Ismael Gutiérrez is Co-Founder and CTO at Arkadia Space, a Spanish deep-tech startup pioneering green propulsion systems for satellites and space vehicles using hydrogen peroxide-based technology.

Ismael previously worked at PLD Space, where he and his co-founders built deep expertise in space propulsion engineering and the European space supply chain before launching Arkadia in 2020.

Educated at Technische Universitat Munchen, Ismael leads all technical development at Arkadia, including the ARIEL thruster program developed in collaboration with ESA, which reached technology readiness level 6 in just two years.

Under his technical leadership, Arkadia secured four ESA contracts, achieved in-orbit validation of its DARK propulsion system in March 2025 aboard a SpaceX Transporter-13 rideshare, and won a commercial supply agreement with MaiaSpace, ArianeGroup's reusable launch vehicle program.

Arkadia has raised approximately 17.3M euros in total funding and became the first Spanish space company selected for the EIC Accelerator, chosen from 923 European applications, with its technology projected to cut operational costs by over 60% versus traditional hydrazine systems.