ESA News

Universe Today

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Europe’s Iris² and UK debris-removal mission advance as ClearSpace, Aerospacelab and ESA pursue new space capabilities

Europe’s €15.6 billion Iris² secure-connectivity constellation is putting schedule, performance and cost responsibility across public and private partners, including newer satellite builders. Elsewhere, the UK selected ClearSpace for its first national active-debris-removal mission, while ESA’s Space Rider prototype failed a parachute drop test and Aerospacelab agreed to cooperate on South Korea’s planned K-LEO defense constellation.

European Spaceflight

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ESA sees possible Ariane 6 launcher shortfall late this decade, while turbopump issue delays a 2026 launch

ESA is discussing higher Ariane 6 booster output with ArianeGroup and Avio, but will wait for firmer launch-demand estimates before acting, likely early next year. Separately, the agency says a turbopump issue delaying a planned 2026 launch into 2027 is not a lasting problem.

European Spaceflight

ESA Provides New Details on Failed Space Rider Drop Test

Universe Today

Solar Orbiter traces giant magnetic switchbacks directly to the Sun

Solar Orbiter observations have traced giant magnetic switchbacks directly back to the Sun, connecting the structures to their source. The finding comes amid a surge of solar-physics data as new spacecraft begin actively observing the Sun.

European Spaceflight

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Airbus ships first lightweight Vulcain aft bay for Ariane 6 Block 2

Airbus Netherlands has shipped the first lightweight Vulcain Aft Bay for Ariane 6, part of the rocket’s final Block 2 upgrades. The aft bay is a structural component, and its reduced weight supports the upgraded launcher’s performance goals.

SpaceNews.com

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Ceres-1 launches Wuyang pathfinder as ICEYE and SES advance satellite capabilities

A sea-launched Ceres-1 placed the first satellite for a Guangzhou-backed, low-inclination Wuyang remote-sensing constellation in orbit. Separately, ICEYE launched four SAR satellites on SpaceX’s Bandwagon-5 rideshare, while SES began a NASA-linked relay demonstration using Planet’s Pelican satellite.

European Spaceflight

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ESA loses full-scale Space Rider test model after parafoil deployment anomaly during drop test

The European Space Agency said a full-scale test model of its Space Rider reusable space vehicle was lost earlier this month after an anomaly during parafoil deployment in a drop test. The loss underscores a setback in testing the recovery system, though the available report provides no further detail on the anomaly or program schedule.

European Spaceflight

Space Rider test model lost following failed drop test