Tag: European Space Agency
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MaiaSpace Avoids Dissolution Despite 2025 Loss as ArianeGroup Backs Launcher Development
MaiaSpace will continue operating after its parent company, ArianeGroup, decided not to dissolve the French launch startup despite a significant financial loss in 2025 that left its shareholders’ equity below zero. Financial statements filed on July 22, 2026, showed MaiaSpace recorded a net loss of €37.5 million during 2025. Although the company ended the year…
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ArianeGroup Completes Wet Dress Rehearsal for Themis Reusable Booster
ArianeGroup has completed a wet dress rehearsal of its Themis reusable booster demonstrator at the Esrange Space Centre in Sweden, marking a key milestone in the vehicle’s ongoing test campaign. The rehearsal was carried out on July 23 by teams from ArianeGroup and SSC Space, the operator of Esrange Space Centre, with the company announcing…
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International Space University to Restructure After Strasbourg Campus Liquidation
The International Space University (ISU) is preparing to restructure its operations after the French courts ordered the liquidation of its central campus in Strasbourg, a decision that has disrupted academic programs while prompting the organization to reassess its long-term business model. The liquidation has affected current students enrolled at the Strasbourg campus, with some completing…
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NASA Delivers First Braking Engines for ESA’s Rosalind Franklin Mars Mission
NASA has delivered the first braking engines for the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Rosalind Franklin Mars mission, marking an important milestone in the agencies’ collaboration to return the rover mission to flight. The braking engines are one of three major contributions NASA is providing to the mission, alongside launch services and Radioisotope Heater Units (RHUs)…
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OHB Targets Up to €510 Million Capital Raise to Expand Space Manufacturing
German space technology company OHB is seeking to raise up to €510.7 million through a share offering to support the expansion of its manufacturing capacity and fund investments in launch systems, acquisitions and future space projects. The company said it plans to issue approximately 1.7 million new shares priced at €300 each, with proceeds primarily…
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ESA Reviews Future of Gateway Contributions Following NASA Program Pause
The European Space Agency (ESA) is evaluating the future of its planned contributions to NASA’s Gateway lunar space station following changes to the Artemis programme that have placed the station’s development on hold. ESA officials said the agency intends to continue work on several Gateway-related projects while examining how the technologies could be adapted for…
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ESA Astronaut Tests EuroSuit Prototype Aboard ISS as Development Program Advances
A prototype of the European-developed EuroSuit intravehicular activity (IVA) spacesuit has undergone testing aboard the International Space Station (ISS), while a parallel water survival campaign has been completed on Earth as part of the suit’s ongoing development program. The EuroSuit initiative was launched by the French space agency CNES in late 2023 and is being…
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ESA Delays Space Rider Drop Test After Anomaly During Helicopter Ascent
The European Space Agency (ESA) has postponed a key drop test of its Space Rider reusable spaceplane after an anomaly occurred during a helicopter-assisted ascent phase in May, delaying the final stage of the vehicle’s landing qualification campaign. ESA confirmed that the incident took place during a two-week test campaign that concluded on May 8,…
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Isar Aerospace Raises €270 Million to Scale Spectrum Rocket Production and Expand Global Launch Network
German launch services company Isar Aerospace has secured a €270 million Series D funding round to accelerate global expansion, increase production of its Spectrum launch vehicle and strengthen sovereign space capabilities for Europe, NATO members and allied nations. The company said the new capital will support the worldwide scaling of its operations and the ramp-up…
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NewOrbit Raises $18.5 Million to Commercialize Very Low Earth Orbit Satellite Operations
European satellite manufacturer NewOrbit has closed an oversubscribed $18.5 million Series A funding round to accelerate the commercialization of very low Earth orbit (VLEO), a region of space that has historically been considered too challenging for long-term commercial operations. The funding round was led by Voyager Ventures and included participation from several new and existing…