22/05/2026
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The launch of the 4DSpace-Daedalus mission in Norway is the latest success supported by the European Space Agency (ESA) program Prodex, which enables highly skilled research institutions to participate in European space science activities and missions.
“ESA currently manages more than 400 contracts with institutions and industry within PRODEX – the program for the development of scientific experiments.
“Prodex supports the industrial development of highly sophisticated scientific instruments and experiments in the science, Earth observation and microgravity domains for ESA science missions such as SMILE, PLATO, Comet Interceptor, Envision, LISA, ExoMars, NuAthena, Arrakis and non-ESA missions such as CLPS, Solar-C and Polar-2. We are also developing instruments and experiments for the International Space Station,” said the ESA Prodex Office. Chief, said Mitchell. Laserges.
At the Ministerial Council 2025, the 17 ESA Member States pledged a total of €327.52 million for this optional program – a 38% increase on the commitment given at the previous Ministerial in 2022.
PRODEX offers nations the opportunity to enhance their scientific knowledge, build industrial and institutional cooperation, and enhance their competitiveness in the space sector.
A springboard for science equipment and experiments
Prodex is supporting the development of scientific instruments for a range of ESA missions and activities. Some notable recent successes include:
4DSpace-Daedalus (ICI-5B) Sounding Rocket
Norwegian space weather research – The 4DSpace-Daedalus (ICI-5b) mission was coordinated by the University of Oslo, Norway and partially funded by Prodex. The Norwegian 12-meter-tall sounding rocket with on-board instruments and releasable subpayload launched in an auroral substorm on March 11 from Norway’s Andøya Space Center.
It collected abundant data related to highly charged plasma air and turbulence in the neutral part of the upper atmosphere. The data will be analyzed and used in space weather research and to understand fundamental processes in energy transfer and coupling within the upper polar atmosphere.
Optical Periscopic Imager (OPIC) for Comet
Poland and Estonia’s Comet Interceptor Equipment
Poland’s DFP-B2 instrument, developed by the Space Research Center of the Polish Academy of Sciences (Centrum Baden Kosmicznych PAN), and Estonia’s OPIC instrument, developed by the University of Tartu, are the first two instruments that will soon be delivered to the prime contractor for ESA’s Comet Interceptor spacecraft, Probe B2.
DFP-A instrument built for the Comet Interceptor mission
Further equipment developed Switzerland, Belgium and Poland The MANiaC instruments, including the CoCa instruments, RMA instruments, and DFP-A instruments, will be delivered this year to the Comet Interceptor spacecraft.
Belgian infrared spectrometer for ESA Envision
Prodex has a large stake in ESA’s Envision mission with 16 contracts to develop an infrared spectrometer called Venspec-H that will study the atmospheric composition of Venus.
Muskaan Mission
ESA’s SMILE mission will improve our understanding of space weather and solar storms and launches on 19 May 2026 with a number of instruments developed with the support of the PRODEX programme.
Prodex celebrates 40 years
The Prodex program, established in 1986, turns 40 this year. To mark this, a three-day festive event will be held in Switzerland with delegations and representatives from all Prodex participating states (Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia). Around 200 participants are expected.
