"Microlauncher Report" released by Capitol Momentum and European Spaceflight

As authors Maria Jahnke, Nina Stary (both Capitol Momentum) and Andrew Parsonson (European Spaceflight) note at the beginning of the report, Germany has become one of the hotbeds of European startup activity in recent years. The microlauncher manufacturers Isar Aerospace, Rocket Factory Augsburg and HyImpulse have received particular attention. This is hardly surprising, as all of them are planning maiden flights of their launchers in the coming months. As such, they are the focus of this report, although it should not go unmentioned that there are three other players: POLARIS Raumflugzeuge, GAIA Aerospace and Klaus Space Transportation.

German microlauncher manufacturers in figures, data and facts

To illustrate what this report is about, the microlaunchers currently under development are presented first. The graphics were provided by Andrew Parsonson, who has quickly made a name for himself at European Spaceflight. Nevertheless, "Road to the Launchpad" is primarily aimed at readers with an economic interest in German space activities. The Microlauncher report uses numerous graphics to illustrate financing, investments and cash flows. The authors also show the correlation between technical milestones and successful funding rounds. They also look at the network of investors, business angels and other capital providers. The break-even analysis should be of particular interest. It shows the point at which individual companies reach economic breakeven. Based on the data available to them, the authors calculated that Isar Aerospace could break even as early as the fourth flight, and HyImpulse as early as the sixth launch. The Microlauncher Report strongly doubts that Rocket Factory Augsburg will be able to maintain its targeted cost per kilogram of payload. According to the calculations, RFA would have to perform 286 launches per year to become profitable. Therefore, the authors conclude that RFA will have to charge between 5,000 and 6,000 euros per kilogram to be launched into orbit.

Only the first launches will show whether this prediction is correct. First, a rocket "Made in Germany" must be successfully launched into orbit. The race to space will always be exciting. In the meantime, if you want to learn more about the economics, you can download Road to the Launchpad for free.