European Space Agency (ESA) enters into agreements with Isar Aerospace

Private Munich-based aviation company, Isar Aerospace, inks agreements with the European Space Agency (ESA), marking it as the first privately funded organization to do so.

, and Administrator

2025 September 13 . 3:11 PM

1 min read

European Space Agency (ESA) inks deals with Isar Aerospace

European Space Agency (ESA) enters into agreements with Isar Aerospace

The European space sector is witnessing a significant shift, as the Munich-based startup, Isar Aerospace, has secured its first institutional contracts. These groundbreaking agreements, under the Flight Ticket Initiative, a joint programme of the European Commission and the European Space Agency (ESA), position Isar Aerospace more strongly as a partner for future European space missions.

The agreements, which are part of the European Launcher Challenge, aim to co-finance and competitively select providers to demonstrate and qualify new technologies in orbit. This initiative is a testament to the growing role of startups in the European space sector, and it underscores the confidence that European institutions have in Isar Aerospace's launch services.

Two missions are planned aboard the Spectrum launch vehicle starting in 2026. The 'Tom & Jerry mission,' developed by the French company Infinite Orbits, and the 'CASSINI mission,' developed by the Dutch company ISISpace, are among these missions. The approval for the CASSINI mission to be launched in 2026 by the Isar Aerospace Spectrum rocket from the Norwegian spaceport Andøya was granted by the Norwegian Space Agency. Both satellites are scheduled to launch from the same spaceport.

The role of Isar Aerospace in these agreements sets a precedent for institutional contracts with privately financed rocket providers in Europe. The agreements with ESA and the European Commission further establish Isar Aerospace as a trusted provider of launch services. These contracts also strengthen Europe's independent access to space, making it crucial for future European space projects.

These developments demonstrate the importance of private-public partnerships in driving innovation and growth in the European space sector. As these new players emerge, we can expect to see more exciting advancements in space exploration and technology.