HyPrSpace is a French aerospace company building a new generation of hybrid rocket engines for both commercial launch and defense applications. Founded in 2019 near Bordeaux by Dr. Alexandre Mangeot, the propulsion physicist behind the core technology, and Sylvain Bataillard, the company has developed a patented hybrid propulsion system that combines liquid oxygen with a solid polymer fuel. By eliminating traditional turbopumps, one of the most complex and expensive components in conventional rocket engines, HyPrSpace reduces engine complexity by a factor of thirty while enabling faster production cycles and significantly lower costs. The company is preparing its first suborbital flight, Baguette One, scheduled for 2026 from a French Ministry of Defence site, which will mark the first private civil launch ever conducted from metropolitan France.
Red River West co-led HyPrSpace's Series A alongside DeepTech 2030 in November 2025, after three successful static fire test campaigns validated the combustion chamber architecture and confirmed thrust modulation capabilities. The team's deep expertise in propulsion physics, combined with strong institutional backing from CNES (the French national space agency) and the France 2030 program, made for a compelling investment case. With our existing portfolio company The Exploration Company also pushing the boundaries of European space innovation, we bring sector knowledge that supports HyPrSpace's international ambitions.
Fun fact: HyPrSpace gained unexpected mainstream attention when their rocket, aptly named "Baguette One," was featured on a US late-night show. The very French name caught Stephen Colbert's attention, giving the Bordeaux-based startup a moment in the American pop-culture spotlight and proving that even rocket science can have a sense of humor.
