European Launcher Challenge contracts signed and implementation starts

Contracts in the European Launcher Challenge are signed, and implementation has kicked off. The second stage of the challenge has concluded.

The European Launcher Challenge contracts are signed, and implementation has kicked off. The second stage has concluded, and an orbital launch is required before 2028.

Isar Aerospace is developing the Spectrum launcher. Its contract value is 197,800,000 EUR, and its funding is mainly from Germany, with contributions from Austria and Norway.

Spectrum has a 2025 launch date and first flew for 30 seconds. The facts list 2 stages, 28 m, 2 m, 10 engines, a 1000 kg payload, low Earth orbit, and Andøya Spaceport in Norway as the launch site.

Rocket Factory Augsburg is developing the RFA One orbital vehicle. Its contract value is 186,900,000 EUR, and its funding is mainly from Germany, with a UK contribution.

RFA One is listed with 3 stages, 30 m, 2.15 m, a 500 kg payload, and a 500 km sun-synchronous orbit. Its launch site is SaxaVord launch pad in the UK.

PLD Space has a 158,900,000 EUR contract value, and its funding is mainly from Spain, with a German contribution. A PLD Space launch date is listed as 2023, and Miura 1 flew from Spain.

Miura 5 is listed with Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana as its launch site, a 540 kg payload, and a sun-synchronous orbit.

MaiaSpace's contract award process is nearing completion.

For readers tracking the lunar industry, these facts show European orbital launch development tied to signed contracts and a required orbital launch before 2028.

The listed vehicles have different payloads, orbits, launch sites, and national funding, giving several European launch efforts to compare.

A second Spectrum vehicle is getting ready to launch.

MaiaSpace's contract award process is nearing completion.

The facts list other European Launcher Challenge proposals as before 2026-04. An orbital launch is required before 2028.