IENAI Space develops the ATHENA electric propulsion system — a 0.5U ionic-liquid electrospray thruster for satellites between 3kg and 50kg — and a space mobility and mission analysis & design tool called “360”. The company recently completed a nearly 400‑hour firing of ATHENA, independently verified by ESA, and passed a preliminary design review with ESA. Its 360 software beta test involved around 30 companies, and IENAI is onboarding startups through its IRIS program in partnership with AWS. IENAI plans an in‑orbit demonstration and verification of ATHENA aboard the Cassini IOD/IOV mission developed with ISISPACE under ESA/Horizon Europe. The company will use new funding to accelerate commercialization of its propulsion system, expand the software client base, open new facilities, and grow its headcount from 22 to about 30 employees while adding two PhDs to support R&D. Clean‑room manufacturing and testing facilities are already established via agreements in Madrid, Barcelona and Uppsala. Ienai SPACE develops ATHENA, an adaptable electrospray electric thruster designed for integration in nano and microsatellites, and a mission‑analysis tool called ienai GO. ATHENA aims to double satellite on‑orbit lifetime, enable orbital maneuvers and controlled de‑orbiting, and is presented as the first thruster of its category developed in Europe. The company reported promising ground test results and is in the process of certifying the system on the ground. ienai GO was scheduled to launch in BETA in May 2021. With new capital the company plans to consolidate its technical team, build a first commercial version of the product, and execute a first in‑orbit mission expected in early 2022. Ienai SPACE is based in Madrid and its founding team includes four PhDs with collaborations including CSIC and support from ESA BIC Madrid Region, Airbus Bizlab and Lanzadera.

Total raised

$5M

Funding rounds

2

Latest round

Equity

Latest activity

Jun 2024