A business plan built on government revenue depends on the buying rules. Lenders and buyers test whether the company can win the next contract, not just the current one.
Across the 3 regimes
ESA and EU
ESA scores tenders on price, technical marks and, where set, industrial policy and geographic return. EU programmes follow the Space Programme Regulation, with a 30% subcontracting target outside the prime's group on contracts above €10m.
United States
Agencies buy under the FAR and their supplements, often through commercial item rules, Other Transactions and NASA Space Act Agreements. Federal launch must come from US commercial providers where possible.
UK and France
UK: the Procurement Act 2023, with defence and security contracts for military space; UK Space Agency grants and national programmes. France: public procurement code and DGA/CNES contracts.
The rest of this page sets out the 3 quoted provisions behind these cells, what is usually negotiated, and what lenders and buyers ask. It is free with a work email, along with the full tools, guides and register downloads.
Unlock the full section
Free. Work emails only. Unsubscribe at any time.
Related
- Guide: Government anchor contracts and bankability
- Checklist: Satellite licensing and transfer checklist
General information on public law and standard terms as at 28 Oct 2026, not legal advice on any contract or transaction. Quoted wording is checked against the official text linked to it.