European Space Agency

It is not quite Starlink, but Europe aims to have its own commercial satellite communication mega-ish constellation ready starting in 2030.

The European Space Agency (ESA) has signed €350 million ($363 million) in contracts with Avio to further evolve the Vega launcher family.

The pace of growth is down slightly from the 11% seen between 2022 and 2023.

Member states are expected to provide €4.8 billion and the European Union €1.7 billion, with an additional €1.2 billion coming from other sources.

Geopolitical and environmental challenges in the northern latitudes are prompting investments in satellite communications and infrastructure.

European officials plan to move quickly to put on contract risk reduction efforts for the IRIS² satellite communications program to mature critical tech.

The Dragon capsule has a return cargo that includes scientific research and equipment.

The EU and ESA signed a concession contract with a European industry consortium to deploy a roughly 292-satellite secure, sovereign communications system.

Even though Europe is back in the space launcher race, its progress still trails the U.S. and China.

Arianespace on Dec. 4 returned the Vega-C rocket to flight after a more than two-year hiatus following a mission failure in 2022.

The agency suspects maneuvering spacecraft could open the door to other science missions, including ones linked to Mars sample return missions.

The European Space Agency has delayed the launch of the Proba-3 mission to examine a possible fault with one of its two satellites.

Negotiations just wrapped up on the Vega E.

The extra time is being used to conduct additional checks.

Our roundup of the main aerospace and defense stories making the news this week.

The European Space Agency and its counterpart Japan Aeropace Exploration Agency are moving to strengthen ties in lunar and asteroid exploration.

The European Space Agency and ArianeGroup have signed an agreement for around €230 million ($242 million) in additional funding for a reusable rocket program.

Arianespace says it has signed an agreement with Exotrail to launch the company’s geostationary version of its Orbital Transfer Vehicle.

Lockheed Martin and the UK Space Agency say they are assessing plans for how to deliver the Pathfinder space launch from the UK.

The European Space Agency is looking to revamp how it implements technology programs to better support its member states' companies as competition in the sector heats up globally

The European Space Agency is providing additional funding to emerging launch service operators to help ease their way to commercial operations.

The Exploration Company, which is working on an ESA cargo return capsule, says it has closed a $160 million Series B funding round.

Samples aboard the Perseverance rover may hold evidence of past life on Mars.

Our roundup of the main aerospace and defense stories making the news this week.

From project financing to launcher and exploration initiatives, the region is devising an agenda to stay in the global space race.