What Liftero does

Liftero S.A. is a Polish space hardware company headquartered in Kraków that designs and manufactures green chemical propulsion systems for small satellites in the 30-500 kg mass class. The company's core product, the BOOSTER platform, uses nitrous oxide (N₂O) and ethane (C₂H₆) propellants configured with 1N, 5N, and 20N thrusters, supporting total impulse from 5 to 250+ kNs and configurations of up to 14 thrusters. Liftero targets commercial satellite operators, constellation operators, in-orbit servicing providers, and institutional customers including the European Space Agency (ESA), with a direct sales motion offering mission-configured systems delivered in 6-9 months against an industry average of 12-36 months.

The BOOSTER system's core technical differentiators include a proprietary regenerative cooling design that keeps combustion chamber temperatures below 300°C in steady-state firing — enabling continuous operation with no thermal constraints or performance degradation — combined with 3D-printed stainless steel combustion chambers using widely available materials and metal additive manufacturing processes. The system delivers specific impulse over 290s, supports up to 20 minutes of continuous burn, and enables six degrees of freedom (6-DOF) maneuvering when configured with multiple thrusters. Liftero completed the RED5 technology demonstration mission aboard SpaceX Transporter-13 in March 2025, achieving the first Polish propulsion system in orbit with 50+ thruster operations and over 4 m/s of cumulative delta-v by February 2026. The company is progressing toward full ECSS (European Cooperation for Space Standardization) qualification for additively manufactured propulsion components.

Liftero monetizes through three revenue streams: hardware sales of BOOSTER propulsion systems to satellite operators and mission integrators, mission integration and professional support services, and ESA and institutional R&D contracts. Pricing is quote-based with a 72-hour configuration turnaround, and customer relationships span multi-year contract structures. The company maintains a European/ITAR-free supply chain, which is a deliberate wedge into markets constrained by US export controls. In May 2026 Liftero completed an initial public offering on NewConnect (Warsaw Stock Exchange), raising PLN 17.5 million (~€4.1 million) gross, with capital earmarked for scaling manufacturing output toward 30 BOOSTER systems per year and expanding commercial coverage across Europe, North America, and Asia. The company's shareholder base includes institutional investors Sunfish Partners and Freya Capital, and Polish fund manager TFI PZU, which crossed the 5% ownership threshold post-IPO.

Name

Liftero

Legal name

Liftero S.A.

Website

https://liftero.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Ipo

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Liftero S.A. designs and manufactures green chemical propulsion systems (BOOSTER) for 30-500 kg small satellites using N₂O and C₂H₆ propellants. It serves commercial satellite operators, constellation operators, in-orbit servicing providers, and institutional customers including ESA.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Space Propulsion Systems

NAICS

Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Propulsion Unit and Propulsion Unit Parts Manufacturing (336415), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641)

SIC

Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Aircraft Engines & Engine Parts (3724)

akta.pro primary industry

Spacecraft Propulsion (In-Space) & Thrusters (IMABACAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Space Logistics & In-Orbit Servicing (Refueling, Tug, Debris Removal) (IMABACAM), Engine Modules & Hot-Section Components (Compressors/Turbines/Combustors) (IMABADAJ), Flight Control Actuation Systems (Fly-by-Wire, Servos, Actuators) (IMABAFAJ)

Keywords

• Green chemical propulsion
• Satellite propulsion systems
• Small satellite propulsion
• Orbital maneuvering systems
• In-orbit servicing propulsion

Headquarters

HQ city

Kraków

HQ country

Poland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. BOOSTER Propulsion System Sales: Sale of BOOSTER green chemical propulsion systems to satellite operators, constellation operators, and mission integrators. Systems delivered in 6-9 months with mission-specific configurations.
2. Mission Integration and Support Services: Professional services including integration support, testing, and technical support for BOOSTER customers.
3. ESA and Institutional R&D Contracts: Research and development projects with European Space Agency and other institutional customers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Liftero designs, manufactures, and sells the BOOSTER green chemical propulsion system for small satellites in the 30–500 kg mass class. The system uses nitrous oxide (N₂O) and ethane (C₂H₆) propellants, is configurable with 1N, 5N, and 20N thrusters (up to 14 thrusters, total impulse 5–250+ kNs, Isp over 290s), and is built using additively manufactured stainless-steel combustion chambers with regenerative cooling. Liftero also provides mission integration support, testing, and R&D services under ESA and institutional contracts.

Product overview

Liftero offers a unified product portfolio centered on its proprietary BOOSTER green chemical propulsion system, designed for small satellites (30-500 kg). The BOOSTER family includes pre-configured variants matched to specific mission profiles such as constellation deployment, in-orbit servicing, re-entry, and orbital maneuvering. Each system is built from standardized, flight-qualified components using additive manufacturing, enabling rapid customization without custom engineering. The product line spans from demonstration missions (RED5) to commercial contracts (OrbitAID).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BOOSTER: Green chemical propulsion system for small satellites in the 30-500 kg class. Pre-configured propulsion solution designed for mission-critical applications including orbit changes, collision avoidance, proximity operations, in-orbit servicing, reentry, and constellation-scale operations. Provides specific impulse (Isp) of over 290s using N2O and C2H6 propellants.

Products and services

• BOOSTER Green Chemical Propulsion System Green chemical propulsion system for small satellites in the 30–500 kg class, using nitrous oxide (N₂O) and ethane (C₂H₆) self-pressurizing propellants. Offers specific impulse over 290s, configurable thrust levels (1N, 5N, 20N thrusters), total impulse ranging from 5 to 250+ kNs, and up to 14 thrusters supporting six degrees of freedom (6-DOF) maneuvering. Delivered in 6–9 months as a mission-configured unit, targeting satellite operators, constellation operators, in-orbit servicing providers, satellite integrators, ESA, and defense customers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Satellites can reach operational orbit in 1-3 days instead of 90-180 days with electric propulsion
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Creotech InstrumentscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 April 2026Partnership to develop integration of Liftero propulsion technology with Creotech satellite platforms, expanding commercial reach and product compatibility.
• OrbitAIDcoreTechnology or Integration · 5 March 2026Contract to supply two multi-thruster BOOSTER configurations for OrbitAID's commercial in-orbit servicing mission (targeting Q4 2026 launch). First deployment of N₂O-based 6-DOF propulsion in IOS application.
• European Space Agency (ESA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2025Liftero completed ESA GSTP project 'Advanced manufacturing of the thrust chamber for nitrous oxide-based propulsion' focused on additive manufacturing processes for BOOSTER systems. Results incorporated into production systems; company pursuing full ECSS qualification with ESA supervision.
• Progresja SAminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership with Polish specialist in advanced manufacturing methods including metal 3D printing to mature BOOSTER combustion chamber manufacturing toward ECSS standards.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Morpheus Space: German small-satellite electric propulsion developer with flight heritage and ongoing expansion into GEO and IOS use cases. Comparable as a European smallsat propulsion peer serving similar commercial and institutional customers.
• Momentus Space: U.S. in-space transportation and propulsion provider (Vigoride orbital transfer vehicle) that overlaps with Liftero's historical space tug mission and current in-orbit servicing focus. Both compete for IOS and constellation deployment missions.
• Phase Four: U.S. developer of RF thrusters for smallsat propulsion targeting constellation operators and government customers. Comparable customer segment and satellite-class focus with an alternative electric propulsion approach.
• Accion Systems: U.S. smallsat electric propulsion company using ionic liquid electrospray thrusters for nanosats and microsats. Comparable target market and mission profile, though its technology pathway (electric) competes against Liftero's chemical approach.
• Benchmark Space Systems: U.S. in-space propulsion company offering non-toxic chemical and electric systems for satellite operators and IOS. Comparable business model and customer base, though Benchmark focuses more on electric and is U.S.-based.
• ThrustMe: French small-satellite propulsion specialist offering cold-gas, iodine, and electric systems targeting constellation operators and in-orbit servicing. Directly comparable to Liftero's BOOSTER in target customer, satellite class (CubeSat/smallsat), and GTM.

Emerging players

• Apex Space: U.S. satellite bus manufacturer that has been building standardized, series-produced smallsat platforms and could either partner with or compete against propulsion specialists like Liftero for integrated smallsat solutions.
• Swarm Aero: UK-based developer of small chemical propulsion systems targeting smallsat constellations. Comparable in mission focus and satellite class, representing another emerging European smallsat propulsion peer.

Broad incumbents

• Aerojet Rocketdyne (L3Harris): Long-established U.S. propulsion prime offering chemical and electric propulsion for satellites, missiles, and launch vehicles. Directly comparable to Liftero as a propulsion supplier to satellite primes, but with vastly broader portfolio and deep flight heritage.
• Nammo (Raufoss): Norwegian aerospace and defense company offering chemical propulsion systems and rocket motors to satellite and launcher customers. Comparable as an established European propulsion supplier that competes with Liftero for institutional and defense customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/lifterospace
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/liftero

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors3 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 Liftero