Ienai Space

Ienai Space, founded in 2019 and based in Madrid, Spain, is a space company focused on the development and manufacture of electric propulsion systems. Specifically, Ienai Space produces ATHENA electrospray thrusters utilizing liquid salts. The company aims to lower the barriers to entry for electric propulsion technology, particularly for small satellite manufacturers and integrators, by providing adaptable propulsion solutions rather than requiring spacecraft designs to conform to limited existing product offerings.

Ienai Space’s core technology centers around electrospray propulsion, a type of electric propulsion known for its potential in miniaturized spacecraft. The founding team originates from the Electric Propulsion and Plasmas group at UC3M, receiving recognition for their work at the 2017 International Electric Propulsion Conference. They are currently expanding their team with roles focused on mission analysis, software development, electronics, and laboratory operations, indicating a move towards commercial operations. While specific missions or customers are not publicly detailed, the company’s focus on small satellite propulsion positions them within a rapidly growing segment of the space industry.