ESA's Preparation for Micro and Mini Launchers: A Step Towards Space Commercialization
The European Space Agency (ESA) is paving the way for the commercialization of micro and mini launchers, a crucial step in the growing satellite market. Since 2021, the demand for satellites under 200 kg has been on the rise, and this trend is expected to continue until 2028. To meet this demand, ESA is actively promoting smaller, lighter satellites that can operate independently or in swarms and constellations. This shift is driving the development of more compact and efficient launchers.
ESA's Boost! program (https://www.esa.int/boost) is already supporting commercial initiatives for space transportation, in-space operations, and returns from space. Building on this, ESA is taking a significant step further by fostering the diversification of European launch services through the European Launcher Challenge (https://www.esa.int/EnablingSupport/SpaceTransportation/EuropeanLauncherChallenge) program. This initiative will be endorsed by ESA Member States at the Council at the ministerial level in November 2025.
A key part of this strategy was an open call for ideas for privately-developed micro and mini launchers to meet ESA's small payload needs. Out of twenty initial proposals, ESA selected five projects for in-depth feasibility studies with five different European launch service providers:
- Isar Aerospace and Rocket Factory Augsburg (Germany), Orbex (UK), PLD Space (Spain), and MaiaSpace (France) are conducting studies for four specific ESA missions with unique launch constraints.
- LUMIO (https://www.esa.int/EnablingSupport/SpaceEngineeringTechnology/ShapingtheFuture/LUMIONewCubeSatIlluminatingLunarImpacts) is a CubeSat mission to observe meteoroid impacts on the far side of the Moon.
- DRACO (https://www.esa.int/SpaceSafety/Dracomissionmadefor_destruction) aims to collect unique measurements during the reentry and breakup of a satellite.
- SATIS (https://www.esa.int/SpaceSafety/PlanetaryDefenceProjectsandCoreActivities-CM22) could involve a rendezvous with the Apophis asteroid before its close approach to Earth in 2029.
- Celeste (https://www.esa.int/Applications/Satellitenavigation/LEO-PNT/GalileodaughtermissionnamerevealedCeleste) (LEO-PNT) is a constellation of satellites designed to enhance satellite navigation concepts for resilient positioning and timing services.
These studies are crucial for ESA to establish relationships with emerging European launch providers and advance the commercialization of space services. The initiative is supported by ESA's Directorate for Commercialisation, Industry and Competitiveness, the Directorate for Space Transportation, and the Directorate for Technology, Engineering, and Quality. It is part of ESA's Basic Activities, specifically the Preparation element (https://www.esa.int/ESAMultimedia/Images/2021/05/ESAPreparation).
