The European Space Agency and Vast Build on Existing Mission Collaborations and Strengthen Cooperation on Post-ISS

Back to Index Science & Exploration N° 61–2026: The European Space Agency and Vast Build on Existing Mission Collaborations and Strengthen Cooperation on Post-ISS 5 October 2026 The European Space Agency (ESA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Vast, continuing the collaboration between the two and paving the way for potential future cooperation in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). This is part of the agency’s global preparatory work in the framework of the upcoming end of service and de-orbitation of the International Space Station (ISS). Signed during the 77th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2026), the MoU reflects the shared interest between ESA and Vast to collaborate in future commercial opportunities in Low Earth Orbit and builds on a previous and successfully implemented one signed in 2024. “The International Space Station has been one of the greatest examples of international cooperation in space,” said ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher. “As Europe prepares its future space exploration strategy, we are assessing a range of options for maintaining our…