Future space transportation
ESA safeguards Europe’s guaranteed access to space by providing the building blocks for future space transportation
The space transportation technology of tomorrow is being built today by ESA. This strengthens European industry. It offers them a valuable head-start by reducing the risk of using cutting-edge technologies. ESA steers the selection, manufacture, test and maturation of these new technologies based on their potential to reduce cost, improve performance, increase reliability, or on their ability to fulfil the specific needs of an identified system, demonstrator or mission. ESA plays a crucial role in a process that takes fundamental space transportation technologies of the future from the laboratory to the launch pad to guarantee Europe's access to space.
Read more about ESA's role in developing future space transportation technologies.
Project areas
Propulsion
3D printing, materials and processes
Reusability
Structures and mechanisms
Avionics, software and Guidance Navigation Control (GNC)
Future systems and missions
- 3–6 technology levels
Latest
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ImageEnabling & Support
Technology Readiness Levels
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ImageEnabling & Support
Phoebus
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VideoEnabling & Support
Time for answers: Future space transportation
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ImageEnabling & Support
Themis
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ImageEnabling & Support
Thrust Chamber demonstrator
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VideoEnabling & Support
Demonstrating flight sequences for reusability
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ImageEnabling & Support
ESA propulsion projects
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ImageEnabling & Support
Prometheus to power future launch vehicles
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ImageEnabling & Support
Flow forming to shape metal
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ImageEnabling & Support
Outlook on future European space transportation
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ImageEnabling & Support
SABRE-powered launch system beyond 2030
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ImageEnabling & Support
Microlauncher concepts
