European Flight Ticket Initiative Framework Agreement Revealed

Will Finance Launch Services for IOD/IOV Missions

Designed to bolster the European small launcher sector, the European Flight Ticket Initiative framework agreement will finance launch services for IOD/IOV (In Orbit Demonstration / In Orbit Validation) missions managed by ESA on behalf of the European Commission.

This agreement is part of the new context of fostering competition within the European space system, as emphasized at the Seville summit in 2023, with the objective to both stimulate new European launch service solutions, through ESA’s Boost program, and to provide regular opportunities of affordable and responsive launch services for selected IOD/IOV missions and possibly other EU missions.

Through this framework agreement, the principle is to be prepared to provide launch opportunities during the period 2024-2026 for IOD/IOV missions selected by the European Commission and ESA, among the demonstration missions proposed by operators, manufacturers, or institutions across Europe. Under the European Flight Ticket Initiative project, Arianespace will offer innovative rideshare launch services for small satellites, showcasing their importance, impact, and capabilities in the market.

By leveraging established space entities like Arianespace and emerging alternative operators, the goal of European space institutions is to unite the strengths of our ecosystem to ensure autonomous and sustainable access to space for the European Union and ESA member countries.

(Source: Arianespace news release)