According to the companies, the VORTEX-S spaceplane is designed to conduct round-trip transport missions to space stations as well as autonomous orbital free-flyer operations. The proposal is being prepared together with additional European partners as discussions continue to expand the consortium.
Dassault Aviation and OHB stated that talks are underway with other major European space companies to broaden industrial participation in the programme. The companies said the project is intended to advance Europe’s future capabilities in the field of space mobility.
Marco Fuchs, chief executive of OHB, said, “VORTEX-S is an ambitious initiative for the ESA, driven by the need for autonomous European space transportation capabilities.”
“As one of Europe’s leading space companies, the orbital sector is our core area of activity,” Fuchs added. “The partnership with Dassault Aviation is a perfect fit: As family-run high-tech companies, we share a common vision and bring complementary strengths to the development of a reusable spaceplane—Dassault Aviation as an aircraft manufacturer and OHB as a space company.”
The companies stated that the VORTEX-S proposal combines Dassault Aviation’s aircraft manufacturing expertise with OHB’s experience in orbital systems and space technologies. According to the announcement, the programme is intended to strengthen Europe’s independent access to space transportation capabilities.
Dassault Aviation and OHB added that the reusable spaceplane concept is designed to support both crewed and autonomous missions in orbit. The companies said the initiative reflects growing European interest in sovereign and reusable space transport systems for future operational requirements.
