ROME - On November 14, Avio and ArianeGroup have concluded an important agreement that renews their industrial cooperation to secure Europe’s independent access to space. Europropulsion, a joint venture equally owned by ArianeGroup and Avio, will supply P160C solid rocket motors for the stabilized exploitation phase of Europe’s heavy launcher Ariane 6. The contract secures the production of the P160C for the next years up to 2029 and is an important milestone for Ariane 6.

Developed jointly by ArianeGroup and Avio through Europropulsion, the P160C is a common solid rocket motor for boosters on Ariane 6 and for Vega C first stage, as a shared building block of the two European launcher families. This new motor has a significantly increased performance compared to the current Ariane 6 and Vega C boosters, and was ground qualified in 2025. The first Ariane 6 launch with the P160C is planned for the second quarter 2026 in the Ariane 6 configuration with four boosters.

As part of the commercial agreement, Avio will also supply additional liquid oxygen turbopumps for ArianeGroup’s Vulcain engine that equips the first stage of Ariane 6. ArianeGroup will supply a range of components and equipment for the Vega C launcher. The cooperation builds on a longstanding industrial partnership between ArianeGroup and Avio and gives visibility to both companies for the next years, at least up to 2029.

Source: Avio
Associated URL: https://www.avio.com/press-release/avio-and-arianegroup-sign-contract-ariane-6-stabilized-production-phase-valued-over

LOUISVILLE, Colo. - Sierra Space announced that its Dream Chaser spaceplane has successfully completed a series of critical pre-flight tests at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC), marking continued progress toward Dream Chaser’s first free-flyer mission.

As part of its comprehensive testing campaign, Dream Chaser underwent Electromagnetic Interference and Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMI/EMC) testing at NASA’s Space Systems Processing Facility (SSPF). These tests verified the spacecraft’s ability to operate within expected electromagnetic environments throughout various missions.

The spacecraft also completed rigorous tow testing at KSC and Space Florida’s Launch and Landing Facility. For this phase, a Freightliner Cascadia truck, provided by Daimler Truck North America, towed the spaceplane at high speeds to simulate critical dynamics and validating autonomous navigational parameters during runway landing operations.

Additionally, Dream Chaser successfully demonstrated the ability to receive telemetry and distribute commands between the spacecraft and Mission Control in Louisville, Colorado over NASA’s Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System network. This key milestone tested the spacecraft’s readiness for real-time command and control during flight operations.

The testing campaign concluded with a post landing recovery rehearsal, which demonstrated the safing of vehicle systems and timely access to sensitive payloads.

With these critical milestones achieved, we expect Dream Chaser to move to its final round of acoustic testing in December 2025. Following this, modifications for national security applications will be explored and performed in Colorado. These enhancements will aim to expand Dream Chaser’s versatility and demonstrate its ability to fulfill a wide array of mission requirements, including those essential to national defense.

Dream Chaser is on track for its first launch to Low Earth Orbit, targeted in Q4 of 2026, through a demonstration mission under the CRS-2 contract with a runway landing at Vandenberg Space Force Base.

Source: Sierra Space
Associated URL: https://www.sierraspace.com/press-releases/sierra-spaces-dream-chaser-spaceplane-successfully-completes-critical-pre-flight-milestones/

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. - NASA and L3Harris Technologies have successfully test-fired the second RS-25 engine that will support the core stage of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket for NASA’s Artemis V mission.

L3Harris’ RS-25 rocket engines are critical to the Artemis program’s success, with four RS-25s powering every SLS rocket, enabling the U.S. to help establish a sustainable presence on the moon and prepare for future missions to Mars.

NASA conducted the test at its Stennis Space Center, which demonstrated the engine’s performance and reliability during a 500-second firing that reached 111% of its rated power level. This test marked the second flight-ready RS-25 engine produced using modern manufacturing techniques, including 3D printing, which reduce production costs by 30% compared to earlier RS-25 engines that powered the space shuttle.

The first four Artemis missions use upgraded RS-25 engines originally designed for the space shuttle program, while the fifth mission will debut the newly produced RS-25 engines.

Source: L3Harris
Associated URL: https://www.l3harris.com/newsroom/press-release/2025/11/l3harris-successfully-tests-second-rs-25-engine-artemis-v