Europe may buy a Soyuz spacecraft to try to ensure at least one European astronaut heads to space each year, officials say.

Simonetta Di Pippo, director of human spaceflight for the European Space Agency, told the BBC the agency has asked Moscow if it could increase production of Soyuz spacecrafts from four to five a year. That could enable the ESA, possibly in a partnership with the Canadians, to purchase one, Di Pippo said.

Once the U. S. shuttle fleet retires in 2010 or 2011, Soyuz may be the only way to reach the International Space Station, at least for the short-term, the BBC said.

Di Pippo said ESA officials had discussed Soyuz with the Russians at the recent International Aviation and Space Salon, MAKS 2009.

Officials also would need to determine how additional flights would be accommodated at the space station's docking ports, the BBC said.

Di Pippo said ESA could have a proposal within three months.

The BBC gave no cost estimate for the Soyuz.