HyImpulse

HyImpulse is a German private space-launch company headquartered in Neuenstadt am Kocher. Established in 2018 as a spin-off from the chemical-propulsion work associated with the German Aerospace Center's Lampoldshausen facilities, the company develops hybrid rocket engines and launch vehicles for the emerging small-satellite market. Its core propulsion concept combines a paraffin-based solid fuel with liquid oxygen, seeking to provide a comparatively simple and operationally flexible alternative to conventional liquid or solid propulsion systems. The company's vehicle program is centered on two related rockets. The SR75 is a single-stage suborbital vehicle intended to carry small payloads to an altitude of approximately 250 kilometres. It is about 12 metres long and has a stated mass of roughly 2.5 tonnes. Beyond its intended role as a commercial suborbital platform, SR75 serves as a technology demonstrator for HyImpulse's larger SL1 orbital launcher. The company plans SL1 as a three-stage hybrid rocket capable of carrying satellites weighing up to 500 kilograms to low Earth orbit. The two vehicles are designed to share the HyPLOX-75 engine family: SR75 uses the engine as its principal propulsion system, while SL1 is planned to use twelve related engines, including eight on its first stage. Propulsion testing has been a central part of HyImpulse's development path. In September 2023, the company reported completing its ninth hot-fire test campaign and qualifying the HyPLOX-75 hybrid motor for flight use. The motor was intended for the first and second stages of SL1 as well as the SR75 program. This test-based development strategy allows the smaller suborbital vehicle to function as both an early service offering and a practical validation platform for the technologies required by the orbital launcher. HyImpulse has pursued launch opportunities in multiple jurisdictions. In July 2023, the United Kingdom's Civil Aviation Authority granted permission for an SR75 launch from SaxaVord Spaceport in Scotland during a defined regulatory window. The planned mission was later redirected toward Australia's Koonibba Test Range, operated by Southern Launch. On 3 May 2024, SR75 flew its maiden mission, titled “Light this Candle,” from Koonibba. The ascent was reported as successful; the vehicle reached an apogee of approximately 50 kilometres, returned under parachute, and was recovered. The flight represented an important step in validating HyImpulse's propulsion, vehicle-control, recovery, and operational procedures. HyImpulse operates in a competitive European launch sector that includes companies such as Isar Aerospace and Rocket Factory Augsburg, as well as international small-launch developers. Its differentiation rests on hybrid propulsion, a staged development plan beginning with a suborbital demonstrator, and an intended focus on commercial small-satellite access to orbit. The available reference material does not establish a regular orbital launch service, a completed SL1 flight, a public listing, or a current operational revenue base. Accordingly, HyImpulse is best described as an active private aerospace developer progressing from propulsion qualification and suborbital testing toward an orbital launch capability.

HyImpulse emerged in 2018 from propulsion-development activity connected with the German Aerospace Center's Lampoldshausen site. The company was formed as a private German space enterprise with the objective of applying hybrid-propellant technology to launch vehicles for the small-satellite sector. Its development approach has emphasized propulsion testing and a gradual progression from suborbital flight to orbital launch capability rather than beginning with a full-size orbital rocket. The company's propulsion architecture uses a paraffin-based fuel together with liquid oxygen. In a hybrid rocket, the fuel and oxidizer are stored in different physical forms, which can offer design and handling characteristics distinct from those of conventional liquid or solid motors. HyImpulse developed the HyPLOX-75 motor as a core element of its vehicle family. The company reported its ninth hot-fire test campaign in September 2023 and stated that the engine had reached flight qualification. The motor was intended to power both the SR75 demonstrator and the first and second stages of the planned SL1 launcher. SR75 is a single-stage suborbital rocket approximately 12 metres long and weighing about 2.5 tonnes. HyImpulse designed it to carry payloads of up to roughly 250 kilograms to an altitude near 250 kilometres. The rocket has two roles: it is intended to become an early commercial suborbital service, and it provides an in-flight demonstration platform for systems that will later be used by SL1. The planned SL1 is a three-stage launcher for low Earth orbit, with a target payload capacity of up to 500 kilograms. Its architecture is intended to use twelve engines from the same family, with eight assigned to the first stage. HyImpulse also worked to establish access to launch infrastructure outside Germany. In July 2023, the UK Civil Aviation Authority granted permission for an SR75 launch from SaxaVord Spaceport in Scotland during the period from December 2023 through November 2024. The regulatory treatment reflected the suborbital mission's planned altitude and vehicle characteristics. The first-flight plan subsequently moved to the Koonibba Test Range in Australia, a facility operated by Southern Launch. On 3 May 2024, SR75 made its first flight from Koonibba under the mission name “Light this Candle.” The ascent was reported as successful. The rocket reached approximately 50 kilometres, returned by parachute, and was recovered. This flight provided an early operational demonstration of HyImpulse's launch vehicle and recovery approach, while also advancing the company's broader objective of using SR75 as a stepping stone toward SL1. HyImpulse remains part of a developing European commercial-launch ecosystem that includes other small-launch companies such as Isar Aerospace and Rocket Factory Augsburg. The available reference material does not document a completed SL1 orbital launch, a regular orbital service, a public share listing, or a change in ownership structure beyond the reported financial backing of Rudolf Schwarz. The company's documented trajectory therefore runs from German propulsion research and engine qualification to suborbital flight testing, with orbital small-satellite launch capability remaining a development objective.

• 2024

  SR75 completes its first flight

  [1]HyImpulseen.wikipedia.org

  The SR75 flies the “Light this Candle” mission from Australia's Koonibba Test Range, reaches about 50 kilometres, parachutes back, and is recovered.

• 2023

  HyPLOX-75 reaches reported flight qualification

  [1]HyImpulseen.wikipedia.org

  Following its ninth hot-fire campaign, HyImpulse reports that the HyPLOX-75 hybrid motor is qualified for flight use on SR75 and the planned SL1 vehicle.

• 2023

  UK authorization is granted for a potential SaxaVord mission

  [1]HyImpulseen.wikipedia.org

  The UK Civil Aviation Authority grants permission for an SR75 launch from SaxaVord Spaceport during a specified launch window.

• 2018

  HyImpulse is established as a German aerospace spin-off

  [1]HyImpulseen.wikipedia.org

  HyImpulse is founded as a spin-off associated with the chemical-propulsion activities of the German Aerospace Center's Lampoldshausen facility.

Private European launch developer using paraffin-fuel and liquid-oxygen hybrid propulsion, with a suborbital demonstrator serving as a path toward small-satellite orbital launch services.

• Suborbital launch vehicle · 2024

  SR75

  SR75 is a single-stage hybrid-propellant rocket approximately 12 metres long and weighing about 2.5 tonnes. It is designed for suborbital missions carrying payloads of up to roughly 250 kilograms to an intended altitude of around 250 kilometres. HyImpulse presents it both as a commercial suborbital launch platform and as a technology demonstrator for the larger SL1 orbital launcher. Its maiden flight took place from the Koonibba Test Range in Australia in May 2024.

• Orbital small-satellite launch vehicle

  SL1

  SL1 is HyImpulse's planned three-stage hybrid rocket for delivering satellites to low Earth orbit. The stated target payload capacity is up to 500 kilograms. The design is intended to use twelve engines from the SR75-related family, including eight engines on the first stage. The available reference material describes SL1 as a development program and does not document an orbital flight.

• Hybrid rocket motor · 2023

  HyPLOX-75

  HyPLOX-75 is a hybrid rocket motor using paraffin-based fuel and liquid oxygen. HyImpulse reported completing a ninth hot-fire test campaign in September 2023 and qualifying the motor for flight. The engine is intended for SR75 and for the first and second stages of the planned SL1 launcher.

• 2023

  Use SR75 as a suborbital service and SL1 technology demonstratorStrategy

  Background

  HyImpulse is developing a larger orbital launcher while needing an earlier vehicle through which to test its hybrid propulsion and operational systems.

  Action taken

  The company structured SR75 as both a prospective commercial suborbital vehicle and a development step toward the three-stage SL1 launcher.

  Aftermath

  SR75 completed its maiden flight in 2024, providing an early flight demonstration for the broader launch-vehicle program.

  Source

• 2023

  Pursue launch access at SaxaVord SpaceportOther

  Background

  HyImpulse sought a launch location for SR75 and received UK regulatory permission for a possible mission from SaxaVord in Scotland.

  Action taken

  The company obtained authorization from the UK Civil Aviation Authority for an SR75 launch during a defined period.

  Aftermath

  The maiden flight plan was later moved to Australia's Koonibba Test Range, where SR75 flew in May 2024.

  Source

1. 1HyImpulseen.wikipedia.org