Arkadia Space expands: new offices in Castellón

Arkadia Space, a Castellón-based company specialized in the development and commercialization of space propulsion engines, has announced its expansion with offices in Espaitec 2, the scientific and technological park of Jaume I University, where they are already installed. This forward step arises in response to the significant growth experienced in the last year, the solid increase in the workforce, and the continuous progress in research projects.

The new facility provides Arkadia Space with more space in Castellón, improving connectivity for the staff and proximity to the R&D ecosystem.

The main headquarters remain at Castellón Airport, with a small office and the Space Engine Testing Center, which will undergo expansion this year; and a more extensive one in 2025 with a new bench to ensure the engine operates continuously in vacuum conditions.

“This expansion is an exciting milestone in our history. We want to emphasize that our presence and commitment to the airport remain fundamental to us. Our Test Center, vital for our operations, will continue to operate uninterrupted there, where conditions are ideal.”

Francho García, CEO and co-founder of Arkadia Space

Job offers: the team will quadruple

Arkadia is located on the third floor of Espaitec 2, over 230 m2, with a capacity for 40 people. Since its foundation in 2020, with four people, the workforce has grown to 15 employees currently, with the challenge of reaching 25 this 2024, and quadrupling, surpassing 60, in the next three years. The search for new personnel this year will focus on profiles such as those they already have, in the following areas: engineering (propulsion, fluid dynamics, mechanics, etc.), corporate and operations (quality management, sales, business development), and manufacturing (as the goal is, in a few years, to internalize most of the manufacturing processes of their engines).

Preparing the first demo flight to validate their technology in orbit.

The company spokesperson stressed that they are “confident” they can “close the first sales during this 2024, in addition to completing our demonstration flight – it will be put into orbit by the end of the year or early next 2025 – under real conditions.” Another milestone to achieve in this timeframe is “our second product: a more complex and higher performance green engine: without the toxicity of traditional aerospace engines but with the same starting power, and therefore, it will facilitate, for example, coupling with the International Space Station.”

Pioneering Test Center in Europe and new product in 2024

Arkadia Space’s Test Center at the airport occupies 350 m2 and allows them to “design engines faster, without depending on third parties.” It houses two test benches, a laboratory, assembly area, warehouse, and control center. Its goal is to expand it in extension and facilities. “By the end of 2024, we will have a transient vacuum bench to replicate space conditions during engine start-up. It is a pioneer in private enterprise in Europe, where there are only three, and they are public entities.”

The story of a pioneer company in Castellón

Arkadia Space specializes in the development and commercialization of propulsion systems based on green fuels for satellites and platforms weighing over 50 kg, betting on the use of high-concentration hydrogen peroxide and high-performance fuel. Green propulsion is emerging as a key technology. The company was founded at the end of 2020 by Francho García, Francisco Espinosa, Ismael Gutiérrez, and Sergio Soler, who previously were part of PLD Space, where they worked together. During 2023, Arkadia Space closed a round of €2.8 million, allowing it to develop its products, expand facilities, and workforce.