These 10 European SpaceTech Startups Are Redefining the Final Frontier

Jan de Vries · 2026-07-29

Europe's SpaceTech sector is reaching new heights, and the numbers back it up. The European Space Agency's 2026 report shows public space budgets jumped 12% in 2025, while the region's contractors clawed back some of their upstream market share. That's a clear signal: space is becoming a strategic priority, not just a scientific playground. Demand is surging for sovereign intelligence, connectivity, Earth observation, and independent access to space. Investment is flowing across the value chain, but here's the thing: most capital is still concentrated in a handful of satellite and launch companies. That leaves plenty of room for startups focused on propulsion, logistics, components, and orbital infrastructure to grow. In this article, we highlight 10 innovative startups founded between 2021 and 2026 that are already shaping the industry. They're listed in alphabetical order, so no one gets top billing. ### AIRMO: Seeing Greenhouse Gases from Space AIRMO is blending SpaceTech with ClimateTech. They're building satellite-based systems to measure greenhouse gas emissions using a proprietary LiDAR instrument paired with advanced data analytics. The goal? Monitor emissions directly from space, giving emitters, policymakers, and financial institutions the hard data they need to make informed decisions. It's about turning hard-to-check environmental data into useful insights. Founded in 2022, this German startup has raised $11.2 million (€10.3 million) to make humanity's impact on Earth easier to understand—and harder to ignore. ### Deep Space Energy: Powering Missions When the Sun Can't Based in Riga and launched in 2022, Deep Space Energy is developing radioisotope generators that convert heat from nuclear decay into electricity. These are designed for satellites and lunar missions, keeping them powered during long lunar nights or in permanently shadowed areas. Their technology uses about five times less radioisotope fuel than conventional generators, which means missions last longer and scarce nuclear material goes further. With $1.0 million (€930,000) in total funding, they're keeping spacecraft running when the Sun can't. ### deltaVision: The Cardiovascular System of Spacecraft Munich-based deltaVision builds the systems that move fuel, gases, and heat around a spacecraft. Think of it as the vehicle's circulatory system—it powers engines, allows refueling in orbit, and prevents sensitive equipment from overheating. All of this helps missions operate safely for longer. The startup designs these functions to work together, making spacecraft easier to maintain, reuse, and adapt for different missions. Founded in 2022, deltaVision has raised $11.1 million (€10.2 million). ### NewOrbit Space: Closer Than Ever NewOrbit Space, based in Reading, UK, builds satellites that orbit Earth at about 112 miles (180 kilometers)—much closer than most conventional satellites. This lower altitude lets them capture sharper images and deliver stronger, faster communication services. By flying about three times closer to Earth than standard low-orbit satellites, NewOrbit improves performance without needing larger or more complex spacecraft. Since 2021, they've raised $25.0 million (€23 million) to make high-quality satellite imagery and connectivity more accessible. ### ORiS: Laser Power for Space and Earth Launched in Turin in 2024, ORiS is developing technology that sends power through precisely aimed laser beams. Their systems could recharge satellites in low Earth orbit, supply energy to equipment on the Moon, and support civilian or defense projects on Earth. Here's how it works: they direct laser energy toward a distant receiver, eliminating the need for cables or physical contact. ORiS also plans to use lasers to gently nudge space debris away from active satellites. So far, they've raised $5.3 million (€4.9 million). > "Space is no longer just about exploration—it's about infrastructure, intelligence, and independence." — Jan de Vries, E-commerce Consultant These five startups represent just half of the list. The other five are equally innovative, tackling everything from propulsion to orbital logistics. But the pattern is clear: Europe's SpaceTech ecosystem is maturing, and these young companies are leading the charge. What excites me most is how many of them are solving problems that seemed impossible just a decade ago. From laser power transmission to ultra-low orbit satellites, they're proving that the next frontier isn't just about going farther—it's about working smarter.