Berlin, Germany (SPX) Nov 21, 2025
On December 17, 2025, two Galileo First Generation satellites, SAT 33 and SAT 34, will be placed in orbit by Ariane 6, launching from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana. This mission, the fourteenth under the Galileo programme, aims to strengthen the constellation's precision, availability, and operational robustness. Galileo supports billions of users worldwide through navigation functions emb

Berlin, Germany (SPX) Nov 21, 2025
The European Space Agency (ESA) has broadened its Argonaut lunar lander initiative with the formal addition of several European industrial partners. The signing event at ESA's European Astronaut Centre in Cologne marked new agreements between Thales Alenia Space Italy, serving as prime contractor, Thales Alenia Space France, OHB Germany, Thales Alenia Space UK, and Nammo UK. Argonaut lande

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Nov 21, 2025
Janus Henderson Group and Voyager Technologies have announced a strategic investment in Starlab Space to develop next-generation commercial space stations. Starlab was founded in 2021 and is headquartered in Houston, operating as a global joint venture led by Voyager Technologies. Partner organizations include Airbus, Mitsubishi Corporation, MDA Space, Palantir Technologies, and Space Applicatio

Paris, France (SPX) Nov 21, 2025
PLD Space has introduced its first fully integrated MIURA 5 unit, Qualification Model 1 (QM1), initiating comprehensive subsystem validation before the rocket's initial flight in early 2026. The QM1 will enable end-to-end testing of critical components, including the first and second stages, simulating real flight conditions to reduce risk and enhance reliability ahead of launch. The MIURA

Sydney, Australia (SPX) Nov 21, 2025
ISRO has qualified the CE20 cryogenic engine for thrust levels between 19 and 22 tonnes for single-start flight operations, supporting demanding launch requirements for the LVM3 upper stage. The engine is certified for human-rated flights, such as the Gaganyaan missions, ensuring operational reliability under rigorous conditions. Traditionally, engine ignition is performed using propellant tank

Video: 00:07:13

Smile is a brand-new space mission currently in the making. It will study how Earth responds to the solar wind and solar storms.

At the European Space Agency’s technical heart in the Netherlands, engineers have taken Smile through the final steps of testing and past its qualification and flight acceptance review – confirming that it is ready for launch in spring 2026.

This video let’s viewers peek into the testing and review process. It is the fourth episode in a series of short videos, and includes interviews with David Agnolon (ESA Smile Project Manager), Xia Jiayi (CAS Thermal

Week in images: 17-21 November 2025

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