European governments to weigh €10 billion astronaut launch proposal
ESA chief Josef Aschbacher estimates that buying foreign launch services could cost about €5 billion over the same ten-year period.
A proposal for Europe to develop its own astronaut transport system, costing around €10 billion over ten years, will be considered by European Space Agency (ESA) member countries in Rome on 15 December. Put forward by ESA director general Josef Aschbacher, the project would enable Europe to send astronauts into space and bring them back to Earth.
Funding has not been allocated, and national governments retain responsibility for deciding whether to support the investment. Europe lacks a fully independent crewed launch-and-return system and uses capabilities from outside the continent, particularly the United States, for astronaut missions to the International Space Station. Aschbacher puts the potential cost of continuing to purchase foreign services at about €5 billion over ten years.
The Rome meeting will also examine proposals for Europe’s activities in low Earth orbit after the International Space Station ends operations, currently planned by 2030. ESA’s exploration ambitions include a greater presence on the Moon, combining cooperation with international partners and European capabilities, with Mars as a further objective.
Separately, ESA’s cargo programme advanced with a €760 million contract awarded to The Exploration Company on 10 September 2026 to develop its Nyx capsule under ALADDIN. It provides €310 million for a demonstration mission, alongside €450 million for two additional missions still awaiting confirmation. The programme is intended to demonstrate cargo transport to low Earth orbit and back, starting with an International Space Station mission.
