Europe’s future in space transportation
Space is huge and essential to humankind, fuelling knowledge, supporting our economies and driving global prosperity. None of this would be possible without reliable access to space.
Since 1979, Europe has relied on the Ariane rockets and Vega series to launch its missions. Today, with Ariane 6 and Vega-C, ESA ensures Europe’s autonomous and independent access to space. But we are also looking ahead. With the Ariane Smart Transfer and Release In-orbit Ship (ASTRIS), Phoebus, P160C boosters, the MR-10 engine and more, ESA is enhancing its rockets with new innovations that improve cost, performance, capability and sustainability.
ESA is also leading the way in developing new propulsion systems to power the European launchers of the future. In collaboration with industry, ESA is supporting the development of new technologies to be used on rocket, boosters, upper stages, landers and spacecraft.
Initiates like Boosters for European Space Transportation (BEST!), Technologies for High-thrust Re-Usable Space Transportation (THRUST!) and Future Innovation and Research in Space Transportation programme (FIRST!), are advancing key technologies for reusable boosters, engines and other innovations crucial for the future of space exploration. ESA’s Space Rider is a reusable spacecraft and robotic laboratory, designed to stay in low Earth-orbit for two months and return payloads to Earth. Themis is a prototype for testing reusable rocket technologies, including vertical takeoff, landing and reuse, powered by the Prometheus engine.
The future of space transport extends beyond Earth launches, with in-orbit operations, transportation systems to support satellite servicing, orbital refuelling, and payload transfers between orbits.
To support all of this, ESA is upgrading its ground support and Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, to accommodate more launches.
Through programmes like ‘Boost!’ ESA is empowering the European Space Industry, supporting innovative companies which are creating new launch services. The European Launcher Challenge is shaping a competitive European launch sector for the future, strengthening Europe’s autonomous access to space.
Credit: European Space Agency (ESA)
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Nice to see Space Rider mentioned.. I was starting to worry about the project
I have a business plan to use Vega as part of a defence vector:
Total Length: ~17.5 meters
Maximum Diameter: ~1.5 meters (silo-compatible with PERSEUS-class SSBN)
Total Weight: ~6,530 kg
Stage Type Technology Function VEGA Heritage
1 Initial booster Solid propellant (VEGA P80-derived) Launch and acceleration to Mach 3 Based on VEGA’s P80 stage
2 Hypersonic cruise module 6× Meteor-based ramjet engines Long-range stratospheric flight, sustained velocity New; Meteor-derived
3 Ascent booster Compact solid booster Vertical ascent to 50–60 km altitude for KV release Based on VEGA/Zefiro 9
4 4× Aster 30-L smart KVs Solid propulsion + active radar Terminal interception, cooperative targeting (swarm logic ) Based on MBDA Aster 30
Effective Range: 1,800–2,000+ km
Engagement Altitude: 50–60 km
Payload: 4 × Aster 30-L "smart" kill vehicles
Target Types:
Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM)
Hypersonic Glide Vehicles (HGV)
Maneuvering Reentry Vehicles (MaRV)
High-altitude aircraft (AWACS, ASW patrols)
Swarm Coordination: Each Aster 30-L is capable of individual guidance or coordinated intercept logic
Advanced Guidance: Inertial + radar + datalink (Galileo/NATO C4ISR compatible)
Air-independent operation: Fully rocket-based propulsion, ideal for stratospheric and exo-atmospheric flight
VEGA Integration:
Derived directly from ESA’s VEGA launcher stack:
P80 first stage for initial thrust
Zefiro-class compact booster adapted for ascent
Leverages ESA/AVIO infrastructure for production and launch modeling
Launch Platforms:
PERSEUS-class SSBN vertical silos (24 per unit)
Land-based strategic silos in Iceland, Svalbard, Greenland
Modular containers for truck or naval deployment
Strategic Role:
Europe’s first non-nuclear continental missile shield
Capable of intercepting high-speed threats over 2,000 km away
Modular for layered integration into NATO/European defense grid
Possibility to be lunced by SSBN and ground base or 8×8 veicles
We Italians have already delivered the first module for the new Gateway station that will orbit around the Moon to our American friends.
Where is the A380 of space
polarity on mezons might repel ship up , ship fuel polarity, making fast train and than making jump rail so train would jump than with very big speed train would not fall but fly to space … its uuniversal law…. v times mass is energy. all you need is very big speed to get to space and not falll…. it can travel on low angle jump like 20 degree jump
2000 kilometers in second speed will work, in 10 seconds from jump , train needs to be in space