Hydromars: Advancing circular water solutions for space

Hydromars’ vision focuses on two essential goals: Achieving total water recovery with minimal steps and recovering key nutrients vital for plant growth. These objectives lie at the core of Hydromars’ mission to tackle one of the most pressing challenges in space exploration - creating sustainable life support systems.

Despite advances in reusable rockets and electric propulsion, sustainable water management remains a key challenge in space,” notes Hydromars’ CEO and Co-founder, Shorena Tsindeliani.

Originally developed for the semiconductor industry, Hydromars’ core technology has undergone extensive ground testing. The technology goes beyond conventional contaminant removal - it effectively eliminates all volatiles, particle precursors, and sub-nano particles, enabling total water circularity.

Milestone: Delivery of Hydro4M2 – Hydromars’ first space-grade water demonstration unit
Over the course of 2024, Hydromars has developed the Hydro4M2 payload - from initial sketch to a flight-ready system - designed to meet the stringent requirements of Falcon 9 rocket.

Scheduled for an In-Orbit Demonstration (IOD) aboard The Exploration Company’s (TEC) Nyx orbital vehicle in June 2025, Hydro4M2 marks a breakthrough in compact water recovery technology. This system integrates the company's core technology with advanced instrumentation and control, all within a shoebox-sized payload designed to validate its performance in the demanding conditions of space.

Reflecting on the project’s journey, Arjun Monga, Hydro4M2 project lead shares, “Starting from a blank slate, it was incredibly rewarding to create a working concept for an extraterrestrial water recovery system. The challenges were significant, but so were the opportunities to innovate.”

On December 13, 2024, the Hydromars team successfully delivered the Hydro4M2 test unit to The Exploration Company's facility in Munich. The unit is set to be launched aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg launch pad in June 2025.

Despite size and power constraints, the Hydro4M2 payload is engineered to deliver critical insights, particularly into thermo-fluid dynamics in microgravity. These findings will play a key role in guiding the development of future Hydromars products. 

A boost from the Swedish National Space Agency
Following the successful handover of Hydro4M2 in December 2024, Hydromars was awarded a grant from the Swedish National Space Agency (Rymdstyrelsen) in Q1 2025 to advance its latest initiative - the SUSTAIN project.

 SUSTAIN is designed to deliver a comprehensive process design, focusing on advanced water purification and nutrient recovery for the upcoming commercial space stations. The fundings of the project support the development of next-generation technologies essential for the infrastructure of space stations and lunar bases. 

Hydromars is developing new technology for achieving total recovery of water and nutrients. Follow their progress at www.hydromars.eu. 

ESA BIC Alumni
Hydromars, incubatee of the ESA Business Incubation Centre (BIC) between 2022 to 2024, has benefited from the program in several ways. The company received financial and technical support for its first prototype, developed in 2022 for spaceship use. This work led to a patent for a simple and cost-effective purification method that doesn’t use chemical additives.

In addition to funding, Hydromars received significant help from ESA engineers and access to clean-room facilities through Uppsala Innovation Centre (UIC), which enhanced their research and development efforts.

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The ESA BIC Sweden is managed by Arctic Business and collaborates with regional partners, including Uppsala Innovation Centre, Innovatum, and Ideon Science Park, to promote innovation and support startups in the aerospace sector.

Meet Sergiu Iliev from Spacept - an ESA BIC Sweden Alumni company

Hi Sergiu, please tell us what you do at Spacept!

Spacept specializes in satellite-based remote sensing technology to monitor critical infrastructure. By using satellite imagery, combined with our specialized AI we detect potential threats such as vegetation encroachment, landslides and other anomalies that can compromise infrastructure.

In simpler terms, we help prevent issues by keeping an eye on assets like pipelines or power lines from space, ensuring their safety and efficiency.

How and when did your startup journey begin?

Our journey started in 2020 when we realized that satellite technology could be harnessed to improve infrastructure monitoring. We saw an opportunity to merge cutting-edge space technology with real-world applications and apply our computer science and aerospace engineering backgrounds to tackling problems that affect everyday life.

Which obstacles have you met along the way and how have you handled them?

One of the main obstacles has been educating potential clients on how space-based solutions can benefit them. Many industries are unfamiliar with satellite technology's capabilities, so we’ve focused on creating tailored demonstrations and building trust through pilot projects. This hands-on approach has been key to overcoming skepticism.

Why did you apply to ESA BIC Sweden?

We applied because we believed that ESA BIC’s support and network could accelerate our growth, providing us with the right environment to scale our technology and connect with industry leaders.

What have you gained by being an incubatee at ESA BIC Sweden?

It’s opened doors to invaluable resources, from technical expertise to business mentorship. We’ve also had the opportunity to collaborate with other space startups and gain credibility by being associated with ESA, which has enhanced our visibility in the market.

Why should others apply to ESA BIC Sweden?
For any startup in the space or tech industry, ESA BIC Sweden offers a unique blend of mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to ESA’s vast resources. It’s an ideal platform to grow and scale, especially if you’re looking to establish credibility within the space sector.

What do you think about the space market - what’s happening now and how will it change?

The space market is rapidly evolving, with increasing commercial involvement and innovation. We’re seeing a democratization of space technology, making it more accessible to industries outside of traditional aerospace. In the coming years, we expect the space industry to integrate even further into daily business operations and leverage the power of AI to transform how we gather and use data about our environment.

Find out more about Spacept here: https://spacept.com/

IamIP: Driving Innovation in Patent Management and Supporting Space Startups

“Together, we can provide these young companies with tools and support to protect and grow their innovations, helping them succeed in the competitive world of space technology", says IamIP, one of our expert partners about our collaboration!

What's happening at IamIP right now?

We’re constantly working to advance patent management through innovative tools and resources for IP professionals. Recently, we launched our second AI-powered feature, the AI Patent Summarizer.

Following the success of our AI Patent Categorizer, which helps users efficiently classify and organize patents, the Summarizer is designed to save time and increase accuracy by automating patent summaries. It’s already yielding impressive results, with users saving up to 25 hours monthly and seeing over 90% accuracy in patent reviews!

Beyond that, we're also preparing for our upcoming IamIP Patent Forum in Munich, where IP professionals will gather to discuss AI in patent management and innovation trends. We’re excited to keep evolving and look forward to sharing more updates soon!

Why do you think space startups are important?

Space startups are important as they drive forward the next generation of technological advancements, inspiring new solutions and applications that go beyond the space sector itself. Innovations from these companies have the potential to impact a wide range of industries—from communication and environmental monitoring to healthcare and materials science. By supporting these companies, we’re encouraging progress in technology that can solve problems both on Earth and beyond.

Why did you choose to partner with ESA BIC Sweden?

Partnering with ESA BIC Sweden aligns with our commitment to supporting groundbreaking technology and innovation. The center’s network of ambitious startups and focus on impactful technologies makes it a perfect partner for us.

Through this collaboration, we are able to offer our patent management expertise to pioneering companies that are changing the way we think about and interact with space technology. Together, we can provide these young companies with tools and support to protect and grow their innovations, helping them succeed in the competitive world of space technology.

Monava - an ESA BIC Sweden Alumni company

Avalanches, rock falls and landslides claim the life of more than 100 people in the European Alps yearly as well as causing multiple millions of EUR in cost on infrastructure damage and delays. Monava offers a solution that with a seismic sensor system will detect these types of disasters in real time so that rescue teams and local authorities will be notified immediately to avoid accidents.Meet Alexander Hebbe, co-founder of Monava, in a Q & A!

What does your company do and what’s the space connection?

We develop smart monitoring solutions from ground based acoustic sensors. In the training stage we validate our detections through satellite observations.

How and when did your startup journey begin?

It came out of a research project for detecting avalanches in late 2020.

Wich obstacles have you met and how have you handled them?

Financials, product-market fit, customers, team etc.

What have you gained by being an incubatee at ESA BIC Sweden?

Plenty of insights in space technology and its community.

Why do you think others should apply to EBS?

What's in it for startups?It opens up doors for further opportunities within space industry.What do you think about the space market - what’s happening now and how will it change?It is a very exciting market with a rapid fast development.

Visit the website: https://www.monava.io/

Interview with Linda Lyckman, SSC - Swedish Space Corporation

“If Sweden is to grow as a society and as a space nation, we must encourage people to take the leap into entrepreneurship within the space industry,” says Linda Lyckman from SSC - Swedish Space Corporation, one of ESA BIC Sweden's partners.

What’s happening at SSC right now?
"We continue to focus heavily on developing our space base, Esrange, and enhancing our future capability to offer space services such as rocket testing and satellite launches. We look forward to the new partnerships and customer relationships we can build through these services and also hope that new players in the space industry will benefit from this initiative."

Why do you believe space startups are important?
"If Sweden is to grow as a society and as a space nation, we must encourage people to take the leap into entrepreneurship within the space industry. SSC has extensive experience and solid knowledge of the space sector, and naturally, we want to see more players emerging within the Swedish space industry. This benefits SSC, the industry, and Sweden as a nation. At SSC, we see it as both a natural and important role to support space startups."

Why do you choose to partner with ESA BIC Sweden?
"SSC is always looking for interesting collaboration partners. Through ESA BIC Sweden, SSC has a fantastic platform to engage with tomorrow’s space stars. ESA BIC Sweden provides SSC with a unique insight into the innovation potential that exists in Sweden. It also allows us to expand our network, which we hope will benefit both SSC's growth and the space industry and business sector at large."

Learn more about the exciting projects at SSC: https://sscspace.com

THE CODE COMPANY

Let us introduce you to one of our ESA BIC Sweden Alumni's - The Code Company and its CEO Anders Wihlborg!

What does your company do and what’s the space connection?

Code Company is an award-winning ESA incubator startup focusing on turning new space data into valuable earth insights.

How and when did your startup journey begin?

We won the 2014 Copernicus Masters App Challenge with our application Fallen Trees, a service to detect forest storm damages.

Which obstacles have you met and how have you handled them?

Our main obstacles have been finding economic development resources and co-development partners. We handle it by bootstrapping and making the service more generic from start.

What have you gained by being an incubatee at ESA BIC Sweden?

Being an incubatee and now an alumni is a great door opener when approaching new clients.

Why do you think others should apply to ESA BIC Sweden?

The incentives and support from EBS is a great start for any aspiring space entrepreneur. Is it possible to apply twice?

What do you think about the space market - what’s happening now and how will it change?

With more private actors and growing numbers of Copernicus satellites, new opportunities for the market opens up in a rapid pace. We await the soon approaching launch of Sentinel-1C, replacing the lost Sentinel-1B a few years ago. It will bring higher temporal resolution to free radar images and will boost our forest change detection service.

Find out more about The Code Company: https://codecompany.se/

MANTIS PHOTONICS

Meet Mantis Photonics AB - an ESA BIC Sweden Incubatee!

What does your company do and what’s the space connection?

Mantis Photonics wants to make its patented camera hyperspectral camera available to patients for health screening by imaging the retina.

In the same way a satellite can determine detailed information about the earth's surface from a large distance with a detailed camera, our camera allows you to deliver information about the health of your eye and the rest of your body by taking images of the back of your eye. The eye is the window to your health!

With our technology, retinal imaging is not only safe and fast, but also completely non-invasive, ensuring your comfort and peace of mind.

How and when did your startup journey begin?

Mantis Photonics started in 2021 at Lund University. The company was started by dr Diego Guénot while working in the laboratory of professor Anne L'Huillier.

Which obstacles have you met and how have you handled them?

Mantis Photonics is building a medical product. This is difficult due to the strict Medical Device Regulation (MDR), the long development time and the requirement to manufacture and distribution the devices according to the regulatory standards. We have established a board of directors with a wide expertise range, including an ophthalmologist, an expert in medical law and regulation and an expert in company management.

 

What have you gained by being an incubatee at ESA BIC Sweden?

ESA supports us with a grant and allowed us to expand our network and gain exposure for our product. I was able to pitch at the EBAN conference in Brussels. I even won the pitch competition. The validation of a highly respected institute like ESA is a quality reference for investors.

Why do you think others should apply to EBS? What's in it for startups?

ESA allows you to gain exposure for your idea and to widen your network of investors.

What do you think about the space market - what’s happening now and how will it change?

The space market is expanding fast and will gain commercial importance in the future. The collaborations between government organisations and commercial companies is fascinating.

Read about Mantis Photonics: https://mantis-photonics.com/

PANDION AI

Meet PandionAI - an ESA BIC Sweden Alumni!

What do you do at PandionAI?

The company started in 2019 and we deliver cutting-edge information services vital to customer's business success. Leveraging the power of satellite technology, we ensure correct global information when customer need it for informed, actionable decision making and insight.

Wich obstacles have you met and how have you handled them?

The biggest hurdle has been expanding fast enough with the slow decision processes for early soft financing and grants.

What have you gained by being an incubatee at ESA BIC Sweden?

An early financial startup contribution, an entrance to various events and networks in the industry, but above all a quality stamp on the company through the initial evaluation.

Why do you think others should apply to EBS? What's in it for startups?

Especially for former non-aerospace personnel, it's a great way to get an entry into the industry.

What do you think about the space market - what’s happening now and how will it change?

Despite a weak financial situation today, the space market's arrows are pointing upwards. The basic prerequisites for a global technology are great in an increasingly globalized world.

Visit PandionAI: https://pandionai.com/

Meet PARSEC Space - an ESA BIC Sweden incubatee!

What do you do at Parsec Space do?

Up until recently, access to space was reserved just for a few actors mostly because costs in space are high and risks are even higher. PARSEC is a commercial space agency that provides certification and training of commercial astronauts, offering quality human talent to various commercial human spaceflight operations. Their mission is to widen access to space by reducing risks and improving affordability.

How and when did your startup journey begin?

Our team met during the latest ESA astronaut selection in 2021, where we all applied but ultimately did not make the cut. We then got to thinking about the state of the space industry and where the future of human spaceflight is headed, and we realized the enormous value of the impressive collective talent that exists among the applicants, which could be channelled for advancing the commercial space industry. Between all of us, we have expertise in a range of areas critical to space exploration, such as medicine, physics, astrobiology, engineering, and software development. The team also has experience from the military and space agencies such as ESA and NASA.

Which obstacles have you met and how have you handled them?

Our main obstacle so far has been bridging the gap between the current market and the future that we envision, where a commercial space ecosystem thrives in LEO and beyond. Also, balancing the work of a startup with our own professional and personal lives. Serendipitously, the somewhat long time between now and our future vision allows us to take our time to do things correctly while keeping our daily jobs.

What have you gained by being an incubatee at ESA BIC Sweden?

While we are only 3 months into our incubation, we have received invaluable feedback and greatly benefited from regular meetings with our advisor. That has already helped a lot with both our internal organisation and the development of our product, and we cannot wait to see what we’ll achieve later on.

Why do you think others should apply to EBS? What's in it for startups?

ESA BIC Sweden offers a lot of support from business experts who have specifically worked within the space sector, and that is an invaluable asset when compared to other startup incubators. Furthermore, ESA being one of the world’s historic actors in space exploration, startups have the opportunity to get feedback and mentorship on all that pertains to the space sector.

What do you think about the space market - what’s happening now and how will it change?

As the cost of space launches has been decreasing over time, especially with the development of reusable rockets, the demand for access to space will increase significantly. That unavoidably means that more private actors are going to be needed to meet that demand. That is why we are seeing such quick growth in the new space sector, and we believe this is only the beginning. We’re taking the necessary steps now to be ready for when this magnificent future arrives.

Visit Parsec Space: https://www.parsec.space/