The European Space Agency (ESA) has taken stock of the Prodex program, which for 40 years has been helping research institutions across Europe develop instruments and experiments for space missions. The agency is currently managing more than 400 contracts under this program.
Illustration of the 4DSpace-Daedalus (ICI-5b) mission with its secondary payloads. Credit: Trond Abrahamsen, Andøya Space. Source: esa.int
What is Prodex?
The Prodex scientific experiments development program funds the development of high-precision scientific instruments for missions by ESA and other space agencies. The program covers three areas: fundamental space science, Earth observation, and research in microgravity.
Among the missions for which equipment is currently being developed are Comet Interceptor, Envision, LISA, Smile, and others. Participation also extends to projects outside of ESA and to experiments for the International Space Station.
Increase in funding
At the 2025 ESA Ministerial Council, 17 member states allocated a total of 327.52 million euros to Prodex. The amount is 38% higher than in the previous council meeting in 2022.
The program enables participating countries to develop scientific expertise, build industrial cooperation, and enhance competitiveness in the space sector.
Latest results
Among the program’s recent achievements is the launch of the 4DSpace-Daedalus (ICI-5b) sounding rocket, which took place on March 11 from the Andøya Space Centre in Norway. The mission was coordinated by the University of Oslo, and Prodex provided part of the funding. The rocket collected data on turbulence in highly ionized plasma and the neutral portion of the upper atmosphere, which will be used in space weather research.
The first instruments for the Comet Interceptor mission are also being prepared for delivery to the prime contractor. They were developed by the Space Research Center of the Polish Academy of Sciences and the University of Tartu in Estonia. Several more instruments for this spacecraft will be delivered this year from Switzerland, Belgium, and Poland.
Prodex was founded in 1986, and this year the program is celebrating its 40th anniversary. To mark the occasion, a three-day celebration will be held in Switzerland, with delegations from all 17 participating countries in attendance. The organizers are expecting around 200 guests.
According to esa.int