ctg. morning brief, 28 aug 2026
On 28 Aug 2026, ESA signed European launcher challenge contracts on 27 aug: Isar Aerospace €197.8m, RFA €186.9m, PLD Space €158.9m. MaiaSpace still unsigned.
Why it matters: Three European launchers just got real money, not another study. The unsigned name is the story that still has to land.
Source: https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Space_Transportation/First_contracts_kick_off_European_Launcher_Challenge
Anthropic-Nscale, sourced: ~$45bn, six years, 460 MW in West Virginia, live late 2027.
Why it matters: A UK infrastructure company locking US watts. A footnote on x.com, not a European edition.
Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/26/anthropic-and-nscale-strike-45-billion-cloud-deal-sources-say.html
Italy requested €8bn of its €14.9bn safe envelope. Romania drew the first €2.5bn of €16.7bn.
Why it matters: The defence loan window moved from reservation to cash. Rome asked for less. Bucharest got paid.
Source: https://www.ansa.it/english/news/2026/08/26/italy-asks-ec-for-8-billion-in-safe-funds-sources_e259e152-d6e7-4697-98b1-0faf19b0fc61.html
Adaptyv, lausanne, closed a $40m series a.
Why it matters: A Swiss wet lab just raised a proper round. Europe still does the protein work.
Source: https://www.adaptyvbio.com/blog/series-a