Andrew Parsonson

Skyrora Secures Launch Licence for Suborbital Skylark L Rocket - European Spaceflight Skyrora has secured a UK launch licence for its Skylark L rocket, allowing up to 16 suborbital flights per year from SaxaVord Spaceport in Scotland.

Skyrora has secured a UK launch licence for its Skylark L rocket, allowing up to 16 suborbital flights per year from SaxaVord Spaceport in Scotland.
europeanspaceflight.com/skyrora-secu...

Poland's SpaceForest Completes Qualification of PERUN Rocket Engine - European Spaceflight SpaceForest has completed the final hot fire test of its SF-1000 rocket engine, paving the way for the next test flight of its PERUN rocket toward the end of 2025.

SpaceForest has completed the final hot fire test of its SF-1000 rocket engine, paving the way for the next test flight of its PERUN rocket toward the end of 2025.
europeanspaceflight.com/polands-spac...

ArianeGroup Receives Heat Shield Mock-Up for ExoMars Mission - European Spaceflight Loiretech has delivered a mock-up of the ExoMars heat shield to ArianeGroup for initial qualification tests, supporting the 2028 Mars mission.

Loiretech has delivered a mock-up of the ExoMars heat shield to ArianeGroup that will be used for initial qualification tests. Set for launch in 2028, the ExoMars mission will deliver the Rosalind Franklin rover to Mars.
europeanspaceflight.com/arianegroup-...

CNES Issues Call for Lunar Power Station Prototype - European Spaceflight CNES has launched a call for proposals for the development of a lunar power station prototype as part of its Lunar Integrated Shelter for Exploration initiative.

CNES has launched a call for proposals for the development of a lunar power station prototype as part of its Lunar Integrated Shelter for Exploration initiative.
europeanspaceflight.com/cnes-issues-...

The Exploration Company Tests Key Component of Typhoon Rocket Engine The Exploration Company has completed a six-week test campaign of the preburner for its Typhoon rocket engine.

The Exploration Company has completed a six-week test campaign of the preburner for its Typhoon rocket engine.
europeanspaceflight.com/the-explorat...

Thales Alenia Space Ships Key Component for Mars Sample Return Mission Thales Alenia Space has shipped the Orbit Insertion Module for the Earth Return Orbiter, Europe's contribution to the Mars Sample Return mission.

Thales Alenia Space has shipped the Orbit Insertion Module for the Earth Return Orbiter, Europe's contribution to the Mars Sample Return mission.
europeanspaceflight.com/thales-aleni...

ASI Awards New Lunar Habitat Contract to Thales Alenia Space - European Spaceflight ASI has awarded Thales Alenia Space a contract for the preliminary design of its MPH lunar habitat, which is expected to be launched in 2033.

ASI has awarded Thales Alenia Space a contract for the preliminary design of its MPH lunar habitat, which is expected to be launched in 2033.
europeanspaceflight.com/asi-awards-n...

Arianespace has announced that the next Ariane 6 launch will occur on 12 August. The flight will carry the EUMETSAT Metop-SG-A1 weather satellite into a Sun-Synchronous orbit. Video credit: ESA

Dassault CEO Pushing for VORTEX to be Adopted as an ESA Project - European Spaceflight Dassault Aviation is pushing for its VORTEX spaceplane initiative to become an ESA programme, with a contract expected as early as next year.

Dassault Aviation is pushing for its VORTEX spaceplane initiative to become an ESA programme, with a contract expected as early as next year.
europeanspaceflight.com/dassault-ceo...

ESA Establishes Human and Robotic Exploration Biobank in Portugal The European Space Agency has selected the Gulbenkian Institute of Molecular Medicine in Lisbon to host its HRE Exploration Biobank.

The European Space Agency has selected the Gulbenkian Institute of Molecular Medicine in Lisbon to host its HRE Exploration Biobank.
europeanspaceflight.com/esa-establis...

The payload for flight VV27, encased in its fairing, has been raised and placed atop the Vega C stack ahead of the July 25 launch.
Image credit: CNES / ESA / Arianespace / Optique Vidéo CSG / S Martin

Genesis SFL Secures €300,000 to Develop Gen Re-Entry Capsule - European Spaceflight Genesis Space Flight Laboratories has secured €300,000 in pre-seed funding to develop GEN, a spacecraft designed to host and return microgravity research payloads.

Genesis Space Flight Laboratories has secured €300,000 in pre-seed funding to develop GEN, a spacecraft designed to host and return microgravity research payloads.
europeanspaceflight.com/genesis-sfl-...

ESA Recertifies ExoMars Parachutes After Years in Storage - European Spaceflight ESA has retested a pair of parachutes that, along with a retro rocket, will ensure the safe landing of its Rosalind Franklin rover on Mars.

ESA has retested a pair of parachutes that, along with a retro rocket, will ensure the safe landing of its Rosalind Franklin rover on Mars.
europeanspaceflight.com/esa-recertif...

ESA Finally Kicks Off Flying Engine Testbed Project Following ITT Reissue ESA has awarded Frazer-Nash a €6 million contract to develop the Mach 5-capable INVICTUS flying testbed, designed to test technologies for future reusable spacecraft.

I have updated this story to add context on the extent of ESA's contributions to the development of the SABRE engine. I have also included insight into why the agency shifted from planning to use SABRE engines to opting for SABRE-like engines instead.
europeanspaceflight.com/esa-finally-...

ESA Finally Kicks Off Flying Engine Testbed Project Following ITT Reissue ESA has awarded Frazer-Nash a €6 million contract to develop the Mach 5-capable INVICTUS flying testbed, designed to test technologies for future reusable spacecraft.

ESA has awarded Frazer-Nash a €6 million contract to develop the Mach 5-capable INVICTUS flying testbed, designed to test technologies for future reusable spacecraft.
europeanspaceflight.com/esa-finally-...

SpaceForest Expands Launch Plans with Portuguese Island Agreement Poland's SpaceForest has signed an agreement with the Atlantic Spaceport Consortium to launch its Perun rocket from the Portuguese island of Santa Maria in early 2026.

Poland's SpaceForest has signed an agreement with the Atlantic Spaceport Consortium to launch its Perun rocket from the Portuguese island of Santa Maria in early 2026.
europeanspaceflight.com/spaceforest-...

The Exploration Company Tests Thruster for Nyx Moon Lunar Lander The Exploration Company has successfully completed a hot fire test of its Breeze thruster, which will be used aboard the service module of its Nyx Moon lunar lander.

The Exploration Company has succesfully completed a hot fire test of its Breeze thruster, which will be used aboard the service module of its Nyx Moon lunar lander.
europeanspaceflight.com/the-explorat...

Avio Celebrates its Independence Day On 10 July, representatives from Italy, Germany, and France met at the European Space Agency headquarters to sign the Launcher Exploitation Declaration, which officially began the transfer of Vega C l...

In this week’s newsletter, I covered Avio’s concluded split from Arianespace and some spicy comments from an ASI board member after Avio was excluded from the European Launcher Challenge.
europeanspaceflight.substack.com/p/avio-celeb...

ESA Backs EuroSpaceport's North Sea Launch Site - European Spaceflight EuroSpaceport has secured ESA backing for its North Sea floating launch platform, with Poland's SpaceForest set to launch its Perun rocket from it in 2026.

EuroSpaceport has secured ESA backing for its North Sea floating launch platform, with Poland's SpaceForest set to launch its Perun rocket from it in 2026.
europeanspaceflight.com/esa-backs-eu...

Space Rider Nose Cone Passes Key Milestone - European Spaceflight Italy's CIRA has successfully completed a key milestone in the development of the Space Rider Re-entry Module's Thermal Protection System.

Italy's CIRA has successfully completed a key milestone in the development of the Space Rider Re-entry Module's Thermal Protection System.
europeanspaceflight.com/space-rider-...

UK Government Commits £75.6M to Space Debris Removal Mission The UK Space Agency has committed £75.6 million to a mission focused on removing two dead satellites from orbit, with a launch expected by late 2028.

The UK Space Agency has committed £75.6 million to a mission focused on removing two dead satellites from orbit, with a launch expected by late 2028.
europeanspaceflight.com/uk-governmen...

GomSpace Refinances €18M European Investment Bank Loan - European Spaceflight Denmark's GomSpace has refinanced its €18 million European Investment Bank loan, with billionaire and major shareholder Peter Hargreaves taking over as the lender.

Denmark's GomSpace has refinanced its €18 million European Investment Bank loan, with billionaire and major shareholder Peter Hargreaves taking over as the lender.
europeanspaceflight.com/gomspace-ref...

ESA Validates Space Rider Landing Accuracy with Drop Test Campaign - European Spaceflight ESA and Thales Alenia Space have completed a series of drop tests for the reusable Space Rider spacecraft, validating its autonomous landing accuracy.

ESA and Thales Alenia Space have completed a series of drop tests for the reusable Space Rider spacecraft, validating its autonomous landing accuracy.
europeanspaceflight.com/esa-validate...

5. Rocket Factory Augsburg

4. PLD Space

3. Orbex

2. MaiaSpace

A breakdown of the five companies preselected for the European Space Agency's European Launcher Challenge.
1. Isar Aerospace

ESA Shortlists Five Companies for European Launcher Challenge - European Spaceflight ESA has shortlisted 5 companies for its European Launcher Challenge, selecting rocket builders from Germany, Spain, France, and the UK to advance to the next phase.

ESA has shortlisted 5 companies for its European Launcher Challenge, selecting rocket builders from Germany, Spain, France, and the UK to advance to the next phase.
europeanspaceflight.com/esa-shortlis...

A little footage from yesterday's MaxiDusty-2 launch from Andøya Space in Norway. You can find out more about the mission here - europeanspaceflight.com/mission-to-c...