Rocket Report: Europe Splashes Some Cash on Launch Startups; Pallas-1 Nears Debut

ESA is awarding €186.9 million to Rocket Factory Augsburg, €158.9 million to PLD Space, and €197.8 million to Isar Aerospace through its European Launcher Challenge.

The funding could strengthen Europe’s independent launch capacity, while India still faces infrastructure and medium- and heavy-lift gaps despite private-sector growth.

Japan’s Space One plans to launch the Sarmony SAR satellite in 2028, while SpaceX is proposing a Starship expansion in Louisiana.