#Esa

ESA has scrapped the upgrade of Ariane 6 to the Block 3 version with the ICARUS composite upper stage. The official reason is the lack of necessity; the real one is the EU's reluctance to increase launch subsidy spending.

Solar physicist Paul Brekke presented the "Day Without Satellites" scenario: in the first hours, life would not change, but then navigation, the internet, communications, and weather forecasts would collapse due to the loss of time synchronization.

NASA and ESA astronauts conducted a spacewalk through the ISS Quest airlock to service the communication antenna equipment. According to several sources, the new antenna was not installed during this spacewalk.

The spacewalk by astronauts Anil Menon and Sophie Adenot on August 18, 2026, did not allow for the complete replacement of the ISS communication antenna. Due to technical difficulties, the installation has been postponed until the next spacewalk.

🚀 Lithuania and ATMOS Space Cargo launch the first-ever experiment with laser communication for returnable cargo capsules! 🌐 Data transmission speed up to 2.5 Gbps, resistance to electronic warfare, and complete independence from radio communication. 🇪🇺 The project is supported by ESA and aims to strengthen Europe's technological sovereignty. 📅 The demonstration flight is scheduled for 2027. #space #laser-communication #Astrolight #ATMOS

🚀 ESA warns of a rocket shortage by 2030. Agency head Josef Aschbacher stated that launch demand will exceed production capabilities. Peak load is expected in 2029–2031. Europe plans to increase Vega-C production to maintain strategic independence. 🌍🛰️ #SpaceNews #ESA #VegaC #Europe

🇪🇺 **Europe approves IRIS² plan: 348 satellites instead of 290** The European Commission has finalized the development of the sovereign satellite constellation. The project has moved to the construction phase. 🚀 🔹 **Scale:** Constellation increased to 348 units. 🔹 **Goal:** Ensuring security for EU, Norway, and Iceland government institutions (protection +60%). 🔹 **Launch:** First satellites in 2029. 🔹 **Status:** The project is positioned not as a commercial competitor to Starlink, but as a tool of state sovereignty.