Latitude (company)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace |
| Predecessor | Venture Orbital Systems |
| Founded | 2020 |
| Headquarters | Reims , France |
| Products | Zephyr launch vehicle |
| Website | latitude |
Latitude—previously known as Venture Orbital Systems—is a French aerospace firm specializing in rocket manufacturing, currently developing the Zephyr launch vehicle, with its maiden flight slated for 2026.
Zephyr
The first model of the Zephyr rocket is designed to transport up to 100 kg into Low Earth orbit (LEO). An enhanced version capable of carrying 200 kg is anticipated by 2028, primarily through improvements to its propulsion system.
Timeline
Established in 2020 and headquartered in Reims, Latitude inaugurated its micro-launcher production facility there in October 2021. By June 2022, the company had secured €10 million in Series A investments and subsequently raised $30 million in January 2024 to support rocket manufacturing efforts. In June 2024, the French government granted €15 million to the enterprise. Latitude planned to invest €8 million by 2025 for constructing a commercial launch site at the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana and entered into contracts aimed at expanding its manufacturing capabilities.