Exotrail
Updated: May 03, 2026
Founders: David Henri, Jean-Luc Maria, Nicolas Heitz and Paul Lascombes
Country: France | Funding: $75.4M (+)
Founded: 2015
Website: https://www.exotrail.com/
Exotrail provides orbital services for small satellites, including "last mile" delivery (from payload integration to final orbit placement), satellite inspection, and end-of-life management. The company also develops flexible and powerful electric propulsion systems for satellites based on Hall-effect technology. In Exotrail's ion engine electrons emitted by the cathode are captured by a magnetic field and used to ionize the propellant, creating plasma in the discharge channel. The plasma is then accelerated to generate thrust by the electric field created between the anode and cathode. Hall-effect thrusters have been in use for decades and are installed on most large satellites. They combine the high impulse of an electric propulsion system with a very high thrust-to-power ratio.
Founded: 2015
Website: https://www.exotrail.com/
Exotrail provides orbital services for small satellites, including "last mile" delivery (from payload integration to final orbit placement), satellite inspection, and end-of-life management. The company also develops flexible and powerful electric propulsion systems for satellites based on Hall-effect technology. In Exotrail's ion engine electrons emitted by the cathode are captured by a magnetic field and used to ionize the propellant, creating plasma in the discharge channel. The plasma is then accelerated to generate thrust by the electric field created between the anode and cathode. Hall-effect thrusters have been in use for decades and are installed on most large satellites. They combine the high impulse of an electric propulsion system with a very high thrust-to-power ratio.
