The European Space Agency (ESA) has opened submissions for its European Launcher Challenge, aiming to increase the number of sovereign satellite launch providers across Europe. Companies have six weeks to submit proposals, with ESA spending the following six months evaluating them. Winning firms may receive up to €169 million ($183 million) each at the agency’s ministerial meeting in November. ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher emphasized support for smaller launchers, including microlaunchers and minilaunchers. The initiative is part of a broader effort to strengthen Europe’s independent access to space.
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