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European Spaceflight • Andrew Parsonson

ESA paid €82 million for Sentinel‑1D launch on Ariane 6 (Ariane 62) in November 2025

ESA disclosed it paid €82 million to launch the Sentinel‑1D Earth observation satellite aboard an Ariane 6 two‑booster (Ariane 62) vehicle in November 2025. The agency released the figure publicly as the officially reported launch procurement cost for the mission.

2026-04-08T23:06:13.969842-07:00

Reuters

Artemis II heads home after lunar flyby, set to splash down off San Diego April 10

2026-04-08T15:12:04.671164-07:00

Ars Technica

NASA nears Artemis III orbit decision as it readies third SLS core-stage rollout

2026-04-08T08:40:27.976695-07:00

NASA Spaceflight

SpaceX continues refinements at Starbase Pad 2 ahead of Booster 19 return

2026-04-08T05:38:23.695094-07:00

News Timeline

European Spaceflight

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ESA paid €82 million for Sentinel‑1D launch on Ariane 6 (Ariane 62) in November 2025 ESA disclosed it paid €82 million to launch the Sentinel‑1D Earth observation satellite aboard an Ariane 6 two‑booster (Ariane 62) vehicle in November 2025. The agency released the figure publicly as the officially reported launch procurement cost for the mission.

2026-04-08T23:06:13.969842-07:00

ESA paid €82 million for Sentinel‑1D launch on Ariane 6 (Ariane 62) in November 2025

Reuters

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Artemis II heads home after lunar flyby, set to splash down off San Diego April 10 Following a successful lunar flyby that returned more than 175 GB of data, the four‑person Artemis II crew is on an Earth‑return trajectory and due to splash down off San Diego on April 10. NASA and recovery teams are finalizing Pacific retrieval operations as the crew conducts Earth observations.

2026-04-08T15:12:04.671164-07:00

Artemis II heads home after lunar flyby, set to splash down off San Diego April 10

Ars Technica

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NASA nears Artemis III orbit decision as it readies third SLS core-stage rollout NASA is finalizing Artemis III mission decisions — notably the spacecraft’s initial lunar orbit and overall mission profile — even as Orion continues flight operations. The agency has opened public registration to watch the rollout of the third SLS core stage as hardware and timelines are finalized.

2026-04-08T08:40:27.976695-07:00

NASA nears Artemis III orbit decision as it readies third SLS core-stage rollout

NASA Spaceflight

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SpaceX continues refinements at Starbase Pad 2 ahead of Booster 19 return SpaceX is carrying out targeted refinements at its Starbase Pad 2 as teams prepare for the return of Booster 19. Work focuses on pad systems, commissioning and ground checks to ready the second Starbase pad for the booster’s upcoming return to operations.

2026-04-08T05:38:23.695094-07:00

SpaceX continues refinements at Starbase Pad 2 ahead of Booster 19 return

Reuters

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SpaceX targets $1.75tn valuation, plans ~£60bn ($75bn) IPO with up to 30% retail allocation SpaceX is preparing an IPO that targets a roughly £1.4tn ($1.75tn) valuation and plans to raise about £60bn (~$75bn), with retail investors potentially allocated up to 30%—a proposal that would rank the company among the world’s largest public firms and far exceed prior private-market levels.

2026-04-08T02:11:10.331452-07:00

SpaceX targets $1.75tn valuation, plans ~£60bn ($75bn) IPO with up to 30% retail allocation

Sky News

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Artemis II begins return to Earth after historic lunar flyby as Orion executes first return burn Following a historic lunar flyby on April 6, NASA's Artemis II entered its return phase on Flight Day 7 as the Orion spacecraft Integrity executed a 15‑second return correction burn at 8:03 p.m. EDT. The crew report high spirits and NASA says Orion is "performing spectacularly" despite a lingering waste‑tank evacuation issue.

2026-04-07T15:07:43.862320-07:00

Artemis II begins return to Earth after historic lunar flyby as Orion executes first return burn

Space Intel Report

EIB extends $34.6M loan to PLD Space, lifting total funding to $438M The European Investment Bank has signed a $34.6 million loan facility with launcher startup PLD Space, bringing the company's total reported funding to $438 million. The financing boosts institutional capital for PLD's development plans and supports progress toward commercial orbital launch capability from European providers.

2026-04-07T06:56:33.515424-07:00

EIB extends $34.6M loan to PLD Space, lifting total funding to $438M

Payload

Payload Space — State of the Space Industry 2026: report & key takeaways Payload Space's State of the Space Industry 2026 report synthesizes market metrics, investment flows, technology maturation and policy shifts shaping commercial and government space activity. The report identifies near-term priorities across launch, satellite services and regulatory frameworks, and highlights risks to scaling profitable, resilient space operations.

2026-04-07T05:31:47.241399-07:00

Payload Space — State of the Space Industry 2026: report & key takeaways

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Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation News

ESA paid €82 million for Sentinel‑1D launch on Ariane 6 (Ariane 62) in November 2025

Artemis II heads home after lunar flyby, set to splash down off San Diego April 10

NASA nears Artemis III orbit decision as it readies third SLS core-stage rollout

SpaceX continues refinements at Starbase Pad 2 ahead of Booster 19 return

News Timeline