European Spaceflight
• Andrew Parsonson
ArianeGroup has completed a second wet dress rehearsal of Themis, the European Space Agency’s reusable rocket demonstrator, at Esrange in Sweden. The rehearsal marks another test campaign milestone for the vehicle, though the available report provides no further details on test results or next steps.
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DroneShield has introduced Mission Ready Services, while Spain’s Marine Corps is forming a reconnaissance-company RPAS team equipped with Vector, Skydio X10D and Seeker drones. Separately, MBDA has completed the preliminary design review for its Remote Carrier Compact demonstrator, a Franco-German-Spanish effort intended to support other aircraft across multiple missions.
The program has secured approval from France, Germany and Spain following its Preliminary Design Review this summer. The milestone advances MBDA’s Remote Carrier Compact demonstrator toward a planned first flight in 2029.
NATO’s Support and Procurement Agency has detailed requirements for its multinational Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability program following a July request for proposals, including a higher top-speed target. Boeing has withdrawn from the competition, narrowing the field for a program intended to deliver a future rotorcraft capability for participating nations.
Dawn Aerospace is expanding into Germany, citing the country’s €35 billion investment in space defense and rising demand for propulsion systems. The move positions the company to support a growing national space effort, though the announcement provides no details on the expansion’s scale, timing or specific contracts.
High activity
ArianeGroup has completed a second wet dress rehearsal of Themis, the European Space Agency’s reusable rocket demonstrator, at Esrange in Sweden. The rehearsal marks another test campaign milestone for the vehicle, though the available report provides no further details on test results or next steps.
Swedish Gripen fighters supported Poland’s air defenses during a major Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine overnight on October 6-7, 2026. The deployment connects the conflict’s air threats in Ukraine with neighboring countries’ air-defense posture.
Lufthansa plans to restart its Frankfurt–Chubu route on March 29, 2027, operating three round trips weekly. The service will use Boeing 787-9s fitted with the carrier’s Allegris cabin, bringing the new interior to the route as Lufthansa restores a link between Frankfurt and central Japan.
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