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European aerospace startups raise fresh capital for firefighting aircraft, steam-injection propulsion and reusable spacecraft

Kepplair Evolution raised €6 million to advance an ATR 72-based firefighting aircraft, while Viraj Aero secured €4.5 million for steam-injection technology and 15 Toulouse-area jobs. Separately, The Exploration Company raised $450 million, bringing its total funding to about $680 million, for reusable spacecraft.

Discovered 2026-09-08T14:15:18.284918-07:00 | 2026-09-08T14:15:18.284918-07:00

Briefing

What Hype is tracking

The announcements show continued private financing for distinct European aerospace bets: Kepplair’s firefighting-aircraft conversion, Viraj Aero’s aviation decarbonization technology and The Exploration Company’s reusable spacecraft.
The Exploration Company’s $450 million Series C is the largest financing in this group and brings its reported cumulative funding to approximately $680 million, materially expanding its capacity to develop reusable space transportation.
Kepplair’s €6 million round brings its financing since 2024 to €17.5 million, including €12.5 million in private capital and €5 million in public grants; Viraj Aero plans 15 jobs and a prototype in 2027.

Reported By

avionrevue.com gazette-du-midi.fr Le Journal de l’Aviation SpaceWatch Global TechCrunch