The European Space Agency (ESA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Vast, continuing the collaboration between the two and paving the way for potential future cooperation in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). This is part of the agency's global preparatory work in the framework of the upcoming end of service and de-orbitation of the International Space Station (ISS).
Signed during the 77th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2026), the MoU reflects the shared interest between ESA and Vast to collaborate in future commercial opportunities in Low Earth Orbit and builds on a previous and successfully implemented one signed in 2024.
"The International Space Station has been one of the greatest examples of international cooperation in space," said ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher. "As Europe prepares its future space exploration strategy, we are assessing a range of options for maintaining our presence in Low Earth Orbit. This cooperation with Vast is an important step in helping us define future opportunities for European astronauts, research and technology."
The MoU provides a framework for a potential collaboration between the two parties including potential future astronaut missions onboard the station Haven which is currently being developed by Vast, possible ESA hardware or contributions to infrastructure. Such cooperation may also address ESA utilisation of Haven space stations, including jointly defined research campaigns, dedicated science accommodations, associated up-mass and down-mass capacity, and crew time to support continuity of ESA utilisation between ESA missions.
"ESA and Vast are already collaborating on four crewed missions to the International Space Station and Haven-1 planned for 2027, including the first crewed mission to Haven-1," said Max Haot, CEO of Vast. "This MoU looks beyond those missions to the post-ISS era. We are designing Haven Station to ensure ESA, its astronauts, and its scientists have continued access to low-Earth orbit, while carrying forward the strong international collaboration that has defined the International Space Station."
"To ensure Europe's future in Low Earth Orbit, we need to anticipate and ensure our readiness once the great cooperation on ISS comes to an end," said Daniel Neuenschwander, Director of Human and Robotic Exploration at ESA. "In this regard, we are investigating various options to ensure our future collective ability to implement science and technology demonstrations in micro-gravity environment. This effort will also play a key role in creating new flight opportunities for our astronauts corps."
Another important segment of the cooperation relates to the common interest in collaborating and exchange information to enable possible future European cargo and crew vehicles to service Haven station. The MoU will support further information exchanges and preparatory work to identify potential areas for future cooperation. ESA's preparations for a post-ISS future include securing options for continued access to microgravity research platforms and flight opportunities for European astronauts.
This document replaces the MoU ESA and Vast signed at ILA Berlin in June 2024 and broadens their cooperation in human spaceflight, science, technology, and commercialisation. It runs for an initial three years, starting with a joint feasibility study intended to produce a roadmap and an indicative schedule for any binding agreements.
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