ESA explores independent manned spaceflight capabilities

Josef Aschbacher, Director General of the European Space Agency (ESA), stated that Europe could develop its own capacity for manned spaceflights at a ‘very reasonable’ cost. This potential shift comes ahead of an international space summit in Paris, where European exploration strategies are expected to be a central topic.

Historically, ESA has relied on the United States for astronaut access to space and lunar exploration. However, recent restructuring of NASA’s lunar program—specifically the decision to move away from the original Gateway space station model in favor of a direct lunar surface presence—has prompted European leaders to re-evaluate their strategic dependence on the U.S.

Aschbacher suggested that expanding ESA’s ambitions to include manned flight and increased robotic activities would require only a ‘very moderate’ budget increase, estimated at approximately 10%. While Europe remains a key partner in the American Artemis program, providing the European Service Module for the Orion spacecraft, the changing landscape of U.S. space policy is driving a push for greater European autonomy in space exploration.