Stellar Alpina, a Zurich-based developer of Rotating Detonation Rocket Engines (RDRE), modular in-space vehicles and lunar landers, has raised CHF3.5M ($4.5M) in pre-seed funding led by Founderful. The company builds high-performance propulsion modules and compact landers to support a sovereign European path to the Moon and cislunar infrastructure. The capital will accelerate engine testing cycles and expand the engineering team.
Swiss Deep Tech Enters Cislunar Race
The timing aligns with accelerating European interest in lunar mobility. Astrobotic completed record-breaking RDRE hot-fire tests in April 2026, while NASA awarded Juno Propulsion funding for an RDRE demo the same year. Stellar Alpina differentiates through a Swiss precision focus on modular RDRE systems integrated with lunar landers rather than standalone engines.
Rapid Iteration Targets Propulsion Bottleneck
Traditional in-space propulsion has seen little architectural change in decades. After reaching orbit, assets still rely on systems that limit high-energy transfers and frequent lunar missions. Stellar Alpina targets this gap with engines that deliver up to 10x less volume and fewer mechanical components.
Modular RDRE Design Offers Efficiency Edge
The company integrates RDRE propulsion directly into modular vehicles and landers. This approach contrasts with competitors like Venus Aerospace, which targets atmospheric hypersonics, and Detonation Space, which focuses on general efficiency gains. Stellar Alpina's integrated platform aims for orbital logistics and lunar economy applications.
As founder Victor Elliesen noted:
"Our way to commercialization is to talk to as many customers as possible… Who says the first RDRE can’t come from Europe?"
Founderful Leads Swiss Space Bet
Founderful led the round alongside LP&E and participated with support from ESA BIC Switzerland and Venture Kick. The pre-seed investor's portfolio includes aerospace hardware like Wingtra and emphasizes early deep-tech backing for university-rooted Swiss teams. ESA BIC provides non-dilutive validation and network access for space hardware.
Cislunar Market Expands at Double Digits
The cislunar infrastructure market is projected to grow from $3.77B in 2022 to $14.52B by 2033 at a 13.48% CAGR. Broader space propulsion is expected to reach $14.41B by 2031. Government lunar programs and private propulsion innovation drive capital into the sector.
82-Day Hotfire Milestone Signals Momentum
With deployments still ahead, Stellar Alpina plans to test a new engine configuration every two weeks, hire 12 or more employees, and deliver a spaceflight-ready RDRE by 2028.