Capricornio

Capricornio SLV

Mission Profile

Capricornio was a Spanish satellite launch vehicle concept studied by the Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial (INTA) in the late 1990s, representing Spain's ambition to develop an indigenous orbital launch capability. Designed as a three-stage rocket, the Capricornio program aimed to give Spain independent access to space rather than relying exclusively on the European Ariane family or other international providers. The project was never advanced beyond the conceptual stage, and Spain continued to participate in the European space launch effort through ESA and Arianespace. Nevertheless, the Capricornio concept reflected growing national interest in sovereign space access that became a broader global trend in the early 21st century.