Satellite   Europe   Commercial Space  
Payload • Douglas Gorman

Kepler selects NanoAvionics as preferred European satellite‑bus provider to expand optical comms access

Kepler selected NanoAvionics as its preferred satellite‑bus provider in Europe to streamline integration of European smallsat platforms with Kepler’s optical LEO communications network. The arrangement aims to give European customers direct access to Kepler’s high‑speed optical relay services and simplify bus‑to‑payload integration for future missions.

2026-02-17T06:14:33.531578-08:00
Europe   ESA   Space Policy & International Cooperation   Space Defense & Militarization   Policy & Regulation   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
SpaceWatch Global • Niels Buus

Europe’s Space Pivot: ESA Shifts from Science Priorities to National Security Logic

By SpaceWatch Global: For decades, the European Space Agency (ESA) has been the gravitational center of European space. It shaped priorities, pooled funding,.

2026-02-17T03:35:15.449881-08:00
Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Human Spaceflight & Space Stations   NASA  
Space.com • Leonard David

The Artemis 1 moon mission had a heat shield issue. Here’s why NASA doesn’t think it will happen again on Artemis 2

By Space.com: "We support NASA's decision to fly the Artemis 2 mission with its current heat shield and are committed to seeing Orion safely launch and return on its historic mission to the moon with crew onboard.".

2026-02-17T03:09:55.730969-08:00