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SpaceNews.com • James Snape, Richard Jacklin

ESA launches Zero Debris Charter, kicking off a countdown to clean orbits

ESA has launched a Zero Debris Charter, initiating a coordinated effort to clean low Earth orbit and reduce collision risk. The charter establishes a timeline and commitments for member states, industry and international partners to accelerate debris mitigation and removal activities.

2026-01-16T06:11:52.712571-08:00

Payload

ESA and Liberty Mutual explore Earth‑observation data for parametric insurance

2026-01-15T21:12:32.870945-08:00

Space Intel Report

French MPs warn German and Italian space spending could skew ESA governance as Paris HQ renewal proceeds

2026-01-14T12:46:40.520650-08:00

Satellite Evolution

ESA awards Astroscale UK €399k Phase A to design world‑first in‑orbit satellite refurbishment and upgrade service (IRUS)

2026-01-13T07:35:50.835245-08:00

News Timeline

SpaceNews.com

ESA launches Zero Debris Charter, kicking off a countdown to clean orbits ESA has launched a Zero Debris Charter, initiating a coordinated effort to clean low Earth orbit and reduce collision risk. The charter establishes a timeline and commitments for member states, industry and international partners to accelerate debris mitigation and removal activities.

2026-01-16T06:11:52.712571-08:00

ESA launches Zero Debris Charter, kicking off a countdown to clean orbits

Payload

ESA and Liberty Mutual explore Earth‑observation data for parametric insurance The European Space Agency and Liberty Mutual Reinsurance will explore whether Earth‑observation data can be used to underpin parametric insurance products for terrestrial assets. The collaboration will examine data inputs, trigger definitions and operational approaches for converting satellite measurements into automated payout mechanisms.

2026-01-15T21:12:32.870945-08:00

ESA and Liberty Mutual explore Earth‑observation data for parametric insurance

Space Intel Report

French MPs warn German and Italian space spending could skew ESA governance as Paris HQ renewal proceeds A French parliamentary committee warned rising German and Italian space spending risks reshaping governance at the European Space Agency as France pursues renewal of the Paris headquarters. MPs said shifting national investments could influence programme allocation and industrial decision‑making among member states.

2026-01-14T12:46:40.520650-08:00

French MPs warn German and Italian space spending could skew ESA governance as Paris HQ renewal proceeds

Via Satellite

Europe Readies EPS‑Sterna Polar Satellite Constellation — Up to €30B Economic Upside Europe will build EPS‑Sterna, a polar satellite constellation projected to generate up to €30 billion (~$35bn) in economic value over its lifetime. The programme signals a new continental investment in space infrastructure with implications for services and industrial activity across European supply chains.

2026-01-13T16:43:39.383677-08:00

Europe Readies EPS‑Sterna Polar Satellite Constellation — Up to €30B Economic Upside

SpaceNews.com

ESA and ClearSpace unveil PRELUDE to demonstrate close‑proximity servicing and debris removal ESA and ClearSpace announced PRELUDE, a technology‑demonstration mission that will validate close‑proximity rendezvous, guidance and mitigation manoeuvres for future in‑orbit servicing and debris‑removal operations. The tests aim to prove the operational techniques Europe and commercial providers will use to sustain congested low Earth orbit.

2026-01-13T13:31:42.111458-08:00

ESA and ClearSpace unveil PRELUDE to demonstrate close‑proximity servicing and debris removal

Satellite Evolution

ESA awards Astroscale UK €399k Phase A to design world‑first in‑orbit satellite refurbishment and upgrade service (IRUS) Astroscale UK has won a €399,000 Phase A contract from ESA to lead the design of the In‑Orbit Refurbishment and Upgrading Service (IRUS), a first‑of‑its‑kind mission to repair, refurbish and upgrade satellites on orbit to cut debris, lifecycle costs and replacement waste.

2026-01-13T07:35:50.835245-08:00

ESA awards Astroscale UK €399k Phase A to design world‑first in‑orbit satellite refurbishment and upgrade service (IRUS)

European Spaceflight

ESA expands Phase 2 of LEO Cargo Return Services to include demonstrations to commercial space stations The European Space Agency has broadened Phase 2 of its LEO Cargo Return Services initiative to include demonstration missions to future commercial space stations. The change steers agency funding and technical support toward validating cargo-return systems, logistical interfaces and commercial cooperation with nascent private LEO platforms.

2026-01-13T04:19:22.107318-08:00

ESA expands Phase 2 of LEO Cargo Return Services to include demonstrations to commercial space stations

Space.com

Will U.S. budget cuts force NASA to withdraw from ESA’s next Venus mission? ESA's planned Venus mission may lose NASA contributions under proposed U.S. budget cuts, raising questions about instruments, operations and timeline. ESA says it is "in constant contact with NASA" while partners evaluate the funding shortfall's implications for mission scope and schedule.

2026-01-12T13:13:30.311191-08:00

Will U.S. budget cuts force NASA to withdraw from ESA’s next Venus mission?

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ESA News

ESA launches Zero Debris Charter, kicking off a countdown to clean orbits

ESA and Liberty Mutual explore Earth‑observation data for parametric insurance

French MPs warn German and Italian space spending could skew ESA governance as Paris HQ renewal proceeds

ESA awards Astroscale UK €399k Phase A to design world‑first in‑orbit satellite refurbishment and upgrade service (IRUS)

News Timeline