Josef Aschbacher, ESA Director General & Max Haot, Vast CEO at ILA Berlin 2024 (Photo by Vast)

Space station manufacturer Vast and the European Space Agency (ESA) will collaborate to accelerate human spaceflight missions in LEO under the terms of a new partnership agreement announced June 6.

The agreement outlines the parties’ intention to foster human spaceflight, science, technology and commercialization development and explore collaboration in LEO destinations other than the International Space Station. The collaboration will initially focus on exploring opportunities for access to space for Europe through the Vast Space Stations.

As part of this agreement, it could include access to the Vast Space Stations for ESA and its Member States, for astronaut missions and research activities as well as commercial business development. Secondly, it will could help support European industry to supply subsystems and equipment for future Vast Space Stations. Thirdly, it could see Vast making use of future qualified European LEO cargo and/or crew transportation services, at market rates and commercially viable terms and conditions, also as a means for offsetting future ESA astronaut missions. Finally, Vast and ESA will jointly support European industry in getting certified for docking to future Vast Space Stations.

“Vast is building Haven-1 with European technology to enable ESA astronaut missions starting in 2026. Today’s signature is the first step to providing ESA and its member states with access to space for research and science to benefit life here on Earth,” Max Haot, CEO of Vast, said in a statement.