European Space Agency joins forces with Blue Origin for future low-Earth orbit access

European Space Agency partners with Blue Origin and Thales Alenia Space to explore using Orbital Reef, a planned commercial space station. The agreement aims to send European payloads and astronauts to the station, potentially contributing hardware and developing commercial services for cargo and crew transport. This collaboration marks ESA's strategic move into the era of private space stations as the International Space Station nears retirement.