What happened to the UK’s European Launcher Challenge contribution?

Sometime in the coming weeks, if all goes to plan, the first orbital rocket to lift off from British soil will be German.

6 hrs ago • Andrew Parsonson

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May 2026

A spark of independence

ESA’s Rosalind Franklin mission is scheduled to be launched on its journey to Mars in 2028, marking the beginning of the rover’s long-delayed trip to…

May 12 • Andrew Parsonson

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April 2026

Artemis 2 is not a European triumph

The mission is over.

Apr 14 • Andrew Parsonson

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March 2026

Inside ICEYE’s push to meet surging defence demand

ICEYE is a Finnish Earth Observation data provider and satellite manufacturer scaling to meet growing demand for sovereign intelligence from space, as…

Mar 30 • Andrew Parsonson

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What does “exclusively peaceful” really mean?

In a 30 January release, the European Space Agency announced that it had appointed Laurent Jaffart as the head of the agency’s newly formed Resilience…

Mar 23 • Andrew Parsonson

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February 2026

Interview with RFA CEO Indulis Kalnins

As promised, this week features my first interview of 2026 for the newsletter’s paid subscribers.

Feb 9 • Andrew Parsonson

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Why did the UK abandon Orbex? Part 1.5

On 26 January, I published the first part of the Why Did the UK Abandon Orbex series, in which I promised a part two following the outcome of a Freedom…

Feb 6 • Andrew Parsonson

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The Quiet Reshaping of Arianespace

Once again, I have to apologize to my paid subscribers as we’re still not there with the exclusive interviews.

Feb 2 • Andrew Parsonson

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January 2026

Why did the UK abandon Orbex?

Firstly, I would like to sincerely apologise to my paid subscribers.

Jan 26 • Andrew Parsonson

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The Death of the Earth Return Orbiter

Issue 1 of 2026.

Jan 19 • Andrew Parsonson

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A new year and a new direction

Firstly, I want to apologise for the chaotic nature of the newsletter as of late.

Jan 12 • Andrew Parsonson

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November 2025

Interview with Hélène Huby

As I am currently on my way to Bremen to cover the ESA Ministerial Council meeting, this week’s edition of the newsletter is a special one.

Nov 24, 2025 • Andrew Parsonson

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