This Profitable Space Startup Just Raised $11M to Build Spacecraft Plumbing

Jan de Vries · 2026-07-21

A Munich-based startup that builds the pipes, valves, and pumps for rockets and satellites has just closed its first major funding round. deltaVision, a company that literally calls itself the "cardiovascular system for spacecraft," raised $11 million (€10.2 million) to scale production and meet skyrocketing demand. Here's what makes this interesting: deltaVision isn't your typical space startup burning cash while chasing a distant moon shot. It's been profitable from day one. Founded in 2022, the company already has space heritage since 2025 and serves over 60 customers across four continents. That's rare in the space industry. ### The Funding Details The round was led by KT Ventures and Valemount Capital, both of which had previously invested through a convertible loan. Futury Capital also participated, along with several private investors who came together through a new investment vehicle. deltaVision deliberately chose investors with strong industrial and commercial backgrounds, not just financial firepower. "We are fully committed to delivering products on an industrial scale," said Alex Plebuch, CEO and co-founder. "It is exactly what the market demands." ### What deltaVision Actually Builds Think of deltaVision as the plumber of the space economy. The company manufactures fluidic systems that control every type of fluid, propellant, and pressurant used in spacecraft. Its product line includes: - Valves and pumps for propulsion systems - Pressure regulators for active cooling - Fluidic couplers for orbital refueling - Utility interfaces that make satellites serviceable - Integrated refueling modules for propellant storage and transfer in orbit These components are critical for launchers, satellites, lunar landers, and orbital servicing vehicles. Without them, spacecraft can't maneuver, refuel, or even keep their electronics cool. ### Why the Space Industry Needs Better Plumbing Here's the problem deltaVision is solving: the traditional supply chain for space-grade fluid components just can't keep up. Demand now outpaces what established suppliers can deliver, leading to lead times that stretch for months or even years. That bottleneck is putting strain on space programs worldwide. deltaVision claims it's closing that gap with scalable product designs and a manufacturing flow built for speed. The company says its lead times can be as short as weeks, not months. That's a huge competitive advantage in an industry where waiting for parts can delay entire missions. ### The Argonaut Project and European Space Agency deltaVision is involved in the European flagship project "Argonaut," a large lunar lander being developed for the European Space Agency (ESA). For each Argonaut mission, deltaVision supplies about 50 individual products, including closed-loop pressure-regulation subsystems. That's a serious vote of confidence from one of the world's leading space agencies. ### Expansion Plans With the fresh capital, deltaVision plans to: - Expand production of valves and propulsion components to 5,000 units per year - Build out its new French subsidiary (deltaVision SASU) in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region for R&D and sensing products - Accelerate development of a modular, interoperable technology stack for orbital refueling - Expand valve production capacity in the United States The company currently employs 125 people and operates out of a former Siemens plant in central Munich. That facility will remain a key production hub as the company scales. ### The Bigger Picture deltaVision's vision goes beyond just selling components. The company is building the foundation for an open, interoperable in-orbit services ecosystem. Instead of a winner-takes-all approach where one company controls everything, deltaVision wants to create standards that allow different spacecraft to connect, transfer propellant, and share fluids in orbit. "An interoperable ecosystem will dramatically increase the overall market size and hence benefit every single stakeholder," Plebuch said. That's a refreshingly collaborative take from a startup that could just as easily try to build a walled garden. If deltaVision succeeds, it could help unlock the orbital refueling market, which many see as the key to sustainable space operations. ### What This Means for the Space Industry The fact that deltaVision is profitable and growing fast suggests the space industry is maturing beyond the hype phase. Companies that solve real infrastructure problems with reliable hardware are finding willing customers. And with the U.S. expansion plans, deltaVision is positioning itself to compete directly with American suppliers. For anyone watching the space economy, deltaVision is a name to keep an eye on. It's not flashy. It doesn't build rockets or satellites. But without companies like deltaVision, none of the exciting stuff in space would actually work.