Expanding Flight Ticket Initiative

Cooperation Expanding Flight Ticket Initiative

2026-07-02 Source: Press release European Commission 2 min Reading Time

European Commission and ESA expand Flight Ticket Initiative to strengthen Europe’s launch capabilities.

The European Commission, together with the European Space Agency (ESA), has opened the European Flight Ticket Initiative to additional launch service providers, marking an important step forward in strengthening Europe’s autonomous access to space and supporting the growth of the European launch sector.

Funded through the EU’s Horizon Europe programme and delivered in partnership with ESA, the Flight Ticket Initiative enables European launch companies to compete for missions carrying In Orbit Demonstration and Validation (IOD/IOV) satellites. These missions allow new space technologies to be tested in orbit while also creating real launch opportunities for European providers.

The newly launched call for proposals is split into two parts. The first aims to increase the number of launch service providers eligible to take part in future Flight Ticket missions through framework contracts with ESA. Four companies, Avio, Isar Aerospace, PLD Space and Rocket Factory Augsburg, were selected in the first round in 2024, and the Commission is now encouraging additional European companies that expect to be launch ready before 2028 to apply.

The second part of the call focuses on awarding launch services for the fifth batch of IOD/IOV satellite missions. Six missions, shortlisted under a previous call, are now ready for launch, with both existing providers and newly selected companies invited to compete.

By bringing together Horizon Europe funding and ESA’s Boost! programme, the initiative supports innovation, strengthens Europe’s industrial base and helps build a more competitive and resilient European space ecosystem.

“The IOD/IOV programme, a joint initiative of the European Commission and ESA, has reached a stage where extending the Flight Ticket Initiative to new launch service providers is both timely and beneficial. We expect this opportunity to attract companies developing launch capabilities in Europe, creating more flight opportunities for in orbit demonstration and validation. This will support innovation, strengthen the European space ecosystem, and ultimately benefit EU citizens,” said Catherine Kavvada, Director for Secure and Connected Space at the European Commission.

Launch service providers can submit their proposals until 17 July 2026 at 13:00 CEST.

Subscribe to the newsletter now

Don't Miss out on Our Best Content

Business E-mail

Please enter a valid mailadress.

By clicking on „Subscribe to Newsletter“ I agree to the processing and use of my data according to the consent form (please expand for details) and accept the Terms of Use. For more information, please see our Privacy Policy. The consent declaration relates, among other things, to the sending of editorial newsletters by email and to data matching for marketing purposes with selected advertising partners (e.g., LinkedIn, Google, Meta)

Date: 08.12.2025

Naturally, we always handle your personal data responsibly. Any personal data we receive from you is processed in accordance with applicable data protection legislation. For detailed information please see our privacy policy.

Consent to the use of data for promotional purposes

I hereby consent to Vogel Communications Group GmbH & Co. KG, Max-Planck-Str. 7-9, 97082 Würzburg including any affiliated companies according to §§ 15 et seq. AktG (hereafter: Vogel Communications Group) using my e-mail address to send editorial newsletters. A list of all affiliated companies can be found here

Newsletter content may include all products and services of any companies mentioned above, including for example specialist journals and books, events and fairs as well as event-related products and services, print and digital media offers and services such as additional (editorial) newsletters, raffles, lead campaigns, market research both online and offline, specialist webportals and e-learning offers. In case my personal telephone number has also been collected, it may be used for offers of aforementioned products, for services of the companies mentioned above, and market research purposes.

Additionally, my consent also includes the processing of my email address and telephone number for data matching for marketing purposes with select advertising partners such as LinkedIn, Google, and Meta. For this, Vogel Communications Group may transmit said data in hashed form to the advertising partners who then use said data to determine whether I am also a member of the mentioned advertising partner portals. Vogel Communications Group uses this feature for the purposes of re-targeting (up-selling, cross-selling, and customer loyalty), generating so-called look-alike audiences for acquisition of new customers, and as basis for exclusion for on-going advertising campaigns. Further information can be found in section “data matching for marketing purposes”.

In case I access protected data on Internet portals of Vogel Communications Group including any affiliated companies according to §§ 15 et seq. AktG, I need to provide further data in order to register for the access to such content. In return for this free access to editorial content, my data may be used in accordance with this consent for the purposes stated here. This does not apply to data matching for marketing purposes.

Right of revocation

I understand that I can revoke my consent at will. My revocation does not change the lawfulness of data processing that was conducted based on my consent leading up to my revocation. One option to declare my revocation is to use the contact form found at https://contact.vogel.de. In case I no longer wish to receive certain newsletters, I have subscribed to, I can also click on the unsubscribe link included at the end of a newsletter. Further information regarding my right of revocation and the implementation of it as well as the consequences of my revocation can be found in the data protection declaration, section editorial newsletter.