Dassault Aviation and OHB are teaming up to propose the VORTEX-S multipurpose spaceplane to the European Space Agency (ESA), supporting both transport missions to space stations and autonomous orbital free flyer operations.

Under the proposal, Dassault Aviation would act as prime architect and global integrator for the reusable spaceplane, while OHB would oversee the service module as architect and integrator.

The companies say discussions are also underway with additional European aerospace groups to broaden participation in the programme.

“With the Vortex-S proposal to ESA, we aim to strengthen Europe’s space capabilities. Our German friends at OHB are natural partners to participate in this project, bringing their remarkable expertise. We are very pleased with this collaboration, which promises to be highly effective,” says Éric Trappier, chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation.

“Vortex-S for ESA is an ambitious initiative driven by the need for autonomous European space transportation capabilities,” Marco Fuchs, CEO of OHB. “As one of Europe’s leading space companies, the orbital domain is our natural playing field. The partnership with Dassault Aviation is a perfect match: as family-owned high-tech companies, we share the same vision and bring complementary strengths to the development of a reusable spaceplane – Dassault Aviation as aircraft manufacturer, and OHB as space company.”