Tag: Europe
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ESA Advances Apophis Mission Despite Funding Gaps
The European Space Agency (ESA) has approved preliminary work for the Ramses mission to the asteroid Apophis, maintaining its development timeline despite incomplete funding. ESA’s space safety program, which includes planetary defense, gave the green light on July 16 for the Ramses mission to proceed, ensuring it stays on track to visit Apophis before its…
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France Awards Thales Alenia Space Contract for Satellite Capture and Inspection Mission
France has contracted a consortium led by Thales Alenia Space to develop a mission aimed at capturing and inspecting a small satellite. This demonstration mission is slated for launch towards the end of the decade. Supported by undisclosed funding from the French space agency CNES and state-owned investment bank Bpifrance, the mission will employ two…
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HPS Leads Clean Space Initiative with ADEO Deorbit System
HPS, a pioneering force in space technology, has unveiled its ADEO deorbit system, designed to prevent satellite debris and ensure sustainable access to space. Developed over twelve years with support from the European Space Agency (ESA), the system has garnered significant interest from international markets, including Europe, North America, and Asia. The ADEO system, recognized…
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Airbus Wins $2.5 Billion Contract for German Military Satellites
Airbus Defense and Space has secured a $2.5 billion contract from the German military to develop and deliver next-generation communications satellites, known as SATCOMBw 3, aimed at bolstering the Bundeswehr’s satellite communications system. Announced on July 4, the deal encompasses the development and deployment of two geostationary satellites, along with upgrades to the ground segment,…
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Airbus Sends Sentinel-2C Satellite to French Guiana for Launch Preparations
Airbus has commenced the journey of the Sentinel-2C satellite, the third in the Copernicus Sentinel-2 series, from its production site in Friedrichshafen to Bremen on July 2, before embarking on a maritime voyage to the European spaceport in French Guiana. The satellite container was loaded onto Canopée, a sail-assisted cargo ship designed for transporting Ariane…
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Officina Stellare Secures €3.5 Million ESA Contract for Lasercom Ground Station
Officina Stellare has been awarded a new contract by the European Space Agency (ESA) to supply a comprehensive optical ground station (OGS) designed for laser communication applications. The contract spans 24 months and is valued at approximately €3.5 million, with Officina Stellare’s portion amounting to around €2.4 million. The project, named C3PO, entails two main…
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EU Consortium Develops Precision Sensors for Satellites and Drones
A consortium backed by the European Union revealed on Thursday its efforts to develop state-of-the-art sensors aimed at enhancing satellite navigation capabilities and extending drone operational ranges. The INPHOMIR project, supported by a 5 million euro ($5.38 million) investment from Horizon Europe, seeks to introduce two innovative ultra-low-power sensors—a specialized lidar sensor and an optical…
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Europe Urged to Boost Space Industry Funding to Avoid Missing Growth Opportunities
Europe must enhance its capital allocation strategies for the space industry to capitalize on burgeoning early-stage investments, cautioned Bogdan Gogulan, CEO of Luxembourg-based private equity firm NewSpace Capital. Recent findings from the European Space Policy Institute (ESPI) reveal that Europe averaged 96 investment deals annually for space companies over the past three years, trailing slightly…
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Rocket Factory Augsburg talks reusability plans and 3D printing
In a recent interview with NASASpaceflight, Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) co-founder and COO Dr. Stefan Brieschenk talked about current manufacturing methods and upcoming plans for its RFA ONE rocket. Rocket Factory Augsburg is a German launch startup, based in the city of Augsburg. With the ultimate goal of building rockets like cars, the RFA ONE…
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Ariane 6 debut slips to end of 2023, teams prep for Combined Test
The debut of Europe’s new heavy-lift launcher, Ariane 6, has slipped once again, this time to a no-earlier-than target of the “last quarter of 2023.” News of the delay came from ESA, CNES, ArianeGroup, and Arianespace officials during an Oct. 19 media briefing, though officials declined to define what caused the most recent multi-month delay…