SpaceNews.com
• Andrew Parsonson
European Space Agency member states are scheduled to meet in Rome on Dec. 15 to decide the future of Europe’s human and robotic exploration program. The decision will set the direction for the agency’s exploration agenda as Europe looks beyond the International Space Station.
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European Space Agency member states are scheduled to meet in Rome on Dec. 15 to decide the future of Europe’s human and robotic exploration program. The decision will set the direction for the agency’s exploration agenda as Europe looks beyond the International Space Station.
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The European Space Agency plans to support industry-led flight demonstrations of reusable rocket boosters through its Boosters for European Space Transportation (BEST!) initiative. The effort puts ESA behind companies demonstrating booster recovery and reuse, a key step toward developing reusable launch systems in Europe.
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ESA’s Nicolaus Hanowski sets out 10 strengths and 10 weaknesses in Europe’s Earth-observation sector. Torsten Kriening argues that the region must address the weaknesses, framing Europe’s broad view of the world as both an asset and a problem.
The European Space Agency’s head is due to meet officials in the United Arab Emirates this week as Europe looks to build new partnerships for space exploration and reduce its reliance on the United States. The visit signals a push to broaden the bloc’s international space relationships.
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CNES has started ground qualification testing of Callisto, a reusable rocket demonstrator, in French Guiana. The campaign precedes a first flight planned for 2027; the available report does not specify test objectives, vehicle capabilities or the partners involved.
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Ukrainian defense technology company HIMERA and Denmark’s GomSpace have begun testing an experimental satellite for a communications network Ukraine aims to operate independently. In parallel, the EU is discussing reduced dependence on U.S. providers, while ESA has added four Galileo Second Generation satellites to its procurement plan, bringing the planned fleet to 16.
ESA has added spacecraft to the Galileo Second Generation program through contracts with Airbus and Thales Alenia Space; Airbus’s latest award covers two satellites, bringing its order to eight. Separately, three European companies won NAVISP contracts to develop navigation technologies for more resilient rail transportation and aviation.
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