Europe eyes Elon Musk’s SpaceX to bridge launch gap left by Russia tensions
- The multi-billionaire entrepreneur’s company emerges as a contender to plug a gap alongside Japan and India, but final decisions depend on the timetable for Europe’s Ariane 6 rocket
- Talks remain at an exploratory phase, ‘It’s not like jumping on a bus’, the European Space Agency’s Director General Josef Aschbacher said
The European Space Agency (ESA) has begun preliminary technical discussions with Elon Musk’s SpaceX that could lead to the temporary use of its launchers after Ukraine conflict blocked Western access to Russia’s Soyuz rockets.
The private American competitor to Europe’s Arianespace has emerged as a key contender to plug a temporary gap alongside Japan and India, but final decisions depend on the still unresolved timetable for Europe’s delayed Ariane 6 rocket.
“I would say there are two and a half options that we’re discussing. One is SpaceX that is clear. Another one is possibly Japan,” ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher told Reuters.
“Japan is waiting for the inaugural flight of its next generation rocket. Another option could be India,” he added in an interview. “SpaceX I would say is the more operational of those and certainly one of the backup launches we are looking at.”
Aschbacher said talks remained at an exploratory phase.