ESA Signs EUR760 Million ALADDIN Deal for Nyx Cargo Flights to ISS

ESA awarded The Exploration Company a EUR760 million ALADDIN contract for up to three Nyx cargo flights to low Earth orbit, including a demo ISS docking in November 2028 and options for two more runs. Director General Josef Aschbacher renewed his call for a sovereign European orbital station, with funding to be decided at a December ministerial meeting in Rome.

• ALADDIN covers a EUR310 million demo mission plus EUR450 million in options for two more flights
• Nyx carries up to 4,000 kg of cargo and is designed to evolve into a crewed vehicle
• The ISS docking demonstration is targeted for November 2028
• Funding for a European station will be decided at the December ministerial in Rome