German startup RATLOG, a participant in the Y Combinator Fall 2026 batch, aims to disrupt rocket engine design by reducing the number of components by approximately 90%. The company intends to develop a heavy-lift vehicle that matches the specifications of the SpaceX Falcon 9, while offering a wider fairing to meet customer requirements.
The company secured its initial funding in April 2026 through a €30 000 grant from the German government. Following this, the team tested its first prototype in early September. RATLOG is currently preparing for a hot-fire test of its flight combustion chamber scheduled for November, ahead of the Y Combinator Demo Day in December.
RATLOG has secured letters of intent from potential customers, primarily firms operating orbital data centers and satellite constellations. The startup is evaluating launch sites in Oman and the UAE. The founders aim to position the company as a more accessible and cost-effective alternative to the Ariane 6 launch vehicle within the European market.
