Exotrail

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.

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

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

• Electric propulsion systems
• Orbital transfer vehicles
• Small satellite mobility
• In-orbit services
• Hall-effect thrusters

Headquarters

HQ city

Massy

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. 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
2. 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

Core 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

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Korean AircoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 April 2026MOU 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.
• PixxelmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 February 2026Agreement 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 SpacemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 February 2026Contract 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 LabsmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 February 2026Second 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 or Co-development Partner · 28 January 2026Strategic 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.
• MaiaSpacemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 March 2025Multi-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

Broad 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

• Xx.com/exotrailspace
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/10574009
• Instagraminstagram.com/exotrail

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds5 records

Investors14 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Exotrail