ESA
SpaceX emphasizes coordination with other satellite operators
Two years after the close approach of a Starlink satellite with a European Space Agency satellite alarmed some in the space industry, SpaceX says it’s working closely with a wide range of satellite operators to ensure safe space operations.
ESA to be anchor customer on commercial lunar satellite
The European Space Agency has signed a contract with Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. (SSTL) to be the anchor customer on a commercial lunar communications satellite that company is developing.
JWST gets mid-December launch date
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope is finally scheduled to launch Dec. 18 on an Ariane 5 from French Guiana after years of development delays.
Space agencies support ISS extension as NASA warns of space race with China
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said he remains confident that Russia will remain a part of the International Space Station through the end of the decade but warned of an emerging space race with China.
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.
NASA and ESA sign agreement on climate science cooperation
NASA and the European Space Agency have agreed to cooperate on future Earth science missions and related activities in an effort to better understand climate change.
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.
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.
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.
Europe proposes launcher alliance
The European Union is proposing a “launcher alliance” involving companies and governments to develop the next generation of European launch vehicles, although some European startups are skeptical of those plans.
ESA and EU to sign partnership agreement
ESA and the EU will sign an agreement next week governing their work on joint projects, one that the agency says will allow ESA members who are not part of the EU to participate on those projects.
ESA selects Venus mission
ESA has selected a Venus orbiter as its next medium-class science mission, just a week after NASA announced the section of two Venus missions of its own.
ESA adds Iceye data to Third Party Mission portfolio
The European Space Agency plans to offer researchers free access to Iceye’s synthetic aperture radar imagery.
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.
ESA awards study contracts for lunar communications and navigation systems
The European Space Agency has issued contracts to two European industry groups to begin concept studies of lunar satellite systems that would provide communications and navigation services.
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.
New ESA director general outlines priorities
The new head of the European Space Agency has outlined his priorities for the next several years, ranging from improving relations with the European Union to increasing commercialization activities.
