Space Policy & International Cooperation News

SpaceNews.com • Emma Gatti

ESA selects Thales Alenia Space‑led all‑European consortium for €600M Argonaut lunar lander

ESA selected a Thales Alenia Space‑led all‑European consortium to build Argonaut, a €600 million uncrewed lunar cargo lander to secure Europe’s autonomous access to the Moon. Contracts assign system integration, propulsion, GNC and data handling for a vehicle of roughly 10 tonnes and 6 m, applying lessons from past crashes.

2025-11-21T09:09:12.318971-08:00

theglobeandmail.com

Canada commits C$528.5M to help industry access European dual‑use (space & defence) programmes

2025-11-18T20:25:05.589506-08:00

Space Intel Report

Eutelsat launches €828m reserved capital increase (≈$960m) to cut debt and secure ECA backing for OneWeb and Iris2

2025-11-18T08:10:15.191541-08:00

Space Intel Report

Canada pledges C$528.5M to European Space Agency — tenfold increase to deepen EU ties and boost domestic space sector

2025-11-18T14:12:17.687721-08:00

Space Policy & International Cooperation News Timeline

Via Satellite

MSSA Issues Standards-Focused Recommendations to Advance Interoperable Non‑Terrestrial Networks The Mobile Satellite Services Association has published strategic recommendations to drive standards-based, interoperable non‑terrestrial networks (NTNs) across satellite and terrestrial ecosystems. MSSA's guidance outlines actions to advance standards, interoperability and regulatory coordination to accelerate commercial NTN deployment and cross‑network compatibility.

2025-11-21T10:42:40.880973-08:00

MSSA Issues Standards-Focused Recommendations to Advance Interoperable Non‑Terrestrial Networks

Space Intel Report

Canada commits C$130M in defence budget to develop sovereign orbital-launch capability Ottawa has allocated an initial C$130 million in the defence budget to develop a sovereign orbital-launch capability, with the Department of National Defence calling the program 'a strategic enabler' for national security. The funding signals government intent to secure independent access to space for military and dual-use missions.

2025-11-21T10:42:38.489175-08:00

Canada commits C$130M in defence budget to develop sovereign orbital-launch capability

SpaceNews.com

❗️

ESA selects Thales Alenia Space‑led all‑European consortium for €600M Argonaut lunar lander ESA selected a Thales Alenia Space‑led all‑European consortium to build Argonaut, a €600 million uncrewed lunar cargo lander to secure Europe’s autonomous access to the Moon. Contracts assign system integration, propulsion, GNC and data handling for a vehicle of roughly 10 tonnes and 6 m, applying lessons from past crashes.

2025-11-21T09:09:12.318971-08:00

ESA selects Thales Alenia Space‑led all‑European consortium for €600M Argonaut lunar lander

Payload

Orbit Fab wins ESA/UK Space Agency ASTRAL award to demonstrate in‑orbit xenon refuelling Orbit Fab has been awarded up to $3.8 million by the UK Space Agency and ESA to lead the first stage of the ASTRAL programme, building a European consortium to demonstrate in‑orbit xenon refuelling for electric‑propulsion satellites. The funding supports a technology demonstrator and partner integration work.

2025-11-21T05:42:38.707877-08:00

Orbit Fab wins ESA/UK Space Agency ASTRAL award to demonstrate in‑orbit xenon refuelling

Space Intel Report

Canada's Nov. 18 response underscores the continued force of ESA's geographic-return rule On Nov. 18, the Canadian government delivered a clear response that underlines the enduring power of the European Space Agency's geographic-return rule. The move illustrates how the rule continues to determine where industrial work and contracts are awarded within ESA programmes.

2025-11-20T11:23:08.566286-08:00

Canada's Nov. 18 response underscores the continued force of ESA's geographic-return rule

iceye.com

ICEYE and Swedish Space Corporation sign LOI to boost Nordic, NATO sovereign space surveillance and launch collaboration At the NATO Arctic Space Forum, ICEYE and the Swedish Space Corporation signed a letter of intent to explore synergies in mission development, satellite operations and launch capabilities, aiming to strengthen Nordic and NATO sovereign space surveillance, tasking and operational resilience.

2025-11-20T05:54:00.354202-08:00

ICEYE and Swedish Space Corporation sign LOI to boost Nordic, NATO sovereign space surveillance and launch collaboration

Breaking Defense

Germany's first space security strategy seeks on‑orbit 'effectors' — agile spaceplanes and armed 'bodyguard' satellites Germany's new space security strategy directs the Ministry of Defence to develop sovereign on‑orbit capabilities — including agile spaceplanes and 'bodyguard' satellites equipped with 'shoot‑back' systems — marking Berlin's first formal push to field both defensive and offensive orbital effectors to counter adversary threats.

2025-11-19T12:13:04.044098-08:00

Germany's first space security strategy seeks on‑orbit 'effectors' — agile spaceplanes and armed 'bodyguard' satellites

Space Intel Report

ITU Rejects UK Request to Extend Registration Deadline for Two OTVs; Failure Not Deemed 'Force Majeure' The International Telecommunication Union has rejected the United Kingdom's appeal to extend the registration deadline for two OTVs, ruling the missed filing does not qualify as force majeure. The decision leaves the UK without the requested extension and enforces a strict reading of ITU timing rules.

2025-11-19T12:05:01.160894-08:00

ITU Rejects UK Request to Extend Registration Deadline for Two OTVs; Failure Not Deemed 'Force Majeure'

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