Summary sheet
The project aims to develop and qualify green propulsion systems based on the monopropellant LMP-103S. It includes prototype fabrication, testing infrastructure upgrades, and subsystem engineering to advance thruster units in the 10?220 N range from TRL 3?5 to TRL 8?9. The goal is to enable deployment on large spacecraft platforms with modular, standards-compliant subsystems. In parallel, the project is expanding into bipropellant systems, gas generators, and Auxiliary Power Units (APUs) as alternatives to hydrazine-based solutions in launch vehicles and spaceplanes. Applications in underwater vehicles will also be explored to broaden commercial potential beyond the space sector.
The aim is to support research, development, and innovation (RDI) investments, which includes extending its green propellant-based propulsion platform into high-thrust, dual-use, and non-space domains.
This operation supports the development of disruptive European space technology and infrastructure (hardware and software) critical to commercial, civilian, and military monitoring activities. It also enables the manufacturing of propulsion solutions within the EU for large satellite constellations used for earth observation and satellite communications, thereby furthering EU Strategic Autonomy in space and the EU Space Programme.
eCaps represents EIB's first-ever Venture Debt financing to a Swedish space company. The operation is also the first green space propulsion solution investment in EIB's diversified portfolio of space ventures, strategically prioritising funding in the core segments of the "New Space" value chain and accelerating EU autonomy in space.
Moreover, the satellite monitoring activities supported by the operation indirectly generate positive global impact across many other key areas such as climate and environment as well as agriculture and bioeconomy. Examples of such positive impact include optimising the exploitation of scarce natural resources or reducing carbon footprint via optimised maritime routes.
Furthermore, Venture Debt as a financing instrument supports the Capital Markets Union by filling a funding gap in EU venture capital markets, helping eCaps to scale towards profitability and become a major European technology player in the global stage.
The project would not have been carried out (to the same extent) by the EIB without the InvestEU support.
The related activities will be performed in existing buildings with no relevant environmental impacts expected. The project does not fall under the environmental impact assessment (EIA) Directive 2014/52/EU (amending EIA Directive 2011/92/EU) therefore no EIA is required.
The promoter is a private company not operating in the utilities sector and does not have the status of a contracting authority. It is thus not subject to EU rules on public procurement.