ESA signs Vast agreement as it plans for life after the ISS

The European Space Agency says it signed a memorandum of understanding with Vast on 5 October, during the International Astronautical Congress in Antalya, Türkiye. ESA describes the agreement as a continuation of their collaboration and a basis for possible future work in low Earth orbit, not as a confirmed flight arrangement. [1]

The agency is exploring how to maintain European access to microgravity research and flight opportunities for astronauts after the International Space Station ends operations and is deorbited. ESA director general Josef Aschbacher said the agency is preparing decisions for a ministerial meeting in Rome in December on human and robotic exploration. Whether Europe should develop its own astronaut transport capability is among the questions under consideration; no decision has been announced. [1]