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Commercial Cargo

All articles tagged with #commercial cargo

ESA Launches Own Commercial Space Cargo Program

The European Space Agency (ESA) has awarded initial contracts worth 25 million euros each to The Exploration Company and Thales Alenia Space to develop spacecraft for ferrying cargo to and from low-Earth orbit space stations. These contracts, running until June 2026, will focus on refining concepts and maturing technologies, with demonstration flights to the ISS planned for 2027 and 2028. ESA aims to adopt a more commercial model for space services, seeking additional funding at its next budget meeting to support the program through its demonstration phase.

via Ars Technica|

#commercial-cargo #european-space-agency #international-space-station

space2 years ago•4 min saved

Commercial Cargo and Spacecraft Development Plans by NASA, China, and Europe.

The European and Chinese space agencies have announced initiatives to hire private companies to deliver cargo to space stations in low-Earth orbit. The European Space Agency is putting up a total of 2 million euro to support two companies with preliminary design and fundraising efforts, while China's space agency is offering to pay no more than $17.2 million per ton of cargo delivered. However, both initiatives may struggle as they seem to be skipping the "COTS" phase of the program, during which NASA shared its expertise and provided a substantial amount of money.

via Ars Technica|

#china #commercial-cargo #european-space-agency