23.11.2021
ESA Boost! contract for flight demonstration of Spectrum launch vehicle
Small and medium satellites can expect new launch opportunities on the Spectrum launch vehicle thanks to an ESA Boost! co-funding contract worth €11 m with Isar Aerospace Technologies in Germany.
The flight demonstrations of Spectrum will pave the way for an extended availability of European launch service solutions for small satellites, delivering dedicated launch opportunities.
Munich-based startup Isar Aerospace was initially supported by ESA’s Business Incubation Centre Bavaria and a previous Boost! contract awarded in November 2020. It is developing a 28 m high, 2 m diameter two-stage launch vehicle with a payload capability of up to one tonne to low Earth orbits.
ESA’s Boost! programme supports European entities that submit sound proposals for new commercial services to space, in space, and for return from space. Boost! brings these services towards operation, by providing co-funding, expertise and access to its facilities. This contract with Isar Aerospace follows a national selection process organised by the German Space Agency at DLR.
ESA will support Isar Aerospace with activities covering mission management, customer interactions and preparation to conduct two demonstration flights of Spectrum planned in 2022 and 2023.
ESA is also co-funding the manufacture, assembly, integration and test activities for the first stage structures of these two launch vehicles. This also includes the selection, procurement, and setup of the related manufacturing infrastructure.
These two flights will each host institutional payloads of up to 150 kg which will be selected following a DLR Announcement of Opportunity that closed in October 2021.