Lithuaniaโs commissioner hearing: Andrius Kubilius on defense and space โ live updates
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is pushing the EU to move into defense.
Space program
Europe launches its first space commissioner straight into a budget scrap
Despite not having much experience on space, Andrius Kubilius is tipped to be running EU rocket and satellite policy.
Keir Starmer channels JFK for his climate โmoonshotโ
Are Labourโs ambitions for delivering clean energy an inspired example of ‘mission thinking’ โ or one more doomed big idea?
Farnborough Airshow kicks off; Joe Biden drops out
SNEAK PEEK โ The Farnborough International Airshow starts today in the U.K. as the EUโs space program stutters. โ Tensions between Rome and outgoing NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg escalated over the weekend โ Plot twist in the French defense committee: Jean-Michel Jacques is the new president. Good morning, and welcome to Morning Defense. In case [โฆ]
Ariane 6 rocket successfully launches, flight in progress
The launch marks a big success for Europeโs space program.
Brussels slams Berlinโs โill-foundedโ effort to delay EU satellite project
Germany’s Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck wants to suspend the IRIS2 satellite project; the EU isn’t giving way.
Macron to visit Brazil as Mercosur trade talks stall
He’ll also stop off in the overseas territory of French Guiana.
Why Russia wonโt have its anti-satellite weapon in space anytime soon
Itโs unclear if Russia has the capability to successfully launch a nuclear anti-satellite device into orbit, people familiar with the issue say.
Germany aims to be Europeโs โbackbone of deterrenceโ
SNEAK PEEK โ Germany overhauls its military doctrine in light of Russiaโs invasion of Ukraine; it aims to be Europeโs โbackbone of deterrence.โ โ NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg is in Berlin today to take part in the allianceโs cyberdefense summit.ย โ Ukraine could hold its next defense industry forum in the U.S. as it looks [โฆ]
Europe takes one small step toward astronaut spaceflight
European Space Agency member countries balked at a manned space program, instead opting for a lower cost cargo mission.
EU going cold on extra โฌ20B Ukraine arms fund?
SNEAK PEEK โ EU leaders look unlikely to agree easily on a four-year โฌ20 billion fund to help Ukraine keep sourcing arms and training its soldiers. โ The Commission has opened a consultation on its long-promised European Defence Industrial Strategy. โ Sweden has suggested cutting EU spending on space by โฌ1 billion until 2027 in [โฆ]
Erdoฤan asks Elon Musk to build Tesla factory in Turkey
Turkish president also touts future cooperation on AI and space programs.
Britain rejoins EUโs Horizon science scheme
London talks up rebate as UK rejoins research strand it’s been shut out of since Brexit.
India beats Putin in race to moonโs south pole
It’s the first country to land on that part of the lunar surface, where scientists believe there’s water.
Russiaโs moon crash โraises the stakesโ for Indiaโs successful landing
Indiaโs lunar lander is working โperfectly,โ the head of the countryโs space agency said Monday.
Russian spacecraft crashes into the moon
Moscow’s Luna-25 mission was sent to scope out the lunar south pole, where scientists believe there is a plentiful supply of water locked in ice.