European Launcher Challenge timeline

Timeline for the European Launcher Challenge.

The European Launcher Challenge is the European Space Agency’s (ESA) initiative focused on expanding European launch service supply and therefore ensuring greater robustness in Europe’s access to space. Through the European Launcher Challenge, ESA will become a customer of newly developed commercial launch services, encouraging competition in the European space sector.

ESA launched the European Launcher Challenge to:

1. encourage competition among European launch providers;
2. promote a diverse ecosystem for space access;
3. support the development of innovative and cost-effective launch solutions;
4. enhance Europe's autonomy in space transportation.

The main goal of the European Launcher Challenge is to strengthen Europe's position in the global space market and ensure sustainable and competitive access to space to European and worldwide customers.

Member States at the European Space Agency’s Council held at Ministerial Level in 2025 confirmed major investments in the European Launcher Challenge. Five European launch service providers selected by ESA ahead of the Ministerial receive ESA support for their ramp-up phases so as to accelerate the service deployment to European institutional users. In addition they will receive co-funding for upgrading their launch capacity. In February 2026, Orbital Express Launch announced it was entering administration and has withdrawn from the European Launcher Challenge. 

• November 2023: ESA Council announces European Launcher Challenge in Seville, Spain;
• June 2024: Request for Information issued to Challengers;
• March 2025: European Launcher Challenge open for proposals;
• Summer 2025: Selection of Challengers;
• November 2025: European Launcher Challenge funding decided at ESA Council of Ministers;
• 2026: European Launcher Challenge frame contract signature;
• 2027 at latest:  First successful orbital launch to be demonstrated by companies to confirm selection under the European Launcher Challenge;