ESA Awards Two Parallel Studies for European-Led Orbital Outpost

The European Space Agency has awarded contracts to two industrial consortia to carry out preliminary studies for a European-led orbital outpost. The effort marks a concrete step in defining Europe's human spaceflight presence after the International Space Station.

The contracts were awarded under ESA's European Exploration Envelope Programme to two competing consortia. One is led by Airbus Defence and Space and the other by OHB, both companies based in Germany. Six additional industrial and institutional partners are involved across the two studies.

The two studies are designated Pre-Phase A and will run for approximately nine months, with a milestone in June 2026.

The notional orbital outpost would be capable of supporting human spaceflight, scientific research and technology development.

The European-led outpost is one of several options being examined by ESA's Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration for the post-ISS era. The agency is also considering cooperation with future commercial orbital destinations.

Such a station would open opportunities for Europe to assume a greater role in developing and operating low Earth orbit exploration assets. It would also help build capabilities relevant to future exploration missions beyond low Earth orbit, and the broader European human spaceflight effort aims to prepare the next generation while staying open to international and commercial partners.

The studies are part of ESA's preparatory work for potential future programmatic decisions that will be made by its Member States.

By examining its own orbital outpost, Europe is positioning to play a larger role in low Earth orbit. The studies could reduce future reliance on non-European commercial stations and stimulate demand for European-built systems in habitation, life support, robotics and in-orbit servicing — capabilities that are also essential for lunar exploration missions.

The work feeds directly into upcoming decisions by ESA Member States on the direction of human spaceflight, meaning its outcome could shape the continent's exploration strategy and industrial base well into the next decade.

Europe has a long record of contributing major human spaceflight hardware. Its Columbus laboratory is a core module of the International Space Station, and the European Service Module provides propulsion and power for NASA's Orion spacecraft on missions to the Moon. With ISS utilisation coming to an end, ESA is actively evaluating what comes next.

The parallel Pre-Phase A studies will continue for roughly nine months, reaching a notable milestone in June 2026.