Consortium · France (Europe)
ASCEND: Advanced Space Cloud for European Net zero emission and Data sovereignty
EU Horizon Europe feasibility study (EUR 2.05M, 2023 to 2024) published results on 27 Jun 2024; no funded follow-on or demo mission found. Its next announced step is continue the feasibility study to consolidate results, stated as undated.
Stage 2 of 7: Funded study
EU Horizon Europe feasibility study (EUR 2.05M, 2023 to 2024) published results on 27 Jun 2024; no funded follow-on or demo mission found.[1][2]
What the stage means: A funded feasibility or design study.
DoneConfirmed
ASCEND project starts (CORDIS 101082517); ends 30 Apr 2024
Consortium: Thales Alenia Space (coordinator), Carbone 4, VITO, Orange Business, CloudFerro, HPE Belgium, ArianeGroup, DLR, Airbus Defence and Space.
Source: EU CORDIS
DoneConfirmed
Results: feasible if a launcher about 10× less emissive over its life cycle is developed
Source: Thales Alenia Space
Targets as the organisation stated them. When a date moved, every move is listed with its source; a narrower window is shown as a narrowing.
undated
Continue the feasibility study to consolidate results[1]
2036 (project manager, as reported)
13 building blocks totalling 10 MW[1]
2050
1,300 building blocks, 1 GW[1]
What to watch · SpaceNexus note, not a prediction
Whether a funded follow-on phase or demo mission is announced.
| Figure | Value | Confidence and source |
|---|---|---|
| EU study contribution | 2,047,882 EUR | Reported[1] |
| 2036 goal (project manager, reported) | 10 MW (13 blocks) | Company claim[1] |
| 2050 goal | 1 GW | Company claim[1][2] |
Rounds come from company announcements, regulatory filings and press reports. Amounts, valuations and investors are as reported and may be incomplete or later revised. Not investment advice, and not an offer or solicitation for any security. Full disclaimer
| Date | Round | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan 2023 | EU Horizon Europe contribution (study). Led by European CommissionNot converted to USD.Public money, not equity; not in the total.[1] | EUR 2M |
Christophe Valorge (CTO, Thales Alenia Space) · Damien Dumestier (ASCEND project manager)
| Program | Stage | Verified funding | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASCEND (this page) | Stage 2 of 7: Funded study | Not counted | Undated: Continue the feasibility study to consolidate results |
| SpaceBlast | Stage 2 of 7: Funded study | Not counted | None announced |
| KP Labs | Stage 5 of 7: Own satellite flown | Not counted | Mid-2026: Leopard DPU on ESA OPS-SAT VOLT |
| D-Orbit | Stage 4 of 7: Payload demo flown | Not counted | None announced |
| Edge Aerospace | Stage 4 of 7: Payload demo flown | Not counted | None announced |
| Unibap | Stage 4 of 7: Payload demo flown | Not counted | None announced |
| Reflex Aerospace | Stage 1 of 7: Concept | Not counted | 2028: Launch Orbital-1 |
Evidence reviewed 5 Oct 2026, fact-checked against primary sources. Nothing on this page is sponsored, and no company can pay to change, reorder or preview it. Spotted an error? Report a correction. How stages and labels work.
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