Europe
Xenesis and MBS Lab forge pact to test optical communications
Optical communications startup Xenesis signed a memorandum of understanding with MBS Lab, the research group for Germany’s Media Broadcast Satellite, Germany’s largest teleport operator.
Isar Aerospace to launch OroraTech wildfire monitoring cubesat constellation
German launch startup Isar Aerospace has signed a contract with OroraTech to launch the company's wildfire-monitoring cubesat constellation.
DLR opens applications for free launch services aboard Isar Aerospace demo missions
German space agency DLR began accepting applications this week for institutional payloads to fly aboard a pair of Isar Aerospace Spectrum launches free of charge.
ESA pursuing European space summit to discuss new flagship space programs
The head of the European Space Agency says plans are moving forward to host a European space summit early next year to discuss proposals for new major space initiatives.
Vega launches second Pléiades Neo imaging satellite
Arianespace launched a second satellite for the Pléiades Neo imaging constellation Aug. 16 on a Vega rocket.
Europe’s meteorological satellite agency makes first commercial data acquisition
Europe’s meteorological satellite agency is buying commercial data for the first time, raising hopes that it will open up more agency and government contracts to the private sector.
SES and Eutelsat point to improving broadcast trends
European satellite giants SES and Eutelsat see improving trajectories in their broadcast businesses, although the wider picture remains mixed as the pandemic hangs over financials.
French court denies European Aviation Network challenge
France’s highest court has rejected a legal challenge from Eutelsat against Inmarsat’s hybrid satellite and cellular European Aviation Network.
AWS agrees deal to expand Greece’s space industry with the cloud
Amazon Web Services is partnering with Greece’s government on economic and technology initiatives that aim to turn the country into a regional space hub.
SES spearheading quantum technology encryption network for Luxembourg
Satellite operator SES is leading a consortium to design a system for guarding communications in Luxembourg against cyberattacks, which could feed into Europe’s broader plan for a network that is also protected by quantum technology.
ESA resumes ExoMars parachute tests
The European Space Agency has resumed tests of the parachutes for its ExoMars lander, a system whose problems contributed to a two-year delay in the mission’s launch.
OneWeb names winners of 2021 Innovation Challenge
IRT Saint Exupéry, Mbryonics, Morpheus Space, Oledcomm and R3-IoT were the winners of OneWeb’s 2021 Innovation Challenge.
Dutch administrative court sides with Inmarsat on spectrum auction plan
An administrative court in the Netherlands has suspended the Dutch government’s plan to sell off 3.5 GHz spectrum, which British satellite operator Inmarsat uses for maritime safety and distress services.
Europe considering concepts for human spaceflight
A bumper crop of applications for the European Space Agency’s astronaut corps is providing a boost to proposals for Europe to develop its own human spaceflight capability.
Astrocast mulls going public to expand to 100 satellites
Swiss startup Astrocast is considering becoming a public company to expand its constellation for connecting internet of things (IoT) devices.
EU and ESA proclaim “fresh start” in space cooperation
The European Space Agency and European Union said the signing of a long-delayed partnership agreement heralded the start of a new and more cooperative relationship.
