Execution of Orbital Launch Services from Mobile and Maritime Launch Platforms

This is not a procurement procedure! It is a non-binding information request solely for market exploration in accordance with Section 28 of the Public Procurement Regulations (VgV). The German Aerospace Center (DLR) aims to increase the availability and resilience of European launch sites. The demand for secure access to space has increased significantly in recent years. To strengthen resilience, it is important to establish additional and alternative launch sites to the "Centre Spatial Guyanais" (CSG) in French Guiana within the European Union (EU). While alternative launch sites exist in Europe, such as SaxaVord Spaceport and Andøya Spaceport, these are located outside the EU and at high northern latitudes. However, for the European launch demands expected in the coming years and decades, access to geostationary transfer orbits as well as orbits with low inclination, which are particularly relevant for many satellite constellations, is of central importance. This requires launch sites at lower latitudes and secure launch corridors in an easterly direction. Conditions that are only limited or not at all met on the European mainland. A promising and flexible alternative is therefore so-called off-shore launch sites, where carrier rockets are launched from maritime platforms, such as ships. Due to their free positioning and mobility, such launch sites allow for optimal adaptation to mission-specific requirements. This market exploration aims to investigate which European solutions for maritime and mobile launch platforms will be available by 2029. The goal is to demonstrate an orbital launch from such a maritime and mobile launch platform. There are no specifications for the type of carrier (mass, fuel, etc.), but in the first step, it is assumed that payloads between 100-200 kg will be launched into Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Specifically, the following activities are planned for a possible future contract: 1) Creation of all necessary prerequisites for orbital satellite launch 2) Execution of a satellite launch into a stable orbit from a mobile and maritime launch platform 3) If applicable, handover of the satellite to a satellite operator. If you can perform the service described above, please send us meaningful documentation, a concept, and references by email no later than August 20, 2026. The following boundary conditions must be described by the provider: • Proof of initial completed technical development milestones, • traceable milestone plan with an orbital launch campaign (demonstration flight) in 2029, • a preliminary system architecture. • The availability of a suitable launch vehicle is the responsibility of the provider; the overall system should be open to various European providers. The corresponding suitability of the concept for carrying out a demonstration flight with the carriers must be proven by the provider using appropriate interface documentation based on the preliminary system architecture. Regarding the system architecture, at least the three German companies ISAR Aerospace AG, Rocket Factory Augsburg, and HyImpulse should be considered. Consideration of other European carriers is desirable.