Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation News

Payload

Inversion Space wins NASA contract to study aerocapture for interplanetary travel

NASA awarded Inversion Space a contract to study aerocapture, a concept that uses a planetary atmosphere to slow an incoming spacecraft. The work could examine a new approach to interplanetary travel by reducing the need for conventional propulsion during spacecraft arrival.

Reuters

Europe’s strategic-autonomy push spans sovereign AI, launch, satellite downlink and IRIS² procurement

Four developments highlight Europe’s push to build sovereign technology capacity: Mistral raised €3 billion for AI, Isar Aerospace reached orbit with Spectrum, Eutelsat and Skynopy expanded LEO data-downlink services, and Aerospacelab won a €2.4 billion contract for 264 IRIS² satellites.

CNBC

High activity

Europe expands sovereign launch capacity as Amazon Leo commits to 24 Ariane 6 missions

Arianespace has added six Ariane 64 launches for Amazon Leo, taking its contracted total to 24, while the European Launcher Challenge allocates €544 million to three rocket developers. New agreements with ICEYE and India further underscore Europe’s push to strengthen sovereign access to space and satellite capabilities.

European Spaceflight

High activity

The Exploration Company books Ariane 6 launch for Nyx demonstration mission

The Exploration Company has reserved an Ariane 6 flight for the Nyx demonstration mission through the European Space Agency’s ALADDIN cargo program. The booking links the company’s in-space transportation vehicle to Europe’s institutional launch framework and adds a commercial cargo mission to Ariane 6’s manifest.

SpaceNews.com

High activity

European space activity accelerates across ISS logistics, GEO servicing and next-generation LEO missions

The Exploration Company won an ESA contract worth up to €760 million for a 2028 Nyx demonstration mission to the ISS, while Eutelsat advanced GEO satellite life extension and IRIS² manufacturing. Separately, NewOrbit announced a 2028 commercial mission targeting very low Earth orbit.

NASA Spaceflight

High activity

SpaceX moves Super Heavy Booster 22 and Ship 42 to Massey’s for Flight 15 testing

SpaceX has moved Super Heavy Booster 22 and Ship 42 to Massey’s for cryogenic proof testing ahead of their planned use on Starship Flight 15. The mission could launch roughly one month after Flight 14, assuming the earlier flight proceeds successfully.

Reuters

High activity

Arianespace adds 10 Ariane 6 launches as Amazon and ICEYE expand commitments; NASA adds Relativity’s Terran R

Arianespace announced orders for 10 additional Ariane 6 launches, including six linked to Amazon’s low Earth orbit satellite deployment plans, while ICEYE agreed to evaluate the rocket for sovereign SAR missions. Separately, NASA added Relativity Space’s Terran R to its NLS II launch-services contract.

Reuters

High activity

Space infrastructure advances span optical ground services, SAR missions and missile-warning constellation design

Cailabs is introducing shared optical ground-station infrastructure, while ICEYE and Arianespace will evaluate Ariane 6 for sovereign SAR missions. Poland’s EYCORE reported first imagery from its inaugural radar satellite, and BAE Systems and the U.S. Space Force completed a critical design review for Epoch 2 missile-warning satellites planned for 2029.