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Space
Space
Science
Andrew Jones

Europe plans EPIC SpaceX mission to send 4 astronauts to the ISS before its retirement

ISS SpaceX ESA European Space Agency Europe EPIC Josef Aschbacher International Space Station Space Station Earth
An image of the International Space Station, with its many solar panels and modules, floating above Earth in space.

The European Space Agency is planning to buy a dedicated SpaceX Crew Dragon mission to send its astronauts to the International Space Station to boost their time and experience in space.

European Space Agency (ESA) Director General Josef Aschbacher announced the plan to charter a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft on March 19, following a decision at an ESA Council meeting in Interlaken, Switzerland. The ESA Provided Institutional Crew (EPIC) project is planned to launch in early 2028 with the aim of providing more opportunities for the agency's astronauts to get to space before the International Space Station is retired, SpaceNews reported.

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