France has agreed a significant uplift to its overall contribution to national, bilateral and civil space budgets. The sum comes to €9 billion spread over the next three years and represents a 24 per cent uplift from the current three-year programme which ended in 2022. The budget has a key proviso that the sum must […]
France has agreed with other major European nations and is the prime supporter in cash terms for the EU’s request for extra funding for the proposed European Union’s medium Earth orbiting satellite broadband system. France will pay “up to €300 million” for the broadband system although the commitment is somewhat dependent on which consortium wins […]
The EU has given the go-ahead for an independent European Low Earth Orbiting fleet of broadband and satellite navigation craft. The name for the project is IRIS2. An EU ministerial conference approved the spend of €6 billion Internet system in order to ensure Europe’s security by reducing its reliance on foreign – that is non-European […]
A ministerial meeting in Brussels scheduled for November 17th with EU official and lawmakers could reach a decision on Europe’s plans for an independent satellite broadband and GPS system. The intention is for Europe to have its own low Earth orbiting satellite broadband and sat-nav system which would provide back-up in emergency situations as well […]
The European Space Agency (ESA) and its Navigation Directorate says it is moving ahead with its plans to improve satellite navigation and perhaps further expanding to include a European – but global – low Earth orbiting fleet. “Now, [with] numerous low Earth orbit constellations already taking shape around the globe, the time is right to […]
The European Space Agency (ESA) has admitted that the delayed launched of Arianespace’s new Ariane 6 rocket is not now likely to make its debut flight for another year. The new hope is for a launch in Q4 2023. Ariane 6 was first planned to launch in July 2020. Covid hasn’t helped, but with the […]
Eutelsat’s Hotbird series of satellites have been a remarkable industry success. The first Hotbird was launched back in March 1995 to the 13 degrees East orbital slot. On October 13th SpaceX is planning to loft 13F at 11.25pm Florida time. Hotbird 13F, an all-electric satellite, is one of a pair and is the first craft […]
OneWeb, the global satellite communications company, has announced the launch of Innovation Challenge 2022: Connectivity and Beyond, an invitation to create innovative applications, products, solutions, and technologies that will advance global technology by utilising the full potential of a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation. The challenge offers an open invitation to engineers, industrial partners, […]
The European Space Agency (ESA) will be asking its member governments, including the UK, to fund an extra €750 million for its planned work schedule between 2023-2025. The cash will help pay initial costs for the European Union’s low Earth orbiting (LEO) broadband scheme. Europe wants its own independent LEO communications system. But that sum […]
The European Space Agency (ESA) is looking for its member states to fund an initial €100 million for a mini-constellation of between 6-12 low Earth orbiting (LEO) test satellites to launch during 2026. The cash will be used to build and launch the new constellation. If the tests work out then the bill will be […]