The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
Find out more about space activities in our 23 Member States, and understand how ESA works together with their national agencies, institutions and organisations.
Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe
Go to topicProtecting life and infrastructure on Earth and in orbit
Go to topicUsing space to benefit citizens and meet future challenges on Earth
Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
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Artist’s impression of potential very heavy-lift reusable rocket for Europe, capable of carrying 60 tonnes of payload into space – the plans for which are now being developed as part of ESA’s Pathfinder Activity
ESA is charting the future of space transportation with the Pathfinder activity, an initiative to assess in detail how the business plan for the development of a very-heavy reusable launcher capable of delivering up to 60 tonnes of payload into low Earth orbit can be made sustainable in Europe. This bold step would ensure Europe’s autonomy, competitiveness and leadership in a rapidly evolving global space sector.
ESA’s Ariane 6 and Vega-C rockets are poised to maintain Europe’s access to space as reliable workhorses for governments, academia and industry over the next years. However, as space exploration evolves beyond low Earth orbit (LEO) for both human and robotic missions, ESA is investigating steps to adapt. Important for this vision is the ‘Pathfinder Activity for a European Very-Heavy Reusable Launch System’ – an initiative to develop a credible and affordable business plan for a European very heavy reusable launcher capable of delivering up to 60 tonnes of payload into LEO.
ESA has looked into super-heavy lift vehicles before, up to the recent Protein study, but further detailed analysis is considered necessary, with the objective to identify the steps required for a sustainable business case of a potential future industrial development in Europe.