Europe is making strides in space technology with two notable developments. Spaceo, a Portuguese start-up, secured a €3 million ESA contract for SWIFT (Spacecraft With Inflatable Termination), a project focused on developing deployable sails to accelerate the de-orbiting of defunct satellites. The first demonstration is slated for 2028.
Meanwhile, Isar Aerospace, based in Munich, aimed to conduct the first orbital launch from continental Europe, excluding Russia, with its Spectrum rocket. This launch, primarily financed by private entities, was postponed due to unfavorable winds. The 28-meter Spectrum, with a one-tonne payload capacity, is not expected to reach orbit during this initial test flight. Isar Aerospace emphasizes data collection as the primary objective. This launch is considered a significant step for “New Space” in Europe, joining other European companies like HyImpulse, RFA, Latitude, MaiaSpace, and PLD Space in the race for independent access to space.