Marking the completion of the first stage of the challenge, “Five Challengers” have been preselected to move forward. They are: Isar Aerospace (Germany), Maiaspace (France), Orbital Express Launch (Orbex, UK), PLD Space (Spain), and Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA, Germany).
European Launcher Challenge
The challenge is part of ESA’s preparation for future European space transportation services. Basically, it aims to achieve greater European sovereignty in terms of launch services and general space competitiveness.
It is a two-stage competitive tender. And the successful companies will be competing for two distinct components. The first involves launch services for ESA, to be performed in the period 2026-2030. The second, for larger launches, is a “launch service capacity upgrade demonstration”. This will include at least one flight demonstration of the upgraded launch service capacity.
Second stage
Following this initial selection, the ESA will begin consultation with its member states. This dialogue phase will cover legal documentation in terms of funding, related content and details of the phasing of the project.
Once the member states commit to funding, in detail, the second stage of the tender will open for final selections.
Geo-return
What is interesting is that the European Launcher Challenge marks a move away from a “geo-return” policy for the ESA.
This aims for ESA members to receive economic benefits commensurate with their financial contributions. This is via contracts with companies in the respective states. Ideally they will be broadly proportional to their financial contributions to the ESA.
The ESA’s Director General, Josef Aschbacher, however, has previously signalled the agencies intention to move towards more competitive processes. This will centre around the companies and technologies available, irrespective of their member state’s contribution.
Image: ESA – European Launcher Challenge logo
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