LEO Cargo Return Service

The LEO Cargo Return Service (LCRS) is an initiative of the European Space Agency (ESA) supporting the development of European commercial uncrewed cargo spacecraft for delivery service to and from space stations in low-Earth orbit (LEO).^[1][2][3][4] LCRS is patterned on NASA's COTS programme which led to the development of the Dragon and Cygnus cargo spacecraft.^[5] The first phase of LCRS, awarded in 2024,^[6][7][8] is supporting the development of space capsules by Thales Alenia Space^[9][10][11] and The Exploration Company.^[12][13] First orbital flight of at least one of the new vehicles is expected in 2028 or 2029.^{[14][15][16][17]} LCRS plans include two demonstration missions docking to the ISS.^[18][17]

LEO Cargo Return Service
Type of project	Human spaceflight
Owner	European Space Agency
Established	2024; 1 year ago (2024)
Status	Active

See also

• List of ESA programmes and missions
• European Launcher Challenge
• Commercial spaceflight