SparkSpace bags ~$14M Pre-A to build China's first electric-cycle rocket
What's the deal? Hefei-based SparkSpace (合肥星火空间科技) has closed a Pre-A funding round of nearly US$13.8M (roughly $14M). The round was co-led by Yunze CapitalDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → and Orbital Chenguang.
The company said it will use the funds to iterate on its electric-cycle rocket engine, advance rocket product development, recruit key talent, and expand its production and testing facilities.
Why now? SparkSpace is racing to commercialise what it calls China's first — and currently the world's largest — electric-cycle liquid launch vehicle, the 'Evolution-1' (进化一号), powered by nine 10-ton-class 'Flame-2' electric-pump cycle engines. The funding arrives as China's commercial space sector heats up, with private firms competing to develop reusable and cost-efficient rockets.
What could go wrong? Rocket development is capital-intensive, and a Pre-A round signals the company is still at an early stage. Turning an electric-cycle engine concept into a flight-proven commercial product involves enormous technical risk and will likely require several more funding rounds before the planned 2027 first flight.
The Chinese commercial launch market is also crowding fast, with better-capitalised rivals such as LandSpaceDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, iSpaceDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, and Galactic Energy already conducting orbital flights.
The signal: The deal underscores continued investor appetite for China's private space industry, even at the earliest stages. Electric-cycle engine technology — which replaces traditional turbopumps with electric motors — could offer simpler, more reliable propulsion. If SparkSpace delivers, it would mark a meaningful step in diversifying the global launch vehicle supply chain beyond incumbents like SpaceX and Rocket Lab.
Read more: jiemian.com
