First contracts kick off European Launcher Challenge

The European Space Agency (ESA) has signed the first contracts under its European Launcher Challenge, an initiative to expand launch service supply and make Europe's access to space more robust. The contracts let the selected 'Challengers' secure and unlock funds as they meet milestones. Each proposal was reviewed by an ESA evaluation board that examined the companies' financial and technical plans and progress.

Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) of Germany is developing the three-stage RFA One orbital vehicle, which will launch from a SaxaVord launch pad in the UK. At about 30 m tall and 2.15 m in diameter, the current configuration targets up to 500 kg to a 500 km sun-synchronous orbit. RFA's contract is worth €186.9 million, mainly funded by Germany with a contribution from the UK.

Spain's PLD Space flew its Miura 1 technology demonstrator in 2023 and is building on that to develop the Miura 5 launcher and associated infrastructure. Miura 5 will launch from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana and is designed to deliver up to 540 kg to sun-synchronous orbit; PLD Space plans to add upgraded capabilities for institutional and commercial missions needing greater payload capacity and orbital reach. The PLD Space contract is €158.9 million, mainly funded by Spain with a contribution from Germany.

Germany's Isar Aerospace is developing the two-stage Spectrum launcher, which first flew in 2025 for 30 seconds from Andøya Spaceport in Norway. Spectrum is 28 m tall, 2 m in diameter and has ten engines in its current configuration, targeting up to 1000 kg to low Earth orbit. A second Spectrum vehicle is being readied to launch at Andøya, carrying payloads for its qualification flight. Isar Aerospace's contract is €197.8 million, mainly funded by Germany with contributions from Austria and Norway.

The contract award process with MaiaSpace is nearing completion and expected to resume in the coming weeks.