French HyPrSpace has secured an oversubscribed €21 million Series A round to accelerate the development of its hybrid rocket propulsion technology and advance toward its first suborbital launch using Baguette One.
Founded in 2019, HyPrSpace is developing hybrid engines that combine solid High Density PolyEthylene (HDPE) fuel with cryogenic liquid oxygen. This architecture offers a simpler alternative to conventional liquid propulsion by eliminating turbopumps and reducing component count drastically compared to traditional rocket engines.
The company plans to debut its propulsion system on Baguette One, a suborbital vehicle scheduled to fly in 2026 from a French test site. This mission serves as a key milestone for the larger two‑stage Orbital Baguette One (OB‑1) launcher. Both vehicles share common avionics, ground systems, and engine architecture—an approach designed to shorten development cycles and improve cost efficiency.
The latest round brings HyPrSpace’s total funding to over €57 million, building on a €1.1 million seed round in 2022 and a €35 million investment in 2023 under France’s 2030 initiative. The new capital will complete full‑scale engine qualification, execute the Baguette One flight test, advance OB‑1 development, and establish production capabilities targeting 120 engines annually.
The hybrid engine design delivers several advantages. Structural simplicity reduces failure points while facilitating supply chain management and assembly. Fewer components translate to lower production costs and shorter lead times. The separation of solid fuel and liquid oxidizer eliminates spontaneous reaction risks. Additionally, the architecture accommodates various propellants, with HyPrSpace selecting recycled HDPE for its low carbon footprint and production scalability. Other more sustainable propellants are still being considered.
By advancing sovereign propulsion capabilities and scaling industrial launch infrastructure in France, HyPrSpace strengthens Europe’s strategic position in the global launch market. The funding marks a step toward expanding European space access, enabling more resilient and cost‑effective launch options for dual‑use customers.
Image credit: HyPrSpace – Orbital Baguette One (OB‑1) launcher
References
French Rocket Builder HyPrSpace Secures €21 Million in New Funding. https://europeanspaceflight.com/french-rocket-builder-hyprspace-secures-e21-million-in-new-funding/
HyPrSpace €21M Series A Paves a Pathway to Launch. https://payloadspace.com/hyprspace-e21m-series-a-paves-a-pathway-to-launch/