Italian rocket company Avio has signed a €40 million contract with the European Space Agency (ESA) to develop a reusable upper stage, a project already drawing skepticism from industry watchers.

The European Space Agency (ESA) and Italian company Avio are developing a reusable rocket upper stage, similar to SpaceX's Starship, following a €40 million deal.

The European Space Agency (ESA) and Avio signed a two-year contract worth 40 million euros (about $47 million U.S. at current exchange rates) on Monday (Sept. 29) at the International Astronautical ...

Avio, a longstanding player in European spaceflight, has built its reputation on the Vega rocket series and boosters for Ariane 5 and 6. This contract represents a pivot toward reusability, aligning ...

An upper stage is the last part of a rocket that delivers a payload,” explained Toni Tolker-Nielsen, head of ESA’s space transportation department. “Also called an orbital stage, these elements have, ...

Developing advanced technologies aimed at the in-flight demonstration of a reusable upper stage: this is the strategic objective of the €40 million contract signed today by Avio and the European Space ...

ESA and Avio signed the deal, worth 40 million euros ($47 million), on the sidelines of the International Astronautical Congress in Sydney. In a statement, Avio said it will "define the requirements, ...

We have received and are publishing the following press release issued by Avio. Developing advanced technologies aimed at flight demonstration of a ...

The European Space Agency and Avio have signed a contract to begin design work on a reusable upper stage for future Vega or other European rockets.

And we don't make you work six and a half days a week, 12 hours a day." Kemp also accused Firefly Aerospace of sending Astra "garbage" rocket engines as part of the companies' partnership on ...