This was reported by Reuters, Ukrinform reports.

As ESA Director General Joseph Aschbacher said, in addition to SpaceX’s Falcon 9, the possibility of using Japanese and Indian launch vehicles to replace the Russian Soyuz is being considered.

“I would say we discussed two and a half options. One is SpaceX, and understandably so. Another could be Japan awaiting the first flight of its next-generation rocket. “Another option could be India,” Aschbacher said.

According to him, ESA will rely primarily on factors such as technical compatibility and commercial component in its selection. Aschbacher stressed that any decision would be temporary as he is confident in the future of the Ariane 6 launch vehicle, which is currently under development by the European Space Agency.

The ESA director general added that the strategy of cooperation between Europe and Russia in many fields, including space, is no longer working.

“It’s a wake-up call that we’re too dependent on Russia. And I hope decision makers like me realize that we really need to strengthen our capabilities and independence in Europe,” he said.

As Ukrinform reported, on August 9, SpaceX successfully launched 52 new Internet communication satellites into space as part of the large-scale Starlink project.