The European Space Agency has taken a significant step towards establishing Europe’s first sovereign access to space by selecting two companies to advance designs of a cargo spacecraft. Thales Alenia Space and French startup The Exploration Company have been awarded €25 million each to develop vehicles capable of transporting cargo to and from stations in low Earth orbit.
This move comes as Europe faces the impending deorbit of the International Space Station and the rise of privately owned space stations, which could leave the continent without a reliable way to access space. The LEO Cargo Return Service contracts aim to invest European industrial capability in space operations, potentially leading to a crewed transportation capability in the future.
ESA Director of Human and Robotic Exploration Daniel Neuenschwander emphasized the importance of this contract in preparing Europe for the post-ISS era and strengthening the continent’s competitiveness in low Earth orbit operations. The contract is similar to NASA’s Commercial Orbital Transportation Services program, which resulted in lucrative service contracts for SpaceX and Orbital Sciences Corporation.
The Exploration Company CEO Hélène Huby revealed that their capsule, Nyx, is designed to service the ISS, private space stations, and NASA’s Gateway platform. With a maiden flight scheduled for 2026, the French startup has raised $65 million for its vehicle design.
“This contract is just the start,” Huby stated, highlighting the potential for further advancements in European space capabilities. With plans for a demonstration flight to the ISS in 2028 and a cargo transportation service online by the end of the decade, Europe is on track to secure its place in the future of space exploration.