First contracts signed in ESA-EU Flight Ticket Initiative

The first five contracts have been signed with European companies as part of the Flight Ticket Initiative organised by ESA and the European Commission – helping companies demonstrate or validate services and technologies on board satellites that are supplied as “ready-to-fly”.

The Flight Ticket Initiative provides co-funding of launch opportunities to European companies and organisations to fly their services and test new satellite technologies in orbit.

The first signatures are with Arianespace, Isar Aerospace, PLD Space, Orbex and Rocket Factory Augsburg. These now retained European launch services providers will be able to compete for specific work orders up to a ceiling of €5 million each for identified launch service needs.  

“The Flight Ticket Initiative is an important moment for European space transport. ESA and the EU are joining forces to stimulate European competitiveness, accelerate development of new space transport services, and support the growth of the European space economy, says Lucía Linares, head of strategy at ESA’s Space Transportation directorate, “I can't wait to see new European commercial space transport capabilities soar.”

ESA and the EU kicked off the Initiative in 2023 with a call for Expression of Interest – open to satellite operators until 15 March 2026. Launch service work orders will be awarded in batches following the selection of the ready-to-fly satellites at fixed dates in the call for Expression of Interest. The next cut-off date is 2 September 2024.

At ESA, the Flight Ticket Initiative is administered under its Boost! programme (services procurement element). Through Boost!, ESA also co-funds the development and demonstration of European commercial space transportation services. Isar Aerospace , PLD Space, Orbex and Rocket Factory Augsburg are being supported through ESA's Boost! programme.