Tag: France
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French startup Latitude targets 2026 for first launch while following market-driven approach
French small-launch startup Latitude is pushing toward a maiden flight of its Zephyr rocket within the next 18 months, prioritizing speed-to-market and manufacturing efficiency over reusability to capture Europe’s dedicated smallsat launch market. In an interview with NASA Spaceflight’s “Europe’s Future in Space” series, Latitude founder and executive chairman Stanislas Maximin provided an in-depth look…
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Unions Oppose Airbus Plan to Absorb Constellation Satellites Unit
French labour unions are pushing back against Airbus as it moves to consolidate its satellite manufacturing activities, with Airbus Defence and Space set to absorb Airbus Constellations Satellites (ACS). In a statement, the Union Nationale des Syndicats Autonomes (UNSA) described the planned move as “industrial, economic and social nonsense,” arguing that there was no justification…
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CNES, Île-de-France Launch €1 Million AI Challenge for Satellite Data Analysis
The Centre National d’Études Spatiales (CNES) and the Île-de-France region have launched a €1 million ($1.1 million) challenge aimed at accelerating the use of artificial intelligence to analyse satellite data, as part of France’s broader push to strengthen its space and AI capabilities. The initiative, known as the AI for Space Challenge, was first announced…
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Spanish Start-Up’s Reentry Capsule Survives PSLV Failure, Sends Back Flight Data
A small reentry capsule demonstrator built by Spanish space logistics start-up Orbital Paradigm survived a launch vehicle failure earlier this month and successfully transmitted flight data, marking an unexpected technical milestone despite the overall mission being declared a failure. The capsule, known as KID (Kestrel Initial Demonstrator), was launched on Jan. 12 aboard a PSLV…
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HyPrSpace Secures €21 Million to Advance Baguette One Suborbital Launcher
French launch startup HyPrSpace has raised €21 million in a Series A round to accelerate development of its Baguette One suborbital rocket, which is targeting a first flight in late 2026. The financing increases the company’s total backing to more than €57 million, including earlier funding under the France 2030 initiative. The latest round was…
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The Exploration Company Opens New Facility in France to Advance Development of Nyx Spacecraft
The Exploration Company has inaugurated a new facility in Le Haillan, France, less than a month after opening its new headquarters in Germany. The in-space logistics startup is developing Nyx, a modular capsule intended for cargo transport to and from the International Space Station (ISS), with future variants planned for lunar surface deliveries and crewed…
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SES Signs Deal for Europe’s First Commercial Satellite Life-Extension Mission
Satellite operator SES has signed an agreement with French startup Infinite Orbits for a life-extension mission involving one geostationary satellite, marking the first commercial satellite life-extension operation in Europe, the companies said on Thursday. The mission will use Endurance™, a 750kg servicing vehicle developed by Infinite Orbits to provide in-orbit support functions including station keeping,…
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France’s U-Space Raises €24M to Scale Satellite Production and Expand Globally
French satellite manufacturer U-Space has raised €24 million ($27.8 million) in a Series A funding round to expand its satellite production capabilities and grow its international presence. The round was co-led by Blast, the French Armed Forces’ Definvest fund (managed by Bpifrance), and Expansion Aerospace & Defence Ventures, with additional participation from Primo Capital, Karot…
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Zeno Power to Acquire Nuclear Waste for Long-Duration Space Missions
Zeno Power has signed an agreement with French nuclear fuel cycle manager Orano to acquire Americium-241, an isotope the U.S. startup plans to repurpose for powering long-duration and deep-space missions. The company said it will make a “multi-million-dollar” annual payment to Orano for the supply, which will be sourced from the firm’s recycling site in…
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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…