The European Space Agency (ESA) and Axiom Space have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore future cooperation in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), supporting preparations for a future beyond the International Space Station (ISS).
Signed on the sidelines of the International Space Summit in Paris, the MoU builds on previous discussions between ESA and Axiom Space and reflects a shared interest in developing future commercial opportunities in Low Earth Orbit.
"Europe is strengthening its autonomy while preparing for the post-ISS era," said ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher. "This cooperation provides a basis to explore how future commercial stations could support European science and astronaut missions while considering the potential role of European transportation capabilities. Any next steps will be guided by the decisions of ESA Member States."
The MoU provides a framework for a potential collaboration between the two parties including potential astronaut missions onboard the Axiom Station, potential cooperation relating to Axiom Station with possible ESA contributions to infrastructure and utilisation activities, the establishment of a user base for microgravity, as well as the development and integration of science payloads for spaceflight missions, as well as training and operational support of the Axiom Space Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA) program with potential technology contributions and training development for ESA at the European Astronaut Centre (EAC).
The path to a sustainable human presence in space runs through international collaboration - reliable supply chains, shared innovation, and partners who bring real capability," said Dr. Jonathan Cirtain, CEO and President of Axiom Space. "Europe's contributions to microgravity science and deep space technology make ESA exactly that kind of partner. This MOU strengthens our work together, and we look forward to ESA and its member states joining us as customers for future astronaut missions."
"With the upcoming de-orbitation of the ISS, it is our duty to anticipate and prepare future solutions to ensure our access to Low Earth Orbit," said Daniel Neuenschwander, Director of Human and Robotic Exploration at ESA. "The document signed today underlines both our commitment to safeguard our ability to pursue in-orbit science and to keep offering flight opportunities to our European astronaut corps, as well as the growing interest of international partners for our ongoing project to develop an autonomous European cargo vehicle."
ESA's preparations for a post-ISS future include securing options for continued access to microgravity research platforms and flight opportunities for European astronauts. The MoU will support further information exchanges and preparatory work to identify potential areas for future cooperation.
