Reuters
• Maria Rugamer
The European Space Agency has awarded its first three operational contracts under the European Launcher Challenge, supporting European rocket startups as they develop greater launcher diversity. Spain’s PLD Space will receive €158.9 million to scale and advance reusability for its MIURA 5 launch vehicle.
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Katalyst Space has dropped plans to reboost a NASA satellite but is continuing to operate its Swift spacecraft, using the mission to build experience for future on-orbit satellite servicing missions. The effort provides operational experience even without completing the originally planned reboost objective.
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The European Space Agency has awarded its first three operational contracts under the European Launcher Challenge, supporting European rocket startups as they develop greater launcher diversity. Spain’s PLD Space will receive €158.9 million to scale and advance reusability for its MIURA 5 launch vehicle.
Chinese commercial launch provider Galactic Energy is targeting Sept. 1 for the first orbital flight of its Pallas-1 liquid-propellant rocket, according to airspace closure notices. The planned mission marks the company’s entry into orbital operations with a new launch vehicle.
NOAA has selected Muon Space, Orbital Micro Systems—doing business as Weather Stream—and Spire Global to develop weather satellite instruments for the Temperature and Moisture Advanced Technology Evolution project, advancing a multi-company effort to strengthen future temperature and moisture measurement capabilities.
Small-satellite manufacturer GomSpace reported higher revenue and EBITDA for the three months ended June 30, alongside an increased cash balance. The company also said it had taken additional steps to limit exposure to a major constellation customer that has not paid its outstanding bills.
The Canadian government is providing a major financial lifeline to Telesat Canada to support its planned Lightspeed telecommunications satellite constellation. The move underscores Ottawa’s effort to build sovereign space capabilities and strengthen the project’s prospects amid rising defense and strategic reliance on space-based connectivity.
French startup Miratlas is seeking investors to expand technology that monitors atmospheric conditions and helps operators identify suitable locations for weather-sensitive optical ground stations. The effort reflects the growing need for reliable site-selection and operational data as space-to-ground laser communications move toward commercial deployment.
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China has rolled back the Long March 5 rocket for Chang’e-7, potentially delaying the lunar mission by a year, even as Long March 6C returned to flight with seven Earth-imaging satellites. Japan’s Sarmony selected Space One’s Kairos, while CAS Space targets early 2027 for its Kinastra upper stage.
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