ESA's new Boost! Program

[Mighty-T]

ESA has launched a new programme to support commercial space transportation initiatives.

http://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Space_Transportation/Boost%21_ESA_s_Commercial_Space_Transportation_Services_and_Support_Programme

Might be interesting to watch what comes out of this!

[john smith 19]

ESA has launched a new programme to support commercial space transportation initiatives.

http://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Space_Transportation/Boost%21_ESA_s_Commercial_Space_Transportation_Services_and_Support_Programme

Might be interesting to watch what comes out of this!

Indeed.

Note there are 2 parallel prongs to this. 1 for "economic operators," the other for state space agencies to apply for funds to further national space goals.

It's quite interesting that REL have done so much of the "economic case" modelling for this but as a builder, not an operator,  it looks like they may not be eligible unless they can find someone to develop a design to use SABRE 4.

BAe (or Dassualt, or Airbus) would be candidates to build the vehicle but none of them would expect to operate it.

The assumption that in space launch operator is basically a synonym for "manufacturer" is so deeply ingrained in the economic model it's hard for funding organizations to conceive of the operator being completely separate entity from the builder.

I do hope REL will give this close scrutiny because they do tick a lot of the boxes and I hope they find some way to benefit from it.

BTW I note that Norway, Portugal, Romania and the UK support both parts, Italy & Germany supports part 1 but not 2 and Greece supports 2 but not 1.

I cannot explain this alignment.

[Rik ISS-fan]

BOOST! is ESA's C-STS (Commercial Space Transportation Services and Support Program).
AFAIK FLPP is technology maturation support, C-STS/BOOST! will be technology commercialization support.
In my opinion Vega-E and Ariane 6 upgrades should also go via this proces, once they are operational.

A space transportation service, what does that involve?
If I understand it correctly, its both orbital and sub-orbital launch, in orbit transportation and removal. So a lot more than just orbital launch. But the full service should be offered.
AFAIK this should be on the ESA side of the forum, but indeed it's commercial space.