The European Space Agency (ESA) is studying the possibility of building its own orbital station in low Earth orbit. The project is being considered as one option for Europe’s presence in space after the International Space Station ends operations.
On 29 September 2026, the agency said it had awarded contracts to two European industrial consortia for parallel preliminary studies. They are led by the German companies Airbus Defence and Space and OHB, with six further industrial and institutional organisations involved. The studies began in June 2026 under the European Exploration Envelope Programme and are expected to last about nine months.
Their task is to assess the technical and programmatic feasibility of a European orbital outpost that could support crewed flights, scientific research and technology development. The consortia are to examine possible station architectures, including infrastructure, transportation and operational services, and to identify the technologies, industrial capabilities and partnerships required. The work builds on Europe’s existing experience: the Columbus laboratory module on the ISS and the European Service Module for the Orion spacecraft.
No final decision to build has been taken. An own station is only one of the scenarios the ESA Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration is considering for the post-ISS period. Alongside it, the agency is looking at reliance on commercial stations and a limited European contribution to such projects. The study results are meant to give member states a basis for possible programmatic decisions.
“We are examining the options in order to offer member states the best possible opportunities and to secure Europe’s future in low Earth orbit,” said Daniel Neuenschwander, ESA Director of Human and Robotic Exploration.