Walter Ballheimer of Reflex Aerospace and Francho Garcia of Arkadia Space. Credit: Arkadia Space
WASHINGTON — Spacecraft propulsion startup Arkadia Space has signed a deal to provide thrusters for a satellite being built by Reflex Aerospace.
The companies announced an agreement June 9 under which Spanish startup Arkadia will supply thrusters using a green propellant, hydrogen peroxide, that will handle orbital maneuvers and end-of-life deorbiting for a 200-kilogram spacecraft Reflex is building. The spacecraft is scheduled to launch no earlier than the second quarter of 2027 on the SpaceX Transporter-20 rideshare mission.
Arkadia will provide 5-newton thrusters, a propellant tank and electronics for the spacecraft. The thrusters use technology the company tested in orbit on DARK, a hosted payload flown on a D-Orbit ION vehicle in 2025.
“Their flight-proven green propulsion technology, modular approach and ability to adapt quickly to our mission requirements made them a strong partner for this mission,” Walter Ballheimer, chief executive of Berlin-based Reflex Aerospace, said in a statement. “As a European and ITAR-free supplier with demonstrated in-orbit heritage, Arkadia Space enables us to move quickly while maintaining high technical standards and supply chain independence.”
