Aspire Space, an international rocket engineering company headquartered in Luxembourg, and Dubai-based software company LEAP 71 partner to develop a new large reusable launch vehicle capable of delivering up to 15 metric tons to low Earth orbit (LEO).
As part of the agreement, LEAP 71 will create the complete propulsion stack for Aspire’s rockets using Noyron, its proprietary Large Computational Engineering Model. The first-stage engines will be based on the company’s XRB-2E6 reference design — a high-performance, reusable liquid methane/liquid oxygen (Methalox) engine producing 2,000 kilonewtons of thrust, placing it in the same performance class as top-tier U.S. launch systems.
Josefine Lissner, CEO of LEAP 71, said: “Engineering lies at the core of human civilization, and we founded LEAP 71 to accelerate engineering itself — to push real-world progress forward using computational systems. But it needs the hard-won knowledge of industry veterans to be meaningful. We are opening up that treasure trove of experience by working with Aspire’s team.”
As a reminder, LEAP 71’s Noyron Large Computational Engineering Model combines advanced engineering logic, physics models, manufacturing constraints, and practical feedback into a coherent system. This system generates manufacturable space hardware without human intervention. It’s been called the first “AI that builds machines.” Rather than generative, probabilistic AI systems, it relies on a deterministic scientific foundation rooted in first principles.
Lin Kayser, cofounder of LEAP 71, reassured that the engines will be 3D printed using a machine with a build volume of over 1.8 meters.
Relocation to the UAE
Aspire Space is relocating its primary operations to the United Arab Emirates. The move supports the country’s growing ambitions to become a leader in the emerging space economy.
Stan Rudenko, CEO of Aspire, commented: “Sovereign access to space and rapid reusability are foundational to participating in one of the world’s most dynamic and aspirational sectors. LEAP 71 gives us direct access to propulsion systems right here in the UAE — a strategic advantage that made relocating our entire team an easy decision. We are excited to help the Emirates take a bold next step as a spacefaring nation.”
In addition to the orbital launcher, Aspire Space is developing a reusable spacecraft capable of transporting up to 2 metric tons of payload to and from orbital stations. Hot-fire testing of the propulsion system is scheduled to begin in Q3 2026, starting with the 200 kN second-stage engine. The inaugural flight of the Aspire Space launch system is slated for 2030.
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