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European Spaceflight • Andrew Parsonson

As ESA Chief Pushes for European Autonomous Human Spaceflight, Agency Prepares Reusable Orbital Spaceplane Proposal

ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher says Europe must build an autonomous human spaceflight capability, framing it as a strategic requirement rather than a “luxury.” In parallel, ESA is set to propose a reusable orbital spaceplane to close gaps in Europe’s independent post-ISS transportation capabilities.

2026-05-19T07:54:42.246339-07:00

Space.com

NASA LOXSAT “orbital gas station” demo to validate in-space cryogenic oxygen transfer for Artemis

2026-05-19T09:05:31.165123-07:00

Wall Street Journal

Contractor death at SpaceX Starbase ahead of next Starship launch push

2026-05-18T14:54:56.974199-07:00

European Spaceflight

ESA delivers EuroSuit prototype to ISS for in-orbit testing by astronaut Sophie Adenot

2026-05-18T08:12:34.150739-07:00

News Timeline

Space.com

NASA LOXSAT “orbital gas station” demo to validate in-space cryogenic oxygen transfer for Artemis NASA is preparing LOXSAT (Liquid OXygen Flight demonstration), a satellite mission intended to test technologies for in-space transfer and storage of cryogenic propellants. The in-orbit “gas station” capability is positioned as a key enabling step for Artemis missions targeting crewed return to the Moon.

2026-05-19T09:05:31.165123-07:00

NASA LOXSAT “orbital gas station” demo to validate in-space cryogenic oxygen transfer for Artemis

European Spaceflight

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As ESA Chief Pushes for European Autonomous Human Spaceflight, Agency Prepares Reusable Orbital Spaceplane Proposal ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher says Europe must build an autonomous human spaceflight capability, framing it as a strategic requirement rather than a “luxury.” In parallel, ESA is set to propose a reusable orbital spaceplane to close gaps in Europe’s independent post-ISS transportation capabilities.

2026-05-19T07:54:42.246339-07:00

As ESA Chief Pushes for European Autonomous Human Spaceflight, Agency Prepares Reusable Orbital Spaceplane Proposal

Wall Street Journal

Contractor death at SpaceX Starbase ahead of next Starship launch push A contractor died at SpaceX’s Starbase facility in Texas, where the incident comes days before the company’s planned launch of a new version of Starship. The fatal workplace accident adds risk to the lead-up schedule as SpaceX prepares to resume rapid test operations.

2026-05-18T14:54:56.974199-07:00

Contractor death at SpaceX Starbase ahead of next Starship launch push

European Spaceflight

ESA delivers EuroSuit prototype to ISS for in-orbit testing by astronaut Sophie Adenot The French space agency’s EuroSuit prototype has been delivered to the International Space Station, where it will be tested by ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot. The in-orbit evaluation is intended to validate performance of the next-generation spacesuit hardware ahead of broader human spaceflight use.

2026-05-18T08:12:34.150739-07:00

ESA delivers EuroSuit prototype to ISS for in-orbit testing by astronaut Sophie Adenot

Universe Today

Artemis III: NASA’s next crewed Moon mission must prove mission architecture and systems readiness after Artemis II Artemis III is positioned as the pivotal step that must succeed before NASA can return humans to the lunar surface. The cluster looks back at Artemis II’s crewed, around-the-Moon mission as the latest global benchmark for deep-space human operations—and a proof point for what Artemis III has to de-risk next.

2026-05-15T00:10:25.542881-07:00

Artemis III: NASA’s next crewed Moon mission must prove mission architecture and systems readiness after Artemis II

SpaceNews.com

Intuitive Machines to acquire UK deep-space communications operator Goonhilly Earth Station Intuitive Machines has entered a definitive agreement to purchase Goonhilly Earth Station Ltd, the UK provider of lunar and deep-space communications, with the deal subject to regulatory approval. The acquisition is positioned to expand Intuitive’s integrated space-to-Earth network, boosting deep-space capacity for communications and PNT services.

2026-05-14T13:23:28.353289-07:00

Intuitive Machines to acquire UK deep-space communications operator Goonhilly Earth Station

Space.com

Blue Origin’s Blue Moon Mark 2 lunar lander mockup assembled at Johnson Space Center for Artemis astronaut training A Blue Moon Mark 2 lunar lander mockup has been assembled at NASA’s Johnson Space Center and is ready for Artemis astronauts to board as part of training. The step supports crew familiarity with Blue Moon’s configuration ahead of Artemis-related surface operations.

2026-05-13T11:07:38.724136-07:00

Blue Origin’s Blue Moon Mark 2 lunar lander mockup assembled at Johnson Space Center for Artemis astronaut training

SpaceNews.com

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Northrop Grumman’s LR-450 targets GPS-denied navigation for mid-size satellites Northrop Grumman is rolling out the LR-450, a compact inertial positioning and navigation system derived from James Webb Space Telescope guidance technologies. The LR-450 is designed to provide continuous, precise spacecraft tracking and orientation even when external satellite signals are unavailable, addressing weakened navigation coverage beyond Earth orbit.

2026-05-13T07:26:11.975612-07:00

Northrop Grumman’s LR-450 targets GPS-denied navigation for mid-size satellites

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Human Spaceflight & Space Stations News

As ESA Chief Pushes for European Autonomous Human Spaceflight, Agency Prepares Reusable Orbital Spaceplane Proposal

NASA LOXSAT “orbital gas station” demo to validate in-space cryogenic oxygen transfer for Artemis

Contractor death at SpaceX Starbase ahead of next Starship launch push

ESA delivers EuroSuit prototype to ISS for in-orbit testing by astronaut Sophie Adenot

News Timeline