Tag: Europe
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Rocket Factory Augsburg Delivers RFA ONE Stages to SaxaVord Ahead of Planned Test Flight
Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) has delivered the first and second stages of its RFA ONE launch vehicle to SaxaVord Spaceport in Scotland as the company prepares for a planned test flight later this year. The German launch provider said the first stage was recently built and tested at its facilities in Augsburg, Germany, before being…
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Eutelsat Completes €5 Billion Refinancing to Support OneWeb Constellation Upgrade
Eutelsat has completed a €5 billion refinancing package, including the issuance of a new €1.5 billion bond, as the satellite operator seeks to lower borrowing costs and fund the modernization of its OneWeb satellite constellation through 2029. The bond issuance, finalized last week, forms the final step in a broader financial restructuring aimed at reshaping…
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Infinite Orbits Acquires UK-Based Lúnasa Space to Expand In-Orbit Servicing Capabilities
French space services company Infinite Orbits has acquired UK-based Lúnasa Space, marking the company’s expansion into the United Kingdom and adding capabilities in rendezvous, proximity operations and docking technologies. The acquisition is intended to support the development of Infinite Orbits’ satellite life-extension servicer known as Endurance, which is designed to extend the operational life of…
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PLD Space Raises €180 Million Series C Led by Mitsubishi Electric
Spanish launch company PLD Space has raised €180 million ($209.5 million) in a Series C funding round, bringing its total funding to more than €350 million, the company said. The round was led by Mitsubishi Electric and included investment from the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities, COFIDES and Nazca Capital. PLD Space said…
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ISPTech Raises €5.5 Million Seed Round to Develop Non-Toxic Spacecraft Thrusters
German propulsion startup ISPTech has raised €5.5 million in a seed funding round to expand development and production of spacecraft propulsion systems that use non-toxic fuels. The company said the new capital will help increase its workforce, build an in-house propulsion testing facility and scale production of its propulsion systems from several units annually to…
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European Investment Bank Backs OQ Technology With €25 Million Venture Debt
The European Investment Bank has provided €25 million ($29.5 million) in venture debt financing to Luxembourg-based satellite company OQ Technology to support the expansion of its direct-to-device (D2D) communications network. The financing requires the company to build and launch at least 20 satellites within the next two years. Additional financial terms were not disclosed. The…
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FCC Seeks Input on Satellite Market Access Amid Concerns Over EU Space Act
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has opened a public comment period on international satellite market access, as U.S. regulators examine whether American operators face growing barriers overseas. The notice, issued on March 3, invites feedback on the current state of foreign market access for U.S. satellite companies and how regulatory policies abroad could affect future…
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Arianespace Launches Ariane 64 on Inaugural Flight Carrying Amazon Satellites
Europe’s new heavy-lift rocket, Ariane 64, completed its inaugural launch successfully, signaling a major step in the continent’s effort to strengthen independent access to space while entering the global commercial launch market. Operated by Arianespace, the four-booster variant of the Ariane 6 family lifted off from Europe’s spaceport in French Guiana, carrying 32 satellites for…
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Skyrora Eyes Orbex Assets Including Scottish Spaceport After Rival’s Financial Troubles
British rocket developer Skyrora said on Thursday it is considering acquiring selected assets from rival Orbex, including a planned spaceport in northern Scotland, after the smaller launch company disclosed financial difficulties. Skyrora, headquartered in Glasgow, said it intends to explore purchasing parts of Orbex’s business, notably the Sutherland Spaceport project on Scotland’s north coast, in…
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ESA Advances Aeolus-2 Weather Satellite with €70 Million Development Award
The European Space Agency (ESA) has approved the selection of a prime contractor for its Aeolus-2 weather satellite program and is preparing to issue an initial €70 million contract to begin the next phase of development, according to project officials. Aeolus-2 is intended as the operational successor to the original Aeolus mission, which was built…