News

European Spaceflight • Andrew Parsonson

SpaceX launches Crew-12 to ISS with ESA's Sophie Adenot on eight-month mission

A SpaceX Falcon 9 lifted off from Kennedy Space Center SLC‑40 on 13 February 2026 carrying Crew‑12 and ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot to the International Space Station. Adenot flies as mission specialist with NASA commander Jessica Meir, pilot Jack Hathaway and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrei Fedyaev on an ~eight‑month expedition.

2026-02-13T02:49:44.584235-08:00

SpaceWatch Global

MSC 2026: DLR positions ‘space for resilience’ as Ariane 6.4 enters service

2026-02-12T22:34:36.472116-08:00

techfundingnews.com

Deep Space Energy raises €930k to develop compact 5×-efficient radioisotope generators for smallsats and lunar missions

2026-02-11T03:54:17.113359-08:00

SpaceNews.com

Germany commits €78M to establish national human exploration mission control centre

2026-02-10T12:33:34.895265-08:00

News Timeline

European Spaceflight

❗️

SpaceX launches Crew-12 to ISS with ESA's Sophie Adenot on eight-month mission A SpaceX Falcon 9 lifted off from Kennedy Space Center SLC‑40 on 13 February 2026 carrying Crew‑12 and ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot to the International Space Station. Adenot flies as mission specialist with NASA commander Jessica Meir, pilot Jack Hathaway and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrei Fedyaev on an ~eight‑month expedition.

2026-02-13T02:49:44.584235-08:00

SpaceX launches Crew-12 to ISS with ESA's Sophie Adenot on eight-month mission

SpaceWatch Global

MSC 2026: DLR positions ‘space for resilience’ as Ariane 6.4 enters service At a Munich Ariane reception, DLR Chairwoman Anke Kaysser‑Pyzalla outlined the agency’s post‑Ariane 6.4 agenda, casting space as a pillar of European resilience and signalling DLR priorities around launch capability, satellite services and industrial sovereignty as 2026 policy choices crystallize.

2026-02-12T22:34:36.472116-08:00

MSC 2026: DLR positions ‘space for resilience’ as Ariane 6.4 enters service

techfundingnews.com

Deep Space Energy raises €930k to develop compact 5×-efficient radioisotope generators for smallsats and lunar missions Riga-based Deep Space Energy closed €930k in pre-seed funding and grants to develop a compact radioisotope power generator it says uses 5× less fuel than conventional RTGs. The device targets resilient smallsats and lunar-surface missions that must survive the two-week lunar night, with backing from ESA and NATO DIANA.

2026-02-11T03:54:17.113359-08:00

Deep Space Energy raises €930k to develop compact 5×-efficient radioisotope generators for smallsats and lunar missions

SpaceNews.com

Germany commits €78M to establish national human exploration mission control centre Germany will invest €78 million to create a national mission control centre focused on human exploration. The centre will host mission operations for crewed exploration activities and establish domestic operational infrastructure for future human spaceflight programmes, and strengthen industrial and agency capabilities.

2026-02-10T12:33:34.895265-08:00

Germany commits €78M to establish national human exploration mission control centre

SpaceNews.com

Can Europe Build a Sovereign Space‑Intelligence Capability? Europe has a technical and programmatic path to a sovereign space‑intelligence capability — from GOVSATCOM and ESA's planned in‑orbit demonstrators to growing national investments — but turning plans into operational systems depends on political will, funding alignment and avoiding programme fragmentation.

2026-02-09T06:12:40.059587-08:00

Can Europe Build a Sovereign Space‑Intelligence Capability?

Space.com

❗️

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

Menu

ESA News

SpaceX launches Crew-12 to ISS with ESA's Sophie Adenot on eight-month mission

MSC 2026: DLR positions ‘space for resilience’ as Ariane 6.4 enters service

Deep Space Energy raises €930k to develop compact 5×-efficient radioisotope generators for smallsats and lunar missions

Germany commits €78M to establish national human exploration mission control centre

News Timeline