 They also operate crewed and cargo spacecraft which continued after the US Shuttle program ended.They are developing a new multi-function Orel spacecraft for use in 2020 and have plans to perform human moon missions as well.The European Space Agency has taken the lead in commercial uncrewed launches since the introduction of the Ariane 4 in 1988 but is in competition with NASA, Russia, Sea Launch (private), China, India, and others.