Macron calls for a European program for independent crewed flights within ten years

At the international space summit in Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron stressed that the continent must strengthen its independence in this strategic sector and not remain just a passenger in space.

He called for the creation of a European crewed flight program, which should materialize within a decade. Macron also acknowledged that current European space efforts are still fragile and need greater investment.

The president also set concrete objectives: within two years, the European capsule “Nyx” must dock with the International Space Station. After five years, the “Argonaut” module aims to land on the moon, while within ten years a European capsule with astronauts must launch from the Kourou spaceport in French Guiana.

The Director of the European Space Agency, Josef Aschbacher, estimates that this project requires about one billion euros per year. According to him, purchasing flights from foreign operators would cost Europe five billion euros over the next ten years.

The agency’s member states are expected to make a decision on further steps at the ministerial meeting in December.