ION-X

ION-X is a French space propulsion startup developing patented ionic liquid electrospray thrusters for small satellite on-orbit propulsion. Founded in 2021 and headquartered at CNRS – C2N in Palaiseau with offices in Boulogne-Billancourt, France, ION-X produces a 1U plug-and-play thruster using non-toxic, non-pressurised ionic liquid propellant with adaptive thrust and efficiency capabilities. The ION-X thruster targets orbit injection, station-keeping, end-of-life management, and debris avoidance for CubeSat and nanosatellite operators, and reached commercial readiness with competitive lead times for constellation projects.