Runway Girl
• Mary Kirby
The European Commission, ESA and the SpaceRISE consortium signed an implementation agreement on Aug. 7, 2026, for IRIS², a sovereign communications network of 348 spacecraft in low and medium Earth orbit. Separately, Airbus says it is fielding interest in HBCplus, an inflight-connectivity solution supporting GEO and Lightspeed LEO services.
Europe
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The European Commission, ESA and the SpaceRISE consortium signed an implementation agreement on Aug. 7, 2026, for IRIS², a sovereign communications network of 348 spacecraft in low and medium Earth orbit. Separately, Airbus says it is fielding interest in HBCplus, an inflight-connectivity solution supporting GEO and Lightspeed LEO services.
Ávoris Group has denied interest in acquiring Spanish airline Plus Ultra. The available report provides no further details on the denial or any potential transaction.
High activity
Since its July 2024 debut, Ariane 6 has restored Europe’s independent heavy-lift access to orbit, but dependable launch cadence remains the test. ESA says engine issues behind delays have been resolved, while Airbus Netherlands has delivered a Vulcain aft bay that is 400 kilograms lighter and 55 millimeters shorter.
Denmark plans to buy Anthem ground-launched cruise missiles, to be built in Germany, and Joint Strike Missiles for its F-35 fleet. Copenhagen says the weapons will expand precision-strike options and strengthen national deterrence and NATO collective defense as the alliance reinforces its Baltic flank.
Dassault Aviation chief executive Eric Trappier says a demonstrator for the Rafale’s sixth-generation successor could fly by 2031, provided the development contract is awarded promptly. The timeline makes contract timing a key condition for the company’s stated target.
Icelandair says fleet-renewal benefits are emerging after a strong third quarter, but high fuel costs are expected to push the Reykjavik-based carrier to a full-year operating loss. The airline is moving its remaining Boeing 757s to Malta as it continues the transition away from the type.
High activity
British Typhoon fighters escorted French Rafales during Exercise RUMMY, a simulated nuclear strike over the Mediterranean. France described it as the first British operational participation in an exercise involving its airborne nuclear capability, marking a new step in UK-French cooperation on nuclear deterrence.
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