European aerospace companies Dassault Aviation and OHB have announced a partnership to propose the new VORTEX-S multipurpose spaceplane programme to the European Space Agency marking a major step toward strengthening Europe’s independent space mobility capabilities.

Announced on 11 May 2026 from Saint-Cloud in France and Bremen in Germany the proposed VORTEX-S platform is designed as a reusable spaceplane capable of transporting crew and cargo to space stations while also conducting autonomous orbital free-flyer missions.

Under the proposed ESA project Dassault Aviation will serve as the prime architect and overall integrator of the VORTEX-S spaceplane while OHB will act as the architect and integrator of the service module. The two companies also confirmed that discussions are underway with several other European aerospace firms to expand the programme’s industrial partnership base.

The VORTEX-S concept reflects Europe’s growing ambition to develop sovereign reusable space transportation systems at a time when global competition in the commercial and governmental space sectors continues to intensify.

Éric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation, said the programme aims to strengthen Europe’s future space capabilities while leveraging the expertise of trusted European partners.

“With the VORTEX-S proposal to ESA we aim to strengthen Europe’s space capabilities. Our German friends at OHB are natural partners to participate in this project bringing their remarkable expertise. We are very pleased with this collaboration which promises to be highly effective,” Trappier stated.

Marco Fuchs, CEO of OHB, described the project as an ambitious initiative focused on achieving autonomous European space transportation capabilities.

“VORTEX-S for ESA is an ambitious initiative driven by the need for autonomous European space transportation capabilities. The partnership with Dassault Aviation is a perfect match as family-owned high-tech companies we share the same vision and bring complementary strengths to the development of a reusable spaceplane,” Fuchs said.

The VORTEX-S proposal highlights a broader European push toward reusable orbital systems capable of supporting scientific missions, logistics operations and future commercial activities in low Earth orbit. If selected and developed under ESA leadership the programme could become a significant milestone in Europe’s long-term aerospace and spaceflight ambitions.