The European Space Agency (ESA) has awarded a contract to Thales Alenia Space to conduct the Phase A study of the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) mission.

Thales will be responsible to identify viable design and define subsystems and payload interfaces of the mission, under the contract.

The LISA mission forms part of ESA’s Cosmic Vision 2015-25 Programme, which aims to launch the first space-based gravitational wave observatory.

The feasibility study is expected to be completed by January 2020, while the mission is scheduled for launch in 2024.

Boeing has formed a joint venture (JV) with Safran to develop auxiliary power units for aircraft.

The JV will be equally owned by both companies and carry out operations from the US.

It will focus on the development of products and services tailored for aerospace companies.

Safran has already offered LEAP-1B engines to Boeing to power its 737 MAX family of aircraft.

“The LISA mission forms part of ESA’s Cosmic Vision 2015-25 Programme, which aims to launch the first space-based gravitational wave observatory.”

The two companies have also formed an airframe and engine components manufacturing JV named MATIS Aerospace.

Netherlands-based space solutions provider Innovative Solutions In Space (ISIS) has awarded a contract to Arianespace for the launch of its small satellites into outer space.

The small satellites will be launched aboard Arianespace’s Vega rocket. The launch will take place from Guiana Space Centre, Kourou, French Guiana.

The launch mission will form part of the Small Spacecraft Mission Service (SSMS) proof of concept (POC) flight programme.

The contract will also allow ISIS to utilise Arianespace’s QuadPack deployer for multiple CubeSats on the Vega SSMS POC flight.

The launch is expected to take place in early next year.