European Spaceflight
• Andrew Parsonson
SpaceX has reversed its decision to restrict Starlink roaming for customers in Poland, resolving a dispute that included an official threatening to reconsider $50 million in annual payments. The reversal underscores the commercial and policy sensitivities surrounding satellite broadband service access in national markets.
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SPRIND and SWE 2040 present competing visions for Europe’s orbital future: one prioritizes technological sovereignty and independent capabilities, while the other emphasizes interoperability with military partners. The divide highlights a strategic choice that could shape Europe’s space policy, industrial priorities and approach to security cooperation.
France conducted its first nighttime waterbombing drops from Aug. 17 to 18, 2026, using an Australian CH-47D Chinook stationed at Mont-de-Marsan since early August. The borrowed helicopter provides a capability unavailable from any aircraft in France’s current inventory, extending wildfire response beyond daylight operations.
SpaceX has reversed its decision to restrict Starlink roaming for customers in Poland, resolving a dispute that included an official threatening to reconsider $50 million in annual payments. The reversal underscores the commercial and policy sensitivities surrounding satellite broadband service access in national markets.
Germany’s Aero-Dienst is considering establishing an air operator certificate in Malta while expanding its maintenance, repair and overhaul activities, Managing Director Oliver Kosing said. The potential move would broaden the company’s operating and regulatory footprint as it evaluates further growth in the European aviation market.
European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot is scheduled to make history on Aug. 18 as the first French woman to conduct a spacewalk. The event will be broadcast live, offering viewers access to a milestone in France’s human-spaceflight participation.
Loganair will close its Dundee base and end all scheduled commercial service from the Scottish airport after Oct. 23, 2026. The decision removes the carrier’s remaining Dundee operations and marks a further change to regional air connectivity in Scotland.
The European Union has sanctioned the head of a Roscosmos subsidiary involved in developing a synthetic aperture radar satellite system for the Russian military. The action expands pressure on Russia’s space industry and targets leadership linked to military space capabilities.
Ukraine has unveiled a long-range uncrewed aircraft system as satellite imagery and leaked documents point to Russia’s expanding Geran-family strike-drone infrastructure. The developments coincide with Moscow’s claim of intercepting 822 Ukrainian drones and an apparent Ukrainian strike on the Engels-2 bomber base.
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