https://spacewatch.global/ AN INDEPENDENT PERSPECTIVE ON SPACE Thu, 12 Nov 2026 11:32:24 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.4 https://spacewatch.global/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SpaceWatchGlobal-Sign-90x90.png https://spacewatch.global/ 32 32 https://spacewatch.global/2026/11/spacewatchgl-opinion-sweden-doesnt-have-a-space-problem-it-has-a-buyer-problem/ Thu, 12 Nov 2026 10:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=80149 At NextSpace in Gothenburg, speakers from the Nordics, Germany, Japan and the US agreed on one thing: Sweden’s space bottleneck is not technology or talent, but the way the state buys. Torsten Kriening analyses why trials rarely become orders, and why a government still in formation may be exactly the moment for a cross-party space pact.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/11/ulas-vulcan-set-for-return-to-flight-with-first-amazon-leo-mission/ Thu, 12 Nov 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=80129 United Launch Alliance is preparing to launch its Vulcan rocket on the Vulcan Leo 1 mission, scheduled for Friday, 13 November 2026 carrying 40 broadband satellites for Amazon's Leo constellation into low Earth orbit. The mission marks the start of a 38-launch agreement between ULA and Amazon to deploy the company's satellite constellation.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/11/mynaric-demonstrates-bidirectional-space-to-ground-optical-communications/ Thu, 12 Nov 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=80123 Mynaric's CONDOR optical communications terminal has supported a successful demonstration of bidirectional data transfer between a satellite and a ground station, validating its application in space-to-ground laser communications. The demonstration establishes the ability to exchange data between orbit and terrestrial infrastructure using optical links, an important capability for future satellite networks seeking higher-capacity communications.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/11/orbital-matter-3d-prints-structural-components-in-open-space/ Thu, 12 Nov 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=80118 Orbital Matter has successfully 3D-printed a rigid structural boom directly in the vacuum of open space, marking a significant step toward manufacturing spacecraft structures in orbit. The demonstration involved producing a 32.5-centimeter hollow boom outside its satellite, which extended outward to help deploy a stowed solar array. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/11/spacewatchgl-opinionwho-takes-responsibility-when-manufacturing-moves-into-orbit/ Wed, 11 Nov 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=80087
Written by Sylvester Kaczmarek.
As orbital manufacturing moves from experimentation towards commercial production, a critical question emerges: who takes responsibility for delivering the finished product? Sylvester Kaczmarek examines the ownership models, operational risks and commercial realities shaping the next phase of in-space manufacturing.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/11/innospace-prepares-sebit-for-second-test-flight/ Wed, 11 Nov 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=80085 INNOSPACE has scheduled a second test flight of its SEBIT suborbital rocket for November 29, 2026, from the Alcântara Launch Center in Brazil. The company has established a 26-day launch window from November 16 to December 11, with the November 29 date serving as the current target, subject to weather conditions and operational readiness.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/11/enpulsion-brings-orbions-hall-effect-propulsion-to-europes-satellite-market/ Wed, 11 Nov 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=80074 ENPULSION and Orbion Space Technology have partnered to bring Hall-effect electric propulsion systems to European satellite manufacturers through ENPULSION's Spacecraft Mobility Backbone. The agreement will integrate Orbion's flight-proven Aurora technology into ENPULSION's propulsion portfolio, expanding the range of options available to European spacecraft developers. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/11/synspective-secures-up-to-10-firefly-alpha-launches-to-ramp-up-deployment-of-its-strix-constellation/ Wed, 11 Nov 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=80066 Synspective has selected Firefly Aerospace to provide up to 10 dedicated launches of its Alpha rocket, carrying as many as 20 StriX radar satellites through 2030. The agreement will support the Japanese Earth-observation company's efforts to expand its satellite constellation and increase the frequency of its observations.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/11/czech-space-week-michele-iapaolo-of-esa-on-commercialisation-journey-from-idea-to-global-market/ Tue, 10 Nov 2026 12:30:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79961 From Czech Space Week in Prague, ESA Commercialisation Officer Michele Iapaolo joins Daniela Jovic to explain the agency’s commercialisation journey from ideation to global markets, what judges look for when selecting startups, and the two gaps Europe still needs to close.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/11/spacewatchgl-opinion-europes-next-sputnik-moment-wont-be-a-launch/ Tue, 10 Nov 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=80051
Written by Gilles Rabin.
Europe's space industry is entering a new era, driven by defence spending, industrial consolidation and the pressure to scale. From the relocation of Space Tech Expo to shifting power between ESA, the EU and national governments, Gilles Rabin examines whether Europe is ready for its next Sputnik moment.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/11/orbital-eye-to-monitor-dutch-electricity-transmission-grid-construction-from-space/ Tue, 10 Nov 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=80031 Dutch transmission system operator TenneT has selected satellite monitoring company Orbital Eye to oversee construction of a major high-voltage electricity connection between Rilland and Tilburg in the Netherlands. The company will use its COSMIC-EYE satellite platform to provide weekly reports on construction activities along the route, giving TenneT's project teams greater visibility into construction progress and contractor activities without requiring routine visits to every site.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/11/planet-signs-multi-launch-agreement-with-stoke-space-for-nova-rocket-missions/ Tue, 10 Nov 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=80027 Planet Labs has signed a multi-launch agreement with Stoke Space to deploy its Earth-observation satellites aboard the launch company's forthcoming Nova rocket. Under the agreement, Planet receives primary payload rights, allowing it to specify launch dates and target orbital planes for its missions.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/11/rakuten-and-ast-spacemobile-establish-joint-venture-to-build-japans-d2d-satellite-network/ Tue, 10 Nov 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=80019 Rakuten Group and AST SpaceMobile have agreed to establish a joint venture, Rakuten AST, to develop and operate a direct-to-device satellite communications network in Japan. The agreement follows the selection of a joint proposal by Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) under its Japan Low Earth Orbit Satellite Communications Project.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/11/nasa-expands-lunar-delivery-network-with-clps-2-and-new-moon-base-awards/ Mon, 09 Nov 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=80000 NASA has selected eight companies to compete for future lunar delivery missions under its new $10 billion Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) 2 contract, expanding its commercial approach to transporting payloads to the Moon.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/11/uk-launches-titania-military-satellite-as-it-expands-space-defense-investment/ Mon, 09 Nov 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79993 The United Kingdom has launched its Titania military satellite into orbit, marking another step in the country's efforts to strengthen its space-based defense capabilities. Developed by BAE Systems in partnership with the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, the satellite is part of the UK's ISTARI program, which aims to expand the military's ability to observe activity on Earth from space and deliver intelligence to military decision-makers.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/11/esas-hera-captures-first-close-up-image-of-didymos-binary-asteroid-system/ Mon, 09 Nov 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79916 The European Space Agency's Hera spacecraft has captured its first close-up image of the Didymos binary asteroid system, providing a new view of the larger asteroid that NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test mission targeted for its 2022 planetary defense experiment. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/11/space-cafe-law-breakfast-with-dr-ingo-baumann-with-steven-freeland/ Fri, 06 Nov 2026 10:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79866 Steven Freeland hands the Space Café “Law Breakfast” over to new host Dr. Ingo Baumann. Together with Torsten Kriening, they discuss COPUOS, draft principles for space resources, military space and deterrence, the EU Space Act, and Germany’s national space law.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/11/spacewatchgl-gray-space-democrats-sweep-both-u-s-congressional-chambers-space-and-defence-now-what/ Fri, 06 Nov 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79937
Written by Christophe Bosquillon
The Democrats have swept both chambers of the U.S. Congress. But what does that mean for American space and defence policy? Christophe Bosquillon examines the implications for NASA, the Space Force, Golden Dome and Pentagon spending, and considers what the political shift means for Europe.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/11/leap-revives-hope-for-mainland-uk-vertical-launch-with-sutherland-spaceport-mou/ Fri, 06 Nov 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79905 U.S.-based LEAP and Scotland's Highlands and Islands Enterprise signed an MoU to develop the currently-dormant Sutherland Spaceport projject on Scotlland's northern coast. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/11/alexander-macdonald-takes-helm-of-canadian-space-agency-following-nasa-career/ Fri, 06 Nov 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79904 Alexander MacDonald, former chief economist at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, has been appointed president of the Canadian Space Agency, succeeding Lisa Campbell, who has led the agency since September 2020. Canada's Minister of Industry, Mélanie Joly, announced the appointment on 4 November 2026, following an open, competency-based selection process.]]>