The ESA has announced an exciting opportunity for European companies to submit proposals for space cargo transportation services to and from the International Space Station (ISS) and future commercial low Earth orbit outposts.<\/p>\n
This initiative is part of ESA\u2019s Terrae Novae strategy<\/a> for human and robotic exploration, aimed at expanding Europe\u2019s human exploration capabilities.<\/p>\n As the International Space Station approaches its retirement, ESA envisions a future where space agencies act as customers rather than owners of space infrastructure<\/a>.<\/p>\n In line with this vision, ESA is inviting the European industry to provide service-based offers for space cargo in support of the ISS and upcoming low Earth-orbit destinations.<\/p>\n Frank De Winne, ESA\u2019s International Space Station Manager, explained: \u201cESA and its Member States are preparing for when the International Space Station has retired: an environment where space agencies are customers rather than owners of space infrastructure.<\/p>\n \u201cIn this context, ESA is giving opportunities to European industry to provide a service-based offer for cargo services in support of the International Space Station and future low Earth-orbit destinations.\u201d<\/p>\n