The Vortex spacecraft, a joint project between French aerospace company Dassault Aviation and German satellite manufacturer OHB, is being developed as a fully crewed vehicle, according to Markus Moeller, deputy general manager of OHB. Speaking at a meeting with the Association of Aerospace Journalists (AJPAE), Moeller said the Vortex could one day serve as an alternative to current space capsules for transporting astronauts. This project is part of Europe’s broader goal to build its own capabilities for crewed space travel, as highlighted at the first international space summit in Paris. This comes amid ongoing discussions about the future of European-U.S. collaboration on space exploration programs. OHB, a major European satellite builder, joined the Vortex project in May 2026, following its initial launch by Dassault Aviation at the Paris Air Show in June 2025. The project recently received support from the French government, marking a new chapter of Franco-German cooperation. This follows the cancellation of the Scaf project, a planned European fighter jet, in June 2026 due to disagreements between French defense firm Dassault and German company Airbus. Moeller noted that the collaboration between Dassault and OHB is strong, with their leadership teams working closely together. OHB expects to reveal more details about the Vortex project on December 15, according to Alain Bories, an advisor to OHB’s CEO. The first phase of the project will involve building a full-scale demonstrator to test key technologies such as atmospheric re-entry, heat-resistant materials, and landing systems. This initial stage is scheduled to begin in 2028. A prototype intended to become the operational version of the spacecraft is expected to be ready by 2031, though the timeline for actual crewed flights has yet to be determined. The Vortex is designed as a more flexible alternative to traditional space capsules, which are typically recovered by water landing. Instead, the Vortex would be able to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere and land on a runway, offering greater control over landing locations and recovery procedures. Moeller acknowledged the complexity of crewed spaceflight, emphasizing the need for careful planning and development. He also pointed out that the growing interest in private space stations could create a long-term demand for human presence in low Earth orbit, potentially supporting the Vortex’s mission.