Posted: Sat, Aug 30, 2025, 10:28 AM ET (1428 GMT)
Two European companies won contracts to launch technology demonstration missions. ESA announced Wednesday it selected Avio and Isar Aerospace for the first awards in the Flight Ticket Initiative it runs in collaboration with the European Commission. Avio will launch three tech demo payloads as rideshares on a future Vega C launch, while Isar will carry two payloads on a Spectrum launch. ESA and the EU created the Flight Ticket Initiative to provide ways for European companies and organizations to test technologies in orbit. It also provides new competitive opportunities for European launch companies.

Related Links:

•  SpaceNews article
•  European Spaceflight article
•  ESA press release