ESA Contracts Two Firms for Independent Space Cargo Service

The European Space Agency aims to develop sovereign cargo transport to and from the ISS by 2030, awarding €25 million each to The Exploration Company and Thales Alenia Space.

ESA seeks to reduce reliance on international partners for space cargo transport.
The selected companies will demonstrate their cargo services to the ISS by 2028.
This initiative could pave the way for future crewed European space missions.
The contracts mark a shift towards private sector partnerships in European space operations.
The project is inspired by NASA's successful Commercial Orbital Transportation Services program.