Luca Parmitano: Artemis III pilot
Thursday, 11 June 2026 11:00
Image:
Luca Parmitano, Artemis III pilot, in his flight suit. ESA awards contract for next-generation radar imaging satellites
Thursday, 11 June 2026 10:49
Thales Alenia Space and Airbus Defence and Space won contracts to build the next generation of radar imaging satellites for Europe’s Copernicus Earth observation program.
Same rocket, new boost
Thursday, 11 June 2026 10:40
Video:
00:01:38
The eighth flight of Europe’s rocket Ariane 6 will have a bigger boost: the P120C solid-propellant rocket motor, used as Ariane 6 booster so far, has been upgraded. The new P160C flying on Ariane 6 flight VA269 offers 10% more performance to orbit.
P160C was developed by Europropulsion under contract from ArianeGroup and Avio. Just like P120C, P160C comes in three main parts, its structure is made in Italy, the rocket engine nozzle in France and the igniter in Norway.
After being shipped to Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, the P160C boosters are loaded with 14 tonnes more fuel
Long March 5 launches classified satellite, Zhuque-2E lofts direct-to-device test sats
Thursday, 11 June 2026 10:36
China has conducted a pair of launches to advance its communications capabilities, using the country’s largest rocket and a commercial launcher.
ILA Berlin 2026: ESA Director General press conference
Thursday, 11 June 2026 07:00
Video:
00:26:00
ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher briefed media representatives and discussed Europe's priorities in space, exploration, resilience and the future of the European space sector.
ESA science missions get green light for new discoveries
Thursday, 11 June 2026 07:00
On 10–11 June, representatives from European Space Agency (ESA) Member States met in Tenerife to make far-reaching decisions about the future of ESA’s Science Programme. Their decisions to extend current missions and adopt the next ‘fast-class’ mission, Arrakihs, underscores European leadership in, and long-term commitment to, space science.
Tracking urban expansion in hazard-prone areas
Thursday, 11 June 2026 06:15
The World Settlement Footprint (WSF) Tracker, and its dedicated online platform, have been officially released at an event at the World Bank headquarters in Washington DC.
Artemis 3 commander confident crew will be ready for 2027 mission
Wednesday, 10 June 2026 21:22
The astronaut named commander of Artemis 3 is confident that his crew will be ready for what NASA has called one of its most complex missions in just a year.
House appropriators back $55.5 billion Space Force budget, omit reconciliation funds
Wednesday, 10 June 2026 18:39
Draft defense bill funds Pentagon at requested discretionary levels but excludes $350 billion in proposed reconciliation spending, casting doubt on Golden Dome and other space programs
ESA at ILA 2026 – Day 1 highlights
Wednesday, 10 June 2026 16:32
The European Space Agency (ESA) inaugurated its participation at ILA Berlin International Airshow 2026 with a day rich in high-level meetings, public events and strategic milestones, highlighting Europe's determination to strengthen its role in space. From in-space operations and services to Earth observation and planetary defence, 'Day 1 at ILA' showcased how ESA is working with its Member States, partners and industry to help shape Europe's future.
ESA adopts galactic archaeology mission Arrakihs
Wednesday, 10 June 2026 15:25
The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Science Programme Committee has adopted the Arrakihs mission. Planned for launch by the end of 2030, Arrakihs will capture the faint light from nearby galaxy haloes. By seeing the unseen, Arrakihs will dig up cosmic history and reveal how galaxies like our own form and evolve.
ESA awards contract to build Sentinel-1 Next Generation satellites
Wednesday, 10 June 2026 14:40
The European Space Agency has awarded the contract to lead the development and build for two Copernicus Sentinel-1 Next Generation satellites to Thales Alenia Space. Building on the success of the current Sentinel-1 mission, the next-generation satellites will ensure the long-term continuity of Europe’s radar Earth observation capabilities while delivering enhanced performance.
Commercial Space Federation (CSF) Welcomes Two New Space Supply Chain Members
Wednesday, 10 June 2026 14:00
June 8, 2026 – Washington, D.C.—The Commercial Space Federation (CSF) is pleased to welcome Besxar and Charter Space as new space supply chain members, adding expertise in space-based semiconductor manufacturing […]
Spire to pursue space-based missile warning in partnership with German defense firm
Wednesday, 10 June 2026 14:00
Diehl Defence will explore using Spire’s constellation for detection of ballistic and hypersonic missile threats
The post Spire to pursue space-based missile warning in partnership with German defense firm appeared first on SpaceNews.