Arkadia Space Partners with ArianeGroup to Investigate Green Space Vehicle Concepts for ESA

• Arkadia Space is part of the industrial consortium, led by ArianeGroup to investigate future space transportation solutions to be exploited in the period 2030-2050, with strong emphasis in sustainability.
• The conclusions of the study will pave the way for the new green technology roadmaps in the field of propulsion and space transportation in Europe.
• Arkadia Space has a relevant participation in the overall contract with a leading role in the assessment of green in space transportation concepts and their associated propellants.

BENLLOCH, Spain May 12, 2022 (Arkadia Space PR) — Arkadia Space and ArianeGroup have partnered together to study and define new concepts for “Ultra Green Launch & Space Transportation Systems” for the European Space Agency – ESA.

This activity is part of the NESTS (New European Space Transportation Solutions) studies that aim to investigate technologies for future space transportation solutions, services, and system concepts to be exploited in the period 2030-2050. The first NESTS studies were awarded last year to three consortia, one of them also led by ArianeGroup. With these studies, ESA is shaping the future of space transportation in Europe, in direct collaboration with the industry.

ArianeGroup, current design authority and manufacturer of Europe’s next rocket Ariane 6, leads the industrial consortium in which Arkadia Space plays a key role in the assessment of space transportation concepts and their use of green propellants. Arkadia Space brings an agile and innovative approach focusing on cost-efficient, green solutions, while supported by decades of experience of ArianeGroup as the leading company in the space transportation sector.

“The fact that a company like ArianeGroup has partnered with us endorses our capabilities and highlights the need for companies developing green propulsion technologies like ours in Europe”, says Francho García, CEO and Cofounder of Arkadia Space.

The aim of the awarded project to the consortium is to identify and select launcher and space transportation vehicle concepts with a strong emphasis on sustainability. Arkadia Space will be in charge of the space transportation segment, leading the propulsion system and propellant trade-offs for orbital vehicles, and also supporting the architecture preliminary definition of space transportation concept chosen.

As mentioned by ESA, “all these NESTS study results will feed the preparation of proposals to be decided at the next ESA Council Meeting at Ministerial level at the end of 2022”.

This activity highlights the importance in Europe of sustainability in the space transportation domain, validating at the same time Arkadia’s green propulsion approach. “We are convinced that green propulsion will be a key technology in the next generation of space transportation vehicles, and the opportunity to work on it for the European Space Agency with such a great partner is a very important milestone for our young company” says Ismael Gutierrez, Director of Propulsion and Cofounder of Arkadia Space.

About ESA NESTS Studies

https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Space_Transportation/ESA_defines_elements_of_future_European_space_transportation_solutions

About Arkadia Space

Arkadia Space is focused on the development and commercialization of chemical propulsion systems, based on green propellants, to provide mobility in space to satellites and other orbital vehicles. Arkadia Space wants to be the alternative to the majority current propulsion systems that use toxic and cancerogenic propellants, offering a green solution with the same performance but at a fraction of the cost.

The company has extensive experience in the design and testing of space propulsion systems and counts with its own facilities at Castellón Airport, dedicated to the testing and validation of these propulsion systems, being the only 100% private test centre in Europe for orbital propulsion.

About ArianeGroup

ArianeGroup is lead contractor for civil and defence space launcher systems, responsible for the design and the entire production process of Europe’s Ariane 5 and Ariane 6, including marketing and operation by its Arianespace subsidiary, as well as for the design, manufacture, and operational condition maintenance of the missiles of the French oceanic deterrent force. Internationally recognized for its innovative, competitive solutions, ArianeGroup has expertise in all aspects of state-of-the-art space propulsion technologies.

ArianeGroup and its subsidiaries also offer their specialist skills in space equipment, services, space surveillance, and critical infrastructure to benefit other industrial sectors. ArianeGroup is a joint venture equally owned by Airbus and Safran, and employs around 7,000 highly qualified staff in France and Germany. Group revenues in 2021 amounted to €3.1 billion.