Importance Score: 72 / 100 🔴
ESA Explores Commercial Space Station Options for Future LEO Presence
PARIS — The European Space Agency (ESA) has forged a pact to explore the potential utilization of a commercial space station. This move refines its strategy to sustain a human presence in low Earth orbit (LEO) after the International Space Station (ISS) concludes its mission. ESA’s engagement with commercial LEO destinations signifies a pivotal step in securing long-term access to space for scientific research and technological advancement.
Collaboration with Thales Alenia Space and Blue Origin
At the Paris Air Show on June 18, ESA disclosed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Thales Alenia Space and Blue Origin. The collaboration will examine the possibility of flying European payloads, and potentially astronauts, to Orbital Reef, the proposed commercial space station by Blue Origin.
- The agreement explores potential European hardware contributions to Orbital Reef.
- Contributions range from subsystems to entire modules.
- Future European spacecraft could transport cargo and crews to and from the station.
“By leveraging our expertise in space exploration infrastructures and vehicles, we’re committed to competing and investing in the development of technological solutions to empower Europe’s plans for the commercialization of low Earth orbit,” stated Giampiero Di Paolo, deputy chief executive of Thales Alenia Space, regarding the agreement.
4K Ultra HD Portable Foldable Projector Screen 100/120 Inch 16:9 with Stand & Carry Bag, Lightweight 1.5 Gain Polyester Material for Indoor Outdoor Home Theater ...
? Coupon price [$42.96]
[Stylish PU Jacket] Stylish Modern Mens Outdoor PU Jacket - Warm Fleece-Lined Motorcycle Coat, Tough Guy
? Coupon price [$34.29]
UNZHUO MAKE Mens High-Top Camouflage Work Boots - Non-Slip, Durable for Hiking, Outdoor & Mountaineering, Nylon Upper, Rubber Sole, EVA Insole
? Coupon price [$48.40]
ESA’s Broader Strategy for Commercial LEO Destinations
The agreement is part of ESA’s broader initiative to evaluate the role of commercial space stations, frequently referred to as commercial low Earth orbit destinations (CLDs), following the ISS retirement, planned for the end of the decade. A year prior, ESA entered into an agreement with Vast, another company planning commercial stations, to investigate potential use of those platforms by the agency.
“We would really like to be able to continue to perform science and technology development in low Earth orbit,” affirmed Andreas Mogensen, an ESA astronaut, during a panel discussion at the Paris Air Show on June 19. “We are really exploring the possibilities of how we can cooperate, not just as a user and a paying customer, but also as a partner with many of these commercial entities.”
Utilizing Private Astronaut Missions
ESA has been trialing these approaches through private astronaut missions to the ISS. Marcus Wandt, a Swedish ESA reserve astronaut, journeyed to the station on Axiom Space’s Ax-3 mission last year. Polish ESA reserve astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski is scheduled to visit the station on the upcoming Ax-4 mission.
Benefits of Short-Duration Missions
Mogensen highlighted that ESA was “foresighted” in selecting reserve astronauts and supporting private astronaut missions. Astronauts on these short-duration flights are principally engaged in scientific activities, unlike long-duration crew members who spend a significant portion of their time on station upkeep. “It really gives us a huge boost in our utilization of the space station.”
Maintaining Continuous LEO Presence
ESA intends to sustain a “continuous presence and use” of low Earth orbit in its long-term plans, according to Daniel Neuenschwander, director of human and robotic exploration at ESA, who spoke at the same panel. “CLDs are potential platforms that could enable the implementation of this objective.”
This strategy includes agreements for a sequence of ESA missions to these stations. “We are definitely looking into the possibilities to have multiple astronaut flights,” he stated. “I’m quite keen to see what these actors will propose as possibilities to conclude multi-flight agreements.”
Optimizing Research on Future Space Stations
The agency is also exploring how to maximize the research potential of forthcoming stations. “On the ISS on the science side, we’ve been a bit spoiled,” observed Angelique Van Ombergen, ESA’s chief exploration scientist, referencing the extensive range of experiment facilities provided by ESA and its partners.
“When we think about the CLD framework, I don’t think there’s necessarily a lot of science we can do that we haven’t been able to do on the ISS,” she noted. However, she added, “we can tailor much better the science we do on which platform and really optimize them.”
Emphasis on European Industry Involvement
Neuenschwander emphasized that ESA prefers to collaborate with CLDs that involve European companies as partners. “I would like to see a strong European industry presence” in these stations, he stated. “The European Space Agency will support the projects which have a strong European share into it.”