NOVASPACE GMBH

Their core work

NOVASPACE is a Munich-based space sector SME that contributes specialist expertise to European space initiatives, ranging from microlauncher development to innovation ecosystem building. Based on their H2020 footprint, they work at the intersection of space technology projects and business/innovation support — helping launcher consortia with market-facing aspects and supporting space startup ecosystems through innovation intermediaries. They operate as a third-party expert rather than a technology developer, meaning they bring advisory, commercialization, and ecosystem-building capabilities to consortia led by technical partners. Their profile fits the shape of a space industry consultancy or innovation advisory firm serving the European NewSpace community.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Their early H2020 work (2020 onwards) centred on the technical-commercial side of microlaunchers — modular standardized services, space ports and launch pads for SAMMBA and ENVOL. The more recent project, InnORBIT (2021-2023), shifts clearly toward the innovation ecosystem layer: hubs, accelerators, intermediaries and SME support. The trajectory suggests a widening from launcher-specific advisory work toward broader NewSpace ecosystem enablement.

They are moving from single-technology advisory roles toward broader innovation ecosystem facilitation, making them a relevant partner for anyone building space-sector support programmes or startup communities.

How they like to work

NOVASPACE participates exclusively as a third party across all three projects — never as coordinator or formal beneficiary — which is a classic pattern for specialist consultancies brought in for bounded expertise contributions. Despite this limited role, they appear in consortia spanning 20 partners across 12 countries, indicating they plug into well-connected European networks. Expect a focused, advisory-style contribution rather than leadership of technical work packages.

They have worked alongside 20 unique consortium partners spread across 12 European countries, a broad reach for only three projects. The geographic diversity reflects the pan-European nature of NewSpace consortia.

What sets them apart

Most German space SMEs are technology developers — propulsion, components, payloads. NOVASPACE instead sits on the commercial and ecosystem side of NewSpace, bridging launcher projects with services thinking and connecting space innovation to startup-support mechanisms. For a consortium that already has strong engineering partners but needs market, services or ecosystem expertise, they fit a gap that pure tech firms cannot.

Highlights from their portfolio

• SAMMBA
  Focused on turning microlaunchers into modular, standardized services — reflects NOVASPACE's services-and-commercialization angle rather than hardware development.
• ENVOL
  A flagship European NewSpace vertical orbital launcher effort involving hybrid propulsion and composite tanks — places NOVASPACE inside a core European launcher initiative.
• InnORBIT
  Marks their pivot into ecosystem-building, working with innovation intermediaries, digital innovation hubs, accelerators and incubators for space SMEs.