Andrew Parsonson
@andrewparsonson.bsky.social
I'm on a mission to promote European spaceflight.
Contributor to SpaceNews and Payload.
For queries, email [email protected]
Contributor to SpaceNews and Payload.
For queries, email [email protected]
Interesting comments from the French representative Philippe Baptiste, who called ESA's Geo-return policy a "pipe dream."
November 26, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Interesting comments from the French representative Philippe Baptiste, who called ESA's Geo-return policy a "pipe dream."
ESA is exploring repurposing the European Service Module and Earth Return Orbiter amid uncertainty over US support for the Artemis and Mars Sample Return missions.
europeanspaceflight.com/esa-to-repur...
europeanspaceflight.com/esa-to-repur...
ESA to Repurpose European Service Module and Earth Return Orbiter
ESA is exploring repurposing the European Service Module and Earth Return Orbiter amid uncertainty over US support for the Artemis and Mars Sample Return missions.
europeanspaceflight.com
November 26, 2025 at 1:33 PM
ESA is exploring repurposing the European Service Module and Earth Return Orbiter amid uncertainty over US support for the Artemis and Mars Sample Return missions.
europeanspaceflight.com/esa-to-repur...
europeanspaceflight.com/esa-to-repur...
The proposed ESA budget for the next three years and its programmatic breakdown. For context, the budget for the preceding three years was €16.9 billion.
November 26, 2025 at 1:28 PM
The proposed ESA budget for the next three years and its programmatic breakdown. For context, the budget for the preceding three years was €16.9 billion.
The ESA Director General this morning, as day 2 of CM25 is getting started: "To explain the importance of space for society and the economy and for security is easier today than three years ago. On the side, the economic situation is more challenging today than it was three years ago."
November 26, 2025 at 9:23 AM
The ESA Director General this morning, as day 2 of CM25 is getting started: "To explain the importance of space for society and the economy and for security is easier today than three years ago. On the side, the economic situation is more challenging today than it was three years ago."
ESA DG Josef Aschbacher on the importance of the agency's Geo-return policy.
November 25, 2025 at 5:56 PM
ESA DG Josef Aschbacher on the importance of the agency's Geo-return policy.
And so it begins.
November 25, 2025 at 2:29 PM
And so it begins.
A Polish consortium has successfully tested a three-stage suborbital rocket as part of an EU-funded project to develop a launch system capable of carrying payloads into space.
europeanspaceflight.com/polish-conso...
europeanspaceflight.com/polish-conso...
Polish Consortium Successfully Tests Three-Stage Suborbital Rocket
A Polish consortium has successfully tested a three-stage suborbital rocket as part of an EU-funded project.
europeanspaceflight.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:09 PM
A Polish consortium has successfully tested a three-stage suborbital rocket as part of an EU-funded project to develop a launch system capable of carrying payloads into space.
europeanspaceflight.com/polish-conso...
europeanspaceflight.com/polish-conso...
The Exploration Company opens a new facility in France, calling it “a new permanent home for building Europe’s cargo return capability.”
europeanspaceflight.com/the-explorat...
europeanspaceflight.com/the-explorat...
The Exploration Company Inaugurates New Facility in France - European Spaceflight
The Exploration Company opens a new facility in France, calling it “a new permanent home for building Europe’s cargo return capability.”
europeanspaceflight.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:55 PM
The Exploration Company opens a new facility in France, calling it “a new permanent home for building Europe’s cargo return capability.”
europeanspaceflight.com/the-explorat...
europeanspaceflight.com/the-explorat...
Thales Alenia Space has finalised the core industrial team for ESA’s Argonaut lunar lander, awarding contracts to Nammo, OHB System, and two of its own subsidiaries.
europeanspaceflight.com/thales-aleni...
europeanspaceflight.com/thales-aleni...
Thales Alenia Space Finalises Industrial Team for Lunar Lander
Thales Alenia Space has finalised the core industrial team for ESA’s Argonaut lunar lander. A first mission is expected in 2030.
europeanspaceflight.com
November 23, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Thales Alenia Space has finalised the core industrial team for ESA’s Argonaut lunar lander, awarding contracts to Nammo, OHB System, and two of its own subsidiaries.
europeanspaceflight.com/thales-aleni...
europeanspaceflight.com/thales-aleni...
Wales-based B2Space has successfully tested its balloon-based launch system in the Canary Islands using a small solid-fuel rocket.
europeanspaceflight.com/b2space-test...
europeanspaceflight.com/b2space-test...
B2Space Tests Balloon-Based Launch System - European Spaceflight
Wales-based B2Space has successfully tested its balloon-based launch system in the Canary Islands using a small solid-fuel rocket.
europeanspaceflight.com
November 22, 2025 at 4:51 AM
Wales-based B2Space has successfully tested its balloon-based launch system in the Canary Islands using a small solid-fuel rocket.
europeanspaceflight.com/b2space-test...
europeanspaceflight.com/b2space-test...
ESA has announced plans to build a new €20 million facility on the grounds of the European Astronaut Centre in Germany to centralise its human and robotic exploration activities.
europeanspaceflight.com/esa-to-build...
europeanspaceflight.com/esa-to-build...
ESA to Build €20 Million Human and Robotic Exploration Hub in Germany
The European Space Agency has announced plans to build a new €20 million facility at the European Astronaut Centre in Germany.
europeanspaceflight.com
November 21, 2025 at 9:24 AM
ESA has announced plans to build a new €20 million facility on the grounds of the European Astronaut Centre in Germany to centralise its human and robotic exploration activities.
europeanspaceflight.com/esa-to-build...
europeanspaceflight.com/esa-to-build...
The Exploration Company has acquired German additive manufacturing firm Thrustworks to expand its production capacity.
europeanspaceflight.com/the-explorat...
europeanspaceflight.com/the-explorat...
The Exploration Company Acquires German Additive Manufacturing Company - European Spaceflight
The Exploration Company has acquired German additive manufacturing firm Thrustworks to expand its production capacity.
europeanspaceflight.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:06 PM
The Exploration Company has acquired German additive manufacturing firm Thrustworks to expand its production capacity.
europeanspaceflight.com/the-explorat...
europeanspaceflight.com/the-explorat...
In this week's newsletter, I looked at what it would take for Europe to build its own commercial crew capability and which company is currently best placed to deliver it.
europeanspaceflight.substack.com/p/a-spacesui...
europeanspaceflight.substack.com/p/a-spacesui...
A Spacesuit With No Ship
On Friday, Decathlon revealed a first look at EuroSuit, an intra-vehicular activity (IVA) spacesuit developed in collaboration with Spartan Space and the Institute of Space Medicine and Physiology (ME...
europeanspaceflight.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:50 PM
In this week's newsletter, I looked at what it would take for Europe to build its own commercial crew capability and which company is currently best placed to deliver it.
europeanspaceflight.substack.com/p/a-spacesui...
europeanspaceflight.substack.com/p/a-spacesui...
Arianespace has announced the final Ariane 6 flight of 2025 will be launched on 17 December at 05:01 UTC. The flight will carry two Galileo satellites to orbit for the European Space Agency on behalf of the European Commission. Image credit: ESA / S. Corvaja
November 20, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Arianespace has announced the final Ariane 6 flight of 2025 will be launched on 17 December at 05:01 UTC. The flight will carry two Galileo satellites to orbit for the European Space Agency on behalf of the European Commission. Image credit: ESA / S. Corvaja
Poland’s SpaceForest has announced that it will attempt the first launch of its PERUN rocket on 22 November, following a redesign of its propulsion system.
europeanspaceflight.com/spaceforest-...
europeanspaceflight.com/spaceforest-...
SpaceForest Announces Launch Date for PERUN Return-to-Flight Mission
Poland’s SpaceForest has announced that it will attempt the first launch of its PERUN rocket on 22 November, following a redesign of its propulsion system.
europeanspaceflight.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Poland’s SpaceForest has announced that it will attempt the first launch of its PERUN rocket on 22 November, following a redesign of its propulsion system.
europeanspaceflight.com/spaceforest-...
europeanspaceflight.com/spaceforest-...
Canada has announced a significant increase in its contributions to the European Space Agency, committing $528.5 million.
europeanspaceflight.com/canada-commi...
europeanspaceflight.com/canada-commi...
Canada Commits $528.5 Million to European Space Agency Programmes
Canada has announced a significant increase in its contributions to the European Space Agency, committing $528.5 million.
europeanspaceflight.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:39 AM
Canada has announced a significant increase in its contributions to the European Space Agency, committing $528.5 million.
europeanspaceflight.com/canada-commi...
europeanspaceflight.com/canada-commi...
A new agreement extending Ariane 6 turbopump production in Italy until 2029 has raised concerns about the potential delay in transferring production to France.
europeanspaceflight.com/arianegroup-...
europeanspaceflight.com/arianegroup-...
ArianeGroup–Avio Deal Outlines Extended Transition of Turbopump Manufacturing to France
A new agreement extending Ariane 6 turbopump production in Italy until 2029 has raised concerns about the delayed transfer of production to France.
europeanspaceflight.com
November 18, 2025 at 2:32 PM
A new agreement extending Ariane 6 turbopump production in Italy until 2029 has raised concerns about the potential delay in transferring production to France.
europeanspaceflight.com/arianegroup-...
europeanspaceflight.com/arianegroup-...
While Cloudflare may have nuked half the internet, europeanspaceflight.com is still up 😇
European Spaceflight Homepage
A complete resource for European space activities from rocket startups, spacecraft infographics, deep dives and more.
europeanspaceflight.com
November 18, 2025 at 1:56 PM
While Cloudflare may have nuked half the internet, europeanspaceflight.com is still up 😇
US launch aggregator SEOPS has booked a dedicated Isar Aerospace Spectrum launch in 2028, adding to the German rocket builder's growing manifest.
europeanspaceflight.com/us-based-lau...
europeanspaceflight.com/us-based-lau...
US-Based Launch Aggregator Purchases Dedicated Isar Aerospace Flight
US launch aggregator SEOPS has booked a dedicated Isar Aerospace Spectrum mission for 2028, adding to the company's growing manifest.
europeanspaceflight.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:10 AM
US launch aggregator SEOPS has booked a dedicated Isar Aerospace Spectrum launch in 2028, adding to the German rocket builder's growing manifest.
europeanspaceflight.com/us-based-lau...
europeanspaceflight.com/us-based-lau...
French in-orbit servicing startup Infinite Orbits has raised €40 million to expand its European presence and accelerate development of Endurance and Orbit Guard.
europeanspaceflight.com/in-orbit-ser...
europeanspaceflight.com/in-orbit-ser...
In-Orbit Servicing Startup Infinite Orbits Raises €40 Million in New Funding
French in-orbit servicing startup Infinite Orbits has raised €40 million to expand its European presence and accelerate development of Endurance and Orbit Guard.
europeanspaceflight.com
November 17, 2025 at 2:37 PM
French in-orbit servicing startup Infinite Orbits has raised €40 million to expand its European presence and accelerate development of Endurance and Orbit Guard.
europeanspaceflight.com/in-orbit-ser...
europeanspaceflight.com/in-orbit-ser...
HyPrSpace has raised €21 million to perform its Baguette One suborbital test flight and accelerate the development of its OB-1 rocket.
europeanspaceflight.com/french-rocke...
europeanspaceflight.com/french-rocke...
French Rocket Builder HyPrSpace Secures €21 Million in New Funding
HyPrSpace has raised €21 million to perform its Baguette One suborbital test flight and accelerate the development of its OB-1 rocket.
europeanspaceflight.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:50 AM
HyPrSpace has raised €21 million to perform its Baguette One suborbital test flight and accelerate the development of its OB-1 rocket.
europeanspaceflight.com/french-rocke...
europeanspaceflight.com/french-rocke...
I think the EuroSuit looks incredible. I can't wait to see Adenot Sophie rocking it next year. And here's hoping that in the not-so-distant future, we'll see a whole crew of European astronauts aboard a European capsule launched from a European spaceport aboard a European rocket.
November 15, 2025 at 6:24 PM
I think the EuroSuit looks incredible. I can't wait to see Adenot Sophie rocking it next year. And here's hoping that in the not-so-distant future, we'll see a whole crew of European astronauts aboard a European capsule launched from a European spaceport aboard a European rocket.
ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot will test a new European-made spacesuit during her mission to the International Space Station in 2026.
europeanspaceflight.com/european-spa...
europeanspaceflight.com/european-spa...
European Spacesuit to be Tested Aboard ISS in 2026 - European Spaceflight
ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot will test a new European-made spacesuit during her mission to the International Space Station in 2026.
europeanspaceflight.com
November 15, 2025 at 6:10 AM
ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot will test a new European-made spacesuit during her mission to the International Space Station in 2026.
europeanspaceflight.com/european-spa...
europeanspaceflight.com/european-spa...
The Exploration Company has completed hypervelocity impact testing of the shielding that will protect its Nyx spacecraft against micrometeoroids and orbital debris.
europeanspaceflight.com/the-explorat...
europeanspaceflight.com/the-explorat...
The Exploration Company Tests Nyx Micrometeoroid Shielding - European Spaceflight
The Exploration Company has completed hypervelocity impact testing of the shielding that will protect its Nyx spacecraft against micrometeoroids.
europeanspaceflight.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:56 AM
The Exploration Company has completed hypervelocity impact testing of the shielding that will protect its Nyx spacecraft against micrometeoroids and orbital debris.
europeanspaceflight.com/the-explorat...
europeanspaceflight.com/the-explorat...
Isar Aerospace has delivered the stages for the second flight of its Spectrum to its launch facilities in Norway and is gearing up for pre-flight testing.
europeanspaceflight.com/spectrum-roc...
europeanspaceflight.com/spectrum-roc...
Spectrum Rocket Stages Arrive at Launch Facility for Second Flight - European Spaceflight
Isar Aerospace has delivered the stages for the second flight of its Spectrum to its launch facilities in Norway and is gearing up for pre-flight testing.
europeanspaceflight.com
November 13, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Isar Aerospace has delivered the stages for the second flight of its Spectrum to its launch facilities in Norway and is gearing up for pre-flight testing.
europeanspaceflight.com/spectrum-roc...
europeanspaceflight.com/spectrum-roc...