Spain’s Pangea Propulsion Secures €2 Million from the Catalan Government Pangea Propulsion has secured €2 million in financing from the Catalan government to expand its manufacturing and testing capacity.

Pangea Propulsion has secured €2 million in financing from the Catalan government to expand its manufacturing and testing capacity.
europeanspaceflight.com/spains-pange...

Antitrust Authority Approves Creation of Rheinmetall-OHB Satellite Joint Venture Germany’s independent competition authority has approved the creation of a Rheinmetall-OHB joint venture to bid on a military satellite communications contract.

Germany’s independent competition authority has approved the creation of a Rheinmetall-OHB joint venture to bid for a satellite communications constellation for the country's armed forces.
europeanspaceflight.com/antitrust-au...

ESA’s Mars Rover to Launch Aboard SpaceX Falcon Heavy in 2028 - European Spaceflight NASA has selected a SpaceX Falcon Heavy to launch the European Space Agency's Rosalind Franklin Mars rover in 2028.

NASA has selected a SpaceX Falcon Heavy to launch ESA’s Rosalind Franklin Mars rover in 2028. The rover will be tasked with drilling into the Martian surface in search of signs of past life.
europeanspaceflight.com/esas-mars-ro...

CIRA Tests Space Rider Reentry Performance with Damaged Heat Shield The Italian Aerospace Research Centre has confirmed that Space Rider’s thermal protection system can withstand reentry even when damaged.

The Italian Aerospace Research Centre has confirmed that Space Rider’s thermal protection system can withstand reentry even when damaged.
europeanspaceflight.com/cira-tests-s...

Swedish Space Agency Signs Agreement with FAA on Launch Licensing Sweden has signed an agreement with the FAA to coordinate on the licensing of US rocket launches from Esrange.

Sweden has signed an agreement with the FAA to coordinate on the licensing of US rocket launches from Esrange.
europeanspaceflight.com/swedish-spac...

ESA Publishes New Details on Crew Launch Abort Demonstrator - European Spaceflight ESA has released new details on its Crew Launch Abort Demonstrator project, outlining its scope and budget, and identifying Ariane 6 as a baseline launch vehicle.

ESA has released new details on its Crew Launch Abort Demonstrator project, outlining its scope and budget, and identifying Ariane 6 as a baseline launch vehicle.
europeanspaceflight.com/esa-publishe...

Update from Isar Aerospace. No Launch today!
"We are standing down from today’s launch attempt to evaluate a suspected leak in a composite overwrapped pressure vessel (COPV). The teams are assessing and will determine next steps."

Launch day! Liftoff is expected at 20:00 UTC. Image credit: Isar Aerospace

ESA has disclosed that it cost €82 million to launch the Sentinel-1D Earth observation satellite aboard an Ariane 62 rocket in November 2025.
europeanspaceflight.com/esa-spent-e8...

PLD Space Secures €30 Million European Investment Bank Loan - European Spaceflight PLD Space has secured a €30 million European Investment Bank loan to complete the development of its MIURA 5 rocket.

PLD Space has secured a €30 million European Investment Bank loan to finalise the development of its MIURA 5 rocket.
europeanspaceflight.com/pld-space-se...

The Exploration Company Completes Nyx Test Model Pressure Tests The Exploration Company has begun testing its Nyx Structural Test Model following the delivery of the pressurised structure last month.

The Exploration Company has begun testing its Nyx Structural Test Model following the delivery of the pressurised structure last month.
europeanspaceflight.com/the-explorat...

Avio Delays SMILE Launch After Component Production Issue Identified Avio has delayed the launch of ESA's SMILE mission aboard a Vega C rocket after identifying a subsystem production issue.

Avio has delayed the launch of ESA's SMILE mission aboard a Vega C rocket after identifying a subsystem production issue.
europeanspaceflight.com/avio-delays-...

SpaceX Files FCC Complaint Over Ariane 64 Amazon LEO Launch - European Spaceflight SpaceX has filed an FCC complaint alleging Amazon and Arianespace deployed satellites above authorised altitudes, a claim Amazon disputes.

SpaceX has filed an FCC complaint alleging Amazon and Arianespace deployed satellites above authorised altitudes. In response, Amazon said the claim "comes as a surprise," considering that SpaceX deployed satellites for it at similar altitudes.
europeanspaceflight.com/spacex-files...

Italy Signs Agreement with NASA to Cooperate on Moon Base - European Spaceflight Italy and NASA have signed an agreement to cooperate on the development of the US-led lunar surface base.

Italy and NASA have signed an agreement to cooperate on the development of the US-led lunar surface base, with Italy securing at least one seat on a future Artemis mission.
europeanspaceflight.com/italy-signs-...

Spain Approves €325 Million ESCA+ Expansion of Atlantic Constellation Spain will invest €325 million to expand the Atlantic Constellation with three additional Earth observation satellites.

Spain will invest €325 million to expand the Atlantic Constellation with three additional Earth observation satellites.
europeanspaceflight.com/spain-approv...

Sweden’s 2026 Spring Budget to Include €36.5 Million More for Space Sweden’s 2026 Spring Budget to include an additional €36.5 million aimed, in part, at enabling the launch of national security missions from Esrange.

Sweden’s 2026 Spring Budget to include an additional €36.5 million aimed, in part, at enabling the launch of national security missions from Esrange.
europeanspaceflight.com/swedens-2026...

ESA Seeks Commercial Provider to Transport Payload to the Moon - European Spaceflight ESA is seeking a commercial partner to deliver its NILS2 instrument to the Moon, with preference being given to European operators.

ESA is seeking a commercial provider to deliver its NILS2 instrument to the Moon, aiming to "find ways of procuring the flight whilst spending money in Europe.”
europeanspaceflight.com/esa-seeks-co...

ESA Member States Call for Cancellation of Earth Return Orbiter - European Spaceflight ESA Member States have called for the cancellation of the Earth Return Orbiter, with the agency to explore reusing some elements.

ESA Member States have called for the cancellation of the Earth Return Orbiter, with the agency beginning discussions with Airbus on repurposing elements of the mission.
europeanspaceflight.com/esa-member-s...

CNES Publishes Call for Drone Swarm to Monitor Launch Operations - European Spaceflight CNES has issued a call for proposals to develop a drone system for the Guiana Space Centre to support base surveillance and launch operations monitoring.

CNES has issued a call for proposals to develop a drone system for the Guiana Space Centre to support base surveillance and launch operations monitoring.
europeanspaceflight.com/cnes-publish...

What does “exclusively peaceful” really mean? In a 30 January release, the European Space Agency announced that it had appointed Laurent Jaffart as the head of the agency’s newly formed Resilience, Navigation, and Connectivity Directorate.

In case you missed it, in this week's issue of the newsletter, I took a look at ESA's definition of "exclusively peaceful purposes" and how the geopolitical climate is changing the agency's mandate.
europeanspaceflight.substack.com/p/what-does-...

UPDATE: According to Isar Aerospace, as a result of the delay caused by an unauthorized vessel entering the downrange safety zone, the rocket “encountered an increase in engine fuel temperature” that could not be addressed before the launch window closed. No word yet on a revised launch date.

Norway and Iceland to Join the EU's GOVSATCOM and IRIS2 Programmes EEA countries Norway and Iceland have signed agreements to join the EU’s GOVSATCOM and IRIS2 secure communications programmes.

EEA countries Norway and Iceland have signed agreements to join the EU’s GOVSATCOM and IRIS2 secure communications programmes.
europeanspaceflight.com/norway-and-i...

The second flight of the Isar Aerospace Spectrum rocket was aborted seconds before liftoff. With the launch window closed, there will be no reset. A new launch date is yet to be announced.

Switzerland’s PAVE Space Closes $40 Million Seed Funding Round - European Spaceflight Switzerland’s PAVE Space has raised $40 million in seed funding to accelerate development of its LYOBA heavy-lift kick stage.

Switzerland’s PAVE Space has raised $40 million in seed funding to accelerate development of its LYOBA heavy-lift kick stage.
europeanspaceflight.com/switzerlands...

US-Based Katalyst Selects Ariane 6 to Launch Satellite Servicing Spacecraft Arizona-based Katalyst Space Technologies selects Ariane 6 to launch its NEXUS-1 satellite servicing spacecraft to geostationary orbit in 2027.

Arizona-based Katalyst Space Technologies selects Ariane 6 to launch its NEXUS-1 satellite servicing spacecraft to geostationary orbit in 2027.
europeanspaceflight.com/us-based-kat...

ESA Regains Contact With Lost Proba-3 Spacecraft - European Spaceflight ESA has successfully re-established contact with its Proba-3 Coronagraph spacecraft more than a month after it was lost.

ESA has successfully re-established contact with its Proba-3 Coronagraph spacecraft more than a month after it was lost.
europeanspaceflight.com/esa-regains-...

ESA to Purchase SpaceX Crew Dragon Mission to ISS - European Spaceflight ESA plans to purchase a dedicated SpaceX Crew Dragon mission to the ISS, offering its astronauts a medium-duration flight opportunity to the station.

ESA plans to purchase a dedicated SpaceX Crew Dragon mission to the ISS, offering its new class of astronauts a flight opportunity before the station is retired.
europeanspaceflight.com/esa-to-purch...

ESA Awards OHB a €248 Million Contract to Build Weather Satellite Constellation ESA has awarded OHB a €248 million contract to build 20 satellites for EUMETSAT’s EPS-Sterna Arctic weather monitoring constellation.

ESA has awarded OHB a €248 million contract to build 20 satellites for EUMETSAT’s EPS-Sterna Arctic weather monitoring constellation.
europeanspaceflight.com/esa-awards-o...

ESA to Incentivise the Use of European Launchers for LEO Cargo Return Initiative ESA plans to offer a €50 million incentive to launch the demonstration missions for its LEO Cargo Return Services initiative aboard European rockets.

ESA plans to offer a €50 million incentive to launch the demonstration missions for its LEO Cargo Return Services initiative aboard European rockets.
europeanspaceflight.com/esa-to-incen...

Unfavorable weather conditions have pushed the launch date of the next Isar Aerospace Spectrum flight to no earlier than 23 March. Image credit: Isar Aerospace