Bremen, November 20th – Dassault Aviation’s VORTEX (Véhicule Orbital Réutilisable de Transport et d’Exploration) represents the next generation of reusable orbital vehicles, conceived as a versatile and intrinsically dual-use European platform for space operations, including orbital cargo transport, in-orbit servicing, scientific research, and industrial manufacturing.
To advance this vision, Dassault Aviation and Space Cargo Unlimited have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to integrate BentoBox, Space Cargo Unlimited’s autonomous payload operations platform, aboard VORTEX.
This collaboration supports the commercialization roadmap of the VORTEX program, reinforcing Europe’s strategic autonomy in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) by combining Dassault Aviation’s leadership in complex aerospace systems with Space Cargo Unlimited’s expertise in autonomous payload management and growing commercial ecosystem.
Integrating BentoBox into VORTEX will enable:
A controlled microgravity environment to support multiple users for research and manufacturing Modular payload operations with configurable architectures based on the BentoBox Kit Flexible deployment across commercial and institutional missions, ensuring operational agility and long-term reusability
By combining VORTEX’s orbital versatility with BentoBox’s autonomous operations, the partnership aims to mature key technologies and mission concepts for future LEO destinations and orbital infrastructure programs.
Together, Dassault Aviation and Space Cargo Unlimited are positioning VORTEX as a strategic asset for Europe’s power, autonomy, and innovation in the rapidly evolving space domain.
About Dassault Aviation
With over 10,000 military and civil aircraft (including 2,700 Falcons) delivered in more than 90 countries over the last century, Dassault Aviation has built up expertise recognized worldwide in the design, production, sale and support of all types of aircraft, ranging from the Rafale fighter, to the high-end Falcon family of business jets, military drones and space systems. In 2024, Dassault Aviation reported revenues of €6.2 billion. The company has 14,600 employees.
dassault-aviation.com
About Space Cargo Unlimited
Space Cargo Unlimited is a European space operator pioneering in‑space manufacturing. With a unique heritage in microgravity research, the company develops and operates BentoBox, an autonomous, modular platform that makes the microgravity environment accessible to terrestrial researchers and industries.
By offering end‑to‑end payload services from integration to orbit, Space Cargo Unlimited is opening a new era for applied microgravity research and the development of high‑value, space‑made products with transformative benefits for Earth.
Media Contact:
Space Cargo Unlimited
Éanna Doyle
edoyle@space-cu.com
+353 85 277 7749