Tag: European Space Agency
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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…
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Eutelsat Adds 340 Satellites to Airbus Order for OneWeb LEO Network
Eutelsat has expanded its order with Airbus for low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, increasing the total to 440 units as it moves to strengthen and expand the OneWeb constellation following a recent capital raise. The latest agreement, announced on Jan. 12, 2026, adds 340 satellites to an initial order of 100 placed in December 2024.…
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ESA Revises ISS Barter Plan With NASA After Cancelling Cargo Transport Call
The European Space Agency (ESA) has outlined a revised barter arrangement with the United States that would allow it to meet its International Space Station (ISS) cost-sharing obligations without commissioning a dedicated commercial cargo delivery mission, senior officials said this month. The move follows ESA’s decision in December to cancel a call for proposals for…
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Portugal Orders Two Earth-Observation Satellites From Satellogic for Atlantic Constellation
Portugal has commissioned two new Earth-observation satellites from Argentine company Satellogic, strengthening its space-based monitoring capabilities and contributing to a joint Iberian initiative aimed at expanding European-owned orbital infrastructure. Satellogic said on Monday it had signed an $18 million contract with Portugal’s Centre of Engineering and Product Development (CEiiA) to build and deploy two NewSat…
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ESA Delays First Themis Hop Test Until Spring as Sweden Site Remains Snowbound
The European Space Agency (ESA) said it is waiting for spring conditions to conduct the first hop test of its Themis reusable rocket booster demonstrator, after winter weather delayed preparations at the launch site in northern Sweden. The Themis vehicle has been stationed at the Esrange Space Centre near Kiruna since mid-2025, but heavy snow…