Rendering of HyImpulse’s SL1 rocket. Photo: HyImpulse

HyImpulse, one of Europe’s up and coming launch companies, has raised a further 45 million ($52.5 million) in funding, as it targets starting commercial launches as early as next year. The German startup will use the new capital to drive forward the development and commercialization of its SL1 orbital rocket and expand its production capacities. The company announced the new funding, Oct. 16.

The company has raised 15 million euros ($17.5 million) in equity capital as part of its Series A funding round and secured an additional 30 million euros ($35 million) in financing. The round was led by Campus Founders Ventures. Other investors include Helantic, GIMIC, the Global Resilience Innovation Fund (GRIF), Mittelständische Beteiligungsgesellschaft (MBG) Baden- Württemberg, Start-up BW Innovation Fonds, Sparkassen-Beteiligungsgesellschaft (SBG) Heilbronn- Franken, Vienna Point and BTRON.

The company was formed in 2018. HyImpulse reached a milestone in 2024 with the successful test flight of the SR75 suborbital rocket which demonstrated the functionality of a commercial paraffin-based hybrid rocket engine. The first commercial launch of the SR75 with customers is planned to take place as early as 2026. Building on the tests with the SR75, HyImpulse is working on the three-stage SL1 orbital rocket, designed to transport up to 600 kilograms of payload into Low-Earth Orbit (LEO), with a projected start in 2027.

“Europe does not have its own access to space. With this injection of capital, we will accelerate the commercialization of our orbital rocket, making Europe more independent and competitive. While providers such as SpaceX offer a scheduled bus service to space, our solutions allow us to develop a flexible taxi service so that our customers can choose individual launch solutions and flexibly plan their schedules,” Christian Schmierer, co-founder and CEO of HyImpulse, said in a statement.