ESA backs five rockets in Launcher Challenge – only some have exploded
https://www.theregister.com/2025/07/09/esa_elc_challengers/
The European Space Agency (ESA) is moving forward with its European Launcher Challenge (ELC), and there’s some good news: three out of the five finalists have managed to keep their rockets from blowing up in public. That’s no small feat in the world of space launches. The ESA is offering significant prizes, creating a competitive environment for innovators in the aerospace field. This challenge could reshape how we think about rocket launches and safety.