Overview

• ESA and Avio signed the contract on Sept. 29 at the International Astronautical Congress in Sydney to begin initial design work on a reusable upper stage.
• The two-year agreement, reported at €40 million, funds maturation of key technologies and advances the stage design intended to return from orbit for reuse.
• Planned work will define demonstrator mission requirements and culminate in a preliminary design covering both flight and ground segments.
• ESA officials say near-term outputs could feed propulsion developments for Vega E, while the concept is being prepared for compatibility with other European launchers.
• Avio plans to leverage experience in LOX–methane propulsion and the Space Rider reentry vehicle, with detailed technical specifics and any post‑study development timeline not yet disclosed.