ION-X, a spin-off from CNRS and the startup studio Technofounders, has reached a key milestone in the industrialization of space propulsion. Specializing in ion engines for small satellites, the company aims to produce 200 engines per year by 2028, with the first in-flight demonstration scheduled for early 2025 as part of a mission by the European Space Agency.
In a rapidly expanding small satellite market, ION-X stands out with its electrospray technology, offering an optimal ratio of thrust, energy efficiency, and power consumption. Its engines reduce fuel consumption by 30% and use a non-toxic fuel produced in France. This approach meets the growing demands for sustainability and modularity in the space sector.
The company plans to produce 10 ion engines per month by 2026, at a production facility located in the Île-de-France region. By focusing on local sourcing, ION-X minimizes external dependencies and strengthens French technological sovereignty. This serial production model, still rare in the space industry, offers a competitive edge in a market struggling to meet the rising demand from constellation operators.
To support this scale-up, ION-X has raised €13 million in a funding round. The round was led by historical investors EXPANSION and TECHNOFOUNDERS PARTICIPATION, with participation from the EUROPEAN INNOVATION COUNCIL FUND (EIC FUND) and the ÎLE-DE-FRANCE RÉINDUSTRIALIZATION FUND, operated by INNOVACOM. These funds will finance industrialization, expand the product portfolio, and strengthen technical and commercial teams.
