The Vortex-S reusable spaceplane project, led by Dassault Aviation, has received official backing from French President Emmanuel Macron. The initiative is transitioning from a national program into a pan-European effort, with partners already involved from Germany, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Spain, Portugal, and Belgium.
The spacecraft is designed to transport up to 2 tons of cargo to orbit and return it to Earth, with capabilities including docking with orbital stations. Currently, a team of approximately 100 engineers is working on the project. The German company OHB is developing the rear section, which houses the engines and power systems.
The project has secured €40 million in funding through the France 2030 state program. Dassault Aviation plans to conduct a suborbital demonstration flight in 2028 to test atmospheric reentry technologies. The company is also developing a military version, Vortex-D, under a 2025 agreement with the French General Directorate for Armament.
Dassault is currently in negotiations with Thales Alenia Space to join the consortium. If the deal is finalized, the project will establish a robust industrial base across France, Germany, and Italy. The partners intend to present the Vortex-S system to the European Space Agency to secure further state support and ensure its status as a primary European orbital transport solution.
