Tag: European Space Agency
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ESA Selects Alén Space-Led Consortium to Develop Space-Based Radio Interference Monitoring Prototype
An international consortium led by Alén Space has been selected by the European Space Agency to develop a prototype system designed to detect and monitor radio frequency interference (RFI) from space, the companies said. The initiative, carried out under ESA’s FutureEO programme, seeks to create a CubeSat-format satellite prototype capable of identifying and geolocating sources…
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France Pushes European Preference for Space Defence Assets Amid Security Shift
France is calling for a stronger preference for European-made space assets linked to defence, arguing that the bloc must rapidly reduce reliance on foreign equipment as global security dynamics shift, French and German ministers said on Tuesday. “Time is of the essence” for Europe to develop a space policy that relies far more heavily on…
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Rocket Factory Augsburg Wins Two ESA-EU Launch Contracts Under Flight Ticket Initiative
German rocket manufacturer Rocket Factory Augsburg has been awarded launch service contracts for two missions under Europe’s Flight Ticket Initiative, strengthening its position in the continent’s emerging small-launch market, the European Space Agency said. The contracts, announced on Jan. 22, cover two missions comprising a total of three satellites and were awarded through the Flight…
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ESA Seeks Study on Uncontrolled Falcon 9 Re-Entry Over Poland
The European Space Agency has issued a call to tender for a study into the uncontrolled atmospheric re-entry and breakup of a SpaceX Falcon 9 upper stage that scattered debris across Poland in February last year, highlighting growing concerns over re-entry risks as global launch activity accelerates. In the early hours of Feb. 19, 2025,…
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ESA Member States Commit €73 Million More to SWISSto12’s HummingSat Project
European Space Agency (ESA) Member States have committed an additional €73 million in funding to Swiss satellite manufacturer SWISSto12 for its HummingSat programme, the company said, strengthening backing for a project aimed at reshaping the geostationary satellite market. The funding commitment was made during the 2025 ESA Ministerial Council meeting and builds on earlier support…
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ESA, Liberty Mutual Reinsurance Launch Three-Year Study on Satellite-Based Parametric Insurance
The European Space Agency and Liberty Mutual Reinsurance (LMRe) have agreed to begin a three-year collaboration to explore how satellite data can be used to develop parametric insurance products for terrestrial assets, the organisations said this week. The initiative will assess whether Earth observation (EO) data, analytics and modelling tools can support insurance products that…
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MaiaSpace Signs Multi-Launch Deal With Eutelsat for OneWeb Constellation
French launch vehicle developer MaiaSpace has signed a multi-launch agreement with satellite operator Eutelsat to support the expansion of the OneWeb low Earth orbit broadband constellation, the company said on Jan. 15. The agreement will see MaiaSpace conduct multiple launches to deploy OneWeb satellites into low Earth orbit and could represent the majority of Maia’s…
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Isar Aerospace Eyes Second Spectrum Launch After Failed Debut
German launch services provider Isar Aerospace is preparing for the second flight of its two-stage Spectrum rocket, with maritime safety notices indicating launch opportunities between Jan. 21 and Jan. 23 from the Andøya Spaceport in northern Norway. A Notice to Mariners (NOTMAR) issued by Andøya Space shows 15-minute launch windows available between 21:05 and 21:20…
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ESA Brings Forward Comet Interceptor Mission Aimed at Pristine Solar System Visitor
The European Space Agency is accelerating preparations for its Comet Interceptor mission, one of its most ambitious scientific ventures, designed to intercept and study a pristine comet — or potentially an interstellar object — entering the inner solar system for the first time. According to a report by SpaceNews, the mission’s launch timetable has been…
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ESA and ClearSpace Launch Prelude In-Orbit Proximity Operations Demonstration
The European Space Agency (ESA) and Switzerland-based startup ClearSpace have begun the Prelude technology demonstration mission, a step aimed at validating close-proximity spacecraft maneuvers needed for future satellite inspection, life-extension and debris-removal operations. Planned for launch next year, Prelude will test navigation and control technologies that allow two small spacecraft to maneuver together at close…