Kreios Space
| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace |
| Founded | 2021 |
| Founders | Adrián Senar Jan Mataró Francisco Boira |
| Headquarters | Vigo, Galicia, Spain |
| Key people | Adrián Senar (CEO) Jan Mataró (CTO) Francisco Boira (CCO) |
| Products | VLEO satellite platforms Air-breathing electric propulsion |
| Services | Very Low Earth Orbit satellite technology |
| Website | www |
Kreios Space is a Spanish space company that develops satellite platforms for sustained operations in Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO), an orbital region between 150 and 300 kilometres above Earth.[1] Its core technology is a proprietary air‑breathing electric propulsion (ABEP) system, which enables satellites to use residual atmospheric particles as propellant instead of carrying onboard fuel. The company is headquartered in Vigo, Spain.[2]
History
[edit]Kreios Space was established in 2021 by a group of young engineers with backgrounds in plasma propulsion ,[3] space systems, and aerospace engineering who turned their doctoral thesis into a business: a company founded to enable sustained satellite operations in Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO), a region traditionally constrained by atmospheric drag.[4]
Kreios Space presented the third generation of its Helicon Plasma Thruster (K‑3),[5] tested with mixtures of oxygen, nitrogen, argon, and air under representative environmental conditions,[6] achieving efficiencies superior to any development known to date, both in industry and academia, marking a true milestone in the field of space propulsion.[7]
Technology
[edit]Kreios Space develops a proprietary satellite platform based on an Air-Breathing Electric Propulsion (ABEP) system that allows it to operate autonomously and for many years in Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO).[8] The technology enables spacecraft to maintain stable flight at altitudes between 150 and 300 kilometres, a region traditionally difficult to access due to atmospheric drag.[4]
This propulsion concept eliminates the need for onboard propellant and mitigates erosion caused by atomic oxygen,[9] allowing multi‑year operations in orbital regimes where conventional satellites can only remain for a few days.[10] Operating in VLEO provides several performance benefits, including higher spatial resolution for Earth‑observation, increased signal level for D2C, lower communication latency, and natural orbital decay that helps reduce space debris.[11]
Missions
[edit]Kreios Space is preparing its first In‑Orbit Demonstration (IOD), planned for late.[12] A second mission, scheduled for 2029, will integrate a commercial payload,[13] marking the transition from a technology demonstration stage to a commercial phase.[14]
References
[edit]- ↑ Werner, Debra (2026-08-04). "Kreios Space to fly VLEO demonstration in NanoAvionics bus". SpaceNews. Retrieved 2026-08-20.
- ↑ Jewett, Rachel (2026-08-04). "Kreios Space to Demo Air-breathing Electric Propulsion in VLEO With NanoAvionics". Via Satellite. Retrieved 2026-08-20.
- ↑ Amazouz, Lydia (2026-08-10). "The World's First Air-Breathing Spacecraft Thruster May Soon Face Its Orbital Test". dailygalaxy.com. Retrieved 2026-08-21.
- 1 2 https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Space_Transportation/Types_of_orbits#LEO
- ↑ Garcia, David Cendon (2025-11-17). "French SpaceTech startup Infinite Orbits lands €40 million for satellite servicing growth". EU-Startups. Retrieved 2026-08-21.
- ↑ Shuhratov, Abror (2026-08-04). "Kreios Space unveils its first air-breathing satellite for very low Earth orbit". Zamin.uz. Retrieved 2026-08-21.
- ↑ "The Spanish company Kreios Space plans to test a satellite by releasing it into the". UA.NEWS. 2026-08-09. Retrieved 2026-08-20.
- ↑ adonis (2026-08-10). "Kreios Space selects Kongsberg NanoAvionics for first-ever air-breathing electric propulsion VLEO satellite - Cyprus Shipping News". Retrieved 2026-08-21.
- ↑ Gorman, Douglas (2025-09-19). "Spanish VLEO Startup Kreios Closes €8M Seed Round". Payload. Retrieved 2026-08-21.
- ↑ "The Spanish company Kreios Space plans to test a satellite by releasing it into the". UA.NEWS. 2026-08-09. Retrieved 2026-08-21.
- ↑ https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Preparing_for_the_Future/Discovery_and_Preparation/ESA_boosts_efforts_to_launch_missions_into_Very_Low_Earth_Orbits
- ↑ "Kreios Space to Fly First Air-Breathing Electric Propulsion Engine in Very Low Earth Orbit". Tech Times. 2026-08-04. Retrieved 2026-08-21.
- ↑ Bernacchi, Giulia (2025-09-23). "Spanish Startup Wins $9M to Develop Very Low Earth Orbit Satellite Tech". The Defense Post. Retrieved 2026-08-21.
- ↑ Garcia, David Cendon (2025-09-17). "Spain's Kreios Space secures €8 million to bring satellites closer to Earth and strengthen European strategic autonomy". EU-Startups. Retrieved 2026-08-21.