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Satellite Evolution

Astroscale UK wins €399k ESA Phase A contract to design world‑first in‑orbit refurbishment and upgrading service (IRUS)

Astroscale UK has secured a €399,000 Phase A contract from ESA to lead design of the In‑Orbit Refurbishment and Upgrading Service (IRUS), a world‑first programme to enable on‑orbit refurbishment and capability upgrades for satellites, aiming to extend operational life and reduce replacement demand.

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

Via Satellite

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

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

SpaceNews.com

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

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

European Spaceflight

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

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

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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

Astroscale UK wins €399k ESA Phase A contract to design world‑first in‑orbit refurbishment and upgrading service (IRUS) Astroscale UK has secured a €399,000 Phase A contract from ESA to lead design of the In‑Orbit Refurbishment and Upgrading Service (IRUS), a world‑first programme to enable on‑orbit refurbishment and capability upgrades for satellites, aiming to extend operational life and reduce replacement demand.

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

Astroscale UK wins €399k ESA Phase A contract to design world‑first in‑orbit refurbishment and upgrading 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?

European Spaceflight

ESA: 'No urgency' to fit P160C on Vega C as Ariane 6 production takes priority ESA has told stakeholders there is 'no urgency' to retrofit the Vega C launcher with the P160C booster, saying current launch manifest needs and early production priorities for Ariane 6 mean upgrades can be deferred. The decision preserves existing Vega C schedules while Ariane 6 units ramp up.

2026-01-11T23:32:34.813677-08:00

ESA: 'No urgency' to fit P160C on Vega C as Ariane 6 production takes priority

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ESA News

Astroscale UK wins €399k ESA Phase A contract to design world‑first in‑orbit refurbishment and upgrading service (IRUS)

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

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

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

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