Bates Wells has advised HyImpulse UK Ltd (“HyImpulse”), a wholly owned subsidiary of German headquartered HyImpulse Technologies GmbH in its joint venture with Adamant UK Composites Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Greek based Adamant Composites Ltd.
HyImpulse, who are currently developing world-leading hybrid propulsion technology for vertical rockets, secured €6.5 million in funding from the ESA Boost! Programme founded by the UK Space Agency and the German Aerospace Center (known as the DLR) to support the development and launch of their three-stage rocket, SL1. HyImpulse will begin testing sub-orbital launches from its SaxaVord Spaceport in the Shetland Islands from August 2024, making it the first spaceport in Western Europe able to launch vertically sub-orbitally following approval from the Civil Aviation Authority this month.
The Bates Well team advising on the joint venture comprised of Nirav Patel and Olivia Brooks.
Nirav Patel, Partner, commented:
“HyImpulse are pioneers in this field and are contributing to the UK becoming a leading destination for small satellite launches. We were thrilled to be involved in this project and to assist them in their groundbreaking work. We look forward to seeing the next stage of this project and the journey to the first UK sub-orbital launch in 2024.”
Christian Schmierer, from HyImpulse, commented:
“Our joint venture with Adamant Composites opens a new chapter in the development, testing and production of rocket propellant tanks made from carbon fibre composites in Europe. With the advice of Bates Wells we were able to quickly progress with the creation of the joint venture and after securing the funding, we can now start quickly in 2024 with the R&D programme.”