Via Satellite
• Rachel Jewett
The European Space Agency has contracted Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia Space to build two satellites each for Europe’s Galileo positioning and timing network. The awards add four spacecraft to the system’s planned capacity, with both European suppliers sharing the work.
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The European Space Agency has contracted Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia Space to build two satellites each for Europe’s Galileo positioning and timing network. The awards add four spacecraft to the system’s planned capacity, with both European suppliers sharing the work.
The European Space Agency, acting for the EU Agency for the Space Programme under European Commission delegation, awarded Airbus a contract for two additional second-generation Galileo spacecraft. The order brings Airbus’s total for the European navigation program to eight satellites; the new satellites are described as having stronger anti-jamming protection.
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The Faroe Islands’ flag carrier has placed a firm order for two additional Airbus A320neos to replace its remaining older-generation A320s. The airline already has two A320neos scheduled for delivery in 2028 and 2029, and says it aims to operate an all-neo fleet by 2030.
An analysis asks whether Airbus should develop a longer A350 variant, noting that similar considerations apply to a potential A220-500. The latter would extend the A220 family with a longer version of the manufacturer’s smallest narrowbody jet.
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has queried the status of a €3 billion ($4 billion) European Union loan to Airbus and urged a quick resolution to concerns over support for the airframer. The issue is raising uncertainty around the transatlantic truce on large-aircraft subsidies.
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer says a €3 billion ($4 billion) European Investment Bank loan to Airbus may violate the aircraft trade agreement between the United States and the EU. Brussels and the EIB reject the criticism, raising the prospect of renewed trade tensions over aircraft support.
A Hudson Institute study argues that the Air Force should treat 75 additional Boeing KC-46s as an upper limit and then field a longer-range tanker better suited to a potential conflict with China. It favors a medium-sized blended-wing-body design over the KC-46A or Airbus A330 MRTT; Natilus is separately developing a BWB demonstrator with Air Force support.
The European Space Agency, acting for the European Commission, has contracted Airbus and Thales Alenia Space to build two additional Galileo Second Generation satellites each. The four spacecraft add to 12 ordered in 2021, bringing the planned G2 fleet to 16; the latest satellites are scheduled to launch in 2031.
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