France backs HyPrSpace Baguette One hybrid launch in 2027

(SpaceEnergy) France’s defence procurement and innovation agencies will support HyPrSpace’s first Baguette One suborbital launch, scheduled for 2027 from the DGA missile-testing site at Biscarrosse.

The Direction générale de l’armement (DGA) and Agence de l’innovation de défense (AID) will provide expertise for the flight, which the French defence ministry describes as the first launch of a privately owned civilian launcher from metropolitan France.

Baguette One is intended to validate technology for French launch company HyPrSpace’s planned OB-1 orbital vehicle while also supporting suborbital microgravity, hypersonic and defence experimentation.

The flight will be coordinated by DGA Essais de missiles and involve DGA Maîtrise de l’information, DGA Techniques aérospatiales and CNES.

HyPrSpace is developing hybrid rocket propulsion combining liquid oxygen with solid polyethylene fuel. An earlier AID technical description said the architecture is intended to overcome combustion-performance limitations associated with scaling hybrid engines and ultimately support launch of satellites weighing up to 250kg.

The 2027 Biscarrosse flight represents a subsequent programme milestone from earlier ground-development work supported by AID and DGA facilities in Gironde.