Space

European Space Agency Talks Future Missions, Chance of Building Manned Spacecraft

The agency hopes to send at least two more astronauts to the International Space Station before 2030.
European Space Agency Talks Future Missions, Chance of Building Manned Spacecraft
The European Space Agency's Ariane 6 rocket carrying two Galileo satellites for the the EU's Global Navigation Satellite System launches at the Guiana Space Centre on Dec. 17, 2025. Ronan Lietar/AFP via Getty Images
T.J. Muscaro
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When French astronaut Sophie Adenot lifts off to the International Space Station with NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 mission, she will continue the European Space Agency’s tradition of essentially hitching a ride to space.

Since its initial founding in 1975, the European Space Agency has continued to opt out of building and flying its own manned spacecraft.

T.J. Muscaro
T.J. Muscaro
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Based out of Tampa, Florida, TJ primarily covers weather and national politics.