Exotrail
Exotrail designs and manufactures Hall-effect electric propulsion thrusters (spaceware™) and orbital transfer vehicles (spacevan™) for smallsat operators and constellation builders, delivering in-orbit mobility, life extension, and deorbiting services globally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersMassy, France
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Exotrail does
Exotrail is a French space-mobility company that designs, manufactures, and operates hardware and services for maneuvering small satellites in orbit. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Massy, France with a US entity (Exotrail US Inc. and Exotrail US Federal Inc.), the company sells two complementary product lines. The first, spaceware™, is a Hall-effect electric propulsion thruster offered in nano, micro, mini, and cluster configurations for satellites ranging from 10 kg to 1,000 kg, delivering more than 7 mN of thrust at 150 W power consumption and accumulating more than 600 hours of flight heritage and 2,000 firing cycles across 20+ deployed units. The second, spacevan™, is an orbital transfer vehicle that performs in-orbit services including orbit raising, multi-orbit deployment, satellite life extension, refueling, and end-of-life deorbiting, with a first successful mission flown in 2026 aboard SpaceX Transporter-16.
Exotrail generates revenue through two mechanisms: direct hardware sales of spaceware™ thrusters to satellite manufacturers and constellation operators, and managed service revenues from spacevan™ orbital transfer missions on a per-launch basis. Go-to-market is enterprise direct sales targeting satellite integrators and operators, augmented by strategic partnerships with national space agencies (CNES via France 2030 funding), aerospace primes (Korean Air, Astroscale France), and launch providers (MaiaSpace). The company is venture-backed, having raised roughly €94M+ ($58M Series B in March 2023, led by Bpifrance with Eurazeo, Karista, and others), and reports a backlog of more than 150 propulsion units. Operations span France (Massy HQ and Toulouse engineering), the United States (regional HQ), and active expansion markets in India, Korea, and Japan.
The customer base is concentrated in commercial small-satellite constellation builders and government/defense end users across Earth observation, communications, and ISR missions; named customers include Dhruva Space, Pixxel, XDLINX Space Labs, Cailabs, MaiaSpace, and QuantX Labs. Pricing is quote-based B2B and not publicly disclosed. The company has co-founder-led executive leadership including a CEO (Jean-Luc Maria), Chief Scientist (Paul Lascombes), COO (David Henri), CFO (Julien Merceron), CCO (Sébastien Duménil), and a US CEO (Brian Holt), with a workforce of 101–250 employees representing 10+ nationalities.
Exotrail firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Exotrail
- Legal name
- Exotrail
- Website
- https://exotrail.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Exotrail designs and manufactures Hall-effect electric propulsion thrusters (spaceware™) and orbital transfer vehicles (spacevan™) for smallsat operators and constellation builders, delivering in-orbit mobility, life extension, and deorbiting services globally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Exotrail industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Space Mobility and Electric Propulsion
- NAICS
- Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Propulsion Unit and Propulsion Unit Parts Manufacturing (336415), Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414)
- SIC
- Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Spacecraft Propulsion (In-Space) & Thrusters (IMABACAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Space Logistics & In-Orbit Servicing (Refueling, Tug, Debris Removal) (IMABACAM)
Keywords
Where Exotrail is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Massy
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Exotrail business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Electric Propulsion Systems (spaceware™): Sale of Hall-effect electric propulsion systems to satellite manufacturers and operators; systems delivered across multiple product configurations (nano, micro, mini, cluster) for satellites 10-1,000 kg; manufacturing pace increasing with 1,300m² world-class industrial facilities
- In-Orbit Services (spacevan™): Orbital transfer vehicle services including LEO satellite transport, multi-orbit deployment, satellite life extension, refueling, and deorbiting; mission integrator role for spacevan payloads
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Exotrail product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Exotrail designs, manufactures, and sells Hall-effect electric propulsion systems (spaceware™) for small satellites in the 10–1,000 kg mass range, available in nano, micro, mini, and cluster configurations. The company also operates spacevan™, an orbital transfer vehicle that transports satellites to target orbits and provides in-orbit services including satellite life extension, refueling, controlled deorbiting, and rendezvous/proximity operations.
Product overview
Exotrail offers a portfolio of electric propulsion systems and in-orbit services for small satellites. The core product line includes spaceware™, a Hall-Effect electric propulsion system available in nano, micro, mini, and cluster configurations serving satellites from 10 to 1,000 kg. The spacevan™ orbital transfer vehicle enables satellite transportation to target orbits, life extension, and servicing missions. In-orbit services encompass satellite deployment, deorbiting, refueling, and rendezvous/proximity operations (RPOD).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- spaceware: Hall-effect electric propulsion systems for satellites ranging from 10 to 1,000 kg
- spacevan
- Exotrail USA
Products and services
- spaceware™
Quantifiable outcome
- More than 600 hours of firing in orbit and 2000 cycles proven for spaceware™ systems
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Exotrail
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Exotrail technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Exotrail partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- Korean AircoreMOU signed April 2, 2026 in Seoul to collaborate on orbital transfer vehicle solutions covering LEO satellite transport, multi-orbit deployment, and satellite life extension services. Joint working group established to coordinate launch schedules and optimize orbital transport cost structures. Korean Air contributes aerospace manufacturing expertise; Exotrail provides electric propulsion capabilities.
- PixxelmajorAgreement for Exotrail to supply spaceware™ electric propulsion systems for Pixxel's satellites with deliveries extending through 2027. Partnership announced during inauguration of India-France Innovation Year by Presidents Macron and Modi. Validates Exotrail's propulsion technology while supporting Pixxel's expanding Earth Observation constellation.
- Dhruva SpacemajorContract for 14 spaceware™-micro systems to be delivered by 2027. Enables Dhruva Space to enhance satellite agility, adaptability, and mission longevity through advanced propulsion technology. Deal announced during India-France Year of Innovation, marking Exotrail's entry into Indian space market.
- XDLINX Space LabsmajorSecond propulsion contract for 16 additional units to be delivered by 2027. Following initial contract for demonstration mission of world's first multi-sensor SAR & Optical Earth observation satellite, these systems will power XDLINX's growing capacity for sovereign Indian Earth Observation capabilities.
- Astroscale FrancecoreStrategic partnership to develop and demonstrate controlled deorbiting capabilities for satellites in Low Earth Orbit, combining Exotrail's spacevan™ with Astroscale's Rendezvous and Proximity Operations technology. Supported by France 2030 contract with CNES. First demonstration mission planned before 2030 targeting removal of commercial satellite.
- MaiaSpacemajorMulti-launch service agreement for spacevan™ missions starting from 2027. MaiaSpace, a French small satellite launch company, becomes Exotrail's first commercial customer for orbital transfer vehicle services.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Exotrail competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Rocket Lab: Vertical-launch and space systems company that has expanded into in-space propulsion and spacecraft subsystems (Sinclair Interplanetary, SincLair, PSC); competes with Exotrail across the small-sat value chain from propulsion to orbital services.
- Safran Aircraft Engines (Space Propulsion): European aerospace prime with established electric and chemical propulsion heritage for institutional and commercial satellites; a deep-pocketed incumbent whose product portfolio overlaps with Exotrail's spaceware line at the higher mass classes.
Emerging players
- Astroscale: Japan-headquartered in-orbit services company (debris removal, life extension, RPO); both a strategic partner to Exotrail via Astroscale France and a competitor in the broader in-orbit services market Exotrail is targeting with spacevan.
- Impulse Space: US-based in-space mobility startup building orbital transfer and kick-stage vehicles (Mira, Helios); competes with spacevan in the growing orbital transportation market with a higher-power architecture.
Direct peers
- ThrustMe: French small-sat electric propulsion developer offering iodine and xenon Hall-effect/ion thrusters; direct head-to-head competitor to Exotrail's spaceware line for small-sat OEMs across Europe and globally.
- Busek: US-based electric propulsion specialist producing Hall-effect thrusters and related systems for small satellites; competes with Exotrail on flight heritage and propulsion performance for the same small-sat customer base.
- Accion Systems: US-based electrospray electric propulsion company targeting small satellites; competes with Exotrail's spaceware for non-chemical propulsion slots on emerging small-sat constellations.
- Morpheus Space: European (German) small-sat electric propulsion provider focused on nano/microsatellite thrusters; competes directly with spaceware in the lower-mass end of Exotrail's product range.
- D-Orbit: Italian orbital transfer vehicle and in-orbit logistics operator with flight-proven ION Satellite Carrier; the closest direct competitor to Exotrail's spacevan service business in Europe.
- Momentus Space: US-based orbital transfer vehicle service provider competing with Exotrail's spacevan for last-mile satellite deployment contracts from commercial constellation operators.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Exotrail social profiles
Digital presenceExotrail financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Exotrail leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Exotrail subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Exotrail funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds5 records
Investors14 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Exotrail M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Exotrail
What does Exotrail do?
Exotrail designs, manufactures, and sells Hall-effect electric propulsion systems (spaceware™) for small satellites in the 10–1,000 kg mass range, available in nano, micro, mini, and cluster configurations. The company also operates spacevan™, an orbital transfer vehicle that transports satellites to target orbits and provides in-orbit services including satellite life extension, refueling, controlled deorbiting, and rendezvous/proximity operations.
Is Exotrail a public or private company?
Exotrail is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Exotrail founded?
Exotrail was founded in 2017. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Exotrail based?
Exotrail is headquartered in Massy, France, in the Europe region.
How does Exotrail make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Electric Propulsion Systems (spaceware™) is the primary driver. The others are in-Orbit Services (spacevan™).
Who are Exotrail's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Rocket Lab and Safran Aircraft Engines (Space Propulsion). Emerging players are Astroscale and Impulse Space. Direct peers are ThrustMe, Busek, Accion Systems, Morpheus Space, D-Orbit and Momentus Space.
Does Exotrail have an API?
No public API is recorded for Exotrail.
What industry is Exotrail in?
Exotrail's product category is Space Mobility and Electric Propulsion. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABACAE, Spacecraft Propulsion (In-Space) & Thrusters, with a secondary code of IMABACAM, Space Logistics & In-Orbit Servicing (Refueling, Tug, Debris Removal). Its NAICS code is 336415 and its SIC code is 3760.