Nearly two decades after NASA, China and Europe eye commercial cargo plans

Enlarge / SpaceX launches its 28th supply mission to the International Space Station on Monday, June 5, 2023. (credit: SpaceX)

In just the last month, both the European and Chinese space agencies have issued a call for private companies to develop the capability to deliver cargo to space stations in low-Earth orbit.

On May 11, the European Space Agency announced a “Commercial Cargo Transportation Initiative” that would see one or more providers develop the capability to deliver 2 metric tons to the International Space Station by 2028 and be capable of safely returning 1 ton to Earth. Each proposing company must procure its own rocket for a demonstration mission.

Less than a week later, on May 16, the China Manned Space Engineering Office announced a “Low-cost Cargo Transportation System” plan to hire private companies to deliver cargo to its Tiangong space station. Eligible providers must be capable of delivering at least 1.8 tons to low-Earth orbit. The Chinese spacecraft do not need to return cargo but should be able to dispose of 2 metric tons. The Chinese space agency said it would pay no more than $17.2 million per ton of cargo delivered.