ESA weighs exploration options ahead of December ministerial meeting

ESA director general Josef Aschbacher told representatives of member states at IAC 2026 that the agency was assessing costs, schedules and possible scenarios that could be put before ministers, according to ESA’s account of the discussion [1]. The agency expects decisions at its Intermediate Ministerial Meeting in Rome on 15 December and is also preparing for the next ESA Council at Ministerial Level in 2028.

Participants discussed possible future astronaut transport, a sustained European presence in low Earth orbit after the International Space Station’s operational life, a greater role in lunar exploration and continued independent access to space. These were possibilities under discussion, not approved missions. Aschbacher argued for greater European autonomy in exploration and space transportation while maintaining international partnerships.