ESA   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Space Exploration & Science Missions  
European Spaceflight • Andrew Parsonson

ESA to reattempt full-scale Space Rider drop test no earlier than October 2026 after anomaly aborted earlier test

ESA says it will reattempt the final full-scale drop test for its reusable Space Rider spacecraft no earlier than October 2026, following an anomaly that aborted a previously unannounced test. The slip pushes ESA’s next step in validating the Space Rider drop/flight transition plan into the later 2026 window.

2026-06-19T02:38:18.735151-07:00
Event   Europe   ESA   Moon   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Human Spaceflight & Space Stations   Space Policy & International Cooperation  
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SpaceWatch Global • Torsten Kriening

ESA Council Sets December Ministerial in Rome, Reframes Exploration After NASA's Gateway Decision

By SpaceWatch Global: The 347th in Paris confirmed Rome as the venue for the Intermediate Ministerial Meeting on 15 December and signalled a fundamental repositioning of Europe's exploration strategy following NASA's downsizing of the Lunar Gateway.

2026-06-19T04:12:32.196806-07:00
Satellite   Europe   M&A   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Commercial Space  
Space Intel Report • Peter B. de Selding

EQT Private Equity purchases rideshare mission manager Exolaunch, which expects 250% revenue increase this year

By Space Intel Report: BRUSSELS — EQT Private Equity of Sweden is purchasing ride-share mission management and integration provider Exolaunch of Germany in a transaction of undisclosed value that dealroom.co estimated at $339 million, an amount that would testify to Exolaunch’s rapid growth in the last couple of years.

SpaceNews.com

EQT to acquire Exolaunch

Also: Via Satellite, CNA and douglasmmessier.substack.com
2026-06-18T09:20:38.853943-07:00