SpaceNews.com
• Andrew Parsonson
The European Space Agency has selected consortia led by Airbus Defence and Space and OHB to conduct parallel studies of a future European-led space station in low Earth orbit. The effort marks an early step toward defining Europe’s potential post-ISS human-spaceflight architecture and industrial roles.
Europe
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Belgium plans to transfer three F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine by the end of 2026, with Kyiv seeking an accelerated delivery timeline. Ukraine’s Air Force says F-16s already in service have downed more than 600 missiles and 2,500 unmanned aerial vehicles, totaling over 3,150 aerial targets.
Britain’s counter-terrorism police said investigators found fuel but no improvised explosive devices during a probe into a suspected plot targeting a Royal Air Force base used by U.S. forces to launch strikes against Iran. The investigation remains focused on the security incident and search operations.
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The European Space Agency has selected consortia led by Airbus Defence and Space and OHB to conduct parallel studies of a future European-led space station in low Earth orbit. The effort marks an early step toward defining Europe’s potential post-ISS human-spaceflight architecture and industrial roles.
High activity
Deutsche Aircraft has opened the final assembly line for its D328eco regional turboprop at Leipzig/Halle Airport, moving the program from development toward serial production. The €100 million facility is designed to produce up to 48 aircraft per year and marks the return of complete commercial aircraft manufacturing to Germany after 25 years.
Lufthansa is urging the German government to provide subsidies aimed at protecting feeder services. The call highlights the airline’s concern that the viability of connecting flights depends on public support, with potential implications for Germany’s domestic and regional air connectivity.
Austrian Airlines has sold its last three Boeing 767-300ERs to U.S.-based Cobra Aviation for part-out, confirming the end of the type’s operation at the Vienna-based carrier. The transaction marks another step in Austrian’s long-haul fleet transition and removes the 767 from its active fleet.
The 2026 Vaduz Space Dialogue argues that Europe should move quickly to federate secure satellite connectivity rather than await a perfect institutional framework or build another standalone constellation. The discussion positions spectrum as strategic infrastructure and federation as a potential answer to Europe’s connectivity-security challenge.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said a foreign actor may have been involved in the suspected explosives and terrorism plot near a British airbase used by U.S. forces for strikes against Iran. Five men were arrested in connection with the incident.
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