Europe   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Space Policy & International Cooperation   Policy & Regulation  
European Spaceflight • Andrew Parsonson

Sweden/FAA agree on launch licensing coordination for Esrange as SSC frames “freedom of action” for Europe’s New Space era

Sweden’s space leadership has signed an agreement with the FAA to coordinate licensing for US rocket launches from Esrange Space Center, tightening cross-border launch governance at a key Nordic range. The move aligns with Swedish messaging that Europe needs greater independent capability as the satellite “race” accelerates.

2026-04-15T04:12:28.790288-07:00
Satellite   M&A   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Commercial Space  
rocketlabcorp.com • Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab Completes Mynaric Acquisition, Adding Laser Optical Communications To Growing Space Systems Portfolio | Rocket Lab

By rocketlabcorp.com: Rocket Lab now plans to scale Mynaric production capacity, making industry-leading satellite laser communication technology available at the volume and speed demanded by commercial and government satellite customers across Europe, the United States, and rest of world.

Also: SpaceWatch Global
2026-04-14T15:23:55.982820-07:00
Satellite   M&A   Commercial Space   Space Policy & International Cooperation   Policy & Regulation  
aboutamazon.com • Amazon Staff

Amazon to acquire Globalstar; partners with Apple

By aboutamazon.com: Globalstar satellites, radio frequency spectrum, and operational expertise will enable Amazon Leo to add Direct-to-Device (D2D) services to future generations of its low Earth orbit satellite network.

Also: CNA, en.traicy.com and semafor.com
2026-04-14T05:06:40.010217-07:00
Satellite   ESA   Commercial Space  
Aviation Week • Robert Wall

ESA Advances Laser Comms Demonstration With Kepler Contract

By Aviation Week: ESA is moving forward on a program to advance space-based laser communications across multiple orbital planes with a contract to Kepler Communications.

Also: ESA and Payload
2026-04-14T16:53:23.631178-07:00