Developing the first reusable AirLaunch launch vehicle system for flexible satellite launches from aircraft
GAIA Aerospace GmbH
Braunschweig (Rebenring 33)New on Amplifa
About GAIA Aerospace
GAIA Aerospace GmbH, based in Braunschweig, is developing the reusable AirLaunch launch vehicle system Valkyrie for the European space market. The concept envisages launching the rocket from an aircraft, enabling satellites to be placed quickly and flexibly into low Earth orbits (LEO) and sun-synchronous orbits (SSO), independent of fixed launch sites and largely independent of weather conditions. The Valkyrie is designed for a payload of 150 kg (LEO) or 100 kg (SSO), is approximately 12 m long with a 1.1 m diameter, and uses LOX/propane as propellant in an electric pump-fed propulsion cycle. The first stage, with seven Thor engines (120 kN thrust), is to be fully reusable, while the second stage, with one Thor engine (18 kN thrust), is fully encapsulated and integrated. The company is in early development phases; job postings with start dates Q1/Q2 2027 indicate the ongoing build-up of development and manufacturing capacity, including the construction of mock-ups, prototypes and test stands.
- Site
- Braunschweig
- Processes
- AirLaunch system (launch from aircraft), Development of reusable launch vehicles (Valkyrie), Rocket engine development (Thor), Test stands and test campaigns
- Materials
- Metallic structures, Fiber composite materials
- Certificates
- Structural tests / qualification tests
- Industries
- Aerospace/NewSpace, Satellite launch services (LEO/SSO)
- 01
Engineering and system development
- 02
Design and FEM analysis of structural components
- 03
Manufacture of prototypes and test stands
- 04
Assembly of structures and subassemblies
- 05
Development and qualification testing
- 06
Test campaigns and measurement data evaluation
Materials and Processes
Metallic structures
Manufacture of metallic structural components for the launch vehicle, including welding and joining processes (MIG/MAG, TIG, laser welding).
Fiber composite materials
Development and manufacture of fiber-reinforced composite components for lightweight construction in high-stress aerospace systems.
Sites
Braunschweig
DEHeadquarters and development
- Test stands and test facilities (under construction)
Systems and Components
Inside the production
Industries
Additional services
Quality
Qualification and verification of the systems are carried out through development and qualification tests of components up to complete engine tests, as well as structural tests with measurement data evaluation.
| Evidence | Braunschweig |
|---|---|
| Structural tests / qualification tests |
History
Development of the Valkyrie AirLaunch vehicle (150 kg LEO / 100 kg SSO, 12 m length, LOX/propane, electric pump-fed) in early development phases; job postings with start dates Q1/Q2 2027