The biennial "space law" training course of Asia_Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO) was held this time in cooperation with TUBITAK Uzay and  UNOOSA for four days from 18th to 21st of September, 2019 in Istanbul Technical University (ITU), Turkey.

With the theme of ‘The Power of the Past, the Promise of the Future’, the 70th International Astronautic Congress is soon to roll into Washington, DC. Taking place from 21-25 October, the event brings together all space players to discuss the technology, capabilities and the future that humanity has in space from the Moon to Mars, to deep space.

The Berlin-based Zeitfracht Group is investing in the first German lunar mission and has acquired the space start-up PTS. The company, formerly known under the name PTScientists, was renamed Planetary Transportation Systems as part of the acquisition.

The UAE’s first astronaut, Major Hazza Al Mansouri, takes off for the eight-day mission on September 25 at 5.56pm. When his spacecraft docks with the International Space Station (ISS) at midnight, he will become the first Arab to set foot there.

On Friday (23 August 2019), I published a short essay on the emerging Asian space race in The Nikkei Asian Review. I believe that the emerging space dynamics especially in Asia will spur new competition as well as cooperation. For example, India and Japan unite over Beijing's moon landings and anti-satellite weapons and find new avenues to collaborate including in joint lunar missions in the future.

As part of the partnership between SpaceWatch.Global and Dr. Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan, we have been granted permission to publish selected articles and texts. This is "India's strategy in space is changing. Here's why", originally published 14 August 2019

This situation has been widely acknowledged by governmental and commercial stakeholders, including European ones.

Norway is a small but vibrant space nation. For decades sounding rockets have been launched from Andoya, K-SAT operates a global network of ground stations, and a number of small and large Norwegian satellites are in orbit.

Landing on the moon 50 years ago was a major achievement. But, as Jessica West writes, renewing a space race without checks and balances only spells trouble.

As part of the partnership between SpaceWatch.Global and Laura Montgomery, we have been granted permission to publish selected articles and texts. This is "No Tardigrades Here", originally published 22 August 2019.