The European Space Agency (ESA), Thales Alenia Space, and Blue Origin have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate in space exploration. The aim is to facilitate commercial advancements in low-Earth Orbit (LEO), with a focus on human spaceflight, science, technology, and industrial capabilities.
As part of the agreement, ESA will explore opportunities for European payloads and crew members to use Blue Origin’s Orbital Reef, a planned commercial space station offering end-to-end services such as transportation and payload utilization. This partnership could provide services meeting Europe’s long-term research and commercial needs.
Blue Origin has partnered with several other companies, including Sierra Space, Boeing, Redwire, and AWS, to support the development of Orbital Reef, which is backed by a NASA Space Act Agreement. The company sees this alliance as an opportunity to build a new era of space exploration and progress.
“This alliance enables us to not only advance research and progress in orbit but also welcome partners in constructing humanity’s future beyond Earth,” said Pat Remias, vice president at Blue Origin.
Source: https://www.satellitetoday.com/space-economy/2025/06/18/blue-origin-thales-and-esa-to-collaborate-on-space-exploration