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The space transportation technology of tomorrow is being built today by ESA. This strengthens European industry. It offers them a valuable head-start by reducing the risk of using cutting-edge technologies. ESA steers the selection, manufacture, test and maturation of these new technologies based on their potential to reduce cost, improve performance, increase reliability, or on their ability to fulfil the specific needs of an identified system, demonstrator or mission. ESA plays a crucial role in a process that takes fundamental space transportation technologies of the future from the laboratory to the launch pad to guarantee Europe's access to space.

ESA safeguards Europe’s guaranteed access to space through its Future Launchers Preparatory Programme, FLPP.

FLPP oversees system studies and research activities to foster new and disruptive technologies which have the potential to reduce cost, improve performance, improve reliability, or on their ability to fulfil the specific needs of an identified service, system, demonstrator or mission.

Within FLPP, demonstrators and studies hone emerging technologies to give Europe’s space transportation a valuable head-start as they begin the demanding work of turning the chosen design into reality.

Integrated demonstrators are built by combining multiple technologies into one system or subsystem so that industry can use the technology with confidence.

FLPP carries out projects in propulsion, materials and processes, reusability, structures and mechanisms, avionics and Guidance Navigation Control (GNC), and future end-to-end systems and missions.