HyImpulse Technologies

HyImpulse Technologies is a German aerospace company specializing in the development and manufacturing of launch vehicles for small satellites. Founded in March 2018 as a spin-off from the German Aerospace Center (DLR), the company aims to provide affordable and frequent access to space. The founders include Christian Schmierer (CEO), Konstantin Tomilin (COO), Ulrich Fischer (CTO), and Mario Kobald, all of whom have backgrounds in aerospace engineering from the University of Stuttgart and experience with hybrid rocket development.

The company's core technology is a proprietary hybrid rocket propulsion system that uses liquid oxygen (LOX) as the oxidizer and paraffin, or candle wax, as the fuel. This combination is designed to be safer, more environmentally sustainable, and more cost-effective than traditional rocket fuels, reducing manufacturing costs by an estimated 40%. The propulsion system simplifies the rocket's architecture, as paraffin is a non-explosive solid fuel at room temperature, which lowers operational, storage, and transportation costs.

HyImpulse is developing two main launch vehicles: the SR75 and the SL1. The SR75 is a single-stage suborbital sounding rocket designed to carry payloads up to 250 kg to an altitude of around 250 km. It serves as both a commercial product for experiments and a technology demonstrator for the larger orbital rocket. In May 2024, HyImpulse successfully completed the maiden flight of the SR75 in Australia, a key milestone that validated its hybrid engine technology. The first commercial launch of the SR75 is planned for 2026.

The primary orbital vehicle is the Small Launcher 1 (SL1), a three-stage rocket designed to transport small satellites weighing up to 600 kg into Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The SL1 will utilize twelve of the same 75 kN HyPLOX75 hybrid engines flight-proven on the SR75. The first orbital launch of the SL1 is anticipated in 2027. By offering flexible, dedicated launch services, the company positions itself as a "flexible taxi service to space," catering to small satellite operators who need specific orbits and schedules, as opposed to being secondary passengers on larger rideshare missions.

The business model focuses on providing launch services for the growing small satellite market, which includes clients in communications, Earth observation, and national security. HyImpulse has secured orders in the triple-digit million range and operates from multiple launch sites. The company has raised approximately €74 million in capital since its inception, including a recent €45 million round in October 2025 to accelerate the commercialization of the SL1 rocket and expand production.

Keywords: hybrid rocket propulsion, small satellite launch, paraffin fuel, liquid oxygen, suborbital rocket, orbital launch vehicle, NewSpace, aerospace engineering, launch services, DLR spin-off, European space industry, SR75, SL1, satellite transport, space access, Christian Schmierer, cost-effective launch, LEO, sounding rocket, space technology, German aerospace, smallsat launcher, HyPLOX75, commercial spaceflight.