Europe discusses with SpaceX the possibility of replacing the Soviet Union
According to the Reuters resource, the European Space Agency (ESA) has started preliminary technical discussions with the SpaceX company in order to use its rockets. The fact is that due to Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine, European countries lost access to Soviet Soyuz missiles, on which the Russian government parasitize.
The American company has become a key contender to fill the temporary gap that has developed, alongside Japan and India. But the final decisions have not yet been made and depend on the unapproved launch schedule of the European Ariane 6 rocket.
“I would say there are two and a half options that we are discussing. One of them is SpaceX, that’s clear. Another, perhaps, is Japan,” said ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher.
He added that Japan is still waiting for the first flight of its next-generation missile, in which case India is another option.
“I would say that SpaceX is more operational among them and, certainly, one of the backup launch options that we are looking at,” said Josef Aschbacher.
But before making a decision, a number of technical issues need to be clarified. For example, the interface between the satellite and the launch vehicle must be compatible, and the payload must not be at risk from unfamiliar types of launch vibration. ESA is currently studying technical compatibility and has not yet requested a commercial proposal.
SpaceX has already attracted a number of other clients who wished to sever ties with the Russian space sector amid the attack on Ukraine. Attracting ESA as a client can be a big victory for the American company in the competition in the market of space launches.
Europe has so far depended on the Italian Vega rocket for small payloads, the Soviet Soyuz for medium payloads, and the European Ariane 5 rockets for heavy missions. The next-generation Vega C rocket, powered by a Ukrainian-made engine, debuted last month, while the new Ariane 6 rocket, which is being developed in two versions to replace the current Ariane 5 and Soyuz, has been delayed until next year.
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