Payload Pioneers 2025

Nikita Shetti, Viasat UK

“It’s good to get the big picture of the satellite, both pre-launch and post-launch as well,” Shetti told Payload. “It definitely fixed the jigsaw puzzle.”

Payload Pioneers 2025

Thomas Santini, Lodestar Space

As the cofounder of Lodestar Space, Santini is building in-space, bodyguard-like technology to protect and defend UK and Western defense assets in orbit.  

BusinessEurope

Europe’s Satellite Production Capacity is About to Explode

European space agencies, satellite manufacturers, and parts suppliers have spent 2025 pouring capital and concrete to boost their sovereign, high-skilled manufacturing capacities.

EuropeStartupsTechnology

Inside Astrolight’s Secure Comms Network Plans

Instances of satellite jamming are on the rise, and so are optical communications solutions to defend against interference.

EuropeScienceStartups

Frontier Preps Next Mission After Mixed Results On ATMOS

Frontier is preparing to fly a second (slightly pared-down) SpaceLab next year aboard Orbital Paradigm’s new reentry platform.

AnalysisLEO

Novaspace Predicts 43,000+ New Sats to Launch by 2034

If you think space is crowded now, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet.

BusinessEquitiesLunarMoon

ispace is Raising Money to Cover Growing Losses

Despite two solid efforts, ispace has yet to successfully land on the lunar surface—and the company’s financial position reflects that. 

LaunchMilitary

SpaceX Wins the Bulk of Space Force’s 2026 Launch Contracts

The Space Force’s reliance on SpaceX remains stronger than ever.

EuropeSatcom

ESA Continues to Bet Big on Quantum Comms

Ultimately, these new technologies aren’t competing with radio frequency, but working together as part of a diverse network.

BusinessCivilEurope

The EU Space Act Raises Questions

ICYMI: This week, Payload Europe hosted its first ever webinar—all about the EU Space Act.

StartupsTechnology

Inversion Space Unveils Arc Reentry Vehicle

The quickest delivery service isn’t coming via drone from an Amazon fulfilment center—it’s coming from space.

EuropeInternationalStartups

UK Space Agency Invests £6.5M in International Projects

The UK wants to build a vibrant sovereign space industry, but it knows it can’t do it alone.

BusinessEOStartups

Exclusive: Albedo Drops its Commercial Imagery Business

Albedo will abandon its imaging business to focus entirely on building VLEO satellite buses for other payload operators.