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European Space Agency

Full speed ahead for Mk 2 OneWeb system

With more than half of the OneWeb initial plan for 648 satellites now in orbit, the company says it has allocated $350 million (€301m) to develop an upgraded Mk 2 version of its satellites. OneWeb has 358 satellites in orbit including 36 launched on October 14th. OneWeb says all are operating nominally. In November, OneWeb […]

October 20, 2021By Chris Forrester

ESA approves Ariane-6 expansion roadmap

The European Space Agency (ESA) has given its approval on Europe’s exploitation of the new Ariane 6 rocket as well as the smaller Vega-C launcher. A meeting on September 6th saw approval given for a roadmap for new and innovative space transportation solutions for the next decade and a framework for associated short cycle demonstrations. […]

September 8, 2021By Chris Forrester

India’s ISRO to work with ESA and Israel

India’s Space Research Organisation has confirmed it is in discussions with the European Space Agency (ESA) and Israel’s Space Agency (ISA) on cooperating and identifying projects where the organisations could work together. The Secretary in the Department of Space and ISRO Chairman K Sivan held virtual meetings with DG of ISA Avi Blasberger and DG […]

August 2, 2021

Eutelsat’s Quantum ready to go

Eutelsat’s sophisticated Quantum 3.5 tonne satellite should launch on July 30th subject to any last minute weather or technical hitches. The current timetable calls for the launch to happen in a window which opens at 21.00 until 22.30 UTC onboard an Ariane 5 rocket from the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana. The satellite, built […]

July 29, 2021By Chris Forrester

Porsche/VW investing in rocket business

The holding company behind the Porsche/VW car giant is putting cash into Isar Aerospace, a Munich-based company which is developing lower-cost access to space. Other investors in Isar include Airbus, Earlybird Venture Capital, Lakestar, HV Capital and Lombard Odier, according to details in the Financial Times. Porsche SE, with HV Capital and Lombard, has reportedly […]

July 28, 2021By Chris Forrester

EU issues RFP for ‘New Space’ project

The European Union has issued its Request for Proposals for a major ‘New Space’ project – or projects – that embrace multi-orbit satellite constellations. The brief is comprehensive and asks for ideas on the construction and operation of a new fleet of satellites which will provide broadband connectivity, and so-called ‘Quantum’ solutions and other potential […]

July 21, 2021By Chris Forrester

QuinetiQ wins ESA contract

UK-based aerospace business QuinetQ has won a contract to build and operate an European Space Agency (ESA) satellite which will test and de-risk new space technologies. The ESA’s EU Horizon 2020’s IOD/IOV (In-Orbit Demonstration and Validation) programme will provide affordable access to space demonstration and validation for new space technologies and capabilities. It aims to […]

July 9, 2021

EU, ESA sign €9bn budget agreement

The European Space Agency (ESA) and EU Commission have agreed a financing budget for the next seven years. The agreement is comprehensive and brings together the 27-nation EU and 22-nation ESA memberships who have created a seven-year Financial Framework Partnership Agreement (FFPA) which will cover the work of the ESA and its funding for a […]

June 25, 2021By Chris Forrester

ESA chooses Leicester for new incubation effort

The European Space Agency (ESA) has chosen to build a £100 million space-tech incubation centre in Leicester, UK. The ESA is not part of the European Union Space Park Leicester is an extension of ESA’s existing Business Incubation thrust for R&D.  It joins Harwell Campus in Oxfordshire, Sci-Tech Daresbury in the North West and the […]

June 30, 2020By Chris Forrester