France backs Dassault VORTEX reusable spaceplane program

France will support Dassault Aviation's VORTEX reusable spaceplane program, extending French backing beyond the earlier VORTEX-D technology demonstrator that received €30 million in funding in 2025. French President Emmanuel Macron made the announcement at the International Space Summit in Paris, according to a Dassault statement issued on September 10, 2026. An Élysée document listing summit decisions also confirms the support.

The latest backing does not specify amount, form, or duration, and it is unclear whether new funding has been committed.

VORTEX is a family of reusable spaceplanes intended to fly in orbit and then land back on conventional runways. Dassault sees both civil and military roles, including cargo delivery to low Earth orbit, autonomous orbital missions, in-orbit servicing, and intervention. The company also plans microgravity experiments, technology demonstrations, defense tasks, and later crew transport.

Dassault is global architect and integrator for the spaceplane. Industrial partners include OHB, APCO Technologies, MT Aerospace, Sener, Sonaca, and Space Cargo Unlimited. Dassault CEO Éric Trappier said the project should attract additional countries such as Germany, though the statement did not detail how that participation would take shape.