ESA News

SpaceWatch Global

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At IAC 2026, Türkiye pitches space partnerships, independent access and homegrown satellite capability

Türkiye used the 77th International Astronautical Congress in Antalya to promote its space ambitions and international partnerships. Roketsan is seeking cooperation on launch systems and orbital technologies, while Turkish Aerospace Industries plans to launch its first optical Earth-observation satellite, Hursat-1, in mid-2027; ESA also held high-level meetings with partners.

NASA Spaceflight

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ESA and China’s SMILE mission begins science operations after commissioning

The joint European Space Agency–Chinese Academy of Sciences Solar Wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer has entered scientific operations following its May launch and a multi-month commissioning period. ESA and CAS released the mission’s first images, marking the transition from spacecraft checkout to planned research.

NASA Spaceflight

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ESA explores European-led space station and crew transport as launch capability expands

The European Space Agency is investigating options for a European-led space station and pursuing crew-transport capabilities as new European launchers come online. The effort follows member states’ endorsement of a “Call to Boost European Space Exploration,” signaling a broader push to strengthen Europe’s independent role in human spaceflight.

Space.com

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SpaceX Crew-13 reaches ISS in under eight hours, setting a U.S. crewed-spaceflight speed record

A SpaceX Crew Dragon carrying four astronauts from the United States, Canada and Russia docked with the International Space Station less than eight hours after launching from Florida. The rapid transit marked the fastest journey to the ISS by a U.S. spacecraft, according to the reports.

SpaceNews.com

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ESA selects Airbus and OHB-led consortia to study European-led crewed space stations

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.

Universe Today

ESA-JAXA planetary defense mission powers up ahead of rare asteroid opportunity

The ESA-JAXA planetary defense mission is advancing ahead of a rare astronomical opportunity expected in roughly three years. Space agencies are accelerating preparations to ensure they can take advantage of the event, which could provide an important opportunity for planetary-defense research and mission operations.

Washington Post

JUICE spacecraft prepares for two more Earth flybys en route to potentially habitable moons

The European Space Agency’s JUICE spacecraft is using Earth flybys as it continues its journey toward the outer solar system. The mission will investigate conditions on Jupiter’s moons, where environments may be capable of supporting life, after completing two additional passes of Earth.

European Spaceflight

Callisto Reusable Rocket Demonstrator Advances Toward 2027 Hop Tests

The nose cone for the Callisto reusable rocket demonstrator has been shipped to CNES for integration, marking another step toward the vehicle’s initial hop tests in 2027. The milestone indicates that the demonstrator is moving from component production into vehicle-level integration ahead of its flight campaign.