The Flight Ticket initiative remains open to new proposals, with the next call closing in March 2026.

The Lurbat satellite will process Earth observation data in space before sending results to research centers in Spain, reducing bandwidth requirements.

Flight Ticket is a joint project of the European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Commission.

The European Space Agency (ESA) signed a new launch services contract within its Flight Ticket initiative.

Hardware vendors in Germany, France, and Spain are retrofitting factories to commence manufacturing for IRIS² in 2027.

IRIS² full operational readiness is targeted for 2031, contingent on industry scaling through ESA reimbursements.

The SpaceRISE consortium issued Requests for Proposals for 272 Low Earth Orbit satellites on January 5, 2026.

The modular IRIS² approach is intended to prevent technology lock-in and keep the constellation adaptable to emerging threats and technical advancements.

The NRE reimbursement policy shifts ESA's role from primarily funding research to supporting industrial mass production for multi-orbit megaconstellations.

On January 26, 2026, the European Space Agency expanded the IRIS² (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite) network's low-LEO segment.

ESA's new NRE reimbursement framework covers costs associated with the industrialization of existing products, including high-rate production lines, tooling, and automated testing rigs.

The updated IRIS² architecture is structured as a resilient, multi-layered system to provide secure governmental communications and commercial high-speed broadband.

IRIS² requires the rapid manufacture of hundreds of satellites, exposing a gap in conventional European space funding models.

ESA opened the low-LEO segment to broaden the pool of potential industrial contributors beyond the initial prime contractors for IRIS².

The European Space Agency will reimburse Non-Recurring Engineering (NRE) costs for companies scaling production for IRIS².

IRIS² includes a 30% subcontracting requirement for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

Opening the low-LEO segment allows European industry to propose novel payload architectures and satellite designs for integration into the operational IRIS² network.

The SpaceRISE consortium, led by SES, Eutelsat, and Hispasat, entered a 12-year, €10.6 billion concession agreement with the European Commission in December 2024.

European Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius and ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher support a 'Space Shield' concept to protect European digital sovereignty.

IRIS² initial governmental services are targeted for 2030.

As IRIS² moves into 2026, the program is focused on the Critical Design Review and the mobilization of manufacturing facilities.

Blue Origin and Sierra Space completed the Orbital Reef System Definition Review with NASA in June 2025.

Starlab secured $217.5 million in NASA funding for its program.

Blue Origin and Sierra Space jointly developed the Orbital Reef commercial space station.

Starlab completed preliminary design milestones that Orbital Reef was still pursuing.

Blue Origin and Sierra Space set a 2027 operational target for Orbital Reef.

Axiom Space finished manufacturing hardware for station modules scheduled to launch in 2027.

Orbital Reef involves nine partner companies.

Starlab secured a $40 billion financing facility.

Blue Origin and Sierra Space demonstrated inflatable habitat module technology for Orbital Reef.

Blue Origin and Sierra Space secured $172 million in NASA funding for Orbital Reef.

System Definition Review completion validates that a spacecraft design can meet requirements and demonstrates readiness to move into detailed development.

Astra is focused on further improving throughput, reducing costs, and maximizing on-orbit performance for its satellite engine production.

Astra completed software-in-the-loop execution through key flight events and completed autonomous flight safety computer qualification testing.

Astra made avionics build-and-test progress across the controller, stage computer, and power management systems in 2025.

All Astra satellite engine systems are designed, manufactured, and tested at Astra’s Alameda, California facility.

Astra closed $13 million in contracts in Q4 2025 representing 36 additional satellite engine systems scheduled for delivery in 2026.

Astra engaged Nasdaq Private Markets and Siebert as advisors in connection with a private capital raise and broader capital strategy.

Astra shipped 110 satellite engine systems since January 1, 2025.

Astra shipped 110 satellite engine systems with a team of approximately 100 employees.

Astra satellite engines provide precision propulsion and attitude control for satellites operating across multiple orbits.

Astra completed more than two dozen first-stage engine test campaigns and more than 30 second tests in 2025 to feed updated performance models and mass/efficiency improvements.

Astra reported $45 million in GAAP revenue for 2025.

Astra’s vehicle design maturity reached approximately 75% first-stage design completion and over 90% upper-stage design completion in 2025.

Astra is developing a new rocket system and a mobile, containerized spaceport to support a 2026 test flight.

Astra reported 100% mission reliability to date with all deployed satellite engine systems performing nominally.

Astra completed an initial mobile spaceport design sized to fit within a shipping container and withstand launch loads.

Dr. Alan Weston joined Astra as Head of Launch in March 2025.

Astra achieved breakeven EBITDA in 2025 representing a $62 million improvement over 2024.

The official countdown for Artemis 2 is scheduled to start on February 4 at 8:26 p.m. EST.