The German Aerospace Center (DLR) intends to procure 80 Red Kite solid-fuel rocket motors from the German firm Bayern-Chemie. The agency published a procurement notice on 2 November, identifying the company as the sole qualified supplier following a 30-day market consultation across the European Union.
The motors are intended for the Mobile Rocket Base (MORABA) team to support scientific research and technology testing. The Red Kite system was co-developed by DLR and Bayern-Chemie to decrease dependence on foreign propulsion technology, including surplus US military hardware.
The contract value and delivery timeline remain undisclosed. Under German regulations, the agreement could be finalized as early as 13 November, following a mandatory 10-day waiting period after the notice publication. This order significantly expands the program, which previously produced 30 units.
The Red Kite motor is compatible with single and multi-stage rocket configurations. In a two-stage setup, it is capable of transporting payloads of over 400 kilograms to altitudes of 250 kilometers or more. Since its first flight in 2023, the motor has been used in eight missions.
