The European Space Agency - ESA (ESA) has officially completed the construction of its latest deep-space observatory, Plato, marking a crucial step in its mission to discover Earth-like planets beyond our solar system. The spacecraft, designed to detect and study rocky exoplanets orbiting Sun-like stars, recently had its final structural components – a combined sunshield and solar panel module – successfully installed. https://lnkd.in/eAHadA33 #space #esa #spacenews #plato

The future of space is being built right now. Voyager Technologies announced that VIVACE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION will manufacture the primary structure of Starlab — a next-gen, AI-enabled commercial space station set to be one of the largest ever built for orbit. 🌌 Designed to carry forward microgravity research after the ISS, Starlab isn’t just a station — it’s a marketplace for science, innovation, and exploration. #SpaceTech #Innovation #NewOrleans #Starlab #NASA https://lnkd.in/gKUKNPZa

The European Space Agency - ESA (ESA) has officially completed the construction of its latest deep-space observatory, Plato, marking a crucial step in its mission to discover Earth-like planets beyond our solar system. The spacecraft, designed to detect and study rocky exoplanets orbiting Sun-like stars, recently had its final structural components – a combined sunshield and solar panel module – successfully installed. https://lnkd.in/eAHadA33 #space #esa #europeanspaceagency #nasa

The UK Space Agency announced a £150,000 ($201,400) contract today to fund the study of a new kind of in-space orbital transfer vehicle (OTV). The spacecraft is designed to use autophage propulsion—meaning, it uses and burns a fuel tank that is itself made of fuel—to change its orbital trajectory.    The UK’s international bilateral fund awarded the contract to French propulsion startup Alpha Impulsion and the UK mission operator Meridian Space Command. The contract funds a six-month preliminary design review (PDR) of a cheaper OTV—dubbed the “economical transfer vehicle (ETV)”—that leverages Alpha’s autophage propulsion tech to create a cheaper, more efficient way of getting around in space. How it works: Autophage propulsion works like this: As the engine burns, it consumes its own fuel tank (made of fuel). This process reduces the dry-mass of the overall vehicle, and creates a more efficient mode of propulsion.     In May, Alpha demonstrated its autophage propulsion system during a six-day test campaign. The company confirmed stable ignition and controlled combustion, opening the door for launch and in-orbit missions. As part of the PDR, Alpha has teamed up with Meridian to study how the propulsion system could effectively create a cheaper OTV, by reducing the overall weight necessary to reach further orbits. The study will assess both the technical feasibility and economic viability of the proposed ETV. On the technology front, Alpha and Meridian have a good idea already of what a typical ETV mission could look like. The ETV is expected to have a payload capacity of up to 50 kg, with a total launch mass of about 250 kg. The spacecraft is expected to have a Delta-v capability of around 4.5 km/s, giving the ETV the ability to change its inclination by up to 30 degrees within LEO. It can also reach MEO, GEO, and even lunar orbits. The idea is to have the ETV hitch a ride on a cheap rideshare flight to LEO or SSO and then power itself to its final trajectory, reducing its total mass the entire way. To the Moon: For future missions, Alpha and Meridian are betting on the fact that OTVs and multi-orbit missions will remain in high-demand. “I think we’re entering a new phase, where people are talking about beyond LEO,” Alpha CEO Marius Celette told Payload. “A lot of people are talking about Moon missions, in-orbit servicing stuff or dual-orbits, so that’s really kind of the new wave we’re trying to ride on.” The technology may offer direct transport to distant orbital trajectories at a fraction of the cost of currently available alternatives. Meridian CEO Sam Richards told Payload that the spacecraft could reach lunar orbit at a price point an order of magnitude cheaper than current chemical propulsion systems. https://lnkd.in/dV6T6FrE

China's Orienspace Launches World's Largest Solid Fuel Commercial Rocket by Ship FriendsofNASA.org | Full Article: https://lnkd.in/gqDw8fsS Orienspace, a private Chinese rocket manufacturer, successfully launched the 30-meter-tall Gravity 1 Y2 commercial carrier rocket with four solid-rocket boosters (SRBs) on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, at 10:20 a.m. Beijing Time (BJT) from its launch ship off the coast of Haiyang in east China's Shandong Province. This marked the second flight of the world's largest and most powerful commercial solid-propellant rocket that produces 600 tonnes of thrust at liftoff. The Gravity 1 Y2 rocket delivered three satellites into their planned Earth orbits. The payloads were an optical remote-sensing satellite and two experimental satellites. This was the 20th offshore launch at the Oriental Aerospace Port. Prior to this, Yantai had already hosted 19 offshore rocket launch missions, sending a total of 130 satellites into space. This mission was the second flight of the Gravity 1 after its debut launch from the same site in January 2024. Xu Guoguang, chief designer and project manager of Gravity 1, said the second flight aimed to further verify the rocket's reliability and capability, its pre-launch preparations and the launch sequence, as well as to demonstrate its ability to handle multiple flight trajectories. The Gravity 1 rocket model features three core stages and four boosters, all powered by solid-propellant engine and equipped with flexible swinging nozzles. With a liftoff weight of 405 metric tons and a thrust of 600 tons, the rocket can carry a spacecraft weighing up to 6.5 tons to a low-Earth orbit, or 4.2 tons to a typical sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 500 kilometers, according to Orienspace—founded in 2020 by a group of veteran researchers from State-owned space enterprises. Gravity 1 is the most powerful commercial rocket currently in China. Its liftoff weight and thrust surpass those of the European Space Agency's Vega-C, previously the world's most powerful solid-propellant rocket. In addition, Gravity 1 is the first and currently the only private rocket in China that has side boosters and the largest fairing, or nose cone—the top structure on a rocket that contains satellites or other payloads. The use of solid fuel is "convenient and safe." It allows for the process of rocket assembly, testing and launch to be completed within a 5 kilometer radius, significantly reducing production time and cost. Video Credit: SpaceLens Duration: 22 seconds Date: Oct. 11, 2025 #NASA #Space #Satellites #Earth #China #中国 #OrienSpace #东方空间 #SeaLaunch #Haiyang #ShandongProvince #RocketLaunch #Gravity1Y2 #引力1号 #SolidFuelRocket #CommercialSpace #ChinaSpaceflight #SpaceTechnology #AerospaceEngineering #STEM #Education #HD #Video

ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher spoke with The Times Of India about the deepening partnership between European Space Agency - ESA and ISRO - Indian Space Research Organization, and the road ahead to shape the future of space exploration and tackle key global challenges. Speaking to CHETHAN KUMAR, he said: “India is a serious and capable space power, and Europe recognises its strategic potential. ESA sees opportunities for collaboration in three major areas: Exploration: Human spaceflight, low Earth orbit missions, and lunar exploration. ESA is interested in supporting India’s emerging capabilities, sharing expertise, and potentially participating in joint missions.   Earth Observation: Combining satellite assets from both regions can enhance monitoring of climate change, environmental disasters, and global sustainability. Cross-calibration and data sharing improve accuracy and widen the reach of observational programmes.   Infrastructure and Sustainability: ESA has a global network of tracking stations that can be leveraged for Indian missions. Additionally, we hope India will join initiatives like ESA’s Zero Debris Charter to collectively manage orbital sustainability and space debris—a shared global challenge.   Europe can offer decades of expertise, technical support, and infrastructure to complement India’s growing space ecosystem. In turn, India brings cost-effective launch services, innovative solutions, and scientific expertise. Together, we can build a robust, system-of-systems approach where joint assets and coordinated missions enhance global capabilities.” Read the full interview: https://lnkd.in/ehyKrNii. #ESA #ISRO #SpaceExploration #EarthObservation #IAC2025

China's Orienspace Launches World's Largest Solid Fuel Commercial Rocket by Ship FriendsofNASA.org | Full Article: https://lnkd.in/gwyjJi7w Orienspace, a private Chinese rocket manufacturer, successfully launched the 30-meter-tall Gravity 1 Y2 commercial carrier rocket with four solid-rocket boosters (SRBs) on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, at 10:20 a.m. Beijing Time (BJT) from its launch ship off the coast of Haiyang in east China's Shandong Province. This marked the second flight of the world's largest and most powerful commercial solid-propellant rocket that produces 600 tonnes of thrust at liftoff. The Gravity 1 Y2 rocket delivered three satellites into their planned Earth orbits. The payloads were an optical remote-sensing satellite and two experimental satellites. This was the 20th offshore launch at the Oriental Aerospace Port. Prior to this, Yantai had already hosted 19 offshore rocket launch missions, sending a total of 130 satellites into space. This mission was the second flight of the Gravity 1 after its debut launch from the same site in January 2024. Xu Guoguang, chief designer and project manager of Gravity 1, said the second flight aimed to further verify the rocket's reliability and capability, its pre-launch preparations and the launch sequence, as well as to demonstrate its ability to handle multiple flight trajectories. The Gravity 1 rocket model features three core stages and four boosters, all powered by solid-propellant engine and equipped with flexible swinging nozzles. With a liftoff weight of 405 metric tons and a thrust of 600 tons, the rocket can carry a spacecraft weighing up to 6.5 tons to a low-Earth orbit, or 4.2 tons to a typical sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 500 kilometers, according to Orienspace—founded in 2020 by a group of veteran researchers from State-owned space enterprises. Gravity 1 is the most powerful commercial rocket currently in China. Its liftoff weight and thrust surpass those of the European Space Agency's Vega-C, previously the world's most powerful solid-propellant rocket. In addition, Gravity 1 is the first and currently the only private rocket in China that has side boosters and the largest fairing, or nose cone—the top structure on a rocket that contains satellites or other payloads. The use of solid fuel is "convenient and safe." It allows for the process of rocket assembly, testing and launch to be completed within a 5 kilometer radius, significantly reducing production time and cost. Video Credit: SpaceLens Duration: 22 seconds Date: Oct. 11, 2025 Orienspace #NASA #Space #Satellites #Earth #China #中国 #OrienSpace #东方空间 #SeaLaunch #Haiyang #ShandongProvince #RocketLaunch #Gravity1Y2 #引力1号 #SolidFuelRocket #CommercialSpace #ChinaSpaceflight #SpaceTechnology #AerospaceEngineering #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Special Space tech, Abdhesh Kumar jha: India's advancement in space technology can greatly benefit from deploying nano satellites to gather crucial data from the lowest Earth orbits. These compact, cost-effective satellites can monitor atmospheric conditions, track climate change, support disaster management, and improve communication networks. By focusing on low Earth orbit (LEO), India can enhance real-time Earth observation and scientific research. Nano satellites also provide valuable opportunities for student-led innovation and international collaboration. With increasing global emphasis on sustainable development and space research, expanding India’s nano satellite program is essential for national growth, security, and technological leadership in the rapidly evolving space ecosystem...#spiralAIgent #ISRO #spaceexploration #student 🇮🇳

𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗼𝗿𝗯𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗦𝗔'𝘀 𝗖𝘂𝗯𝗲𝗦𝗮𝘁 𝗪-𝗖𝘂𝗯𝗲 🛰️🌍 ESA's CubeSat W-Cube has concluded its mission demonstrating the world's first #75GHzbeacon from #space. 🏁 After four years of delivering extensive measurements of Low Earth Orbit (#LEO) channel behavior, W-Cube is about to re-enter the atmosphere and burn up completely between October 1 and 4, 2025. 🔥 The #WCube satellite mission was launched in summer 2021 from the initiative of the European Space Agency - ESA. 🚀 It has successfully demonstrated the feasibility of using W-band (75 GHz) and Q-band (37.5 GHz) frequencies as feeder link channels for next-generation broadband #satellite systems. Fraunhofer IAF contributed to the mission Q and W band front-end modules for the satellite and the corresponding ground station. 🛰️📡 Looking ahead, the next step will be to extend these pioneering efforts to Geostationary Earth Orbit (#GEO). ⬆️🛰️ Measuring a W-Band beacon from GEO will enable continuous 24/7 observations, paving the way for the development of robust, high-capacity satellite broadband systems. 🌐 🙌 The W-Cube mission was carried out in partnership with a consortium of leading European institutions and companies: VTT, Kuva Space, Fraunhofer IAF, Universität Stuttgart, LC TECHNOLOGIES, JOANNEUM RESEARCH ℹ️ Find more information in the partner press release: https://s.fhg.de/xN6v 👈

On October 4, the European Space Agency - ESA inaugurated its newest deep space antenna—New Norcia 3, a 35-meter marvel located in Western Australia. This marks the fourth addition to ESA’s Estrack network, reinforcing Europe’s autonomy in space communications and unlocking new scientific potential across missions like Juice, Solar Orbiter, BepiColombo, and Hera. Built in collaboration with European and Australian industry, the antenna features cryogenically cooled components (down to –263°C) and a 20kW amplifier capable of sending commands across billions of kilometers. It’s ESA’s most advanced antenna to date, enabling ultra-sensitive signal detection and high-volume data return from spacecraft exploring the outer reaches of our Solar System. The inauguration brought together ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher, Australian Space Agency Head Enrico Palermo, and Western Australian ministers, highlighting the strategic partnership between Europe and Australia. With a projected 50-year lifespan, the antenna is expected to generate significant local economic value and deepen cross-agency collaboration with NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration, JAXA: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, ISRO - Indian Space Research Organization, and commercial missions. From its first antenna in 2003 to this latest leap, New Norcia Station continues to be a cornerstone of ESA’s global tracking infrastructure—complementing stations in Spain and Argentina and operated locally by CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency. 📡 A new chapter in deep space exploration begins. #ESA #Australia #DeepSpace