ESA backs five rockets in Launcher Challenge – only some have exploded

Oodles of euros on offer for not accidentally blowing up stuff

Comment The European Space Agency (ESA) is pressing ahead with its European Launcher Challenge (ELC), and the good news is that three of the five pre-selected candidates have yet to explode anything in public.

The three yet to shower fiery debris over a launch platform or its surrounding area are MaiaSpace, PLD Space, and Orbital Express Launch (aka Orbex).

PLD launched its Miura 1 suborbital rocket in 2023 from Spain, but the booster only managed to reach 46 kilometers before falling back into the Atlantic Ocean and sinking.

The two with form for explosions are Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA), which memorably blew up its RFA ONE rocket during a firing at SaxaVord in Shetland, Scotland, and Isar Aerospace, which sent its orbital-class Spectrum rocket to a rendezvous with the sea.

Isar Aerospace CEO and co-founder Daniel Metzler called the launch attempt a "great success." RFA's co-founder and COO, Dr Stefan Brieschenk, said of the SaxaVord incident at the time: "Enjoy the footage. It is very spectacular, and it has cost us quite some money to generate."

ESA's initiative has taken on greater significance thanks to geopolitical shifts, meaning that previously trusted partners can no longer be relied upon. The ELC was announced in November 2023, and each challenger stands to receive up to €169,000,000. This covers launch services to be performed for ESA between 2026 and 2030, and a "launch service capacity upgrade demonstration, including at least one flight demonstration of the upgraded launch service capacity."

According to ESA, successful challengers can be awarded contracts for the two distinct components.

All the challengers seem likely to manage launches in the required time frame. Isar's orbital-class rocket left the pad (even if the flight could only be measured in seconds), and Spanish outfit PLD has flown the Miura 1. The first flight of Miura 5, which should be capable of deploying just over 1,000 kg of payload into orbit, is expected in 2026.

Phil Chambers, CEO of Orbex, said: "Being pre-selected as part of the European Launcher Challenge is a milestone moment – not just for Orbex, but for the UK space sector as a whole." The maiden flight of Orbex's Prime rocket is also expected to go ahead in 2026.

ESA currently has a gap in its rocket line-up. Arianespace has the heavy-lifter Ariane 6 in its inventory, as well as the Vega C, but no domestic options for lighter payloads. One of the goals of the ELC is to address this with something homegrown rather than opting for alternative launch providers. ®