How ENPULSION is Expanding After a $24 Million Raise

Jan de Vries · 2026-08-21

So, you're following European space tech, right? Well, here's a move that's got everyone talking. ENPULSION, that Austrian powerhouse in spacecraft propulsion, has just agreed to acquire Lift Me Off, a British company specializing in chemical propulsion and tank design. And it's happening after they secured a hefty $24 million in growth funding earlier this year. Now, the details are under wraps, but the deal needs a nod from the UK government under their National Security and Investment Act. It's a reminder that in today's world, even space deals have to play by earthly rules. ### The Strategic Play Behind the Acquisition Dr. Alexander Reissner, ENPULSION's CEO, put it simply: 'This acquisition signals our commitment to building the complete spacecraft mobility backbone.' He's talking about creating a one-stop shop where customers can get everything from propulsion to attitude control without starting from scratch. LMO brings in institutional design creds from ESA missions, a talented team, and complementary tech in chemical systems. Think of it like this – ENPULSION is adding the missing pieces to its puzzle. Here's what LMO contributes: - Expertise in chemical and cold gas propulsion systems - Propellant tank technology and pointing mechanisms - Valuable experience from multiple European Space Agency programs  ### A Look at ENPULSION's Journey Founded in 2016, ENPULSION spun out from a university research lab to commercialize field-emission electric propulsion (FEEP) tech. They've come a long way – with over 320 propulsion systems operating in orbit and hardware on most SpaceX Transporter missions. Headquartered at Vienna Airport, they've got operations across Europe. Their goal? To build a modular, pre-integrated architecture that makes spacecraft mobility repeatable and mission-ready.  ### Lift Me Off's Role in the Mix Lift Me Off, started in 2018 in Reading, UK, has been deep in chemical propulsion design. Founders Michel Poucet and Marcos Perez will stay on to ensure a smooth transition. Shaun Dormon, LMO's Managing Director, sees this as a natural fit: 'By combining ENPULSION's scale with our unique take on chemical propulsion, we can offer agile in-space maneuvering with minimal complexity.' It's all about blending technologies for the next generation of space missions. ### Funding and Growth Ambitions That $24 million funding round led by Nordwind Growth is fueling ENPULSION's global push. They're scaling production, advancing next-gen systems, and eyeing deeper market penetration in the United States. For professionals watching EU Inc news, this is a textbook example of how European startups are using acquisitions to scale fast. With the EU Inc proposal aiming to simplify business structures, cross-border deals like this could become more common, even post-Brexit. ### What This Means for the Industry In short, ENPULSION is transforming from a component supplier to a full-service mobility backbone company. By merging electric and chemical propulsion, they're offering a comprehensive suite that could reshape how satellites move. For the US market, it's a signal that European firms are stepping up their game. And for startups thinking about incorporation, it shows the power of strategic M&A in a competitive landscape. Keep an eye on this space – pun intended – because moves like this often spark bigger trends.