Stories on the European space industry
this week we got our first indication of what the UK space industry can expect—at least, from a financial perspective—after announcing its joining the UK government’s Department of Science, Innovation, and Technology
The round, announced on Thursday, included participation from Riot Ventures, Google Ventures, Lux Capital, the European Innovation Council Fund, and Shrug Capital.
FibreCoat from Germany and Lofith Composites from Spain have joined forces to develop a new composite for satellite panels that aims to be lighter and stronger compared with conventional materials.
As part of the contract, Slingshot will build 13 optical sensor systems at five sites around the globe, allowing the UK government to precisely track everything from satellites to debris to asteroids, according to a press release.
Payload spoke with a handful of venture capital firms on the continent, and the overwhelming sentiment was the same: Startups are going to be just fine.
ESA’s Health Index for the space environment currently sits at a 4. For reference, 1 is the threshold for long term orbital sustainability.
In Europe, many first launches originally aiming to fly in 2025 will spend New Year’s at home.
Europe is still waiting on reliable access to space. Investors are keen on shortening that wait.
If you want to launch from Europe, be prepared to queue for a while.
This week, Beyond Gravity became the latest European parts manufacturer to expand its production facility.
European space agencies, satellite manufacturers, and parts suppliers have spent 2025 pouring capital and concrete to boost their sovereign, high-skilled manufacturing capacities.
Instances of satellite jamming are on the rise, and so are optical communications solutions to defend against interference.
