Welcome to Aerospace Insider 🚀
This week’s a bit different. I’ve got an announcement to make. Big things are happening!
Today’s summary:
🚀 Aerospace News: this week is all about contracts & funding.
💼 Top Space Jobs: little surprise: job listings are moving.
🔍 Deep Dive: the best way to find a job in the industry.
Aerospace Weekly Roundup
Catch the latest European & global space industry highlights you don’t want to miss!
🛰️ NanoAvionics secures €122.5M contract for 282 satellite constellation
NanoAvionics has won a €122.5M contract from SpinLaunch to build 282 satellites for the Meridian Space communications constellation. The deal includes two in-orbit demonstrators and the production of the first 280 satellites, with plans to expand to 1190 spacecraft. The satellites will feature a flat-pack design, allowing up to 250 units per launch. The first demonstrator is set to launch in 2026.
🚀 PLD Space to launch D-Orbit missions with Miura 5
PLD Space and D-Orbit have agreed to launch payloads, including ION orbital transfer vehicles, onboard the Miura 5 rocket starting in 2026. Miura 5 will offer dedicated equatorial orbit launches from French Guiana, fulfilling over 80% of PLD Space's manifest until 2027. This partnership expands D-Orbit's launch options, enhancing access to equatorial missions for its customers.
🚀 IENAI Space secures €2.3M for ATALAIA project
IENAI SPACE has received €2.3M in funding from the Spanish Space Agency to lead the ATALAIA project. This initiative aims to industrialise and scale the production of their electric propulsion system for small satellites: ATHENA. The goal is to achieve efficient, scalable and cost-effective production and make ATHENA a reference technology for electric propulsion.
🚀 MDA Space acquires SatixFy for $269M
MDA Space is set to buy SatixFy for $269M to enhance its satellite production capabilities. The acquisition aims to integrate SatixFy's chip technology in MDA’s satellites with reprogrammable payloads. SatixFy's expertise in satellite chips and related technologies aims to strengthen MDA's supply chain and advance next-generation satellite development.
🤝 D-Orbit acquires 100% of Planetek Italia
D-Orbit has acquired Planetek Italia, merging two established Italian space companies. The deal aims to strengthen Italy's capabilities in orbital AI, Earth observation and space-based cloud computing. Both companies will maintain operational autonomy while leveraging technological synergies.
🌞 Aetherflux raises $50M in Series A funding
Aetherflux has secured $50 million in Series A funding. The startup aims to build a constellation of satellites to collect solar power in orbit and beam it to Earth using infrared lasers. This technology offers reliable power for remote areas and disaster zones, with the added benefit of providing energy day and night.
🚀 Portal Space Systems raises $17.5M for Supernova spacecraft
Portal Space Systems has secured $17.5M in seed funding to develop Supernova, a spacecraft powered by solar thermal propulsion. The funding will support critical design reviews, propulsion testing and a launch planned for mid-2026. Supernova aims to enhance manoeuvrability and extend operational lifespans in congested space environments and targets both defence and commercial needs.
💰 SpaceX, ULA, and Blue Origin win $13.7B in U.S. military launch contracts
The US Department of Defense has awarded $13.7B in contracts to SpaceX, ULA and Blue Origin for military launches through 2029. SpaceX leads with $5.9B, followed by ULA with $5.4B and Blue Origin with $2.4B. The contracts cover 54 launches, with SpaceX handling 28, ULA 19 and Blue Origin 7. This is the first time three companies share responsibility for high-priority military launches.
🔍 What caught your eye this week? I (try to) cover the best stories but there’s always more happening. Reply and let me know what space news you found most interesting or what I should cover next! I read all replies.
Space Jobs Spotlight
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📢 BIG NEWS: This jobs section is evolving into its own dedicated newsletter!
After nearly 6 months of featuring jobs in Aerospace Insider, I'm launching Find a Space Job: a focused weekly digest of European space industry opportunities. (Thanks all for the feedback!)
Get Early Access here
Full details in this week's Deep Dive. Jobs below as usual.
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🚀 Internships
Market Analyst Intern — ispace
💼 Space Jobs
Software Engineer — Remos Space
Satellite Operations Engineer — Exotrail
Ground Station Engineer — VisionSpace
Business Development — Remos Space
Systems Engineer — OroraTech
Satellite Bus Engineer — SES
Broadband Connectivity Architect — OneWeb
Payload Systems Engineer — ispace
Senior Flight Software Engineer — Lodestar Space
🎓 PhD Opportunities
No opportunities this week. Get in touch if you want me to share some next time.
🔥 Special Opportunities
Space Startup Competition — do you want to miss this? Register here.
MSc Space Engineering Scholarship — apply here.
💡 Looking for a new job? I do more than just share listings. I can help you stand out. If you want a fresh set of eyes on your resume: click here.
Find a Space Job: the best way of finding (you guessed it) your next space job.
When I launched Aerospace Insider nearly 6 months ago, I wanted to spotlight European space companies that deserves more attention. What began as a passion project has evolved into a weekly resource for over 200 of you (thank you!).
The jobs section quickly became one of the most loved part of this newsletter. I've received many messages from readers asking about how to break into the industry, specific roles and in general more career-focused content.
The European space sector is growing rapidly, but the job market remains fragmented and hard to navigate.
That's why I'm launching Find a Space Job — a dedicated newsletter that does exactly what it says: helps you find your next role in the European space sector. Nice name, right? 😉
This means:
More job opportunities each week (15-20 carefully selected positions)
Career tips and industry insights from real space professionals
A focus exclusively on European space industry roles (for now)
A clean, simple format designed to respect your time (aka very easy to read)
Meanwhile, Aerospace Insider will continue focusing on what it does best: industry news, analysis and deep dives into the European (and global) space ecosystem. Why two newsletters? Simple: so you can choose exactly what content serves you best.
If you are looking for your next role: click here to join.
The first issue launches next Thursday.
I'm building Find a Space Job based on your feedback, so early subscribers will help shape this resource. What types of roles are you looking for? What information would help your space career? Your input matters.
Space opportunities don't wait: neither should you.
P.S. The existing jobs section will transition completely to the new newsletter over the next two weeks. Early subscribers get first access to everything.
P.P.S. As I’ve already told many of you: thanks for supporting Aerospace Insider! I'm very excited to deliver even more value with this career-focussed resource. And get ready for a revamp of Aerospace Insider: big plans ahead.

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See you next week.
Jaime