ESA has begun talks to replace SpaceX’s Russian Soyuz rockets

SpaceX isn’t the only option the space agency is discussing. Another option is the French company Arianespace, Japan or India.

The European Space Agency (ESA) has begun preliminary technical talks with Elon Musk’s SpaceX that could lead to the temporary use of the company’s launch vehicles after the Russian Federation withdrew its rockets and engines in response to sanctions , ESA CEO Josef .Ashbacher said in a Reuters comment.

SpaceX is not the only option the space agency is discussing, he said. Another option is the French company Arianespace, Japan or India.

“I would say SpaceX is the more operational of the two and certainly one of the standby launches we’re looking at,” Aschbacher said.

Europe currently relies on three missiles: the European Vega for small payloads, the Russian Soyuz for medium payloads and the Ariane 5 (developed by French Arianespace) for heavy payloads, Reuters notes.

The launch of the new generation Vega C took place last month, the launch of Ariane 6 was postponed until next year (a more specific date, according to Aschbacher, will be known in October). It is after the launch of Ariane 6 that ESA will present its contingency plan to the ministers of 22 countries. In addition, Japan is now awaiting the launch of a new generation rocket.

At the same time, Ashbacher mentioned the high probability that backup launches will be needed.

“Of course we have to make sure that they (missiles) fit,” he said.

Now ESA is studying the technical compatibility, a commercial proposal for the company has not yet been sent. SpaceX did not respond to a Reuters request.

It was previously reported that Moldova launched its first satellite into space. Thanks to the spacecraft, Moldovan scientists can start space exploration.

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