Rivada Space Networks and IEC Telecom, an international satellite service operator, have announced on the 10th of July the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enable innovative connectivity solutions for land and maritime communications. IEC Telecom specialises in digitalisation for the maritime industry and providing remote communications on land where GSM coverage is not available. 

On the 5th and 6th of June 2023, the Financial Time’s held its second Investing In Space conference. Similarly to last year, it was held in a hybrid form. The first day online, the second day live from London. Titled “Balancing Optimism with Realism”, the two-day summit hosted a selection of investors, innovators, government, and end-users for analyses of the opportunities of space.

The Financial Times Investing In Space Summit took place in person and online on 05-06 June 2023, under the motto "Balancing optimism with realism". In Part 1 (LINK) we covered the state of the space market and its investment value. We also looked at why the future for UK space looks bright, and how different countries can have differentiated space investment and capacity-building strategies. In Part 2, we will look at more stories behind the numbers, bold visions, disruptions, opportunities, emerging markets such as space-based solar power as potential remediation to climate issues, space resource utilization, and Moon mining, and even alternative modes of access to space. Readers who missed this event are encouraged to check out the Video-On-Demand.

The Financial Times Investing In Space Summit < https://ftspace.live.ft.com/agenda > took place in person and online on 05-06 June 2023, under the motto "Balancing optimism with realism". Indeed it was the first significant space investment and financing conference to take place after the rise of interest rates by the US FED, together with other macro headwinds, such as conflict-driven economic deterioration. This thorough and intensive FT conference did a fairly good job of articulating trends and putting the spotlight on both mainstream markets (launchers, constellations) and emerging space activities, Moon included.

Dr. Matteo Genna is joining Fleet Space, an Australian company specialising in NanoSatellite technology, as Chief Technology Officer. 

GMV, a technological business group, announced on the 5th of July that they have been awarded six projects selected by the European Defence Fund (EDF) under the second call of the EDF program. In the second call for proposals the Commission has supported a total of 41 joint defence research and development projects across the European Union, with a total budget of 832 million euros in funding.

On 21-23 June 2023, the Directorate-General of Legal Affairs of the German Federal Ministry of Defence hosted the Conference on the “McGill Manual on the International Law Applicable to Military Uses of Outer Space” (MILAMOS). The three-day event was organised at the Federal Academy for Security Policy (Bundesakademie für Sicherheitspolitik, BAKS), and held at the historic Schönhausen Palace in Berlin, Germany.

Share My Space, a space situational awareness (SSA) company, and Hiscox, a global insurance provider with a legacy in the space sector, announced on the 5th of July a collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The partnership aims to enhance cooperation in the space industry and tackle the challenges caused by the increasing number of satellites and collision risks. 

Fleet Space Technologies, an Australian space exploration firm, has been awarded a $4 million contract with the Australian Space Agency for its Moon to Mars: Demonstrator program.  

KSAT has selected CPI Vertex Antennentechnik GmbH, a subsidiary of Communications and Power Industries, to provide three 20m diameter antenna systems for a purpose-built commercial network for lunar communications. The antennas will be designed from the ground up to meet the requirements of upcoming lunar missions and will be installed in three evenly distributed locations to ensure continuous lunar coverage.