Dassault Aviation's Vortex Spaceplane Project Advances Toward 2028 Launch
The Vortex spaceplane project aims for its first flight in 2028, enhancing Europe's autonomy in low Earth orbit (LEO). The initiative, supported by the French DGA and CNES, targets a multifunctional reusable spacecraft to secure critical orbital infrastructure.

The Vortex spaceplane, developed by Dassault Aviation, is progressing towards its first flight scheduled for 2028. This initiative is backed by contracts with the French DGA and CNES, aiming to provide Europe with a versatile and reusable spacecraft, critical for maintaining access to low Earth orbit.
Key partnerships have been established, including a collaboration with Germany's OHB in November 2025, and Spain's Arkadia Space for the propulsion system of the Vortex-D demonstrator. The development strategy includes four phases, culminating in operational versions for both cargo and crewed missions. The project addresses the increasing reliance on orbital infrastructure and the need for strategic control over LEO, a region expected to become a focal point for economic and military activities.




Comments