At the end of January 2026, Alpha Impulsion, a space start-up based in Toulouse, France, and Naples, Italy, has received the "Prize for Game-Changing Innovation for European Launch Solutions" in Brussels, from the Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS) of the European Union, in recognition of its major technological innovation in the field of space access.
Supported in Italy by the business incubator I3P and the incubation program ESA BIC Turin, Alpha Impulsion is the first enterprise to receive international recognition for a space propulsion solution combining, from its inception, the challenges of sustainable use of Earth’s orbit, commercial competitiveness, and the new needs for European sovereignty.
The prize received, worth €950,000, recognizes developments in autophage propulsion, for the next-generation of launchers and satellites, enabling access to space without orbital debris. This is an essential step for a European space program whose sovereignty is constantly being challenged.
The start-up's technology
The autophage rocket engine developed by Alpha Impulsion is a paradigm shift: the vehicle's fuselage is consumed by the rocket engine as fuel. An autophage vehicle burns and shortens like a candle, leaving no wasteful debris in orbit once the mission is complete.
This technology also stands out for its operational responsiveness, allowing for controlled ignition and shutdown sequences, its use of green, non-toxic, and non-explosive propellants, and its higher performance, thanks to a reduction in deadweight. This represents a 40% reduction in liftoff mass and thus a 40% reduction in launch costs, as compared to conventional solutions. This capability offers better control of the trajectory, optimization of mission phases, and fine-tuning to the requirements of modern missions.
The satellite segment represents a total market of €5.9 billion, with established players for orbital mobility to GEO such as Thales Alenia Space and Airbus DS, new entrants for in-orbit services such as Astroscale, Exotrail, and D-Orbit, and exploration missions with players such as Meridian Space Command, with whom Alpha Impulsion has been working since 2025.
The future of the project
Alpha Impulsion aims to market propulsion solutions for satellites by 2028 and, starting from 2030, to include in its product portfolio future launch vehicles able to meet the growing global demand for access to space, while helping to reduce congestion in low Earth orbit.
Marius Celette, Co-Founder and President of Alpha Impulsion, said in Brussels: "By recognizing the work of Alpha Impulsion, DG DEFIS is highlighting the importance of fostering disruptive players for the next generation of European space technology, a new generation which must restore our continent's leadership in space technology. Nevertheless, we shouldn’t sacrifice our commitments to clean, sustainable, and regulated space transportation at the service of European strategic autonomy. This is now only achievable by letting go of the ‘follower’ stance and backing our own disruptive technologies. We sincerely appreciate the decision and vision of DG DEFIS."
