Spacecraft, Launch Vehicles & Satellites

TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES, New Mex. - Virgin Galactic, the world’s first commercial spaceplane, flew Apeiron, the lead Spaceship in its next-generation fleet, to Spaceport America in New Mexico, its permanent home and base of operations.

The Spaceship was named and revealed in its completed livery for the first time at Virgin Galactic’s Spaceship Factory in Mesa, Arizona. Spaceship Apeiron then departed Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport at 10:29 a.m. MST on October 28th, mated to Eve, the company’s launch vehicle, and landed at Spaceport America at 12:59 p.m. MDT. Pilot in Command Michael Masucci and Pilot Dan Alix flew Eve, with Flight Test Engineer Tori Crichton on board.

Apeiron, ancient Greek for "boundless," was chosen by public vote from a shortlist developed by Virgin Galactic teammates and members of its astronaut community, with people from more than 80 countries taking part.

With Apeiron now at Spaceport America, Virgin Galactic’s engineering team plans to complete avionics software integration and validation while conducting flight test preparations. Upon successful completion of the flight test program, Virgin Galactic plans to begin flying customers aboard Spaceship Apeiron, with commercial spaceflights expected to begin in early Q2 2027.

Apeiron is Virgin Galactic’s lead next-generation Spaceship, produced in partnership with major aerospace suppliers. Designed to fly twice per week with a vehicle lifetime of more than 500 missions, each Spaceship in the next-generation fleet is built to support the economics of a scaled commercial operation, with increased flight cadence and a cost profile unprecedented in the industry.

Production of the fleet is already moving forward. At the Spaceship Factory, assembly of the static test article and the second Spaceship is underway, and teams are preparing the rocket motor assembly line. The second Spaceship is expected to begin commercial operations in late Q2/early Q3 2027.

Source: Virgin Galactic
Associated URL: https://www.virgingalactic.com/news/virgin-galactics-spaceship-apeiron-arrives-home-to-spaceport-america

OTTOBRUNN, Germany - The European Space Agency (ESA), acting on behalf of the EU Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA), under a delegation of the European Commission, has awarded Airbus a contract to build two additional second-generation Galileo satellites. Building on an existing order of six second generation Galileo (G2) satellites, this additional pair will benefit from existing manufacturing capabilities and reaffirms this successful partnership.

The G2 satellites will incorporate enhanced navigation antennas to enhance the accuracy of the flagship European Global Navigation Satellite System. The spacecraft will be equipped with higher-strength navigation antennas as well as fully digital payloads which are reconfigurable in orbit, enabling them to actively respond to evolving user needs with novel signals and services. Airbus will draw on its coordinated production program to leverage spacecraft manufacturing, integration, and testing expertise across Airbus sites including Backnang (near Stuttgart), Friedrichshafen, Getafe (near Madrid), Ottobrunn and Toulouse.

Each satellite will incorporate an enhanced atomic clock configuration as well as inter-satellite links to communicate and cross-check data. They will also feature advanced anti-jamming and anti-spoofing capabilities to safeguard Galileo’s signals. The spacecraft will each weigh more than two tons and will operate in orbit for 15 years.

A flagship program of the EU, Galileo is funded by the European Union and managed by the European Commission. Since its inception, ESA leads the design, development and qualification of the space and ground systems, as well as procuring launches. ESA is also entrusted with research and development activities for the future of Galileo within the EU program Horizon Europe. The EU Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) acts as the service provider, oversees the service operations and deployment of the Galileo system, including launch services, and ensures it meets market and user needs.

Thales Alenia Space has been awarded a similar contract for two Galileo G2 satellites bringing the total number to four Galileo satellites ordered.

Source: Airbus
Associated URL: https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2026-10-airbus-awarded-contract-for-two-additional-galileo-satellites

ROME - Two additional satellites dedicated to the Galileo Second Generation constellation have been awarded to Thales Alenia Space, a Joint Venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), in the frame of the on-going contract with the European Space Agency (ESA), acting in the name and on behalf of the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) for the benefit of its owner, the European Commission. It now leads the deliveries to a total number of eight Thales Alenia Space-built satellites for the Galileo Second Generation constellation.

Leveraging highly innovative technologies, including digitally configurable antennas and inter-satellite links, these satellites, together with the six already under construction by Thales Alenia Space, will enhance the accuracy of Galileo while improving the robustness and resilience of its signals against interference and jamming. Galileo Second Generation satellites will boost European industry competitiveness while strengthening Europe’s sovereignty in the navigation field. This second generation is equipped with a more robust and reliable architecture, enhanced cybersecurity protection to ensure greater service availability, and a 15-year operational lifetime. These two new satellites will be integrated and tested in the company’s Space Smart Factory, one of Europe’s smartest, digital and reconfigurable satellite manufacturing facilities, located in Rome, Italy.

Airbus was awarded a similar contract for two additional Galileo G2 satellites, bringing the total to four with launch in 2031.

Source: Thales Alenia Space
Associated URL: https://www.thalesaleniaspace.com/en/press-releases/two-additional-galileo-second-generation-satellites-awarded-thales-alenia-space