Space News

Satellite ArianeGroup Europe Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Space Policy & International Cooperation

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

ICEYE and Arianespace explore Ariane 6 launches for European government missions

ICEYE and Arianespace signed a memorandum of understanding to assess Ariane 6 launches for European government missions as ICEYE expands satellite production. The agreement could connect ICEYE’s growing manufacturing capacity with Europe’s sovereign launch capability for future government customers.

1 Source

2026-09-09T07:05:24.057600-07:00

Europe Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space Space Policy & International Cooperation

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Bloomberg • Christopher Jungstedt

Europe Looks to a Future With Less SpaceX

By Bloomberg: The first orbital launch from continental Europe is helping the drive to reduce reliance on the Americans.

1 Source

2026-09-09T07:21:37.068047-07:00

Europe ESA Space Exploration & Science Missions

Universe Today • Andy Tomaswick

BepiColombo Successfully Begins Its Final Descent To Mercury

By Universe Today: The latest mission to the innermost planet in the solar system hit a milestone last week. After an eight year journey, BepiColombo finally separated from its propulsion stage to set itself up for an orbital insertion to Mercury.

Also: ESA

2 Sources

2026-09-09T05:21:18.015103-07:00

Space Exploration & Science Missions Commercial Space

Payload • Jacqueline Feldscher

Besxar Flies Suborbital Semiconductor Demo

By Payload: Besxar recently flew its first mission, demonstrating that its future semiconductor-manufacturing tech works above the Kármán line.

Also: TechCrunch, SpaceNews.com and defence-blog.com

4 Sources

2026-09-09T05:35:12.424730-07:00

Mars China Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Space Exploration & Science Missions

Space.com • Leonard David

China Says Tianwen 3 Mars Sample-Return Mission Remains on Track for 2028 Launch

By Space.com: China is making progress on its Tianwen 3 Mars sample-return mission, which aims to launch in 2028 and return a collection of Red Planet dirt and rock to Earth in 2031.

Also: Leonard David and china-in-space.com

3 Sources

2026-09-09T03:05:35.605486-07:00

Satellite Commercial Space

Payload • Douglas Gorman

Eutelsat Taps Infinite Orbits for GEO Life Extension Mission

By Payload: Eutelsat announced an agreement today tasking the Infinite Orbits with increasing the life span of at least one of its GEO sats.

SpaceNews.com

Eclipse Space unveils three satellite platforms and Gama power partnership

Payload

Eclipse Space Unveils Three Satellite Platforms for Constellations

6 Sources

2026-09-09T02:06:51.046487-07:00

Satellite AI Middle East Commercial Space

Space Intel Report • Peter B. de Selding

Loft Orbital, Marlan Space to build 50-satellite AI-enabled imaging constellation with $1B from Royal Group of Abu Dhabi

By Space Intel Report: PARIS — Satellite builder Loft Orbital and UAE-based Marlan Space announced a billion-dollar investment by Royal Group of Abu Dhabi into a 50-satellite constellation using AI to deliver optical and radar imaging products to Europe and the United Arab Emirates.

4 Sources

2026-09-09T02:50:36.804852-07:00

Aerial Firefighting Europe Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space Sustainability & Climate Initiatives

TechCrunch • Anna Heim

The Exploration Company nabs $450 million to challenge SpaceX

By TechCrunch: The Exploration Company (TEC) has raised $450 million to build reusable spacecraft, in what it describes as “the largest-ever Series C by a European space company.”.

Also: SpaceWatch Global

5 Sources

2026-09-08T14:15:18.284918-07:00

ICEYE and Arianespace explore Ariane 6 launches for European government missions

Europe Looks to a Future With Less SpaceX

BepiColombo Successfully Begins Its Final Descent To Mercury

Besxar Flies Suborbital Semiconductor Demo

China Says Tianwen 3 Mars Sample-Return Mission Remains on Track for 2028 Launch

Eutelsat Taps Infinite Orbits for GEO Life Extension Mission

Eclipse Space unveils three satellite platforms and Gama power partnership

Eclipse Space Unveils Three Satellite Platforms for Constellations

Loft Orbital, Marlan Space to build 50-satellite AI-enabled imaging constellation with $1B from Royal Group of Abu Dhabi

The Exploration Company nabs $450 million to challenge SpaceX

Europe Looks to a Future With Less SpaceX

ICEYE, Arianespace explore Ariane 6 launches for European missions

Besxar Flies Suborbital Semiconductor Demo

BepiColombo Successfully Begins Its Final Descent To Mercury

China Says Tianwen 3 Mars Sample-Return Mission Remains on Track for 2028 Launch

Loft Orbital, Marlan Space to build 50-satellite AI-enabled imaging constellation with $1B from Royal Group of Abu Dhabi

International Space Summit to highlight European and global space issues

National security launch forecast surges as new rockets struggle to break SpaceX's grip

Japan's Hayabusa2 Achieves First-Ever Laser Ranging Experiment with an Asteroid

Pixxel Targets US Growth, New Sensing Tech With $100M Raise

Artemis III SLS stacking advances as Orion results validate trajectory fix

Stoke Space raises $1 billion to scale its fully reusable Nova rocket

SpaceX advances Starbase infrastructure as Flight 14 hardware moves toward the pad

MTG-I2 completes Meteosat Third Generation constellation as India’s EOS-05 begins ascent to geostationary orbit

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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