News

At SmallSat Europe 2025 in Amsterdam, Italy’s SITAEL unveiled Empyreum, its next-generation small satellite platform equipped with the company’s proprietary Spark electric propulsion system. In this exclusive interview, Chiara Pertosa – CEO of SITAEL and one of second-generation leader of Angel Holding – explains what makes Empyreum unique.

EUROPEAN shares kicked off the week on a positive note on Monday, recouping the previous session’s losses, as markets heaved a sigh of relief after US President Donald Trump delayed his threat to impose a 50% tariff on the region. Defence companies were among the biggest boosts to the Stoxx 600 index, with Rheinmetall and Leonardo gaining over 3 per cent each and the aerospace and defence index advancing 1.7 per cent.

The Aerospace, Security and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD), has elected Saab CEO Micael Johansson as its new president and chairman of the board. Johansson, who previously served as vice chairman of the ASD board, was elected during the association’s board meeting and 2025 convention in London. He was appointed for a two-year term and will take office on 15 June. The appointment will not affect his role as president and CEO of Saab.

A new memorandum has firmed up China and Russia's intent to lead the construction of a new lunar base to be completed by 2036, as NASA talks about scaling back its own lunar ambitions.

Combining Europe's strengths in R&D with the Middle East's ability to deploy capital at scale would benefit both regions. The economic logic is clear. Space technology drives innovation across industries from global internet access to climate monitoring. The companies that lead will shape the future and reap the rewards.

A piece of classical music is to be played into space to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of its composer and the 50th year of the European Space Agency (ESA).

The European Space Agency will request funding from member states for an Earth observation satellite system for security applications, blurring the line between the agency’s traditional civil focus and new defense work.

Changes to regulations and processes will introduce new restrictions on the use of hazardous chemicals in the EU. These could impact space programmes, the space sector and its supply chains – PFAS, chromates and the REACH revision take centre stage. Register for ESA’s free workshop on 17 June providing clarification on these changes and join us for a panel discussion.

Another 20 companies have been selected for the CASSINI Business Accelerator program, an initiative of the European Commission (EC) and European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA). The program aims to boost the growth and market success of startups and scale-ups whose products and business models leverage EU space technologies.

The building of twelve Galileo Second Generation satellites is progressing rapidly, with several key milestones achieved in recent months. Among the most significant are the successful compatibility tests with ground infrastructure, an essential step as the satellites move through the production cycle.

Former NASA Administrator Bill Nelson on Thursday ripped President Donald Trump’s proposed multi-billion-dollar cut to the space agency — arguing the administration is taking “a chainsaw and a meat-ax” to its mission.

SpaceX’s ascent from commercial launch provider to indispensable national security asset marks one of the most significant shifts in America’s defense industrial base in decades. As Elon Musk’s company extends its reach deeper into military space operations, traditional defense contractors are being forced to confront the reality that the Pentagon increasingly views SpaceX not merely as a supplier but as a transformative partner.