On 8 September 2016, Mr. Yuichi Yamaura, Vice President of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and H.E. Dr. Cihan Kanlıgöz, Director General of the Aeronautics and Space Technologies, the Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications of the Republic of Turkey, signed a new Cooperation Arrangement concerning the utilisation …

Spacecom announced on 5 September 2016 that it is developing a plan of action following the loss of the AMOS-6 communication satellite due to the explosion of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket on the launch pad. The company has begun measures to recover funds invested in the project. The company’s management …

Arab Satellite Communications Organization (Arabsat) and Newtec – a specialist in designing, developing and manufacturing equipment and technologies for satellite communications – have announced an expansion of their partnership, enabling optimized solutions for broadcast and telecom customers. Signed today during IBC 2016, the new contract will see Newtec provide Arabsat …

SpaceWatch Middle East wishes all of our Muslim readers a blessed Eid Al Adha!

Remember Iran’s potential as a significant regional player in space? So do we, but as ThorGroup’s Chairman Dr. John B. Sheldon points out, that potential will mean nothing without significant economic and political reform from Tehran. So far, though, there is little sign that much-needed reform is in the offing …

SpaceWatch Middle East wishes all of our Muslim readers a Happy Arafat Day!

Leading mobile satellite services (MSS) operator Thuraya Telecommunications Company confirmed on 8 September 2016 that it has finalized its next generation constellation plans, and is set to deliver a unique, multidimensional program of expansion and diversification. Building on its strong track record for product innovation and convergence, lead positioning in …

Israeli online publication Israel Defense reports that the Israeli government has placed an order for an ‘Ofek’ electro-optical high-resolution reconnaissance satellite with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). According to the Israel Defense report, published on 6 September 2016, the Israeli Ministry of Defence placed the order with IAI some time ago …

Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) – the entity delegated to design, implement and supervise all the phases of the Emirates Mars Mission- Hope, under the supervision of the UAE Space Agency- has announced the launch of the Explore Mars Poster Competition, in which participants will submit scientific research on …

Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL) regrets the loss of Spacecom’s AMOS-6 satellite following the launch pad explosion today of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in Cape Canaveral. In collaboration with Facebook, Eutelsat had contracted a multi-year agreement to lease the satellite’s Ka-band payload covering Sub-Saharan Africa, with a view to …