CT Engineering Group has joined Alpha Impulsion, Indra, and Mecano ID in the creation of the European 2030+ alliance, an initiative aimed at advancing the development of Garnet, a new rocket engine designed for the next generation of European microlaunchers.
The project comes at a time of transformation in the launch services market. Until 2026, SpaceX offered rideshare launch services starting at $7,000/kg for payloads above 50 kg. The discontinuation of this service is now opening an opportunity for new players to enter the market.
From the outset, Garnet has been conceived as a European program bringing together industrial and technological capabilities from France, Italy, and Spain. The alliance will provide access to a broader pool of talent, specialized expertise, industrial resources, and financing, while also facilitating the project’s international growth.
CT Engineering Group, a key contributor to systems engineering and simulation
As part of the alliance, CT Engineering Group will play a key role in the definition and development of the launch vehicle and its propulsion system.
The company will participate in the preliminary design of the launch vehicle and Garnet engine architecture, lead Systems Engineering activities, and contribute its advanced simulation capabilities through CPS_C, an in-house tool that will enable the modeling of cryogenic and thermal flows within the engine.
This contribution will make it possible to address the complexity of integrating the launcher’s different subsystems from the early stages of the program, combining CT Engineering Group’s expertise in advanced engineering with the specialized capabilities of the other European partners.
European propulsion technology for the future
“To achieve export potential, new European space programs must bring together the best capabilities from each country from the very beginning.
To compete in the international market, sovereignty must be built on competitiveness and through trusted European partnerships. We must develop across the continent, attract the best European talent, and distribute activities according to industrial criteria,” says Marius Celette, CEO of Alpha Impulsion.
“Indra remains committed to European space innovation. The autophagic engine could represent a major breakthrough for the launch vehicle industry, which is why it will be essential to bring together the leading organizations in their respective fields. Indra is proud to contribute decades of experience in Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC), one of the most important systems in a launch vehicle, alongside propulsion and undoubtedly the system with the greatest level of intelligence,” says Simone Centuori, Director of Space Missions at Indra.
European cooperation will make it possible to combine industrial and technological capabilities while avoiding duplication of investment. The goal is to build an integrated industrial system across multiple countries, capable of manufacturing, integrating, and launching rapidly and at the lowest possible marginal cost.
Alpha Impulsion plans to make significant investments in France and Italy, in the latter through its Italian subsidiary Alpha Impulsion Italia, together with its partners Indra (Spain/Italy), Mecano ID (France), and CT Engineering Group. The company is also in discussions with other partners to expand the alliance into Northern Europe, particularly in areas related to equipment and launch sites.
A “self-consuming” propulsion system for microlaunchers
Garnet’s technology is based on the principle of autophagic propulsion, a system in which part of the propulsion structure itself is progressively consumed as fuel during flight to generate thrust.
This concept makes it possible to reduce the mass carried by the vehicle as the flight progresses, thereby improving the launcher’s overall efficiency. Alpha Impulsion estimates that this technology could reduce launch costs by up to 80% compared with conventional solutions.
At the heart of the program is Garnet, a 15-ton-thrust rocket engine. Alpha Impulsion is leading an R&D program focused on autophagic combustion through a test stand designed, integrated, and operated by its Italian subsidiary.
Alongside CT Engineering Group’s contribution in architecture, Systems Engineering, and simulation, each partner will bring specific capabilities to the development of the system. Indra will contribute its expertise in mission analysis and Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC) to assess vehicle performance, while Mecano ID, specialized in thermomechanical design, will lead the development of the autophagic insertion systems that enable the launch vehicle to reduce its size during flight.
The alliance aims to reach Technology Readiness Level 6 (TRL 6) through an engine test planned for 2029. The test will demonstrate combustion stability, fuselage integrity, and key propulsion parameters such as specific impulse and thrust-to-weight ratio.
A global ambition for European access to space
The goal is for the launch service to become operational in the 2030s. According to the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Report on the Space Economy 2025, European launch vehicles have access to one-third of a global launch market valued at $12.6 billion, although European players currently capture only a very small share of it.
The alliance aims to offer a globally competitive solution from its very first launch, with a target orbital delivery cost of $4,600/kg, a figure that has never been achieved by a microlauncher to date.
The program also aims to provide an alternative for hundreds of academic organizations, young startups, and demonstration projects that previously relied on SpaceX’s rideshare service, known for its competitive pricing and reliability.
With Garnet, the alliance seeks to preserve the ability to launch small satellites incorporating cutting-edge technologies and, in doing so, contribute to maintaining Europe’s capacity for innovation.
For CT Engineering Group, participation in this project represents an opportunity to strengthen its position in the space sector and bring its advanced engineering, simulation, and Systems Engineering capabilities to a new-generation European program, contributing to the development of technologies designed to make access to space more competitive and accessible.
Partners
Alpha Impulsion www.alpha-impulsion.com
Alpha Impulsion is a pioneer in autophagic propulsion, driving the next generation of space vehicles. Since 2022, its team has grown from its locations in France (Toulouse) and Italy (Naples), leveraging European aerospace expertise to significantly reduce propulsion costs and provide more efficient solutions for space vehicles. Garnet is the company’s flagship program. It is a 15-ton-thrust (150 kN), 80 cm-diameter autophagic rocket engine specifically designed for microlaunchers carrying payloads of up to 500 kg.
CT Ingenieros www.ctengineeringgroup.com
CT is a leading engineering company covering the entire product lifecycle. For more than 38 years, our mission has been to provide innovative services and technological solutions that help our customers become more effective and competitive. Today, CT’s success is driven by more than 2,000 engineers across seven countries, providing comprehensive specialized services to leading customers in the aerospace, space, defense, naval, automotive, rail, energy, and industrial plant sectors.
Indra Group www.indracompany.com
Indra Group is one of Spain’s leading multinational companies and one of Europe’s leading companies in defense and advanced digitalization. It holds leading positions in defense, space, air traffic management, mobility, and transformative technologies through Minsait, while integrating its sovereign artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and cyber defense capabilities under IndraMind. Indra Group is helping build a safer and more connected future through innovative solutions, trust-based relationships, and top talent. Sustainability is an integral part of its strategy and culture, addressing current and future social and environmental challenges. At the close of fiscal year 2025, Indra Group reported revenues of €5.457 billion, with a local presence in 46 countries and commercial operations in more than 140 countries worldwide.
Mecano ID www.mecano-id.fr
MECANO ID is an innovative French company, founded in 1994, that develops advanced mechanical and thermal solutions for the space industry. With more than 30 years of experience, it combines deep expertise in design, engineering, and manufacturing to transform complex technical challenges into reliable, high-performance, and cost-competitive solutions. From initial concept through prototyping and industrialization, the company works closely with its customers to accelerate innovation and bring new technologies to life. MECANO ID is the industrial partner for ambitious space projects, combining engineering excellence, innovation, and manufacturing expertise.