ESA
Arianespace launches Eutelsat, ISRO satellites on first 2020 mission
WASHINGTON — European launch provider Arianespace completed its first launch of the year Jan. 16, sending two communications satellites into geostationary transfer orbits.
ESA seeks new cooperative agreement with EU
With its funding secured for the next three years, the head of the European Space Agency is now focused on implementing those key programs while establishing a new cooperative agreement with the European Union.
Arianespace could launch record 22 missions in 2020
Arianespace is poised to launch up to 22 missions this year, a number that would nearly double the company’s record.
ESA selects Arianespace for Euclid dark universe probe launch
Arianespace and ESA announced the signing of a contract Tuesday for launch of the Euclid dark universe exploration mission.
Arianespace launches ESA’s CHEOPS satellite to study exoplanets
A Soyuz rocket successfully launched an Italian Earth observation satellite Dec. 18, with the European CHEOPS mission to analyze exoplanets and three small auxiliary payloads also along for the ride.
Swiss startup ClearSpace wins ESA contract to deorbit Vega rocket debris
The mission, dubbed ClearSpace-1, is slated to launch in 2025 to capture and deorbit a 100-kilogram Vespa payload adapter an Arianespace Vega left in orbit after deploying ESA’s Proba-V remote-sensing satellite.
Made In Space Europe wins LSA contract to develop inexpensive robotic arm
Made In Space Europe and Luxembourg Space Agency won a European Space Agency contract to develop an inexpensive robotic arm for space applications.
Italy satisfied with outcome of ESA ministerial
Italy, one of the largest contributors to the European Space Agency, is pleased with the outcome of the recent ministerial meeting that provided funding for a number of its priorities, including a reusable spacecraft.
ESA declares success at ministerial meeting
The European Space Agency’s member states agreed to provide nearly 12.5 billion euros ($13.8 billion) for the next three years, giving the agency nearly all that it requested.
ESA kicks off ministerial meeting
Representatives of ESA’s member states gathered here Nov. 27 for the start of a two-day meeting that will end with decisions on what programs to fund, and at what levels, for the next three years.
QinetiQ lands ESA contract with new Belgian plant, aims to grow space business
British aerospace company QinetiQ will use a newly expanded factory to build heat transfer experiment infrastructure for the European Space Agency under a 9 million euro ($10 million) contract, the company announced Nov. 21.
ESA setting aside funds for Vega launcher return to flight
The European Space Agency is preparing to allocate a few million euros to ensure Vega doesn’t have any repeats of its July launch failure, an agency official said Nov. 20.
Advocates promote planetary defense mission ahead of ESA ministerial
A group of planetary defense advocates is asking European governments to fund a mission to a near Earth asteroid, three years after a similar mission failed to win approval.
Avio anticipates Vega C upgrade funding at ESA ministerial, Vega return to flight in March
Avio CEO Giulio Ranzo said during a Nov. 7 earnings call, said Vega is on track for a return to flight by March, though what payload will launch on the mission is still to be determined.
ESA remains confident it will fix ExoMars parachutes
Top officials with the European Space Agency remain confident that they will be able to resolve the parachute problems that threaten to delay next summer’s launch of the ExoMars 2020 rover mission.
Woerner optimistic about ESA’s upcoming ministerial meeting
The head of the European Space Agency says he believes that member states will provide most, if not all, of the funding it is seeking for its array of programs at a ministerial meeting in November.
