Verified ESA press release, 5 September 2026
What it does not test. Does not establish recurring commercial launch service or a paying customer manifest beyond the demonstration payloads flown.
How this item counts. Towards autonomy: it changes who operates, who made the parts. Binding 3 of 3 (in force or operating), scale 1 of 3 (small), Verified counts in full: weight +6 of 36 possible. German rocket, own launch reached orbit; single demo flight, no manifest yet. European Sovereignty Index