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Space.com • Tereza Pultarova

UK proposes 30% cut to astronomy and physics funding; researchers warn of 'massive impact'

UK ministers have proposed a roughly 30% cut to astronomy and physics funding, a move researchers labeled 'pretty disastrous.' Scientists warned, 'You can't have a cut of that scale and not expect to see a massive impact,' expressing deep concern about the future of UK scientific programmes.

2026-02-06T08:08:30.113587-08:00

Space Intel Report

Europe warns national space initiatives risk fragmenting collective launcher and satellite programmes

2026-02-05T06:36:06.720962-08:00

SpaceWatch Global

OHB establishes European Moonport Company in Bavaria to centralize lunar mission capabilities

2026-02-04T23:55:58.415854-08:00

ukspace.org

GMV tapped to build UK‑backed TOUCAN two‑way satellite time and frequency transfer to harden national PNT

2026-02-04T15:54:41.667502-08:00

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UK proposes 30% cut to astronomy and physics funding; researchers warn of 'massive impact' UK ministers have proposed a roughly 30% cut to astronomy and physics funding, a move researchers labeled 'pretty disastrous.' Scientists warned, 'You can't have a cut of that scale and not expect to see a massive impact,' expressing deep concern about the future of UK scientific programmes.

2026-02-06T08:08:30.113587-08:00

UK proposes 30% cut to astronomy and physics funding; researchers warn of 'massive impact'

Space Intel Report

Europe warns national space initiatives risk fragmenting collective launcher and satellite programmes European Commission officials are pressing for greater Brussels involvement as multiple member states launch parallel national space and launcher programmes. ESA and EU leaders warn the surge of national initiatives risks fragmenting collective projects — from new launchers to satellite constellations — just as geopolitical tensions demand greater European coherence.

2026-02-05T06:36:06.720962-08:00

Europe warns national space initiatives risk fragmenting collective launcher and satellite programmes

SpaceWatch Global

OHB establishes European Moonport Company in Bavaria to centralize lunar mission capabilities OHB has launched the European Moonport Company in Bavaria to consolidate its lunar-mission and lunar-surface infrastructure activities, moving the company from concept toward plans for a start-and-landing base on the Moon. The step comes as ESA pushes to accelerate European lunar initiatives.

2026-02-04T23:55:58.415854-08:00

OHB establishes European Moonport Company in Bavaria to centralize lunar mission capabilities

ukspace.org

GMV tapped to build UK‑backed TOUCAN two‑way satellite time and frequency transfer to harden national PNT GMV was selected to lead development of a secure two‑way satellite time and frequency transfer system under the ESA TOUCAN project, funded by the UK Space Agency. The system aims to provide nationally assured, continuous PNT services to harden critical infrastructure, defence and the economy.

2026-02-04T15:54:41.667502-08:00

GMV tapped to build UK‑backed TOUCAN two‑way satellite time and frequency transfer to harden national PNT

spaceanddefense.io

ESA appoints Laurent Jaffart to lead new Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity directorate The European Space Agency Council has approved the reassignment of Laurent Jaffart to a newly created Director of Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity (D/RNC), effective 1 February 2026. The move, from his role as Director of Connectivity and Secure Communications, signals ESA’s prioritisation of space-based resilience for European security, navigation and connectivity.

2026-02-01T16:34:43.031785-08:00

ESA appoints Laurent Jaffart to lead new Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity directorate

Space.com

ESA seeks to map spacecraft breakup and burn‑up to enable reliable design‑for‑demise The European Space Agency is launching studies to characterise how different spacecraft materials and structures fragment, ablate and vaporise during fiery uncontrolled re‑entries. Improved data on burn‑up behaviour would let engineers design satellites that reliably disintegrate, minimising surviving debris and atmospheric particulate deposition.

2026-01-31T03:08:44.178137-08:00

ESA seeks to map spacecraft breakup and burn‑up to enable reliable design‑for‑demise

SpaceNews.com

Making the unprecedented EU Space Act effective for all The EU is preparing measures to put its unprecedented Space Act into force across stakeholders, clarifying obligations, enforcement and practical application for industry, governments and operators. The initiative aims to translate a consolidated legal framework into uniform, enforceable rules to govern civilian and dual‑use space activities.

2026-01-30T04:14:20.684646-08:00

Making the unprecedented EU Space Act effective for all

Space.com

Hubble and NASA probe track interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, revealing jets, an anti‑tail and spin On Jan. 22, 2026 Hubble observed interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS nearly aligned with the Sun–Earth line, exposing unprecedented jet structures and an extended anti‑tail. Simultaneously a NASA exoplanet probe tracked the visitor to measure its spin and activity as it departs the inner solar system.

2026-01-28T14:06:17.868783-08:00

Hubble and NASA probe track interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, revealing jets, an anti‑tail and spin

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UK proposes 30% cut to astronomy and physics funding; researchers warn of 'massive impact'

Europe warns national space initiatives risk fragmenting collective launcher and satellite programmes

OHB establishes European Moonport Company in Bavaria to centralize lunar mission capabilities

GMV tapped to build UK‑backed TOUCAN two‑way satellite time and frequency transfer to harden national PNT

News Timeline