Airbus Defence and Space
Pléiades Neo 4 satellite enters service without a hitch
Pléiades Neo 4, the second of four planned high-resolution images satellites built and operated by Airbus Defense and Space, entered service Dec. 15 free from an issue that prompted an insurance claim for Pléiades Neo 3.
Microsoft expands Azure Space ecosystem
Microsoft offered further proof of its intent to play a growing role in the space sector by unveiling new Azure Space products and announcing partnerships with Airbus, Kongsberg Satellite Services, STE iDirect, Orbital Insight, ESRI and Blackshark.ai.
Fostering diversity and inclusion takes work
Attracting and retaining a diverse workforce requires organizations to adopt a proactive approach, according to panelists at the Satellite 2021 conference.
Pandemic, changing industry affecting satellite manufacturer supply chains
The pandemic and resulting supply chain issues have forced satellite manufacturers to adopt new approaches, some of which they plan to maintain in a post-pandemic world.
Vega launches second Pléiades Neo imaging satellite
Arianespace launched a second satellite for the Pléiades Neo imaging constellation Aug. 16 on a Vega rocket.
Ariane 5 launches two satellites on first mission in nearly a year
An Ariane 5 successfully launched two commercial communications satellites July 30 in the first flight of the rocket in nearly a year, and the first of two missions before it launches a NASA space telescope.
Satellite makers are getting to grips with component shortages
Component shortages have been challenging manufacturers to bolster supply chains as a lack of semiconductors threatens delays and price hikes.
ESA, Airbus sign long-delayed Galileo contract after court ruling
The European Space Agency announced May 28 that it had signed a long-delayed 700-million-euro contract ($855 million) with Airbus Defence and Space on behalf of the European Commission for six second-generation Galileo satellites.
Vega return to flight creates competition for 30-centimeter satellite imagery
Europe’s small launch vehicle Vega returned to flight April 28, carrying a next-generation imaging satellite for Airbus Defence and Space that has been held back by multiple delays.
German startup Isar Aerospace signs first launch contract
Isar Aerospace, one of three German startups vying for ESA funding for smallsat launchers they each aim to debut next year, has won its first launch contract.
Airbus awarded €650 million contract to build three more Orion service modules
The European Space Agency (ESA) signed a €650 million ($790 million) contract with Airbus Space and Defence to produce three more service modules for NASA's Orion crewed spacecraft.
Airbus, Thales win second-generation Galileo satellite contracts
The European Commission announced Jan. 20 it will award contracts to Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia Space to build an initial set of next-generation Galileo navigation satellites, shutting out incumbent manufacturer OHB.
Intelsat orders two satellites from Airbus
Intelsat has ordered two geostationary communications satellites from Airbus Defence and Space that will support the satellite operator’s aviation connectivity business.
SpaceX launches Turksat 5A
A SpaceX Falcon 9 launched a Turkish communications satellite Jan. 7 to start what may be the busiest year yet for the launch company.
ESA signs a trio of Copernicus contracts worth 1.3 billion euros
The European Space Agency (ESA) signed contracts for three pairs of satellites for the agency's Earth-observing Copernicus program on Nov. 13 with a total award value of more than 1.3 billion euros ($1.54 billion).
Satellite manufacturers remain upbeat about market in spite of challenges presented by pandemic
Satellite manufacturers expressed optimism that overall demand for satellite communications would remain strong.
ESA awards contracts for moon and Mars exploration
The European Space Agency has awarded contracts for work on elements of its moon and Mars exploration program, ranging from modules for the lunar Gateway to a mission to return Mars samples to Earth.
Momentus forges agreements with Skykraft and Mecano ID
In-space transportation startup Momentus announced service agreements Oct. 2 with Australia’s Skykraft and French spacecraft engineering company Mecano ID.
Yahsat begins Thuraya fleet refresh with Airbus satellite order
The contract covers a satellite called Thuraya-4 NGS, and includes an option for a Thuraya-5 NGS satellite that, if exercised, would complete the replacement of Thuraya’s existing two-satellite fleet.
ESA sets stage for three-way competition to build next-generation Galileo constellation
The ESA-led competition, arranged on behalf of the European Commission, pits rising German manufacturer OHB against European heavyweights Thales Alenia Space and Airbus Defense and Space.
