Andrew Parsonson
@AndrewParsonson
I'm on a mission to promote European spaceflight. Contributor to SpaceNews and Payload. For queries, email [email protected]
The payload for flight VV27, encased in its fairing, has been raised and placed atop the Vega C stack ahead of the July 25 launch. Image credit: CNES / ESA / Arianespace / Optique Vidéo CSG / S Martin



Genesis Space Flight Laboratories has secured €300,000 in pre-seed funding to develop GEN, a spacecraft designed to host and return microgravity research payloads. europeanspaceflight.com/genesis-sfl-se…
ESA has retested a pair of parachutes that, along with a retro rocket, will ensure the safe landing of its Rosalind Franklin rover on Mars. europeanspaceflight.com/esa-recertifie…
I have updated the story to provide additional context on the extent of ESA's contributions to the development of the SABRE engine. I have also included insight into why the agency shifted from planning to use SABRE engines to opting for SABRE-like engines instead.…
ESA has awarded Frazer-Nash a €6 million contract to develop the Mach 5-capable INVICTUS flying testbed, designed to test technologies for future reusable spacecraft. europeanspaceflight.com/esa-finally-ki…
Poland's SpaceForest has signed an agreement with the Atlantic Spaceport Consortium to launch its Perun rocket from the Portuguese island of Santa Maria in early 2026. europeanspaceflight.com/spaceforest-ex…
The Exploration Company has succesfully completed a hot fire test of its Breeze thruster, which will be used aboard the service module of its Nyx Moon lunar lander. europeanspaceflight.com/the-exploratio…
In this week’s newsletter, I covered Avio’s concluded split from Arianespace and some spicy comments from an ASI board member after Avio was excluded from the European Launcher Challenge. Read the full edition here - europeanspaceflight.substack.com/p/avio-celebra…

EuroSpaceport has secured ESA backing for its North Sea floating launch platform, with Poland's SpaceForest set to launch its Perun rocket from it in 2026. europeanspaceflight.com/esa-backs-euro…
Italy's CIRA has successfully completed a key milestone in the development of the Space Rider Re-entry Module's Thermal Protection System. europeanspaceflight.com/space-rider-no…
The UK Space Agency has committed £75.6 million to a mission focused on removing two dead satellites from orbit, with a launch expected by late 2028. europeanspaceflight.com/uk-government-…
Denmark's GomSpace has refinanced its €18 million European Investment Bank loan, with billionaire and major shareholder Peter Hargreaves taking over as the lender. europeanspaceflight.com/gomspace-refin…
ESA and Thales Alenia Space have completed a series of drop tests for the reusable Space Rider spacecraft, validating its autonomous landing accuracy. europeanspaceflight.com/esa-validates-…
And here are some shots of the payload being recovered. Credit: @DLR_en MORABA
A sounding rocket launched from an Andøya Space facility in Norway on 5 July on a mission to collect meteoric smoke particles from the upper atmosphere. europeanspaceflight.com/mission-to-col…
Some fun slow motion footage from last week's MaxiDusty-2 launch from @AndoyaSpace in Norway. Credit: @DLR_en MORABA