Geopolitics News

SmartSat Cooperative Research Center (SmartSat), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the New Zealand Space Agency (NZSA) to accelerate the growth of Australian and New Zealand space industries. Professor Andy Koronios, SmartSat CRC Chief Executive Officer and Robyn Henderson, Acting Head of the New Zealand Space Agency, signed the agreement at the NZSA headquarters in Wellington.

The European Space Agency's (ESA) EarthCARE satellite has undergone its final testing and analysis as its engineers have packed it up for its journey to the launch site in the US. With liftoff slated for May on a SpaceX Falcon 9 from the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California has been going through the last round of tests and meticulous checks in Germany.

SpaceWatch.Global is pleased to present: The Space Café Podcast #99: Stellar Beginnings: Unveiling the Secrets of procreation in space with SpaceBorn United's Egbert Edelbroek. Join Markus in an out-of-this-world episode of the Space Cafe Podcast, where he orbits around the captivating subject of procreation in space with Dr Egbert Edelbroek, CEO of SpaceBorn United. Edelbroek shares insights from the frontier of space research, discussing the challenges and innovations in achieving human reproduction beyond Earth. This conversation transcends the realms of science fiction, venturing into the research and technological advancements that could one day make space-born humans a reality.

The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and Exolaunch GmbH (Exolaunch) have signed an agreement to provide free launch opportunities for Cube Satellites (CubeSats) to offer more countries access to space. The collaboration is part of UNOOSA's Access to Space for All initiative, which aims to foster capacity-building in space science and technology by providing hands-on and educational opportunities. Access to Space for All allows participants to gain invaluable knowledge and experience while supporting space activities in developing countries.

Space Systems Command (SSC) has selected Northrop Grumman Corporation’s Passive Refueling Module (PRM) as its first preferred refueling solution interface standard for use across SSC satellites. Northrop Grumman is collaborating with SSC, Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and other customers to develop in-space refueling technologies for the US's space-based assets. These advancements address a critical national security capability: sustained maneuverability for dynamic space operations.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has announced that it has re-established contact with its Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) spacecraft lander after it powered back on. The lander could not generate power upon landing on the lunar surface, quickly exhausting its battery power. JAXA had noted that its chances of recovering SLIM would increase as the sunlight illumination condition improves with time. This has consequently cemented Japan's position as the fifth country to soft-land on the moon, joining the USA, China, the former Soviet Union, and India.

The Karman Project, a globally recognized non-profit foundation, has announced the launch of applications for the Karman Fellowship 2024. With the space sector aiding some of humanity's most time-critical needs - from communication to climate monitoring, food supply and disaster management - the foundation considers its investment in the people shaping these technologies as equally time-critical.

In this latest episode of Space Cafè Radio,  Dr Emma Gatti, the editor-in-chief of SpaceWatch Global, interviews Dr Luigi Scatteia,  PWC Advisory France Global Space Practice Lead, at the 16th European Space Conference in Brussels. They discuss Commissioner Breton's keynote speech, emphasizing Europe's challenges in the global geopolitical theme and the need for independence and non-dependency in the space sector.

NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter has come to the end of its mission on Mars after surpassing expectations and making dozens more flights than NASA had planned. While the helicopter remains upright and in communication with ground controllers, imagery of its Jan. 18 flight sent to Earth this week indicates one or more of its rotor blades sustained damage during landing, and it is no longer capable of flight.

Iran launched three satellites, Kayhan-2, Hatef-1, and Mahda into space on Sunday to a minimum orbit of 450km (280 miles). Kayhan-2 and Hatef-1 are nanosatellites that Iran will use to evaluate narrowband communication and geopositioning technology. However, the much bigger Mahda satellites will help the nation test the accuracy of its Simorgh rocket in delivering multiple cargoes to space.