The European Space Agency (ESA) has unveiled a commemorative plaque celebrating Galileo’s discovery of Jupiter’s moons on ESA’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer as part of the final preparations.  The plaque is a tribute to Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei who was the first to view Jupiter and its four largest moons through a telescope in January 1610.

The European Space Agency (ESA) Astronaut Tim Peaks has stepped down from the active ESA Astronaut Corps and has taken the role of ambassador for ESA’s activities. In this role, he will also work closely with the UK Space Agency (UKSA).

The Canadian Minister of Transport, Omar Alghabra, and the President of the Canadian Space Agency, Lisa Campbell, have announced the Government of Canada’s intention to support commercial space launch activities in Canada. As a result, the Canadian Government also announced measures it would take in the interim and in the future to facilitate the goal. 

The European Union Agency for the Space Program (EUSPA) has extended cooperation with the National Centre for Space Studies (CNES) to deliver the Galileo Search and Rescue Service. This new Contract will further expand the long-lasting and excellent collaboration between EUSPA and CNES in the SAR activities. Furthermore, it will ensure the continuation of the operations, maintenance, and hosting services of the SAR/Galileo. It will also ensure the uninterrupted delivery of SAR signals and SAR data needed to guarantee the SAR/Galileo Service contribution to Cospas-Sarsat to the utmost standards.

The EUTELSAT 5 West A satellite has retired after more than 20 years of in-orbit operation. As a result, Eutelsat has successfully re-orbited the satellite to more than 400km above the geostationary arc. Likewise, the satellite operator has depressurized the propulsion system and passivated the electrical equipment on board. The final operation to deactivate the remaining Radio Frequency source (telemetry transmitter) came from the Issy-les-Moulineaux Satellite Control Centre on 13 January at 09:57 UTC.

Sateliot and Sensefinity have launched a global 5G-IoT satellite connectivity to facilitate the first data transmission technology from 1,000 smart containers, saving medium shipping companies up to a reported $1.4 million per year on container maintenance and repairs.

Thales Alenia Space has signed a contract with prime contractor App works to provide Thailand with a complete Search and Rescue (SAR) operational system based on the COSPAS-SARSAT MEOSAR Service.

Raytheon BBN has won a contract with the U.S. Air Force to develop a rocket cargo mission planning and Command and Control, or C2, system for the U.S. Air Force. The contract has a potential value of $8.7 million over four years and is part of the U.S. Air Force 2030 Science & Technology Strategy’s transformational science and technology portfolio.

Sidus Space, Inc., a Space-as-a-Service company, has signed an agreement with SkyWatch to use its TerraStream data-management platform. The parties expect the agreement to accelerate the expansion of Sidus’ commercial data distribution strategy, which includes white labeling data for the Company’s existing customers and driving growth of new data customers. Furthermore, Sidus Space expects the agreement to generate additional revenue for it and engage customers who otherwise may not have connected with Sidus. 

AAC Clyde Space has received a EUR 234,000 order from UK-based Space Forge to provide space products for a demonstration spacecraft that will leverage the space environment for production and experiments, capable of performing multiple trips to space.