What Spartan Space does

Spartan Space SASU is a French space technology startup founded in 2021 that develops habitation systems, simulators, and engineering solutions for extreme environments spanning space, underwater, and stratosphere. The company designs and prototypes inflatable lunar habitats (EUROHAB, EUROHAB II, LISE), an intra-vehicular activity space suit (EuroSuit) developed with Decathlon and MEDES for CNES, a Dirty Thermal Vacuum Chamber (DTVC) for lunar regolith testing, dual-function aerogel insulation (SPACE-GEL), robotic docking and lander simulator platforms, and ground-based habitat simulators for the DLR-ESA LUNA facility. It also operates in the underwater domain with the BIODYSSEUS Arctic station, Subsea Village concept, and LAMA aquatic monitoring array. The business model is B2B engineering services: Spartan Space secures competitive tenders and direct contracts from European space agencies (ESA, CNES, DLR), the European Commission Horizon programs, and aerospace primes (Thales Alenia Space, Airbus Defence and Space, Liquifer Space Systems), subcontracting subsystem delivery into flagship programs such as the Gateway I-HAB module and ESA's Argonaut lunar lander. The company is anchored by a credentialed founding team including ESA astronaut Jean-Francois Clervoy and operates three legal entities across France (HQ in Septèmes-les-Vallons near Marseille), Germany (Gilching near Munich), and the United States (Miami).

Name

Spartan Space

Legal name

SPARTAN SPACE SASU

Website

https://www.spartan-space.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Spartan Space is a French space engineering startup founded in 2021 that designs inflatable lunar habitats, IVA space suits, lunar surface simulators, and robotic systems for European space agencies (ESA, CNES, DLR) and aerospace primes, with operations also in underwater and stratospheric domains.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Space Habitat Engineering and Extreme Environment Systems

NAICS

Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419)

SIC

Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760)

akta.pro primary industry

Space Structures, Mechanisms & Thermal Control (IMABACAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR) (IMABACAD), Space Logistics & In-Orbit Servicing (Refueling, Tug, Debris Removal) (IMABACAM)

Keywords

• Space habitat engineering
• Extreme environment habitation
• Inflatable lunar habitats
• Space suit development
• Underwater research stations

Headquarters

HQ city

Septèmes-les-vallons

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Space Agency R&D Contracts: Primary revenue stream from competitive contracts with European Space Agency (ESA), French Space Agency (CNES), and German Aerospace Center (DLR). Contracts cover development of habitat systems, simulation facilities, space suit prototypes, and engineering studies.
2. Prime Contractor Subcontracts: Spartan Space operates as subcontractor to major aerospace primes (Thales Alenia Space, Liquifer Space Systems) delivering components and subsystems for larger programs including Gateway I-HAB module and ESA lander systems.
3. European Commission Project Funding: Participation in EU Horizon Europe and Horizon 2020 research programs (e.g., TXTHAB-3D grant No 872336, DIGI4ECO Project) providing development funding for collaborative technology development.
4. Analogue Simulation Services: Revenue from conducting lunar mission simulations and providing analogue platforms (EUROHAB, LUNA facility trials) for astronaut training, technology testing, and educational purposes.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Spartan Space designs and develops smart habitat systems, simulators, and engineering solutions for extreme environments including space and underwater. The company delivers inflatable lunar habitats (EUROHAB), reusable lunar habitats (LISE), IVA space suits (EuroSuit), testing chambers (DTVC), and analogue simulation platforms for European space agencies (ESA, CNES, DLR) and aerospace primes (Thales Alenia Space, Airbus Defence and Space). It also develops underwater research stations (BIODYSSEUS, Subsea Village, LAMA) and robotic systems (Robotic Docking, Robotic Lander Platform Simulator).

Product overview

Spartan Space is a space technology startup specializing in smart habitats for extreme environments, with a portfolio of interconnected products spanning space and underwater domains. The core space habitat offerings include EUROHAB and EUROHAB II (inflatable, deployable lunar habitats for Moon/Mars missions), LISE (Lunar International Shelter for Exploration, a reusable lunar habitat), and the Deep Space Habitat Simulator (for Mars transit mission simulation). Supporting these are specialized modules like the LISE Airlock, SPACE-GELS (thermal insulation and air purification aerogel technology), DTVC (Dirty Thermal Vacuum Chamber for lunar surface simulation testing), B.O.B (Berthing and Observation Bay), i-HAB human-in-the-loop models, Argonaut LDE Mock-ups, and ECSM (European Charging Station Mock-Up). For astronaut equipment, the company offers the EuroSuit IVA space suit prototype. Robotic systems include the Robotic Docking System and Robotic Lander Platform Simulator. The underwater portfolio comprises BIODYSSEUS (Arctic underwater research station), Subsea Village (international underwater campus concept), and LAMA (Lake Aquatic Monitoring Array). Additional products include SMARTIE (IoT resource management for lunar applications), TEXTHAB-3D (in-situ resource utilization technology), and SHEE (Self-Deployable Habitat for Extreme Environments simulation platform). The company also developed the Lunar Agriculture Module – Ground Test Demonstrator (LAM-GTD) for DLR.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• EUROHAB: Inflatable, deployable habitat for lunar surface missions designed to extend exploration range and serve as safe haven
• EuroSuit
• LISE
• BOB

Products and services

• EUROHAB Inflatable, deployable lunar habitat designed for Moon or Mars surface missions. Delivered as payload of a robotic Lander (such as ESA Argonaut), serves as outpost, base camp, safe haven, teleoperated science station, storage facility, and can assist Lunar surface assets like rovers.
• EUROHAB II Advanced version of EUROHAB platform, qualified as an analogue platform for space mission simulations in high altitude conditions (low temperatures and wind).
• LISE (Lunar International Shelter for Exploration) Reusable lunar habitat designed to extend crewed missions on the lunar surface, developed under CNES contract as part of Spaceship France initiative.
• LISE Airlock Modular airlock for LISE habitat, with feasibility study completed in 2025 in collaboration with Airbus Defence and Space. Designed to be adaptable to other missions including orbital stations or spacecraft.
• EuroSuit (IVA Space Suit) Intravehicular activity (IVA) space suit prototype developed with Decathlon and MEDES for CNES. Intended for testing aboard the International Space Station during the εpsilon mission by ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot in 2026.
• SPACE-GELS Dual-function aerogel technology using titania-based aerogels providing both thermal insulation and air purification. Uses photocatalytic properties for degradation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), integrating into habitat walls.
• DTVC (Dirty Thermal Vacuum Chamber) Novel Scenario 3 scale testing chamber capable of testing space subsystem components at 10-6 mbar in presence of regolith simulant. Simulates lunar surface conditions including vacuum, temperature and dust at unprecedented scale.
• B.O.B (Berthing and Observation Bay) Versatile Berthing and Observation Bay module developed for ESA, enabling robotic docking and berthing operations for spacecraft.
• I-HAB Human-in-the-Loop Model Human-in-the-loop model developed for Thales Alenia Space under Liquifer Space Systems for ergonomic trials and astronaut training. Scale one model delivered to JSC Houston for crew operations training on Gateway's I-HAB module.
• Argonaut LDE Mock-up Physical 1:1 mock-up of the Landing and Descent Element (Argonaut), Europe's autonomous lunar lander. Delivered to EAC Cologne for use at exhibitions and conferences.
• ECSM (European Charging Station Mock-Up) European Charging Station Mock-Up built as payload for Argonaut, providing power infrastructure for moon surface operations.
• Robotic Docking System Concept for robotic docking station for lunar surface enabling transfer of gases, fluids and power from robotic vehicles to habitats, instruments or facilities. Tested with iSPACE robotic vehicle during ESA ESRIC Lunar Resource Challenge.
• Robotic Lander Platform Simulator Transportable robotic lunar lander platform for simulations with rovers, charging stations or ISRU instruments. Includes power supply and communications interface, with 4-meter diameter top platform for payload hosting.
• LAMA (Lake Aquatic Monitoring Array) Subaquatic monitoring station for extreme environments, communicating via antenna with onshore ground station. Transmits video, temperature, and water quality data with expandable sensor capabilities.
• BIODYSSEUS Underwater research station being developed for French polar explorer Alban Michon, to be installed in the Arctic for scientific research.
• Subsea Village International underwater habitat concept developed with architect Jacques Rougerie, dedicated to research, education and Blue Economy development. Enables researchers, students and engineers to study and monitor subsea environment continuously.
• SHEE (Self-Deployable Habitat for Extreme Environments) Self-deployable habitat for extreme environments used in 48-hour lunar mission simulations, including live broadcast by German TV channel Pro7.
• Deep Space Habitat Simulator Ground-based simulator investigating paradigm shift for Mars transit habitat vs Low Earth Orbit missions. Part of ESA's Explore2040 strategy to identify knowledge gaps and define simulation needs.
• LAM-GTD (Lunar Agriculture Module – Ground Test Demonstrator) Ground Test Demonstrator developed with Liquifer Space Systems for DLR, comprising Logistics/Agriculture & Life Support Module and Airlock Module for ground-based testing of advanced life support systems and space agriculture technologies.
• CANDELABRA Sun Simulator Artificial sun simulator for the ESA-DLR LUNA Facility in Cologne, providing high-intensity illumination for lunar surface simulation testing.

Quantifiable outcome

• EuroSuit IVA space suit scheduled for ISS testing in 2026 during ESA εpsilon mission - first European IVA suit test in microgravity
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature11 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic, secondary, historical, flagship and minor.

• Airbus Defence and SpacecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2025Collaboration on LISE Airlock feasibility study, successfully completed 15-month comprehensive study for advanced lunar habitat airlock system.
• ProtoplanetstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2025Strategic Indian-French partnership announced May 2025. Protoplanet is Bengaluru-based startup accelerating space exploration preparedness in Indian ecosystem. Collaboration positions Spartan Space in Indian market.
• ESA (European Space Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary institutional partner providing multiple contracts for habitat development, simulation facilities, and technology studies. Spartan Space leads ESA studies including Deep Space Habitat Simulator and collaborates on Gateway (I-HAB), Argonaut, and LUNA facility projects.
• CNES (Centre National d'Études Spatiales)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench space agency partner for EuroSuit IVA space suit development, LISE habitat airlock, and lunar habitat concept development. Co-financing partner for major space suit program.
• Thales Alenia SpacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor aerospace prime for whom Spartan Space develops human-in-the-loop models for I-HAB module ergonomic trials and astronaut training for Gateway lunar station operations.
• Liquifer Space SystemscoreTechnology or IntegrationAustrian space systems company and key collaborator on I-HAB module development and Lunar Agriculture Module (LAM-GTD) for DLR. Spartan Space develops subcomponents under Liquifer leadership.
• DecathloncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench sports retailer contributing technical textile expertise to EuroSuit IVA space suit development. Combines Decathlon's material engineering with space human factors requirements.
• MEDES (Institut de Médecine et de Physiologie Spatiales)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpace medicine institute providing human physiology expertise for EuroSuit development. Combines Spartan Space systems engineering with MEDES human spaceflight medical experience.
• DLR (German Aerospace Center)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman aerospace center partner for Lunar Agriculture Module Ground Test Demonstrator, CANDELABRA sun simulator development, and LUNA facility collaboration at Cologne.
• Fraunhofer WKIsecondaryTechnology or IntegrationGerman research institute collaborating on SPACE-GEL aerogel technology project for thermal insulation and air purification in space habitats.
• HAUX LIFE SUPPORTsecondaryTechnology or IntegrationGerman life support systems company supporting DTVC (Dirty Thermal Vacuum Chamber) development project for lunar surface simulation.
• MANNA ELECTRICsecondaryTechnology or IntegrationLuxembourg-based company supporting DTVC development project for lunar surface simulation capabilities.
• LIST (Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology)secondaryTechnology or IntegrationLuxembourg research institute supporting DTVC development project for regolith simulant testing capabilities.
• European CommissionstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU funding body for Horizon Europe and Horizon 2020 research programs. Supports TXTHAB-3D (grant No 872336) and DIGI4ECO Project for ocean robotics.
• Jacques Rougerie FoundationhistoricalStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation promoting architecture in extreme environments. Awarded EuroHab Lunar Village special mention in 2020 International Architecture Competition, catalyzing company visibility.
• ESA Astronaut Sophie AdenotflagshipOthersESA astronaut scheduled to test EuroSuit IVA space suit prototype aboard ISS in 2026 during εpsilon mission, validating European space suit technology in microgravity.
• Alban MichonsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench polar explorer for whom Spartan Space develops BIODYSSEUS underwater station for Arctic installation.
• MS Conseil FormationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMarseille-based educational organization organizing social initiatives in northern districts. Spartan Space supports with computer donations and space-related workshops for youth.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• COMEX: French deep-sea engineering firm operating underwater habitats, hyperbaric chambers and robotic systems. Comparable cross-domain extreme-environment playbook to Spartan Space’s ocean + space portfolio.
• Bigelow Aerospace: US pioneer of expandable/inflatable space habitats (BEAM on the ISS, planned commercial stations). Directly comparable to Spartan Space’s EUROHAB product line and lunar-habitat architecture focus.
• Axiom Space: Builds commercial habitation modules attached to the ISS and future Axiom Station; closest direct analogue in developing private, agency-funded orbital habitat modules and EVA/IVA crew systems.
• Sierra Space: Developing the inflatable LIFE habitat and Orbital Reef station with NASA and primes. Overlaps with Spartan Space on deployable habitat architecture for low Earth orbit and lunar use cases.
• Liquifer Space Systems: Austrian space systems integrator collaborating with Spartan Space on I-HAB human-in-the-loop models and the LAM-GTD Lunar Agriculture Module; narrowly comparable niche peer in ESA habitat studies.

Emerging players

• ICON: US company developing additive-construction systems (Project Olympus) for lunar and Martian habitats. Comparable emerging player addressing next-generation planetary surface infrastructure alongside Spartan Space.

Broad incumbents

• Thales Alenia Space: European prime building the Gateway I-HAB module, pressurized modules for multiple stations, and life-support infrastructure. Acts simultaneously as a customer of Spartan Space mock-ups and a broad incumbent competitor for habitat programs.
• Airbus Defence and Space: European aerospace prime serving ESA, CNES and DLR on space stations, lunar landers and human spaceflight systems; collaborator with Spartan Space on LISE Airlock and broader competitor for habitat/airlock studies.
• Lockheed Martin Space: US prime building Orion, lunar surface concepts and habitat logistics for NASA Artemis; broad incumbent whose lunar infrastructure roadmap overlaps with Spartan Space’s EUROHAB/LISE concepts.
• Northrop Grumman (Space Systems): Builder of the HALO module on Gateway and Cygnus cargo vehicle; broad incumbent on US lunar habitation programs where Spartan Space’s I-HAB ergonomic work could increasingly intersect.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Spartan__space
• YouTubevimeo.com/search?q=spartan-space
• Facebookfacebook.com/spartanspace
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/spartanspace
• Instagraminstagram.com/spartan__space

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Spartan Space