innovative and profitable space missions, and carve out a significant commercial position in a market hungry for reliable thrusters », says Thomas Hiriart, CEO of ION-X.

• The startup ION-X will very soon be testing its engine for small satellites.
• It signed a fundraising round of 13 million euros in December.
• The young company aims to produce 200 thrusters per year by 2028.

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