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European Spaceflight • Andrew Parsonson

ATMOS Space Cargo raises €25.7M Series A to launch three PHOENIX 2 return capsules and start regular return-from-orbit operation

German-French startup ATMOS Space Cargo secured a €25.7 million Series A to build an initial fleet of three PHOENIX 2 return capsules and begin regular Earth return operations. The funding supports a dual-use business for government and defense customers and lays groundwork for the PHOENIX 3 programme to expand Europe’s sovereign return capability.

2026-04-22T02:36:19.921147-07:00

SpaceNews.com

Northrop Books $71M Charge Over Vulcan Centaur Solid Booster Anomaly, Grounding ULA and Holding Manifests

2026-04-21T19:42:41.118114-07:00

Breaking Defense

Pentagon’s proposed FY2027 budget: $1.45T topline, $1.4B USAF air base defense, U‑2 retirement and carrier funding boost

2026-04-21T14:24:55.884165-07:00

Space Intel Report

UK Space Command chief: allies must scale space control assuming US effort will diminish

2026-04-21T13:09:19.192138-07:00

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SpaceNews.com

Analysis: Hybridizing nuclear NC3 systems could compromise resilient space infrastructure Highly classified, sovereign space-based nuclear command, control and communications (NC3) systems were designed to remain insulated from external influence and survive extreme conditions. The cluster warns that efforts to “hybridize” these NC3 architectures may introduce new vulnerabilities into the space infrastructure they depend on.

2026-04-22T04:26:40.455046-07:00

Analysis: Hybridizing nuclear NC3 systems could compromise resilient space infrastructure

European Spaceflight

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ATMOS Space Cargo raises €25.7M Series A to launch three PHOENIX 2 return capsules and start regular return-from-orbit operation German-French startup ATMOS Space Cargo secured a €25.7 million Series A to build an initial fleet of three PHOENIX 2 return capsules and begin regular Earth return operations. The funding supports a dual-use business for government and defense customers and lays groundwork for the PHOENIX 3 programme to expand Europe’s sovereign return capability.

2026-04-22T02:36:19.921147-07:00

ATMOS Space Cargo raises €25.7M Series A to launch three PHOENIX 2 return capsules and start regular return-from-orbit operation

SpaceNews.com

Northrop Books $71M Charge Over Vulcan Centaur Solid Booster Anomaly, Grounding ULA and Holding Manifests Northrop Grumman said April 21 it recorded a $71 million charge in fiscal Q1 tied to an anomaly involving a Vulcan Centaur solid rocket booster. The issue has grounded the Vulcan vehicle and put ULA’s manifest timelines into a holding pattern pending resolution.

2026-04-21T19:42:41.118114-07:00

Northrop Books $71M Charge Over Vulcan Centaur Solid Booster Anomaly, Grounding ULA and Holding Manifests

DefenseNews.com

Raytheon says OCX GPS control-station program is improving on cost, schedule Raytheon says its troubled Next-Generation GPS Operational Control Segment (OCX) ground-control station program is making progress, citing improved cost and schedule performance. The update lands in a period of heightened Space Force scrutiny as OCX modernization timelines face repeated setbacks.

2026-04-21T17:37:16.067640-07:00

Raytheon says OCX GPS control-station program is improving on cost, schedule

SpaceNews.com

Trump nominates Raytheon executive Erich Hernandez-Baquero as Air Force assistant secretary for space acquisition and integratio President Donald Trump nominated Raytheon executive Erich Hernandez-Baquero to serve as assistant secretary of the Air Force for space acquisition and integration, overseeing how the U.S. plans and integrates space acquisition. The nomination underscores the administration’s focus on aligning military space procurement and delivery.

2026-04-21T16:09:25.386896-07:00

Trump nominates Raytheon executive Erich Hernandez-Baquero as Air Force assistant secretary for space acquisition and integratio

Breaking Defense

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Pentagon’s proposed FY2027 budget: $1.45T topline, $1.4B USAF air base defense, U‑2 retirement and carrier funding boost Pentagon budget documents underpin a proposed $1.45 trillion defense spending plan, positioning US space programs as a major beneficiary. The USAF requests $1.4 billion for air base defense against drones and missile threats, while planning to divest 149 aircraft in FY2027—including retiring the U‑2. The Navy’s FY2027 request also targets higher topline funding, including support for aircraft carrier Enterprise.

2026-04-21T14:24:55.884165-07:00

Pentagon’s proposed FY2027 budget: $1.45T topline, $1.4B USAF air base defense, U‑2 retirement and carrier funding boost

Space Intel Report

UK Space Command chief: allies must scale space control assuming US effort will diminish The chief of UK Space Command says the UK and its partners should assume the US will reduce its role in space control, and respond by increasing investment. The warning frames space control as an alliance requirement, with Europe pressured to plan for sustained threat pressure even as US posture potentially changes.

2026-04-21T13:09:19.192138-07:00

UK Space Command chief: allies must scale space control assuming US effort will diminish

Via Satellite

Intellian unveils aviation and tactical flyaway satellite terminals to support commercial and WGS connectivity Intellian Technologies says it will bring two new satellite terminals to market: its first aviation-focused terminal and a new tactical flyaway terminal. The company’s update positions the terminals for faster deployment across aviation connectivity use cases, including services tied to the WGS network.

2026-04-21T12:50:58.706316-07:00

Intellian unveils aviation and tactical flyaway satellite terminals to support commercial and WGS connectivity

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Space Defense & Militarization News

ATMOS Space Cargo raises €25.7M Series A to launch three PHOENIX 2 return capsules and start regular return-from-orbit operation

Northrop Books $71M Charge Over Vulcan Centaur Solid Booster Anomaly, Grounding ULA and Holding Manifests

Pentagon’s proposed FY2027 budget: $1.45T topline, $1.4B USAF air base defense, U‑2 retirement and carrier funding boost

UK Space Command chief: allies must scale space control assuming US effort will diminish

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