Reuters Science News Summary

Following is a summary of current science news briefs.

Isar Aerospace ​secures 200 million euros from European Space Agency

German ​rocket startup Isar Aerospace has ‌secured ​about 200 million euros ($233 million) from the European Space Agency (ESA) under a programme aimed at boosting Europe's launch industry, the company said on ‌Thursday. The funding comes as European governments seek to increase launch capacity to reduce dependence on SpaceX, which dominates the global market, and to secure independent access to space for civil, commercial and defence missions.

Roaches to the rescue: ‌Australian scientists develop cyborg cockroaches for medical missions

A swarm of giant cockroaches may sound like ‌the stuff of nightmares, but Australian researchers say the insects could one day be used by search-and-rescue teams to deliver lifesaving drugs to people trapped after disasters. Scientists from the University of Queensland and the University of New South Wales have developed paramedic ⁠cyborg ​cockroaches, dubbed "paraborgs", equipped with miniature ⁠injection devices and cameras.

Satellite firm Astrum Space to go public in $1 billion SPAC deal

Astrum Space said on Thursday it will ⁠go public through a merger with special purpose acquisition firm Black Spade Acquisition III in a deal valuing the ​satellite communications company at about $1 billion. Investor interest in the space sector has surged following the Nasdaq ⁠debut of Elon Musk's SpaceX, boosting optimism about the pipeline of space and satellite companies seeking to go public.

Trump signs order ⁠to ​create a US Space Academy

U.S. President Donald Trump signed an order on Friday creating a U.S. Space Academy, billing it as a new military and civilian institution modeled after West Point ⁠and other military service academies. The proposed academy would build on Trump's space agenda, which he and White House ⁠officials have described as ⁠a key component of his legacy. Trump launched the U.S. Space Force as a sixth branch of the military during his first term, has attended multiple ‌NASA launches ‌and now aims to return Americans to the moon ​and eventually reach Mars.