ESA and Vast signed a new three-year memorandum during IAC 2026, replacing their 2024 version and broadening cooperation across human spaceflight, science, technology and commercialization. They will study possible European astronaut missions to Haven stations, ESA hardware and research use, upmass and downmass, crew time, and future European cargo or crew vehicle interfaces, beginning with a joint feasibility study and indicative roadmap. The agreement preserves options for low-Earth-orbit continuity after the ISS, but remains a non-binding preparation framework rather than a purchased mission.