“New Space” is the name given to the growing space sector shaped by private investment and innovation, in which numerous start-ups are increasingly driving development rather than the large state agencies. The sector nonetheless involves close cooperation with the state and other companies as well. Two years ago, the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) held a competition for a microlauncher, with awards going to three start-ups that are working on small, innovative launchers that are to be used for transporting satellites, for example. These awards mean they will receive a total of 25 million euros from the German contribution under the launcher programme run by the European Space Agency ESA. We feature the three companies here:
First place: Isar Aerospace Technologies
The premiere of the launch vehicle Spectrum built by Isar Aerospace Technologies is currently planned for 2024. But even it were to be postponed to 2025, the project has recently received a huge boost. The …