Europe unveils reusable spaceplane targeting cargo and crew missions by 2030s

Dassault Aviation and OHB plan to propose VORTEX-S to ESA as a reusable European orbital spaceplane.

The program envisions a staged rollout: a suborbital demonstrator, then cargo and crew versions for orbital transport.

A first test flight is targeted for 2028, with operational variants expected in the 2030s.

If approved, VORTEX-S could give Europe independent reusable spacecraft capability for post-ISS logistics and dual-use missions.