The European Space Agency (ESA) conducts world-class science, unlocking the secrets of the universe. It launches and operates satellites that connect people, monitor the climate and guide drivers to their destinations. Its astronauts launch to the International Space Station. And it trusts EJR-Quartz to relay these achievements to the world. EJR-Quartz enables ESA and its other clients to communicate with their chosen audiences through carefully crafted, culturally attuned communication. “Ever since we started over 25 years ago, our motto has been ‘Content Matters.’,” says Erica Rolfe, Co-Founder and Managing Director. “In a world where people are drowning in inaccurate, trivial or morally dubious content, we deliver carefully crafted, verified content from trusted sources to tell your story.” Content Matters With Ariane 6’s inaugural launch in July 2024, Europe regained its place as a world space power. EJR-Quartz crafted the content for the flagship communication campaign for the first flight, working closely with ESA’s communications officers. “Our editors were present in all meetings from early campaign discussions to launch-day planning, developing strong relationships across the project,” says Erica. “This ensured access to informative and pre-approved content that helped us translate technical terms or political messages into a language a wide audience could understand.”

Top Aviation Recruitment Services in Europe 2026

For the past decade, Europe’s aviation sector has undergone profound shifts in how airlines recruit and prepare their workforce. Updated flight time limitations, evolving mandatory rest periods with operational factors like air traffic control delays have made airlines to substantially increase the crews per aircraft ratio. At the same time, regulators such as EASA have tightened oversight by introducing enhanced five-year background check requirements, significantly extending the complexity involved to clear new crew members for duty. These pressures have been compounded by ongoing delivery delays from manufacturers such as Boeing and Airbus, leaving airlines repeatedly pausing and restarting recruitment as fleet plans change. In this unpredictable environment, ensuring crews are cleared, positioned, and ready to operate has become increasingly difficult. Nobox is positioned to help airlines navigate exactly this kind of volatility. Rather than acting as a traditional staffing supplier, the company supports airlines with the flexibility, speed, and scalable talent pipelines needed to maintain operational resilience. With deep experience in sourcing and mobilizing pilots, cabin crew, and engineers across global markets, it helps carriers sustain workforce continuity even as regulatory and fleet pressures intensify. “We provide our clients with flexibility, supported by a strong pipeline of qualified pilots, cabin crew and engineers to meet their specific operational needs,” says Francis Farrell, Client Services Director. The company places an immense responsibility on each hire. Instead of flooding employers with random resumes, it focuses on airline demands. By handling sourcing, screening, and preparatory steps, Nobox allows airline teams to focus their time on final regulatory assessments and sign-off. A dedicated 20-person ID processing team manages backgro.

High-Performance Counter-UAS-System

ARGUS Interception autonomous drones are the guardians of the sky, spotting and neutralizing threats before they can strike. Its new wave of high-tech defense solutions reshapes security in real time. Founded by a team with deep military defense and engineering expertise, this young company has emerged as a key player in the drone security and interception industry. With unmatched technical sophistication and rigorous testing in real-world scenarios, Argus is redefining how nations, organizations and events safeguard against drone incursions. Argus aims to safeguard critical civilian and military infrastructure and high-stakes events from unauthorized and hostile drones, addressing the rising number of drone-related incidents near government buildings, airports and military sites. As the demand for effective, legally compliant drone defense solutions grows, it has secured partnerships with homeland defense, border patrol, and law enforcement agencies throughout Germany, quickly becoming the trusted choice to meet high-security requirements. Building on its success in Europe, Argus is now poised for global expansion and is ready to introduce its autonomous interceptor drone technology to civilian and non-war markets in Western regions, including North America, Europe and Australia. From Concept to Combat-Proven Innovation Argus began at Helmut Schmidt University/University of the Federal Armed Forces Hamburg. The company’s founders, experienced in defense operations, collaborated with researchers there to develop an interceptor drone prototype. Initially an academic study, the technology quickly evolved to deployment in live war scenarios, transforming from a concept to a fully operational, combat-ready solution. “Argus was built on a foundation of rigorous field testing rather than hypothetical models. Our system has been trialed and refined in active conflict zones, providing invaluable insights into drone interception in high-stakes situations,” says Christian Schöning, CEO. These real-world applications give Argus’s products a “mission-proof” credibility that sets them apart from competitors relying solely on lab testing. At the same time, Argus’s partnerships with universities provide a solid foundation for ongoing research and rapid innovation, particularly in areas like swarm technology, ensuring that its products evolve in line with the latest advancements and real-world needs. Adaptability for Diverse Threat Environments While Argus has proven its technology in high-conflict zones, it is equally effective in civilian contexts. For non-military applications, the risk profile of drones is generally lower, as these drones are usually not weaponized. But they still pose significant risks, such as potential collisions with commercial aircraft or intrusion into restricted areas around government buildings and military installations.

IN FOCUS

Securing the Skies: An Analysis of Europe's Space Communications Framework

European space communications agencies advance secure, interoperable satellite connectivity, enabling resilient institutional operations, strategic autonomy, and expanded societal and infrastructural benefits.

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Connecting Europe: The Strategic Impact of Space Communications Agencies

Space communications agencies enable secure, reliable satellite connectivity, supporting global services, mission-critical operations, and next-generation space exploration.

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EDITORIAL

EJR-Quartz: Stellar Stories and the Team that Tells Them

Space communications has become a strategic pillar for Europe’s aerospace and defense ecosystem, where credibility, clarity, and public trust are inseparable from technological progress. This edition examines how disciplined communication leadership supports complex space programs, institutional accountability, and long-term public engagement.

Our Top Space Communications Agency in Europe 2026 recognition is awarded to EJR-Quartz, reflecting its sustained leadership in shaping how Europe’s most critical space institutions communicate with the world. Trusted by the European Space Agency and other international organizations, EJR-Quartz has demonstrated a rare ability to translate technically complex, politically sensitive, and mission-critical space activities into accurate, accessible, and verified narratives. Its work on the Ariane 6 inaugural launch campaign exemplifies this capability, delivering coordinated, multilingual content across platforms while maintaining scientific rigor and institutional trust. With more than 25 years of experience, a pan-European team, and a recently secured multi-year ESA corporate communications mandate, EJR-Quartz has set a benchmark for how space achievements are communicated without dilution or distortion.

Nobox has been recognized as the Top Aviation Recruitment Service 2026. As an aviation workforce partner that helps airlines recruit, clear, and prepare pilots, cabin crew, and engineers. It manages sourcing, screening, background checks, and regulatory compliance across multiple countries, aligning hiring with airline operational cycles.

This issue is further strengthened by executive perspectives addressing adjacent challenges across aerospace operations and defense sustainment. David Stepanek, Executive Vice President and Chief Transformation Officer at Bristow Group, outlines the operator’s responsibility in safely integrating next-generation aircraft into real-world operations, emphasizing workforce readiness, regulatory confidence, and operational credibility as non-negotiable foundations for innovation. Complementing this, Liviu Bran, Maintenance Manager, and Oana Rahim Pour, Head of Bid&Marketing at Romaero SA Bucharest, examine the industrial realities of supporting modern defense platforms, underscoring the need for coordinated national planning, technology transfer, and long-term sustainment capabilities to ensure strategic autonomy.