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☆ NASA delays crewed Artemis moon missions into 2025 as companies navigate challenges
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-09 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

NASA is pushing back the schedule for upcoming missions of its flagship Artemis lunar program by about a year as the agency's contractors work to finish technology needed to return U.S. astronauts to the moon's surface. Artemis 2 — with a four-person crew, which NASA announced last spring — was previously planned to launch in November, while Artemis 3 had been targeting December 2025. The pair of missions are set to follow the uncrewed Artemis I mission that flew in 2022. The Artemis program represents a series of missions with escalating goals, aiming to return astronauts to the lunar surface for the first time since the Apollo era. Nelson's comments confirm reporting by CNN and Reuters that NASA would be pushing out the schedule for the program.

Persons: Artemis, Reid Wiseman Victor Glover, Christina Koch, Jeremy Hansen, Bill Nelson, —, Lockheed Martin, Elon, Jeff Bezos Organizations: NASA, Artemis, CNN, Reuters, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed, SpaceX, Collins Aerospace, SpaceX's Locations: U.S

☆ Europe's new Ariane 6 rocket to launch June 15-July 31, 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Christophe Ena/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsPARIS, Nov 30 (Reuters) - Europe's new Ariane 6 rocket will stage an inaugural flight between June 15 and July 31 in 2024, the European Space Agency said on Thursday. The keenly awaited window for the first test flight came after a test model of the new rocket passed a key long-firing engine test in French Guiana last week. The maiden flight will carry some smaller satellites, including two from NASA, but since it is still considered a test flight, it will not carry "a major payload", ESA added. The ESA will carry out a few additional tests before the launch to make sure the design is "fault tolerant". Aschbacher said last month he hoped to be able to announce a launch window for an inaugural flight to be held in 2024, depending on the results of the engine test.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Christophe Ena, Josef Aschbacher, Safran, Vega, Aschbacher, Tim Hepher, Piotr Lipinski, Alex Richardson, Bernadette Baum, Christina Fincher Organizations: Ariane, Rights, European Space Agency, ESA, NASA, ArianeGroup, Airbus, U.S, SpaceX, Soyuz, Thomson Locations: Vernon, France, Guiana, Europe, Russia, Ukraine

☆ Europe's new Ariane 6 rocket passes launch rehearsal -ESA
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

PARIS, Nov 23 (Reuters) - Europe's Ariane 6 launcher has passed a key rehearsal in preparation for its first flight, the European Space Agency (ESA) said on Thursday - part of efforts to bring the delayed rocket to the launchpad in 2024. Ariane 6 is being developed by ArianeGroup, a joint venture between Airbus (AIR.PA) and Safran (SAF.PA), in order to better compete with U.S. private launch provider SpaceX. Russia blocked European use of its Soyuz rockets last year in response to Western sanctions over Ukraine. "We are back on track towards re-securing Europe's autonomous access to space," ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher said in a statement late on Thursday. Reporting By Tim Hepher in Paris; editing by Jonathan Oatis and Sonali PaulOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Safran, Vega, Josef Aschbacher, Aschbacher, Tim Hepher, Jonathan Oatis, Sonali Paul Organizations: European Space Agency, ESA, ArianeGroup, Airbus, U.S, SpaceX, Soyuz, Thomson Locations: Guiana, Europe, Russia, Ukraine, Paris

☆ France Test-Fires Long-Range Ballistic Missile in Bid to Boost Nuclear Deterrence
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-19 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

PARIS (Reuters) - France has successfully test-fired an M51.3 long-range ballistic missile, boosting the credibility of France's nuclear deterrence capabilities, the defence ministry said on Sunday. It added that maintaining operational credibility of France's nuclear weapons is required given the international environment. Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly warned the West that he would be ready to use nuclear weapons to defend Russia. The M51.3 missile is an upgraded version of the M51, a three-stage sea-land strategic ballistic missile designed to be launched from French Navy submarines. The new M51.3 missile, which is expected to enter service around 2025, is developed by aerospace firm ArianeGroup, a joint venture between Airbus and French defence group Safran.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Safran, Geert De Clercq, Hugh Lawson Organizations: PARIS, Russia, French Navy, Airbus Locations: France, Ukraine

☆ France test-fires long-range ballistic missile in bid to boost nuclear deterrence
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PARIS, Nov 19 (Reuters) - France has successfully test-fired an M51.3 long-range ballistic missile, boosting the credibility of France's nuclear deterrence capabilities, the defence ministry said on Sunday. It added that maintaining operational credibility of France's nuclear weapons is required given the international environment. Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly warned the West that he would be ready to use nuclear weapons to defend Russia. The M51.3 missile is an upgraded version of the M51, a three-stage sea-land strategic ballistic missile designed to be launched from French Navy submarines. The new M51.3 missile, which is expected to enter service around 2025, is developed by aerospace firm ArianeGroup, a joint venture between Airbus (AIR.PA) and French defence group Safran (SAF.PA).

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Safran, Geert De Clercq, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Russia, French Navy, Airbus, Ballistic, Thomson Locations: France, Ukraine

☆ Italy, France and Germany agree on launches of Ariane 6 and Vega-C
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Giuseppe Fonte | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A worker of Ariane Group stands in front of a Ariane 6 rocket's Vulcain 2.1 engine, prior to the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron, in Vernon, France January 12, 2021. Christophe Ena/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsROME, Nov 6 (Reuters) - Italy, France and Germany on Monday have reached a deal underpinning future launches of the delayed Ariane 6 and Avio's (AVI.MI) smaller Vega-C rockets, Italy's industry minister said. The smaller Vega-C has been grounded since Dec. 22 after a failed launch. Italy has been campaigning for the rocket to be marketed separately from ArianeGroup subsidiary Arianespace, which currently sells and operates all major European launches. The three-way agreement was signed during a European Space Agency (ESA) ministerial meeting in Seville, Spain.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Christophe Ena, Safran, Urso, Arianespace, Josef Aschbacher, Giuseppe Fonte, Cristina Carlevaro, Federico Maccioni, Tim Hepher Organizations: Ariane, Rights, Airbus, Space Agency, ESA, Soyuz, Thomson Locations: Vernon, France, Italy, Germany, Europe, Vega, Milan, Avio, Seville, Spain, Ukraine

☆ France says Ariane 6 accord calls for public aid, 11% cost cuts
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] General view of Ariane 6, Europe's next-generation space rocket, production line of Ariane Group in Bremen, Germany, February 19, 2019. The deal between Europe's three leading launch nations also clarifies usage of the European spaceport in French Guiana and opens up competition to future launchers, Le Maire said. A separate statement by France, Germany and Italy said Avio's (AVI.MI) Vega C would receive up to 21 million euros in public support. "This is a major success and a decisive point in European space history. It preserves European unity on the question of access to space," Le Maire told reporters following talks between members of the 22-nation European Space Agency (ESA).

Persons: Europe's, Fabian Bimmer, Bruno Le Maire, Le Maire, Safran, Avio's, Vega, Tim Hepher, Charlotte Van Campenhout, Mark Potter Organizations: Ariane, REUTERS, Rights, French Finance, Airbus, European Space Agency, ESA, Thomson Locations: Bremen, Germany, France, Italy, Guiana

☆ Europe urged not to repeat tech underdog role ahead of space talks
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Tim Hepher | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] A model of Europe's next-generation space rocket Ariane 6 is pictured at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Lampoldshausen near Heilbronn, Germany, February 26, 2019. France, where manufacturer ArianeGroup is based, wants extra funding to help absorb cost overruns, industry sources said. Sources said last week there had been some progress in unblocking a three-way standoff between Europe's leading launch nations but that ministers still faced sensitive budget talks. Speaking ahead of the Seville meeting, ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher declined to comment on the talks but urged Europe not to repeat past mistakes in the technology sector. Europe has carved out a leading role in climate observation, navigation and space science but has not targeted a prime role in human exploration, opting instead for a junior role in projects led by U.S. space agency NASA or until recently Russia.

Persons: Ralph Orlowski, Josef Aschbacher, Aschbacher, we're, Tim Hepher, Robert Birsel Organizations: German Aerospace Center, REUTERS, European Space Agency, ESA, European Union, SpaceX, Ministers, Ariane, Tribune, NASA, U.S . Space Shuttle, Thomson Locations: Lampoldshausen, Heilbronn, Germany, Europe, Spain, Seville, Elon Musk's U.S, Ukraine, France, Italy, United States, Japan, China, U.S, Russia

☆ Europe's space agency boss sees progress on Ariane 6 launcher
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Tim Hepher | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Director-General of the European Space Agency (ESA) Josef Aschbacher smiles as he attends an interview with Reuters during the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, January 18, 2023. Josef Aschbacher, director general of the European Space Agency (ESA), said a more precise 2024 launch period would be defined following a delayed long-duration firing test due on Nov. 23. Aschbacher declined to comment on the state of negotiations ahead of the Seville "Space Summit", which is also due to address climate change and Europe's ambitions in space exploration. This is something that is highly critical for Europe," Aschbacher said. But in Europe's system of horse-trading for space funding, any agreement on exploration is likely to depend on progress on the critical issue of Ariane 6 funding, the people said.

Persons: Josef Aschbacher, Arnd, Aschbacher, Safran, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Tim Hepher, Mark Potter Organizations: European Space Agency, ESA, Reuters, Economic, REUTERS, Rights, Elon, SpaceX, Russian Soyuz, Airbus, NATO, Thomson Locations: Davos, Switzerland, Seville, Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Russian, East, Ukraine, Europe, India, China, United States, Russia

☆ Europe's space agency welcomes UK deal with EU on satellites
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Tim Hepher | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The logo of the European Space Agency (ESA) is seen during the ESA Council at Ministerial level (CM22) at the Grand Palais Ephemere in Paris, France, November 23, 2022. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsPARIS, Sept 8 (Reuters) - The European Space Agency on Friday welcomed a deal for Britain to resume full membership of Europe's Copernicus programme, easing doubts over the next batch of climate-tracking satellites and the completion of development work by European space firms. Copernicus is a set of six families of Sentinel satellites designed to read the planet's "vital signs" including carbon dioxide. But following Thursday's agreement, Director General Josef Aschbacher said the deal would allow UK scientists and industry to benefit fully from one of Europe's leading space programmes. The agreement is a boost for satellite manufacturers including Europe's Airbus (AIR.PA), France' Thales (TCFP.PA) and Germany's OHB (OHBG.DE) that had been awarded contracts to build the new set of satellites subject in part to an EU funding deal.

Persons: Benoit Tessier, Europe's Copernicus, Copernicus, Josef Aschbacher, Aschbacher, Germany's, Safran, Tim Hepher, David Evans Organizations: European Space Agency, ESA, Palais Ephemere, REUTERS, Rights, Sentinel, Reuters, Airbus, Thales, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, Britain

☆ ESA chief sees Ariane 6 debut launch delayed to next year
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] A worker of Ariane Group stands in front of a Ariane 6 rocket's Vulcain 2.1 engine, prior to the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron, in Vernon, France January 12, 2021. Christophe Ena/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsPARIS, Aug 16 (Reuters) - The first launch of Europe's new Ariane 6 rocket has slipped into 2024 after an incomplete recent ground test, the head of the European Space Agency suggested in remarks to Reuters. Ninety percent of July's objectives were met and further tests are scheduled for September, it added. "After this series of tests we plan to consolidate a launch date for Ariane 6," ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher told Reuters. Asked whether it was fair to assume that plans for a test launch before the end of the year were now out of reach, Aschbacher told Reuters, "This is fair to say, yes".

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Christophe Ena, Safran, Josef Aschbacher, Aschbacher, Guillaume Faury, Tim Hepher, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Ariane, Rights, European Space Agency, Reuters, ESA, Airbus, Paris Air Forum, Thomson Locations: Vernon, France, Guiana, Germany, European

☆ France conducts maiden test of hypersonic glider
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The agency said a sounding rocket carrying a VMAX hypersonic glider launched on Monday from the Biscarosse missile test site on the Bay of Biscay, southwestern France. In 2019, France contracted aerospace company ArianeGroup to manage the VMAX program, aimed at developing a hypersonic glider demonstrator. Hypersonic gliders — unpowered, manoeuvring vehicles flying at speeds greater than Mach 5 (6,000km/h) — have been under study by major nuclear powers for several years. Hypersonic gliders are being designed to carry a nuclear or conventional warhead. Unlike ballistic missiles whose trajectories are fixed at launch, hypersonic gliders can change direction at high speed.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Stephanie, Read, Dominique Vidalon, Richard Lough, Christina Fincher Organizations: EU, International Paris Air, des, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, PARIS, Biscay

☆ Spanish rocket company PLD Space signs deal with France's Arianespace
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MADRID, June 14 (Reuters) - Spanish startup PLD Space has signed a memorandum of understanding with France's Arianespace to develop joint services to launch small satellites into orbit, the Spanish company said on Wednesday. The agreement will allow PLD Space to offer its customisable services to Arianespace customers, it said in a statement. It plans to gradually increase its capacity to 10 to 12 launches per year by the end of this decade. Europe's efforts to develop capabilities to send small satellites into space are in focus after a failed orbital rocket launch by Virgin Orbit from Britain in January. Arianespace, which launches satellites from French Guiana, is majority owned by ArianeGroup, a joint venture between Airbus (AIR.PA) and Safran (SAF.PA).

Persons: France's Arianespace, Ezequiel Sanchez, Safran, Emma Pinedo, Inti Landauro, Mark Potter, Richard Chang Organizations: Virgin Orbit, ArianeGroup, Airbus, Thomson Locations: MADRID, Spanish, Spain, Britain, Guiana

☆ Move over Ben Franklin: Laser lightning rod electrifies scientists
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-16 | by ( Will Dunham | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/4] The Laser Lightning Rod, an experimental lighting protection device that diverts the path of lightning bolts using a high-power laser, is seen in action at the top of Mount Santis in Switzerland in this undated photograph. Scientists now are moving to improve on that 18th century innovation with 21st century technology - a system employing a high-powered laser that may revolutionize lightning protection. With further development, this Laser Lightning Rod could safeguard critical infrastructure including power stations, airports, wind farms and launchpads. In experiments during two months in 2021, intense laser pulses - 1,000 times per second - were emitted to redirect lightning strikes. Houard anticipated that 10 to 15 years more work would be needed before the Laser Lightning Rod can enter common use.

☆ European ministers to debate sharp increase in space funding
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Logos of ArianeGroup and the ESA (European Space Agency) are seen on a rocket model at the entrance of the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) space exploration conference in Paris, France, September 19, 2022. Other initiatives include extending Europe’s global navigation system into low Earth orbit and kickstarting a new satellite mission, Harmony, to expand climate research. Ministers will seek to close a narrow funding gap for Ariane 6 rockets and discuss the future of emerging micro-launchers. In a recent interview, ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher urged rapid global action to tackle congestion in low Earth orbit including a ban on ASAT or anti-satellite weapons tests. Even without such threats, the sheer number of satellites and fragments of debris in low Earth orbit raises concerns.

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