Arkadia Space propulsion selected by Dassault Aviation for the demonstrator of the VORTEX spaceplane

Arkadia Space has signed a contract with Dassault Aviation for the development and supply of a complete propulsion system based on its 250N ARIEL monopropellant thrusters, to be integrated into the VORTEX subscale demonstrator program (Véhicule Orbital Réutilisable de Transport et d’Exploration), the reusable spaceplane under development by the French aerospace company.

The contract is part of the program’s first phase, VORTEX-D, a technology demonstrator designed to validate the critical capabilities of the final vehicle. Arkadia’s propulsion system — comprising tanks, electronics and ARIEL monopropellant thrusters — will operate as the vehicle’s Reaction Control System (RCS), playing a key role during higher altitude phases of the mission, where precision and reliability are essential.

The VORTEX program, led by Dassault Aviation, aims to develop a reusable space vehicle capable of operating in orbit and returning to Earth with a conventional runway landing.

Dassault Aviation is one of the world’s leading aerospace industrial players, with over 10,000 military and civil aircraft delivered in more than 90 countries over the past 110 years. The company brings experience in developing highly complex aeronautical systems, from platforms such as the Rafale fighter jet to the Falcon family of business jets, as well as participation in the Hermes spaceplane and IXV reentry flight demonstration programs and in multiple other European Space Agency (ESA) studies. This combination of expertise in advanced aeronautics, high-reliability systems and hypersonic technologies places Dassault Aviation in a unique position to lead the development of a reusable spaceplane of this kind

ARIEL 250N: from ESA development to propulsion systems for Europe’s key space transport programs.

At the core of this agreement is ARIEL, the 250N thruster developed by Arkadia Space, which in less than two years has evolved from an early-stage technology into the foundation of propulsion systems adopted by some of the most relevant programs in the European space ecosystem.

ARIEL was developed under the ESA’s Future Launchers Preparatory Program (FLPP) in mid-2023 as a strategic technology for future European space transportation systems. From the outset, Arkadia approached its development with a clear commercial mindset, aiming to address real market needs beyond the scope of an institutional contract.

In less than two years, this strategy has translated into tangible results. MaiaSpace selected ARIEL 250N for its launcher RCS, and now Dassault Aviation has chosen the same thruster for the VORTEX-Demonstrator. These two commercial contracts position ARIEL at the core of two of Europe’s most strategic programs: access to space and orbital transportation.

These milestones reinforce Arkadia’s position as a provider of green propulsion systems, leveraging high-test hydrogen peroxide and offering versatile solutions across multiple applications. The company designs, manufactures and integrates complete propulsion systems — including thrusters, tanks and control electronics — tailored to the specific requirements of each vehicle.

“This contract represents a major milestone for our team. Being selected by a company like Dassault Aviation for such a strategic and ambitious program is a strong validation of Arkadia as a reliable propulsion partner. We look forward to building a long-term relationship and supporting the development of VORTEX, contributing to Europe’s future capability to transport cargo and astronauts to space.” — Francho García, CEO and co-founder of Arkadia Space

Arkadia Space expects to announce additional commercial contracts in the coming months, several of which are already underway and linked to missions scheduled to fly as early as next year. The company has also recently secured significant institutional funding through the prestigious EIC Accelerator program, aimed at supporting the industrialization of its bipropellant technology.

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