Europe has made the development of its own human spaceflight capabilities a key priority during the first international space summit in Paris. This comes amid growing discussions about the future of European-U.S. cooperation on space exploration projects. During a meeting with the Aerospace Journalists Association (AJPAE), Markus Moeller, a representative from OHB, confirmed that the Vortex project is definitely planned for human flight. Vortex is a joint venture between Dassault Aviation, a French aerospace company, and OHB, a leading European satellite manufacturer. The project was launched at the Paris Air Show in June 2025 and received recent support from the French government. The Vortex project marks a new phase of Franco-German collaboration in space, following the cancellation of the Scaf, a planned European fighter jet, in June 2026 due to industrial disputes between French firm Dassault and German firm Airbus. Dassault and OHB aim to build on this partnership by combining their respective strengths. Dassault will contribute its expertise in aircraft design and aeronautics, while OHB will handle the space-related aspects, including orbital flight, navigation, communication systems, and flight control software. OHB will also bring its experience in developing materials that can withstand extreme temperatures, a crucial requirement for re-entry into Earth's atmosphere. The Vortex project will begin with a full-scale demonstrator designed to test atmospheric re-entry, high-temperature materials, and landing procedures. This initial phase is scheduled for 2028, with a prototype intended to become the operational vehicle planned for 2031. However, the timeline for actual human spaceflight remains uncertain and will depend on funding decisions by the European Space Agency (ESA). A ministerial conference set for December 15 in Rome is expected to provide guidance on future funding and priorities. Markus Moeller noted that human spaceflight is complex and requires significant precautions, while also highlighting the potential for private space stations to create a long-term need for human presence in low Earth orbit. Vortex is designed as an alternative to traditional space capsules, offering a vehicle capable of re-entering the atmosphere and landing on a runway in a controlled and programmed manner. Unlike capsules, which have limited control over landing zones and recovery, Vortex aims to provide smoother landings, which are essential for returning high-value items like scientific instruments or materials. In line with French President Emmanuel Macron's goal of sending European astronauts into space within a decade, the Paris space summit has laid the groundwork for this ambition through projects like the cargo capsule Nyx and the Ariane 6 rocket. Nyx, developed by The Exploration Company in partnership with France and Germany, is set to launch its first mission to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard an Ariane 6 rocket by the end of 2028. The ESA has estimated that achieving space independence for Europe will require an investment of 10 billion euros over the next decade. The upcoming Rome meeting will be a key moment in determining how committed European countries are to funding this ambitious goal.