With a view to flying an initial proof-of-concepts mission as soon as 2025, ESA Director of Space Transportation Daniel Neuenschwander has announced the selection of consortia led by D-Orbit, The Exploration Company, OHB System, S.A.B. Aerospace and Thales Alenia Space France, which are being contracted to carry out studies starting this year, proposing mission schemes.

Working through its Future Launchers Preparatory Programme, ESA envisions a space transportation ecosystem maturing in the 2030s.

The transportation system envisioned by ESA will also enable access to destinations, such as the Moon or Mars, that would be difficult to supply by single-launch missions from Earth. This ecosystem will be served by automated In-Space Transportation Vehicles.