/sci/ - Science & Math

https://europeanspaceflight.com/france-to-fund-demonstration-missions-of-microlaunchers/

> The three target missions operators will be able to bid on are:
>--LEO mission at an altitude of 400 km with a mass of 50 kg
>--SSO mission at an altitude of 500 km with a mass of 300 kg
>--SSO mission at an altitude of 600 km with a mass of 800 kg

> France currently has a number of launch vehicle startups that plan to offer a range of capabilities. Unsurprisingly, there is at least one provider that offers capabilities in line with each of the three target missions. MaiaSpace with Maia in an expandable configuration will be able to handle the largest target missions. The company may also look to bid on the 300-kilogram mission with a recoverable Maia making the argument that they’re technically two different vehicles.

> Sirius Space may just be able to bid for the largest target mission with its Sirius 15 vehicle. However, the company may not be able to complete the development of what is the largest of its three planned vehicles before the cutoff date of 2027. The company will be able to bid on the other two target missions with its Sirius 1 and Sirius 13 vehicles.

> Opus Aerospace, Latitude, and HyPrSpace will likely only be able to bid on the smallest of the three target missions. That leaves Dark, who will be able to bid on all but the largest of the three missions.