IENAI SPACE
IENAI SPACE is a Spanish aerospace company that develops compact electrospray electric propulsion systems (ATHENA) and mission analysis SaaS (360) for small satellite manufacturers, constellation operators, and space agencies across Europe.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersMadrid, Spain
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What IENAI SPACE does
IENAI SPACE, SL is a privately-held Spanish aerospace company founded in 2019 and headquartered in Madrid. The company develops in-space mobility products and services for small satellites, built around two complementary product lines. The first is ATHENA™, a family of electric propulsion systems based on proprietary ionic-liquid electrospray thruster technology, currently comprising PICO (5x5x5 cm, 0.3 mN thrust, ~300s Isp, 5W, for PicoSats and small CubeSats) and NANO (10x10x7 cm, 0.3 mN thrust, ~1000s Isp, 15W, for NanoSats under 80 kg), with a MICRO variant in development. The second is 360™, a SaaS mission and space mobility analysis suite available as a Python library or web-based 360-Studio, offering flight dynamics, attitude dynamics, spacecraft and subsystem digital twins, operations planning, and concurrent engineering optimization, sold under tiered annual subscriptions (Iris, Hermes, Pegasus). A third product, ORBITAL™, is in development for scheduling and automation of propulsive maneuvers.
IENAI generates revenue through a mix of hardware sales (ATHENA units, custom-configured per mission), recurring SaaS subscriptions (360, annual billing, tiered by user count), and ancillary mission analysis services. Go-to-market is a hybrid of product-led growth (free trial, self-serve SaaS access) and enterprise field sales for ATHENA, targeting satellite manufacturers, constellation operators, space agencies (INTA, ESA), and research institutions (IAC, UPC, UC3M). Distribution leverages direct sales alongside the ISISpace channel partnership for European market reach. The company is co-founded by four PhD-level engineers (CEO Daniel Pérez Grande, COO Sara Correyero Plaza, CTO Mick Wijnen, CSO Javier Cruz Pérez) plus CMA David Morante Gonzalez, and has secured institutional backing from CDTI, GED, Buenavista Equity Partners, DPM Finanzas, Inveready, WA4STEAM, ENISA, and ESA ecosystem programs. As of early 2026 the company has three named on-orbit mission engagements (FOSSA, Cassini via ISISpace, and Europe's first LEO collision avoidance demo with Endurosat/NeuraSpace).
IENAI SPACE firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- IENAI SPACE
- Legal name
- IENAI SPACE, SL
- Website
- https://ienai.space
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- IENAI SPACE is a Spanish aerospace company that develops compact electrospray electric propulsion systems (ATHENA) and mission analysis SaaS (360) for small satellite manufacturers, constellation operators, and space agencies across Europe.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
IENAI SPACE industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Electric Propulsion Systems
- NAICS
- Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Propulsion Unit and Propulsion Unit Parts Manufacturing (336415), Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)
- SIC
- Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Spacecraft Propulsion (In-Space) & Thrusters (IMABACAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Spacecraft & Satellites (Civil/Commercial) (IMABACAB), Space Logistics & In-Orbit Servicing (Refueling, Tug, Debris Removal) (IMABACAM)
Keywords
Where IENAI SPACE is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Madrid
- HQ country
- Spain
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
IENAI SPACE business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Electric Propulsion Hardware (ATHENA): IENAI SPACE sells electric propulsion systems (ATHENA PICO, NANO, MICRO models) to satellite manufacturers and operators. Revenue is generated through one-time hardware sales with custom configuration based on mission requirements. Expected commercial availability in early 2025.
- Mission Analysis Software (360): SaaS-based mission and space mobility analysis software offered through tiered licensing: Iris (1-3 users), Hermes (4-10 users), Pegasus (11-30 users). Includes onboarding training, engineering support, concurrent design jobs, and high-performance computing resources. Annual billing model.
- Mission Analysis Services: Customer-facing mission analysis consulting and support services including trajectory design, propulsion sizing, spacecraft maneuver planning, and technical guidance.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Iris - 1 to 3 users: Entry-level team license |
| Subscription | Annual | Hermes - 4 to 10 users: Mid-size team license |
| Subscription | Annual | Pegasus - 11 to 30 users: Large team/enterprise license |
| Other | Multi-year contract | ATHENA Electric Propulsion Systems (PICO, NANO, MICRO) |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
IENAI SPACE product offering
Product offeringCore offering
IENAI SPACE develops and sells compact electric propulsion systems (ATHENA family) for small satellites using proprietary electrospray technology with ionic liquid propellants, available in PICO, NANO, and upcoming MICRO models. The company also offers 360™, a SaaS mission and space mobility analysis suite for high-fidelity flight dynamics, digital twins, and concurrent engineering optimization, delivered as a Python library or web-based 360-Studio. A third product, ORBITAL™, is in development for automated propulsive operations management.
Product overview
IENAI SPACE builds end-to-end space mobility products and services for the next generation of small satellites. The portfolio comprises three core product lines: (1) ATHENA™ electric propulsion family based on proprietary electrospray technology, available in PICO, NANO, and MICRO models for different satellite sizes and mission profiles; (2) 360™ mission and space mobility analysis SaaS tool available as Python library or web-based 360-Studio, supporting flight dynamics, digital twins, and concurrent engineering optimization; and (3) ORBITAL™ propulsive operations management suite (coming soon) for maneuver scheduling and automation. The company also conducts R&D through the ATALAIA project focusing on advanced manufacturing techniques for propulsion systems.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- ATHENA™: High compactness electric propulsion family based on proprietary electrospray technology, available in PICO, NANO, and MICRO models for satellites.
- 360™
- ORBITAL™
Products and services
- ATHENA Electric Propulsion System
Quantifiable outcome
- ATHENA PICO achieves thrust of 0.3 mN with only 5W power consumption in a 5x5x5 cm form factor
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use IENAI SPACE
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
IENAI SPACE technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability2 records
Feature4 records
IENAI SPACE partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- FOSSA SystemscorePartnership for first mission with electric propulsion and satellite made in Spain. IENAI SPACE's ATHENA electric thruster will power FOSSA Systems' satellite. Historic mission representing Spain's first satellite with Spanish electric propulsion.
- EndurosatcorePartnership for Europe's first LEO collision avoidance demonstration. ATHENA selected to power Endurosat's satellite for STM (Space Traffic Management) mission.
- Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)minorResearch partner in ATALAIA project. Contributes academic expertise in microfabrication and manufacturing techniques.
- Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M)minorUniversity partner providing research collaboration and academic support. Listed among IENAI's institutional support entities.
- ISISpacecoreISISpace selected ATHENA for Cassini IOD/IOV mission. ISISpace is a Dutch spacecraft electronics company and potential distribution channel for ATHENA products in European market.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
IENAI SPACE competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Astranis: Smallsat GEO communications company using chemical/electric propulsion for orbit-raising. Not a direct competitor but uses complementary propulsion technology and operates in the European smallsat/constellation ecosystem where IENAI's ATHENA may find downstream customers.
Direct peers
- Morpheus Space: Direct competitor offering nano-satellite electric propulsion systems (NanoFEEP, MICROFEEP) using ionic liquid and Field Emission Electric Propulsion. Overlaps with ATHENA PICO/NANO in CubeSat and NanoSat mobility applications.
- Accion Systems: Direct competitor in electrospray/ionic-liquid electric propulsion for small satellites. Accion's TILE thruster family overlaps ATHENA's PICO/NANO use cases, and both companies target CubeSat and NanoSat constellation operators with miniaturized propulsion.
- Enpulsion: Direct competitor producing field-emission electric propulsion (IFM Nano, IFM Micro) for small satellites. Enpulsion targets the same constellation deployment, orbit maintenance, and deorbiting use cases as ATHENA with flight-proven hardware.
- Exotrail: French space-mobility company offering electric propulsion (ExoMG, ExoMP) and in-orbit services for small satellites. Directly comparable as a European competitor serving the same constellation deployment and orbit-maneuvering use cases.
- ThrustMe: French startup providing electric propulsion (iMTI ion thrusters, iodine-based systems) for small satellites. Directly comparable as a European smallsat propulsion peer serving similar constellation and academic customers.
Broad incumbents
- Busek Co. Established US propulsion supplier with a broad portfolio of Hall-effect, ion, and electrospray thrusters. Busek competes in the same in-space propulsion category as IENAI but with deeper flight heritage and a wider product range spanning CubeSats to larger spacecraft.
- Sitael: Italian aerospace prime with a broader electric propulsion portfolio (HT100, HT400, SPT) and smallsat platform offerings. Larger incumbent operating in the same European ecosystem as IENAI with overlapping customer segments.
Emerging players
- D-Orbit: Italian space-logistics company providing in-orbit transportation and deployment services. Adjacent to IENAI's space-mobility mission and shares a European smallsat customer base, though D-Orbit focuses on hosted deployment rather than onboard propulsion.
- Phase Four: Emerging player developing RF thrusters for small satellites. Targets a similar smallsat mobility customer base but with a different (plasma/RF) propulsion architecture, making it a partial-overlap emerging peer.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
IENAI SPACE social profiles
Digital presenceIENAI SPACE compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
IENAI SPACE financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
IENAI SPACE leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
IENAI SPACE funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors5 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
IENAI SPACE 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 IENAI SPACE
What does IENAI SPACE do?
IENAI SPACE develops and sells compact electric propulsion systems (ATHENA family) for small satellites using proprietary electrospray technology with ionic liquid propellants, available in PICO, NANO, and upcoming MICRO models. The company also offers 360™, a SaaS mission and space mobility analysis suite for high-fidelity flight dynamics, digital twins, and concurrent engineering optimization, delivered as a Python library or web-based 360-Studio. A third product, ORBITAL™, is in development for automated propulsive operations management.
Is IENAI SPACE a public or private company?
IENAI SPACE is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was IENAI SPACE founded?
IENAI SPACE was founded in 2019. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is IENAI SPACE based?
IENAI SPACE is headquartered in Madrid, Spain, in the Europe region.
How does IENAI SPACE make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Electric Propulsion Hardware (ATHENA) is the primary driver. The others are mission Analysis Software (360) and mission Analysis Services.
Who are IENAI SPACE's main competitors?
Astranis is listed as an others. Direct peers are Morpheus Space, Accion Systems, Enpulsion, Exotrail and ThrustMe. Broad incumbents are Busek Co. and Sitael. Emerging players are D-Orbit and Phase Four.
Does IENAI SPACE have an API?
No public API is recorded for IENAI SPACE.
What industry is IENAI SPACE in?
IENAI SPACE's product category is Electric Propulsion Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABACAE, Spacecraft Propulsion (In-Space) & Thrusters, with a secondary code of IMABACAB, Spacecraft & Satellites (Civil/Commercial). Its NAICS code is 336415 and its SIC code is 3760.