https://spacewatch.global/ AN INDEPENDENT PERSPECTIVE ON SPACE Fri, 31 Jul 2026 08:20:38 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.2 https://spacewatch.global/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SpaceWatchGlobal-Sign-90x90.png https://spacewatch.global/ 32 32 https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/spacewatchgl-analysis-a-space-programme-or-just-a-subscription/ Fri, 31 Jul 2026 08:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=76056
Written by Timo Krone
Why strategic autonomy in space is no longer measured by launches, but by control over infrastructure. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/thales-alenia-joins-ohb-italia-led-consortium-to-develop-the-prisma-satellite-for-the-italian-space-agency/ Fri, 31 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=76071 Thales Alenia Space has signed a contract with OHB Italia for the development of the PRISMA Second Generation Earth observation satellite for the Italian Space Agency (ASI). Scheduled for launch in 2031, the satellite will carry a hyperspectral instrument, built by Leonardo, featuring enhanced functional and resolution capabilities compared to the first generation.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/scotland-selects-planet-for-sustainable-agricultural-reform-support-as-planet-opens-new-london-office/ Fri, 31 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=76064 The Scottish Government’s Agricultural and Rural Economy Directorate has selected Planet Labs Germany for a 7-figure award. Under this one-year agreement, Planet will deliver PlanetScope data and advanced analytics to support Scotland’s Agricultural Reform Route Map. The award comes weeks after Planet announced the opening of its new office in central London, marking a significant milestone in its commitment to the United Kingdom as a critical partner within the high-growth space economy.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/rocket-lab-secures-multi-launch-deal-with-iqps-for-three-dedicated-missions/ Fri, 31 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=76057 Rocket Lab has signed a multi-launch deal with the Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc (“iQPS”) for three new dedicated launches on Electron. This contract is iQPS' third multi-launch booking on Electron in less than a year, bringing the total number of launches booked to 18.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/spacewatchgl-opinion-europes-innovation-problem-isnt-innovation/ Thu, 30 Jul 2026 08:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=76027
Written by Judith Delany
Europe produces world-class research, engineering and ambitious space projects. So why do so many ideas struggle to become commercial success stories? This opinion argues that the answer may lie not in technology, but in the handover between the communities responsible for turning innovation into reality.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/impulse-space-unveils-electra-its-first-electric-propulsion-system-to-expand-post-launch-options-for-spacecraft/ Thu, 30 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=76049 Impulse Space has unveiled Electra, the company's first electric propulsion system, purpose-built to expand what's possible for a spacecraft after launch. This comes barely two months after the company successfully raised $500 million in Series D funding as the company scales its effort to build in-space mobility infrastructure.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/eutelsat-and-poland-sign-strategic-mou-supporting-polands-participation-in-iris%c2%b2/ Thu, 30 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=76042 Following Poland's commitment to participate in the construction of the IRIS² constellation satellites, Eutelsat has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Country to deepen cooperation in support of Europe's future secure satellite communications infrastructure under the IRIS² program.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/ispace-to-launch-its-mission-3-ultra-lunar-lander-aboard-mitsubishi-heavy-industries-h3-rocket/ Thu, 30 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=76031 ispace, inc. and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. have signed a contract for the launch and transportation of ispace’s Mission 3 ULTRA Lunar Lander using the latter's H3 rocket which is currently scheduled for 2028. This marks the first time ispace will launch its Japanese lunar lander aboard a Japanese rocket, having relied on SpaceX for its previous launches. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/spacewatchgl-inside-eo-the-missing-layer-part-3-the-road-to-scale/ Wed, 29 Jul 2026 08:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=76001
Written by Karolina Sarna
The missing middle layer is beginning to emerge—but not everywhere, and not all at once. In the final part of this Inside EO analysis, Karolina Sarna examines where commercial Earth Observation markets are taking shape, the signals that matter most, and why today's strategic decisions will determine tomorrow's industry.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/esa-commissions-optical-ground-station-in-luxembourg-to-advance-quantum-enabled-ultra-secure-satellite-communications/ Wed, 29 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=76018 The European Space Agency has commissioned a new optical ground station in Windhof, Luxembourg, to help test an ultra-secure, international communications network. This follows the ground breaking ceremony in Noordwijk, The Netherlands, for a dedicated OGS to communicate with the EAGLE-1 satellite for quantum technology-based ultra-secure communication earlier this month. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/array-labs-raises-additional-21m-in-strategic-investment-anchored-by-mitsubishi-electric/ Wed, 29 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=76013 Array Labs has raised $21 million in an oversubscribed strategic investment round, anchored by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, one of Japan's largest defense and aerospace companies, with continued participation as well from Catapult Ventures, Kompas VC, and Y Combinator. As part of the financing, Array Labs and Mitsubishi Electric have also entered into a partnership to develop and bring to market, satellite-based airborne tracking services for defense and mainly security customers in the Asia Pacific Region. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/hawkeye-360-awarded-multi-year-contract-to-enhance-indian-ocean-region-maritime-domain-awareness/ Wed, 29 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=76008 HawkEye 360, Inc. has been awarded a multi‑year contract to deliver advanced space‑based RF data and analytics to the Indian Navy and regional partner nations, strengthening the Indian Ocean Region’s maritime domain awareness and enhancing security cooperation across the Indo‑Pacific. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/spacewatchgl-space-unromanced-looking-up-more-closely/ Tue, 28 Jul 2026 08:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=75966
Written by Raoul Cardellini Leipertz
Space is often presented as a story of progress, exploration, and opportunity. But who gets to be part of that story, and under what conditions? In the first instalment of *Space, Unromanced*, Raoul Cardellini Leipertz introduces a new column exploring the structures, assumptions, and power dynamics that shape the space sector beyond the headlines. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/arianespace-to-launch-mtg-i2-weather-satellite-aboard-ariane-6s-first-geostationary-mission-next-month/ Tue, 28 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=75988 Arianespace has announced Ariane 6's latest launch mission, launching the MTG-I2 meteorological satellite with the Ariane 62 configuration from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana on the 27th of August. The mission, designated VA270, will mark the fourth Ariane 6 launch of the year and the rocket's first launch to a geostationary orbit.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/orbes-unveils-exo-orb-a-locally-hosted-inspection-maintenance-robot-for-large-orbital-infrastructure/ Tue, 28 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=75977 California-based ORBES has unveiled Exo-ORB, a compact autonomous escort satellite that flies alongside large space assets to inspect, film and eventually maintain them, offering a 3rd person point of view to protect billion-dollar national security assets and large infrastructure.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/rocket-lab-awarded-record-266m-missile-defense-contract-with-u-s-space-force-for-suborbital-launches/ Tue, 28 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=75972 Rocket Lab has been awarded its largest launch contract to date, a $266 million multi-launch contract with the U.S. Space Force, solidifying the vertical integrator’s position in launch and critical mission enabler for programs with significant importance for the U.S.' national security. Under the contract, Rocket Lab will execute 12 suborbital launches, with up to six additional launches, with the first launch tentatively taking place no earlier than the end of this year.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/farnborough-2026-day-2-laura-todd-rosa-schmidt-on-uk-billions-nasas-new-chief-and-the-how-behind-collaboration/ Mon, 27 Jul 2026 14:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=75963 Day two from Farnborough 2026: Laura Todd and Rosa Schmidt debrief the opening day - Rosa's panel on European space leadership, the UK's multi-billion commitment, NASA chief Jared Isaacman's call for Europe to fill the gaps rather than duplicate, and the buzzwords defining the Space Zone.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/farnborough-2026-on-day-1-laura-todd-rosa-schmidt-on-leadership-sustainability-and-big-budgets/ Mon, 27 Jul 2026 13:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=75960 From the Farnborough International Airshow 2026, Rosa Schmidt and Laura Todd open the day with a Space Café Morning Show - previewing SpaceWatch.Global's panel on global space leadership with the UK, Europe and Turkey, unpacking the show's big sustainability push, and running through the launches quietly making waves. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/spacewatchgl-inside-eo-the-missing-middle-layer-part-2-from-projects-to-products/ Mon, 27 Jul 2026 08:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=75934
Written by Karolina Sarna
Why has commercial Earth Observation remained a project business rather than becoming a scalable product market? In this Inside EO analysis, Karolina Sarna explores the institutional, regulatory, and organisational barriers preventing the missing middle layer from forming—and what it would take to build it.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/esa-and-uksa-launch-new-incubed-funding-call-for-eo-based-proposals-in-the-united-kingdom/ Mon, 27 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=75954 ESA has launched a new call for proposals in collaboration with the UK Space Agency, through the ESA InCubed program. This comes as more than £2.5 million were awarded to five projects that use satellite data to improve public services during 2024's InCubed call. For the new round of applications. ESA and the UK Space Agency invite UK-based organizations to submit proposals that demonstrate a clear route to market, credible commercial demand and a strong plan for operational deployment, before an August 21 deadline.]]>