ESA, Thales Alenia Space and Blue Origin for the exploration of low Earth orbit

A Memorandum of Understanding opens new opportunities for Europe in human, scientific and commercial space exploration, with a focus on the Orbital Reef Station and the development of European industrial capabilities

The European Space Agency (ESA) announced, through an official note, that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), and Blue Origin. The objective of this collaboration is to promote and facilitate commercial and industrial progress in the field of space exploration in low Earth orbit (LEO) .

The signatories will explore opportunities for European payloads and/or crew members to use, on a non-exclusive basis, the low Earth orbit space station Orbital Reef. This station will offer full services, including crew and cargo transportation, astronaut accommodation and payload utilization services.

Through this MoU, the European Space Agency intends to develop a closer relationship with Blue Origin and Thales Alenia Space for the development of Orbital Reef. This collaboration could provide services that meet Europe's long-term research and commercial needs, in line with the requirements recently announced by ESA .

The MoU will also support European industry in preparing to supply modules, systems, subsystems and equipment for Orbital Reef, and in conducting risk mitigation activities . In addition, Thales Alenia Space and Blue Origin are considering using future qualified European cargo and/or crew transport services in LEO, under commercially advantageous terms and conditions, as a means of transporting astronauts and supplies to and from the station.

Daniel Neuenschwander, ESA's Director of Human and Robotic Exploration, expressed enthusiasm for the new prospects : " I am thrilled to see the opening of a new economic dimension in low Earth orbit, to which this MoU is contributing. Our core mission at ESA is to support the ambitions of our Member States and, to do so, we are always keen to explore potential collaborations in a renewed ecosystem with a growing commercial segment ."

Giampiero Di Paolo, Deputy CEO and Senior Vice President of Observation, Exploration and Navigation at Thales Alenia Space , underlined the trust placed in his company and the commitment to innovation: " We are truly honored that ESA has placed its trust in our company to explore opportunities in the LEO ecosystem together with Blue Origin to meet Europe's commercial needs. Thales Alenia Space has played a key role in achieving humanity's ambitions in LEO in recent years. Leveraging our expertise in space exploration infrastructure and vehicles, we are committed to compete and invest in the development of technological solutions to power Europe's plans for the commercialization of low-Earth orbit. We are excited about our collaboration with Blue Origin and are ready to implement everything needed to prepare for human presence and life in space, laying the foundations for the post-ISS era and addressing new economic needs for research and science ."

Finally, Pat Remias, Vice President, Advanced Concepts and Enterprise Engineering at Blue Origin, emphasized the inclusive nature of the alliance : " This alliance is a unique opportunity to not only enable a new era of research and progress in orbit, but to welcome the broadest spectrum of partners in building humanity's future beyond Earth. Together, we are laying the foundation for industries and missions yet to be imagined ."