ION-X

ION-X develops electric propulsion systems for small satellites based on patented ionic liquid electrospray thruster technology. The company was created in mid-2021 in Palaiseau, France, in collaboration with C2N, the Centre for Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies of CNRS and the University of Paris-Saclay, which specialises in ion sources for nanoelectronics. Since its creation ION-X has raised 3.8 million euros from TF Participations, Expansion and business angels, with additional support from Bpifrance, to fund research and development and its first missions.

Technology

In the ION-X thruster, ionic liquid travels from the tank to the emitters by capillarity. A high-voltage potential forms a Taylor cone that extracts charged particles, which are ejected at very high speed through an extraction grid. According to the company the design offers:

• High thrust and specific impulse for its thruster class
• An adaptive, scalable architecture matched to mission requirements
• Firing on demand with no warm-up period
• Very low signature emissions
• A non-toxic, inert propellant that needs very little pressure
• No external cathode to neutralise the exhaust plume

Product and roadmap

ION-X is developing a 1U plug-and-play thruster for small satellites, with a datasheet available on request from its site. Its roadmap on the site runs from CNRS research on focused ion beams with ionic liquid, through a CNES research and technology programme for an electrohydrodynamic engine, a first prototype test at C2N, the creation of the company and seed funding, to an on-orbit demonstration mission ahead of bringing its first thruster to market. The company states that the number of small satellite constellations in low Earth orbit for communications, Earth observation, climate monitoring and military needs will grow sharply over the next decade, and that these satellites need propulsion to optimise their use and lifetime in orbit.

Events

ION-X is listed as an exhibitor at Space Tech Expo Europe 2026, the Small Satellite Conference 2027, SmallSat Europe 2027 and the Paris Air Show 2027.

Contact

ION-X is listed under Space, Manufacturers and is based in Palaiseau, France.
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