ESA Launches Own Commercial Space Cargo Program
TL;DR
The European Space Agency (ESA) has awarded initial contracts worth 25 million euros each to The Exploration Company and Thales Alenia Space to develop spacecraft for ferrying cargo to and from low-Earth orbit space stations. These contracts, running until June 2026, will focus on refining concepts and maturing technologies, with demonstration flights to the ISS planned for 2027 and 2028. ESA aims to adopt a more commercial model for space services, seeking additional funding at its next budget meeting to support the program through its demonstration phase.
Topics:sciencespace-exploration#commercial-cargo#european-space-agency#international-space-station#low-earth-orbit#space-exploration#spacecraft-development
- Europe seeks to emulate NASA's revolutionary commercial cargo program Ars Technica
- ESA selects Thales Alenia Space and The Exploration Company for commercial cargo program SpaceNews
- ESA to fetch stuff from space before ISS takes the plunge The Register
- ESA - ESA signs contracts for commercial space cargo return service European Space Agency
- European Space Agency aims for own version of SpaceX Financial Times
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