Avio to Begin Testing Next-Gen Reusable Rocket Demonstrator in 2025By Andrew Parsonson - March 17, 2025Avio has revealed that it will complete an initial "firing test" of its IFD1 reusable rocket demonstrator in the third quarter of 2025.While the vehicle schematics were provided by Avio, this blueprint was created by European Spaceflight.Avio has announced plans to begin testing its IFD1 single-stage reusable rocket demonstrator in Q3 2025. IFD1 is one of two demonstrators being developed under Avio’s Space Transportation Systems initiative, which is backed by funding from the Italian government.In March 2023, Avio announced that it had been awarded a €181.6 million contract from the Italian government under its National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). The funding was allocated to Avio for the development of a two-stage demonstrator to advance key technologies for a successor to the Vega E rocket, which is currently under development.In May 2023, the company revealed that, as an intermediate step toward the two-stage demonstrator, it would first develop a single-stage suborbital demonstrator to validate the reignitability of its MR10 methalox rocket engine. At the time, the company stated that the vehicle might also be used to explore recovery technologies. In the latest rendering shared in Avio’s 2024 full-year financial results presentation, control surfaces resembling those on a Falcon 9 booster are visible, seemingly confirming that the stage will be used to explore reusability.In addition to the new rendering, Avio’s 2024 full-year financial results presentation included an update on the progress of the IFD1 mission. According to the company, integration of the demonstrator is ongoing, with an initial “firing test” expected in the third quarter of 2025. This test will likely be the final major milestone before the demonstrator is launched.The lessons Avio learns from its STS initiative will be utilized in the development of its “Vega Next” rocket, which the company has stated it will introduce beyond 2032. Another key aspect of this next-generation Vega rocket is Avio’s larger M60 methalox rocket engine, the development of which is backed by €103.7 million in funding from the Italian government. The engine will be used for the first time to power the two-stage IFD2 rocket. According to its PNRR contract, Avio is required to complete the IFD2 test flight before the end of 2026.
2031November - EnVision [M5 mission] - Ariane 64 - Kourou ELA-4
• Target launch date: 2032
Quote from: Bean Kenobi on 05/01/2025 01:06 pmQuote from: Salo on 04/29/2025 07:58 pmQuote from: Alter Sachse on 04/29/2025 01:34 pmIs the correct designation ELV or ZLV?ELV=ZLVIIRC, Arianespace planned to call it "ELV", but they couldn't use it because it was Avio property. Thus they called it "ZLV".https://cnes.fr/en/projects/vega-cQuoteUpdated on April 04, 2025 ...Vega-C operates at the Guiana Space Centre from the same ELV (Ensemble de Lancement Vega) pad as its predecessor. The pad has been extended to allow both variants—Vega or Vega-C—to launch from the same facilities.
Quote from: Salo on 04/29/2025 07:58 pmQuote from: Alter Sachse on 04/29/2025 01:34 pmIs the correct designation ELV or ZLV?ELV=ZLVIIRC, Arianespace planned to call it "ELV", but they couldn't use it because it was Avio property. Thus they called it "ZLV".
Quote from: Alter Sachse on 04/29/2025 01:34 pmIs the correct designation ELV or ZLV?ELV=ZLV
Is the correct designation ELV or ZLV?
Updated on April 04, 2025 ...Vega-C operates at the Guiana Space Centre from the same ELV (Ensemble de Lancement Vega) pad as its predecessor. The pad has been extended to allow both variants—Vega or Vega-C—to launch from the same facilities.
Foreign launchers:January 14 - Transporter-12: AIX-1p, Alba Orbital Cluster [HADES-R, HYDRA-T, HYPE, POQUITO, PROMETHEUS-1], ANSER-L-S (ANSER Leader-S), Balkan-01, EDISON-1, FOREST-3, FOSSASat TAT-A, FOSSASat TAT-E, FOSSASat TAT-O, GARAI-A, GESat GEN1, InnoCube, IRIDE-MS2-HEO 1 (HEO-01), NorSat-4, PoSat-2, SkyBee-1 (Hive), SATurnin-1, SIGI, TROLL, X-41 (ICEYE), X-42 (ICEYE), X-44 (ICEYE), X-45 (ICEYE) - Falcon 9-424 (B1088.2 LZ-4) - Vandenberg SLC-4E - 19:09:00.098February 8 - 59th mission “IoT 4 You and Me”: Kinéis 16, Kinéis 17, Kinéis 18, Kinéis 19, Kinéis 20 - Electron/Kick Stage - Mahia LC-1A (NZ) - 20:43March 15 - Transporter-13: Alba Orbital (HADES-ICM (icMercury), HADES-W, Unicorn-2O, Unicorn-2P, Unicorn-2Q), Arvaker-I, IOD-1 (Startical), HERMES Pathfinder (x6), PANDORE, SOAP, UVSQsat-NG, X-46 (ICEYE), X-48 (ICEYE), X-50 (ICEYE), X-51 (ICEYE) - Falcon 9-448 (B1081.13 LZ-4) - Vandenberg SLC-4E - 06:43March 18 - 62nd mission "High Five": Kinéis 21, Kinéis 22, Kinéis 23, Kinéis 24, Kinéis 25 - Electron/Kick Stage - Mahia LC-1A (NZ) - 01:31March 26 - 63rd mission "Finding Hot Wildfires Near You": OTC-P1 (x8) - Electron/Kick Stage - Mahia LC-1 (NZ) - 15:30
Sentinel-1 D Mission...Launch Date Dec 2025
From Viasat's Q3FY2025 earnings result: ViaSat-3 F2 is targeting Late-Summer for launch: https://investors.viasat.com/static-files/d7afaa12-4d26-4b09-a1cc-9d7f0fa45a97
The first 12 second-generation Galileo satellites are being built in parallel by Thales Alenia Space and Airbus Defence and Space at a cost of €1.47 billion. These satellites will feature a number of upgrades, including electric propulsion, fully digital navigation payloads, inter-satellite links, more powerful navigation antennas, and an advanced atomic clock configuration.The Arianespace press release did not specify a proposed launch period or which Ariane 6 variant would be used for the mission. However, with each satellite weighing up to 2,400 kilograms, significantly more than the 700-kilogram first-generation satellites, and a target orbit at an altitude of 23,222 kilometres, the mission requirements likely exceed the performance capabilities of Ariane 62.
G2G: Incremental steps for enhanced capabilities over the next decadeThe ESA completed the G2G system preliminary design review in July, focused on three key incremental phases of the G2G: G2G In-Orbit Validation (G2GIOV): specification, design and validation activities for the sake of ensuring the full development of the first batch of G2G satellites and all the associated infrastructure for launch and early orbit phase, in-orbit testing, in-orbit validation, initial enhancement of Galileo services and addition of new Galileo service components. G2G Initial Operational Capability (G2GIOC): design and specifications required for the complementary procurements that will ensure new Galileo services, as enabled by G2G infrastructure, including both the second batch of G2G satellites and the G2G ground segment. G2G Full Operational Capability (G2GFOC): Identification of key technological enablers and additional capabilities required for final G2G implementation, including the bridge to future synergies with other EU and ESA programs.G2G in-orbit validation infrastructure – satellite hardware under validationThe two parallel contracts with Thales Alenia Space and Airbus to develop and manufacture each of six G2G batch one satellites (G2SB1A and B) achieved key milestones this year.On the G2SB1 satellite A side, the prime contractor tested engineering model payloads and structural models at its premises and delivered them to ESA’s Technology Center (ESTEC). The validation of the new G2G payload capabilities and the key mechanical, vibration and acoustical testing milestones have been achieved.These satellites will provide the following key innovations: reconfigurable fully digital navigation payload; point-to-point connection between satellites by inter-satellite-link for command and control, and ranging functionalities; electric propulsion for orbit-raising capabilities; advanced jamming and spoofing protection mechanisms; on-board authentication capabilities; increased ground-to-space data rate; and improved time reference (number of clocks and advanced clock monitoring functions).Key mechanical and launch-related tests on the structural models stacked configurations were performed in the last quarter of this year, in order to simulate the launcher environment and satellite separation dynamics.On the G2SB1 satellite B and the PHM and RAFS clock manufacturing sides, activities are ongoing as planned, with key HW infrastructure developed and tested in the respective Industrial Primes premises.This included as key events in 2023 the full testing of the satellite advanced engineering model antenna and the creation of a satellite atomic clock farm in industry premises to produce the more than 70 atomic clocks required for the 12 G2 batch one satellites.The next steps for these contracts are the completion of the equipment and satellite CDRs, expected in the coming months, in order to engage (starting at the end of 2024) with the critical system compatibility test campaigns of the G2G IOV ground segment infrastructure and system engineering test beds under development....G2G initial and final operational capability moving aheadIn line with the outcomes of the system preliminary design review, two new lines of GNSS improvements are well underway at program level.In the area of G2G initial operational capability (IOC), which will provide new G2G initial services, an extensive preparatory work has been performed by EUSPA in order to derive the mission needs (as defined by the EC and its Member States), into a set of service evolution roadmaps for the more than one dozen Galileo services.This work has been supported by ESA dossiers providing incremental implementation of these services, in a continuous improvement ramp-up process, which guarantees backward compatibility and seamless enhancement.The relevant procurements that will enable, in combination with the in-orbit validation infrastructure, the provision of these services are currently under consolidation: G2G IOC ground segment, with an initial version to be procured in 2024. G2G satellites batch two, which is expected to start its competitive procurement procedure in the second part of the EU’s 2021-2028 multi-financial framework.In addition, work is well advanced in the definition of the key technological developments and system trade-offs that will be analyzed for inclusion in the G2G final operational capability (FOC), expected early in the 2030s.Critical technologies being analyzed include optical inter-satellite links, advanced governmental payloads, new ground segment and signal technologies and in-space constellation monitoring, among others. ESA expects to complete the preparation of the system-critical design review by the end of 2024 or early 2025 and to submit it for in-depth review by the EC, EUSPA and European member states stakeholders.
Still on the European topic, since September 2024, the Galileo constellation has 27 operational or ready-to-be-operational satellites at an altitude of 23,000 km for positioning and navigation missions. The second generation of Galileo will then succeed them; this will bring improved and more powerful capabilities to the system. The first satellites will be launched in 2027.
MTG-I2 - Jul-Sep 2026
Name: Smile (Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer)Status: All parts of the Smile spacecraft are now at ESA’s technical heart (ESTEC) in the Netherlands. In January 2025, engineers joined together the two main elements, making it complete for the first time. From February to September 2025, they are testing the spacecraft to make sure it is ready for the tough space environment. By September 2025, Smile should be ready to leave ESTEC for Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, from where it is expected to launch by the end of the year.
By September 2025, Smile should be ready to go, and our ESTEC colleagues will wave goodbye as it ships off to Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. From there, the team will prepare Smile for launch on a Vega-C rocket, hopefully by the end of this year.
Launch date: expected late 2025Launch location: Europe's Spaceport in French GuianaLaunch vehicle: Vega-CDestination: highly elliptical orbit around Earth
The European Space Agency is set to launch a joint space science mission alongside China in early 2026 after a long collaboration.The Solar Wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE) is a joint mission between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) which aims to study the interaction between the solar wind and Earth's magnetosphere. The mission aims to shed light on space weather processes and their effects on Earth.SMILE is now set to launch on a Vega-C rocket from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, according to ESA director general Josef Aschbacher, speaking during an annual press briefing on Jan. 9. "The launch itself is most likely happening next year. We are negotiating right now the launch slot on the Vega-C, but it will be ready as of the end of this year," Aschbacher said.
By Andrew Parsonson - February 22, 2025...Miura 5 is a 35.7-metre, two-stage rocket that will, once operational, be capable of delivering up to 1,080 kilograms to low Earth orbit. The rocket will initially be launched from a new commercial launch facility being built on the grounds of the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana. The inaugural flight of Miura 5 is currently expected to take place in the first quarter of 2026....On 20 February, during the first annual Etlaq Launch Conference in Muscat, Oman, PLD Space signed an agreement to secure a launch pad at the Etlaq Spaceport, which it will use to “meet the needs of its customers in the Eastern market.”“Given the current shortage of launch infrastructure, we are excited to announce this strategic collaboration with Etlaq, which presents itself as a strategic solution to meet the needs of our customers globally,” said PLD Space CBDO Raúl Verdú.The company stated that it will be working with Etlaq to design and build its launch infrastructure at the spaceport, with the first Miura 5 launch from the facility planned for 2027.In addition to announcing its agreement with Etlaq Spaceport, the company also revealed that it plans to secure access to a third spaceport in the coming year “to address proximity needs in a third region.” This multi-spaceport approach will allow the company to reach its target of launching 30 Miura 5 flights per year by 2030.
First launch 2026Zephyr sets a new standard offering the most affordable dedicated launch services on the market.
MaiaSpace is developing a small, two-stage, partially reusable rocket called Maia that will be capable of delivering 1,500 kilograms to low Earth orbit when launched in its expendable configuration. With the addition of its Colibri kick stage, the 50-meter Maia rocket will add an additional 1,000 kilograms to its payload capacity. MaiaSpace currently expects to launch the inaugural flight of Maia from the old Soyuz launch facility at the Guiana Space Centre in 2026.On 20 March, MaiaSpace announced that it had signed a multi-launch agreement with Exotrail to carry its Spacevan orbital transfer vehicle from “as early as 2027.”
The next Ariane 6 launch is MetOp-SG-A1 in August so this should be September or later but is still on track for launch in 2025.https://www.safran-group.com/news/ariane-6-s-first-commercial-flight-success-2025-03-07 [Mar 7]QuoteAnd Ariane 6 isn’t planning on stopping there: four more launches are scheduled by the end of 2025 and its order book includes no fewer than 32 missions! These include the MetOp-SG-A1 weather satellite, which is scheduled for launch in August, the Sentinel-1D satellite from Copernicus, the European Earth observation program, and two satellites from the Galileo constellation, the European GPS.EO Handbook says December 2025.https://database.eohandbook.com/database/missionsummary.aspx?missionID=814
And Ariane 6 isn’t planning on stopping there: four more launches are scheduled by the end of 2025 and its order book includes no fewer than 32 missions! These include the MetOp-SG-A1 weather satellite, which is scheduled for launch in August, the Sentinel-1D satellite from Copernicus, the European Earth observation program, and two satellites from the Galileo constellation, the European GPS.
Viasat also continues to expect to launch both ViaSat-3 F2 & ViaSat-3 F3 this year. [From the ViaSat Q3 FY2025 shareholder letter]:https://investors.viasat.com/static-files/83f88c9b-7fa6-481e-9acc-a1315d3eec26QuoteWe continue to expect VS-3 F2 to be completed and shipped to Cape Canaveral this summer and to enter commercial service late CY2025. The VS-3 F3 manufacturing and test schedule outlook is unchanged from last quarter, but given our significantly increased coverage and capacity resources, we have chosen a less capital intensive launch configuration that has slightly extended the orbit raising time, which is expected to shift the commercial in-service date for VS-3 F3 into CY2026.
We continue to expect VS-3 F2 to be completed and shipped to Cape Canaveral this summer and to enter commercial service late CY2025. The VS-3 F3 manufacturing and test schedule outlook is unchanged from last quarter, but given our significantly increased coverage and capacity resources, we have chosen a less capital intensive launch configuration that has slightly extended the orbit raising time, which is expected to shift the commercial in-service date for VS-3 F3 into CY2026.
August - MetOp-SG A1 (EPS-SG-a, Sentinel-5A) - Ariane 62 (VA264) - Kourou ELA-4NET September - Kuiper (x35) - Ariane 64 [inaugural flight] - Kourou ELA-4NET Q4 - ViaSat 3.3 (ViaSat 3 APAC) - Ariane 64 - Kourou ELA-4NET Q4 - Galileo-FOC FM29, Galileo-FOC FM30 [L14] - Ariane 62 - Kourou ELA-4December - Sentinel-1D - Ariane 62 - Kourou ELA-4
Hypothetical Ariane 6 schedule for the remainder of the year:Quote from: Salo on 05/06/2025 10:49 amAugust - MetOp-SG A1 (EPS-SG-a, Sentinel-5A) - Ariane 62 (VA264) - Kourou ELA-4NET September - Kuiper (x35) - Ariane 64 [inaugural flight] - Kourou ELA-4NET Q4 - ViaSat 3.3 (ViaSat 3 APAC) - Ariane 64 - Kourou ELA-4NET Q4 - Galileo-FOC FM29, Galileo-FOC FM30 [L14] - Ariane 62 - Kourou ELA-4December - Sentinel-1D - Ariane 62 - Kourou ELA-4Which launch will be delayed into 2026? Kuiper?
Viasat seeks replacement for Ariane 6 for launch of third ViaSat 3 satelliteApril 30, 2023On the eve of launching its first ViaSat 3 internet satellite on a SpaceX rocket, Viasat says it has moved the launch of an identical spacecraft off of Europe’s long-delayed Ariane 6 rocket, and is considering bids from other rocket companies.[...]But the third ViaSat 3 satellite, designed to serve the Asia-Pacific region and called ViaSat 3 APAC, will no longer launch on Arianespace’s Ariane 6 rocket, according to Dave Ryan, Viasat’s president of space and commercial networks.The first test flight of the Ariane 6 rocket, which the European Space Agency and ArianeGroup are developing to replace the workhorse Ariane 5, is now scheduled for no earlier than the end of this year, following years of delays. Once the Ariane 6 is flying, payloads from European governments and ESA will be first in line to fly on operational Ariane 6 missions, according to Ryan.Some of those satellites were moved off of Russian Soyuz rockets in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.“The Ariane, unfortunately, we had to change because they were having difficulties getting the Ariane 6 ready to go, and then secondly, when the war broke out, some of the launches that they were responsible for on Russian launchers had to be transferred over to their Ariane vehicles,” Ryan said in an interview with CBS News.“That pushed us later in line,” Ryan said. “So it got so late that we had to put that third satellite out for bid, and we’re evaluating the proposals right now.”[...]
Quote from: StraumliBlight on 05/10/2025 07:58 pmI assume the launch date is an error.Section II of the report confirms the 29 November date.QuoteStart Date: Nov. 29th, 2025End Date: May. 28th, 2026
I assume the launch date is an error.
Start Date: Nov. 29th, 2025End Date: May. 28th, 2026
Orbit LTAN 18:00https://www.eoportal.org/satellite-missions/copernicus-sentinel-1#spacecraftQuote...Orbit typeSSO (Sun-synchronous Orbit) 12 day repeat cycle LTAN = 18:00 hours Orbital altitude 693 km...launch time Sentinel 1B: 21:02:13 UTChttps://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=38559.msg1523252#msg1523252
...Orbit typeSSO (Sun-synchronous Orbit) 12 day repeat cycle LTAN = 18:00 hours Orbital altitude 693 km...
SES-STA-INTR2025-02320 [May 9]QuoteThe EPS-SG program consists of a series of six polar orbiting Metop-SG satellites, developed by the European Space Agency (ESA) and operated by the European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) the first of which is to be launched in September 2025.However, this application covers only Metop-SG A1 & B1. The Metop satellites fly in a Low Earth polar orbit at an altitude of 823-848 km corresponding to local 'morning', while the US is responsible for 'afternoon' coverage. It contributes to climate monitoring. The data they collect are essential for weather forecasting and climate monitoring. Due to its low orbit, the special instruments on board can provide significantly more accurate details about atmospheric temperature and humidity profiles than a geostationary satellite can.This application is to support TT&C operations for a period of 180 days commencing on Dec. 29th, 2025. This is an extension of SES-STA-20241203-02541.
The EPS-SG program consists of a series of six polar orbiting Metop-SG satellites, developed by the European Space Agency (ESA) and operated by the European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) the first of which is to be launched in September 2025.However, this application covers only Metop-SG A1 & B1. The Metop satellites fly in a Low Earth polar orbit at an altitude of 823-848 km corresponding to local 'morning', while the US is responsible for 'afternoon' coverage. It contributes to climate monitoring. The data they collect are essential for weather forecasting and climate monitoring. Due to its low orbit, the special instruments on board can provide significantly more accurate details about atmospheric temperature and humidity profiles than a geostationary satellite can.This application is to support TT&C operations for a period of 180 days commencing on Dec. 29th, 2025. This is an extension of SES-STA-20241203-02541.
Sounds like this has delayed to 2028 but the Mid-Term review was completed.QuoteClearSpace Mission-1 is scheduled to launch by 2028. It will target the European Space Agency’s first autonomous spacecraft Proba-1.https://www.cnbc.com/video/2025/02/06/swiss-startup-clearspace-and-watchmaker-omegas-mission-to-clean-space.html [Feb 6]QuoteA spokesperson for Switzerland-based ClearSpace said it completed the Mid-Term Review of Phase 2 in December after achieving critical development and testing milestones for its robotic capture mechanism.Both companies told SpaceNews they remain on track to complete Phase 2 by the end of March, qualifying their systems for the downselection stage.https://spacenews.com/astroscale-and-clearspace-reach-development-milestone-for-dual-satellite-deorbit-mission/ [Feb 11]
ClearSpace Mission-1 is scheduled to launch by 2028. It will target the European Space Agency’s first autonomous spacecraft Proba-1.
A spokesperson for Switzerland-based ClearSpace said it completed the Mid-Term Review of Phase 2 in December after achieving critical development and testing milestones for its robotic capture mechanism.Both companies told SpaceNews they remain on track to complete Phase 2 by the end of March, qualifying their systems for the downselection stage.
