On October 11, 2026, Euronews published an interview in which European Space Agency (ESA) Director General Josef Aschbacher described a proposed European crewed-spaceflight capability: a crewed vehicle and a system to bring astronauts safely back to Earth. He estimated development would cost about €10 billion over ten years. ESA member states would still need to approve and fund the effort, according to Euronews’ report on the interview.
What the proposal would develop
The plan Aschbacher described combines crew transport with a way to recover astronauts and return them to Earth. That would give Europe its own means of sending people to space and bringing them back, rather than relying on seats aboard spacecraft operated elsewhere.
Two ten-year estimates, two different scopes
Aschbacher put the proposed development effort at about €10 billion over ten years. For comparison, he estimated that continuing to buy seats on U.S. spacecraft and rent research facilities on commercial space stations would cost about €5 billion over the same period. Both figures are his estimates, as reported by Euronews.
| Option | Estimated cost over ten years | What the estimate covers |
| Develop European crewed-spaceflight capability | About €10 billion | A crewed vehicle and astronaut recovery capability |
| Buy seats and rent research facilities | About €5 billion | Seats on U.S. spacecraft and facilities on commercial space stations |
The estimates describe different approaches: developing a European capability or continuing to purchase access and research space. Aschbacher’s case for development also rests on where the spending would go. He argued that investing in Europe could strengthen its space industry and autonomy.
Euronews reported that the International Space Station was expected to retire in 2032 and that commercial stations were likely to support research afterward. That future transition provides context for the estimate covering rentals of research facilities.
ESA member states would decide whether to proceed
The €10 billion figure is a proposal estimate, not an approved ESA budget. Political approval and funding from ESA member states are required before the effort can proceed.
Aschbacher said greater European autonomy would not mean isolation. He raised the possibility of offering seats to astronauts from Japan, Australia or other countries, framing the capability as compatible with international cooperation.
