• The European Space Agency (ESA) has selected Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales and Leonardo, to develop a new cargo spacecraft for the post-International Space Station (ISS) era. This new spacecraft, called the Exploration Cargo Vehicle (ECV), will be used to transport cargo and supplies to future space stations or other destinations in low-Earth orbit.

• The ECV will be based on the design of the current Cygnus cargo spacecraft, which is used to resupply the ISS. However, the ECV will have enhanced capabilities, including the ability to perform autonomous rendezvous and docking with a space station, as well as the capacity to carry a larger payload of up to 8 metric tons.

• The development of the ECV is an important step in ESA's preparations for the post-ISS era, as the agency seeks to maintain its independent access to space and continue its participation in future international space exploration initiatives. The ECV is expected to be ready for its first mission by the mid-2020s, providing a critical logistical support capability for future space activities.