Brussels, January 28, 2026 — The European Commission has awarded Pangea Propulsion as part of a selective group of European innovators receiving its Game-Changing Innovation for European Launchers Prize, recognising breakthrough technologies considered critical for the future competitiveness, sustainability and autonomy of Europe’s access to space.

Pangea has been recognised for its work on Arcos, a methane-fueled aerospike rocket engine architecture designed to significantly improve launcher efficiency, operational flexibility, sustainability and overall economic performance. The award was presented during the European Space Conference in Brussels, one of Europe’s key institutional forums shaping space policy and industrial strategy.

The distinction was awarded to a total of five companies, including Pangea Propulsion, Sener, ArianeGroup, Delta Orbit and Alpha Impulsion.

Aerospike propulsion: a long-standing challenge brought into reality

Unlike conventional bell-shaped rocket nozzles, aerospike engines maintain near-optimal efficiency across all altitudes, adapting continuously to changing atmospheric conditions during ascent. This capability promises higher performance, reduced propellant consumption, and significantly enhanced mission versatility.

Despite decades of research, aerospike engines have historically remained extremely difficult to implement in real launch systems, due to their high thermal, structural and manufacturing complexity.

Pangea changed that trajectory by igniting the world’s first methane–liquid oxygen (methalox) aerospike engine, proving the viability of this long-pursued concept. Building on that heritage, Pangea is now developing Arcos, a next-generation aerospike propulsion platform designed to translate this concept into a viable engine architecture.

Arcos combines advanced materials, additive manufacturing, regenerative cooling technologies and innovative engine design to deliver a modular, scalable propulsion solution suitable for a wide range of future launch vehicles.

Turning innovation into real-world propulsion solutions

Pangea is exclusively specialised in space propulsion, and over the years has built deep expertise across a set of critical technological capabilities, including advanced materials and manufacturing processes, regenerative cooling systems, complex engine and system design, liquid and sustainable propellants, and extensive testing infrastructure and know-how.

This technological foundation allows Pangea to transform high-risk propulsion concepts into real, mission-oriented solutions to go to space, move in space and return to Earth, enabling the development of a coherent portfolio of advanced propulsion systems for launchers and in-space applications.

This portfolio includes Arcos, for altitude‑adaptive launch propulsion; the Nereus in-space propulsion family for high-precision in-space maneuvering; and Kronos, a high‑thrust full‑flow staged combustion engine for next‑generation reusable launchers. Together forming a unified propulsion portfolio designed to support missions to space, in space, and from space.

“This recognition reflects a clear and consistent approach to how innovation is considered in Europe” said Adrià Argemí, CEO of Pangea Propulsion. “It is not only about developing new ideas, but about building real capabilities that strengthen Europe’s competitiveness, sustainability and technological sovereignty. Propulsion is one of the most complex — and most strategic — of these capabilities.”

Propulsion as a strategic capability for Europe

This recognition comes at a time when critical industrial capabilities are playing an increasingly important role in shaping the future of access to space.

Propulsion plays a central role in determining launcher performance, reusability, cost structure and environmental footprint — factors that directly impact Europe’s ability to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving global launch market.

This recognition underscores the growing focus on building long-term propulsion capabilities in Europe, combining technological ambition with deep technical expertise, disciplined testing, progressive validation, and structured risk reduction.

Supporting Europe’s next generation of launch systems

During 2026, Pangea’s focus will be on the validation of critical Arcos subsystems and the integration of a flight-oriented engine architecture, laying the foundations for future integration phases with Pangea’s clients.

Arcos is part of a broader portfolio of propulsion systems developed by Pangea, covering applications to space, in space and from space, including in-space propulsion systems and high-thrust launch vehicle engines. This portfolio approach allows the company to leverage a common technological core across multiple mission profiles and maturity levels.

This recognition reinforces Pangea’s role as a strategic technology provider and industrial enabler, contributing to Europe’s long-term ability to design, test, and scale advanced propulsion systems for future launch infrastructures.

About Pangea Aerospace

Pangea Propulsion is a European company specialised exclusively in space propulsion, designing and developing advanced propulsion systems to enable competitive and sustainable access to space. The company made history by igniting the world’s first methane–liquid oxygen (methalox) aerospike rocket engine, bringing a long-standing concept into real-world application. Based in Barcelona and Toulouse, Pangea combines deep technical expertise and bold innovation to deliver a coherent portfolio of propulsion solutions for missions to space, in space and from space, helping shape the future of the space industry.

EU Funding Acknowledgement and Disclaimer

This project has received funding from the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the awarding authority can be held responsible for them.

Press contact: delfina.aste@pangeapropulsion.com