The demand for access to space is rising globally. Especially since Soyuz suspended its operations from French Guiana, this step clearly underlines the strength of an independent European space system and is a strong sign of the commitment to a European cooperation in space.
Isar Aerospace, Europe’s major well-funded private European launch service, a provider for small and medium satellite deployment announced that it has been selected by the French Space Agency CNES (Centre National d’Études Spatiales) to operate its rockets at the Diamant site of CSG (Centre Spatial Guyanais) in French Guiana. In the course of the open call of CNES, Isar Aerospace has signed a binding term sheet that lays the foundation to conduct commercial and institutional launch operations at CSG beginning from 2024.
“We are excited that CNES has selected us as small satellite launch operator to fly satellites from the Guiana Space Centre. With adding Kourou, we will further extend our global network of critical infrastructure and gain even more flexibility for our customers. But this is not only an important pillar for Isar Aerospace’s future growth. Creating more launch and deployment capabilities is an essential block to take on the global market for satellite launches”, says Josef Fleischmann, COO and Co-Founder of Isar Aerospace.
By securing yet another launch site in Europe and adding CSG as an additional launch site, Isar Aerospace will be able to increase the launch cadence for its clients and thereby ensure an essential element for its future growth. As CSG has a strong track record of successful launch operations and offers the perfect conditions for missions from customers across the globe, Isar Aerospace is committed to building dedicated facilities at CSG. With its proximity to the equator, CSG allows Isar Aerospace to launch into a wide range of orbits from the same pad, therefore providing additional opportunities for customers to access orbit. Its latitude of 5°2’ also boosts performance for equatorial and medium-inclined orbits compared to high-latitude launch sites. Kicking off the launch operations at CSG the company will further invest in French Guiana.
“CNES is extremely happy to welcome Isar Aerospace for operating launches from Kourou Diamant Launch Site. We look forward for mini launchers to complete Ariane and Vega activities”, adds Jean-Marc Astorg, Director of strategy at CNES.
The decision by CNES to have Isar Aerospace operate launches at the Diamant site at CSG underlines the company’s front runner position as the leading space access provider for small and medium satellites in the European market. Isar Aerospace promotes cooperation across the continent in space. Founded and rooted in Munich, Germany, the company conducts testing operations in Esrange, Sweden, and has also secured exclusive access to the first continental-European orbital launch pad in Andoya, Norway, from which the first test flight of Isar Aerospace’s Spectrum launch vehicle will happen.
Alexandre Dalloneau, Vice President Mission and Launch Operations at Isar Aerospace, who will also lead CSG operations, adds, “Launching from CSG enables us to provide our customers with even more flexible access to space at a higher launch cadence. We are glad that we were able to further strengthen our European partnerships to provide strategic access to space.”
The demand for access to space is rising globally. Especially since Soyuz suspended its operations from French Guiana, this step clearly underlines the strength of an independent European space system and is a strong sign of the commitment to a European cooperation in space. Opening CSG for additional launch service providers lays the foundation in operations and infrastructure to take on the global market for satellite launches and bringing global business to Europe.