Dassault Aviation and OHB Propose VORTEX-S Space Plane to ESA
Dassault Aviation and OHB are teaming up to propose the VORTEX-S multipurpose space plane to the European Space Agency (ESA) for space station transport and free flyer missions.
Paris Saint-Cloud, France and Bremen, Germany – May 11, 2026 – Dassault Aviation and German firm OHB have announced a partnership to propose the VORTEX-S multipurpose space plane to the European Space Agency (ESA). The vehicle is designed for round-trip transport to space stations and autonomous orbital free flyer missions.
Dassault Aviation will serve as the prime architect and global integrator for the space plane, while OHB will be responsible for the design and integration of the service module. Together, these companies will form the core team for the proposed ESA project, aiming to bolster Europe's capabilities in space transportation.
Discussions are currently underway with other major European space companies to expand the project team and ensure its success. The VORTEX-S initiative is expected to significantly advance Europe's future in space mobility.
Éric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation, emphasized the collaboration's role in strengthening European space capabilities. Marco Fuchs, CEO of OHB, highlighted the partnership's complementary strengths, with Dassault bringing its aeronautics manufacturing expertise and OHB contributing its space sector knowledge to the development of a reusable space plane.