Partners

OSMOS X

Osmos X is a French deep-tech NewSpace company based near Rennes. Founded in 2022, it is redefining orbital logistics by designing, manufacturing, and operating reusable Orbital Transfer Vehicles (OTVs), propelled by a proprietary electro-plasmic ion propulsion system.

Leveraging decades of expertise in ion‐source physics and plasma engineering, Osmos X’s propulsion technology offers ultra-low propellant consumption, high specific impulse, and sustained thrust over long mission durations. The company aims to operate a full fleet of reusable orbital servicing vehicles, providing end-to-end space logistics services — including satellite repositioning, orbital transfers (LEO-GEO, LEO-LEO or LEO-MEO), payload delivery, and active debris removal via contactless ion beam techniques.

To date, Osmos X has secured over €2 million in seed funding, to support R&D, prototyping, and in-orbit demonstration efforts. It is also incubated at ESA BIC Nord France.

Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (Uc3M)

UC3M is a young public university founded in 1989, internationally recognized for excellence in teaching, research, and knowledge transfer. UC3M ranks among the top 50 universities worldwide under 50 years old (QS Top 50 Under 50, 35th) and leads Spanish universities in research performance (U-Ranking 2023). UC3M promotes responsible research and innovation (HRS4R Seal of Excellence), sustainability, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, supporting over 2,300 researchers across 141 groups with around €50M annual funding.

Within this environment, Space Propulsion and Plasmas Team (EP2), part of the Department of Aerospace Engineering, is one of Europe’s leading groups in plasma-based space propulsion. EP2 is internationally recognized for its advanced numerical simulations, developing state-of-the-art fluid, kinetic, and hybrid codes. These tools enable high-fidelity studies of plasma dynamics, wave–plasma interactions, and spacecraft–plasma coupling, supported by dedicated high-performance computing resources. Complementing its modeling expertise, EP2 operates experimental facilities, including a large high-vacuum chamber and a wide suite of plasma diagnostics. EP2 has a strong international profile, coordinating and contributing to major projects such as ERC ZARATHUSTRA grant and European H2020 projects including HIPATIA, MINOTOR, EDDA, CHEOPS, and ASPIRE.

Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel (CAU)

Founded in 1665, Kiel University (CAU) is the oldest, largest, and most renowned university in Schleswig-Holstein, and the only full university in the state. Today, about 25,000 students are enrolled in 223 degree programs taught across eight faculties by 485 professors. Seven Nobel Laureates have worked at CAU, including Max Planck. Heinrich Rudolf Hertz and Hans Geiger did research here.

Research at CAU is structured around four Priority Research Areas: Kiel Nano, Surface & Interface Science (KiNSIS), Kiel Marine Science (KMS), Kiel Life Science (KLS), and Societal and Cultural Change (SECC). These areas foster interdisciplinary collaboration across disciplines and link CAU to Germany’s Excellence Strategy. Two Clusters of Excellence are currently hosted at CAU, both successfully renewed in 2025.

Within the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, the Department of Physics comprises 13 full professorships. Research covers plasma physics, surface and interface science, solid state physics, astrophysics, and extraterrestrial physics. The Plasma Technology group (Prof. Kersten and Dr. Trottenberg) contributes long-standing expertise in diagnostics for electric space propulsion, including the development of the Electric Propulsion Diagnostic Package (EPDP) successfully deployed in geostationary orbit in 2023.

Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen (JLU)

Founded in 1607, the Justus-Liebig University of Giessen (JLU) is a leading research university in Hesse, Germany, with strong expertise in physics, engineering, and life sciences. Together with the Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen (THM), JLU operates joint BSc/MSc programs in Physics and Technology of Space Applications and conducts interdisciplinary research within the Research Campus of Central Hesse.

The Ion Thrusters research group specializes in electric propulsion, plasma–surface interaction, and advanced diagnostic techniques. JLU operates multiple vacuum test facilities, including the 30 m³ JUMBO and BigMac EVO chambers, equipped with EGSE/FGSE and state-of-the-art probe and optical diagnostics. Research activities cover thruster performance characterization, plume analysis, and model validation for electric propulsion systems and ion beam applications.

NORTHSTAR EARTH & SPACE

NorthStar Earth & Space Europe S.à r.l. (NorthStar) – headquartered in Luxembourg City – launched operations in 2023 with the support of a commercial product development contract funded by the Government of Luxembourg through the national research, development and innovation program for space, LuxIMPULSE. NorthStar launched its Space Domain Awareness (SDA) and Space Traffic Management (STM) offering in 2025, including Conjunction Analysis, Conjunction Data Message (CDM) Refinement, and Flight Plan Validation services. A follow-on service for multi-objective Collision Avoidance Maneuver Optimization is planned for 2026. With its European, Canadian, and US-based entities, the NorthStar group is focused on providing real-time, space-based monitoring of active and inactive objects.

In 2024, NorthStar became the first commercial enterprise to launch a constellation of satellites equipped with advanced optical sensors to track space objects. NorthStar’s automated image processing and orbit determination pipelines fuse proprietary and third-party measurements from ground- and space-based optical, radar, and passive RF sources. The resulting orbital trajectories power downstream processing chains that provide actionable insights and analytics to customers including the U.S. Department of Defense Joint Commercial Operations (JCO) cell. NorthStar Europe intends to play a key role in Space Domain Awareness, Space Traffic Management, and overall space security and sustainability.