After a thorough evaluation, ESA preselected the proposals of the following Challengers:
- Isar Aerospace
- Maiaspace
- Orbital Express Launch
- PLD Space
- Rocket Factory Augsburg
I’m glad that a bunch of startups made the cut. It makes sense that Maiaspace got in, as an arm of Ariane, but they’re probably less strapped for cash. And thank goodness at least two have reusable concepts, PLD and Maia.
Yeah, it’s a solid bunch. We’re coming up on ten years since the first Falcon 9 booster landing. Multiple chinese companies are developing F9 clones. Europe really ought to be testing reusable boosters by now. Hopefully at least one of these will work out.
As much crap as I give the incumbents, Maia is looking like Europe’s best bet at the moment.
It’s a bad sign that PLD isn’t targeting a Miura Next launch until 2030. Hopefully Miura 5 goes well for them in 2026.
