European Spaceflight

ESA has awarded EMXYS a contract to build the Don Quijote lander, which will take measurements from the surface of the asteroid Apophis as it passes close to Earth. europeanspaceflight.com/esa-taps-spain…

ArianeGroup has shared details about a previously unannounced test campaign of an upgraded Ariane 6 upper stage rocket engine. europeanspaceflight.com/arianegroup-te…

US-based Loft Orbital has awarded a multi-launch contract to MaiaSpace, with flights expected to begin in 2028. europeanspaceflight.com/loft-orbital-b…

I'm coming up on a milestone for European Spaceflight. Five away from 1,000 articles. I'm doing a fair bit of reflection as I approach it.

Rocket Factory Augsburg is preparing to launch the inaugural flight of its RFA ONE rocket from SaxaVord no earlier than 10 August. europeanspaceflight.com/rfa-one-launch…

Isar Aerospace has signed an agreement with Maritime Launch Services to develop a dedicated Spectrum launch site at Spaceport Nova Scotia. europeanspaceflight.com/isar-aerospace…

Italy has brought its IRIDE marketplace online, opening initial access to Earth observation imagery and analytics for Italian government users. europeanspaceflight.com/italy-brings-i…

Planet Germany has selected Isar Aerospace to launch a Pelican Earth observation satellite aboard a Spectrum within the next 12 months. europeanspaceflight.com/isar-aerospace…

Latitude plans to conduct the inaugural flight of its unnamed rocket from Oman’s Etlaq Spaceport in late 2027. europeanspaceflight.com/latitude-to-la…

@LutzRichte36335 Nope. As the article states, the current version first, and if the market requires it, the upgrade will follow.

@ESpaceflight So, this would add perhaps 2 years until first flight?

ArianeGroup subsidiary MaiaSpace is considering adding a fourth Prometheus engine to the Maia rocket’s first stage to double its performance. europeanspaceflight.com/maiaspace-plan…

I have updated this article to include some additional details. According to ESA, a total of four engines have been delivered, with an additional “flight spare” still to be delivered.

With three new vacancies, The Exploration Company appears to be signalling plans for a US development base for its Nyx Crew vehicle. europeanspaceflight.com/the-exploratio…

NASA has delivered the first braking engines for ESA’s Rosalind Franklin Mars mission. Work to secure the required RHUs continues. europeanspaceflight.com/nasa-delivers-…

PROGRESS! Rocket Factory Augsburg has completed the integration of all nine engines on its RFA ONE first stage. One step closer to the launch pad. Image credit: RFA

OHB plans to raise up to €510.7 million to expand its manufacturing capacity, fund acquisitions, and support Rock Factory Augsburg. europeanspaceflight.com/ohb-to-raise-e…

In May, Rocket Factory Augsburg outlined upgrades to its RFA ONE rocket and plans for its fully reusable RFA TWO heavy-lift rocket. europeanspaceflight.com/rocket-factory…

Some incredible footage of vapour cones forming around the P160C boosters during the most recent Ariane 6 flight. Credit: ESA / S.Corvaja

ESA has announced that it plans to continue developing most of its Gateway contributions while studying how the hardware could be repurposed. europeanspaceflight.com/esa-details-ne…

ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot has tested a European spacesuit prototype aboard the ISS, while a second suit completed water survival trials in Marseille. europeanspaceflight.com/esa-astronaut-…