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European Spaceflight • Andrew Parsonson

ESA reveals ~€51.65M launch bill for Sentinel-1C on Vega C return-to-flight

ESA contract disclosures show the agency paid €51.65 million to place the Sentinel-1C Earth-observation satellite into orbit aboard a Vega C rocket, highlighting the cost and procurement specifics behind Europe’s Earth-imaging mission cadence and launch-service requalification efforts.

2026-04-26T23:20:36.846526-07:00

Runway Girl

Viasat advances aviation multi-beam satcom with ViaSat-3 F2 in-orbit testing and AERA ground/antenna system

2026-04-26T10:34:13.048904-07:00

Space.com

SpaceX to relaunch Falcon Heavy on April 27 from LC-39A with Viasat-3.3 after 18-month hiatus

2026-04-26T09:20:22.706970-07:00

Spaceflight Now

SpaceX counts down Falcon 9’s 50th 2026 launch: 25 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg

2026-04-26T06:49:39.318256-07:00

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European Spaceflight

ESA reveals ~€51.65M launch bill for Sentinel-1C on Vega C return-to-flight ESA contract disclosures show the agency paid €51.65 million to place the Sentinel-1C Earth-observation satellite into orbit aboard a Vega C rocket, highlighting the cost and procurement specifics behind Europe’s Earth-imaging mission cadence and launch-service requalification efforts.

2026-04-26T23:20:36.846526-07:00

ESA reveals ~€51.65M launch bill for Sentinel-1C on Vega C return-to-flight

Runway Girl

Viasat advances aviation multi-beam satcom with ViaSat-3 F2 in-orbit testing and AERA ground/antenna system Viasat says ViaSat-3 F2 is now in the middle of in-orbit testing, with the operator expecting the satellite’s capabilities to materially improve inflight connectivity. Alongside the spacecraft test campaign, Viasat also unveiled AERA, a new multi-beam ESA platform positioned for aviation connectivity use cases.

2026-04-26T10:34:13.048904-07:00

Viasat advances aviation multi-beam satcom with ViaSat-3 F2 in-orbit testing and AERA ground/antenna system

Space.com

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SpaceX to relaunch Falcon Heavy on April 27 from LC-39A with Viasat-3.3 after 18-month hiatus SpaceX is targeting an April 27 launch of Falcon Heavy from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A, marking a return to flight after more than 18 months. The mission is scheduled to place Viasat-3.3 into geosynchronous transfer orbit, with both side boosters slated for landing at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

2026-04-26T09:20:22.706970-07:00

SpaceX to relaunch Falcon Heavy on April 27 from LC-39A with Viasat-3.3 after 18-month hiatus

Spaceflight Now

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SpaceX counts down Falcon 9’s 50th 2026 launch: 25 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg SpaceX is preparing to launch a Falcon 9 from Vandenberg Space Force Base on Sunday, marking the company’s 50th flight of the year. The mission is set to deploy 25 Starlink satellites, underscoring continued high-tempo Starlink cadence from its West Coast launch site.

2026-04-26T06:49:39.318256-07:00

SpaceX counts down Falcon 9’s 50th 2026 launch: 25 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg

SpaceNews.com

China launches Pakistan’s PRSC-EO3 on Long March 6 from Taiyuan, deploying remote-sensing and Earth-environment payloads China launched Pakistan’s PRSC-EO3 (optoelectronic remote-sensing and monitoring) into orbit aboard a Long March 6 from the Taiyuan satellite launch center. Media reports say the mission marks Pakistan’s third nationally built satellite launched via Chinese space transportation in the past 18 months, with PRSC-EO3 the fifth Pakistani satellite on a Chinese rocket there.

2026-04-26T03:20:08.970505-07:00

China launches Pakistan’s PRSC-EO3 on Long March 6 from Taiyuan, deploying remote-sensing and Earth-environment payloads

European Spaceflight

Rheinmetall to establish satellite testing facility in Andøya, Norway Rheinmetall has signed a Letter of Intent to establish a new satellite testing facility in Andøya, Norway. The agreement aims to expand the company’s Nordic space and defense-industrial test footprint, aligning with broader efforts to scale satellite-related experimentation and validation work.

2026-04-25T04:34:27.650016-07:00

Rheinmetall to establish satellite testing facility in Andøya, Norway

Via Satellite

GomSpace and Ukraine partners form JV to build sovereign satellites in-country GomSpace says it will create a new joint venture in Ukraine aimed at developing sovereign communications capabilities. A separate agreement pairs the Danish company with Ukrainian firm Stetman to manufacture satellites in Ukraine, positioning the country as a full-cycle production hub for GomSpace and Stetman.

2026-04-24T15:10:55.733287-07:00

GomSpace and Ukraine partners form JV to build sovereign satellites in-country

Via Satellite

Rocket Lab rolls out next-generation star tracker for longer-duration missions Rocket Lab has introduced a next-generation star tracker lineup intended to extend spacecraft mission duration. The company’s updated sensor suite is designed to improve onboard attitude determination performance over longer operational timelines, targeting more ambitious flight plans beyond current endurance limits.

2026-04-24T14:19:30.654063-07:00

Rocket Lab rolls out next-generation star tracker for longer-duration missions

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Satellite News

ESA reveals ~€51.65M launch bill for Sentinel-1C on Vega C return-to-flight

Viasat advances aviation multi-beam satcom with ViaSat-3 F2 in-orbit testing and AERA ground/antenna system

SpaceX to relaunch Falcon Heavy on April 27 from LC-39A with Viasat-3.3 after 18-month hiatus

SpaceX counts down Falcon 9’s 50th 2026 launch: 25 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg

News Timeline