ESA, NASA to address Artemis after shutdown of Mars Earth Return Orbiter; Iris2 milestone in April; Launcher Challenge adapts to Orbex exit

ESA, NASA to address Artemis after shutdown of Mars Earth Return Orbiter; Iris2 milestone in April; Launcher Challenge adapts to Orbex exit

LA PLATA, Maryland — The European Space Agency (ESA) provided updates on its work with NASA on lunar exploration and the cancellation of the Mars sample return program; the Iris2 secure connectivity constellation with the European Union; and the European Launcher Challenge, which now includes just four contestants with the bankruptcy of UK-based Orbex: — Following a two-day meeting of the 23-nation agency’s ruling council, Director-General Josef…