Dassault Aviation and OHB Team Up to Offer Vortex-S Spaceplane to ESA

A Partnership for European Space Mobility

Dassault Aviation and OHB have joined forces to propose to the European Space Agency (ESA) a versatile spaceplane capable of making round trips to space stations and conducting autonomous orbital missions, in collaboration with other European partners.

Dassault Aviation will serve as the architect of VORTEX-S and the overall integrator of the spaceplane, while OHB will act as the architect and integrator of the service module. Discussions are ongoing with other major European space companies to expand the project team.

Statements from Both Groups

Eric Trappier, CEO of Dassault Aviation, stated: 'With the VORTEX-S proposed to ESA, we aim to enhance Europe's space capabilities. Our German friends at OHB are natural partners to join this project, bringing their remarkable expertise.'

Marco Fuchs, CEO of OHB, added: 'The VORTEX-S for ESA is an ambitious initiative, driven by the need for autonomous space transport capabilities in Europe. The partnership with Dassault Aviation is ideal: as high-tech family businesses, we share the same vision and bring complementary strengths to the development of a reusable spaceplane.'

The Expertise of Both Partners

Dassault Aviation has recognized expertise in the development of highly complex systems, ranging from platforms such as the Rafale fighter jet to the Falcon family of business jets, as well as its participation in the Hermes spaceplane program and the IXV atmospheric reentry demonstrator. OHB employs about 4,000 highly skilled workers in Europe and internationally, with three main branches of products and services: Space Systems, Space Access, and Digital.