European Flight Ticket Initiative now open to launch service providers
Today, the European Commission and the European Space Agency are calling on established and aspiring European launch service providers to apply to join the European Flight Ticket Initiative. The objective of the Flight Ticket initiative is to stimulate new European launch systems through open competition starting with In-orbit Demonstration and Validation (IOD/IOV) needs.
The tendering action published today will allow to identify a pool of European launch service providers ready to offer launch services in the 2024 – 2026 period for needs of the European Commission and ESA, that will act as anchor customers. Retained providers will be awarded a frame contract and will be able to compete for specific work orders for identified launch service needs.
The initiative will be operational as of early 2024.
The Flight Ticket Initiative for IOD/IOV missions will use exclusively European manufactured launchers co-funded through the EU Horizon Europe programme and the ESA Boost! programme.
This initiative is an important milestone for space in Europe and the space transportation sector. In addition to enhancing competition, it showcases the willingness of the European Commission and ESA to join forces to ensure autonomous and sustainable European access to space by relying on both established and new space actors.
Interested launch service providers are invited to submit their offers until 20 November 2023.This procurement process will be repeated, as necessary, with a view to expanding the pool of available launch service providers to address future needs.
