Geopolitics News

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. 

SpaceWatch.Global's Editor-in-Chief Dr Emma Gatti, interviews Eric Morel de Westgaver, the Director European, Legal and International Matters at the European Space Agency (ESA), about ESA's interest in the Asia market and their ongoing projects and collaborations with countries like Japan, India, South Korea, and China. They discuss various space missions, scientific cooperation, and upcoming ministerial meetings of ESA to propose new programs."

This week, Dr Emma Gatti, our Editor in Chief, discussed with us the latest updates from the 16th European Space Conference in Brussels, Belgium, 23-24 January 2024. She spoke about : 1. The pressing issue of #launch vehicles in Europe, 2.⁠ ⁠⁠European Commission versus ESA, 3.⁠ ⁠⁠The highlights from the conference- specifically #militarisation of space

In the latest (16th) “Space Café Law Breakfast with Steven Freeland”, host Steven Freeland, Emeritus Professor at Western Sydney University, and Professorial Fellow at Bond University, and Co-Host Torsten Kriening, SpaceWatch.Global’s Publisher, welcomed Anne-Sophie Martin and Duncan Blake to a sensational breakfast discussion at the famous Caffe Palombini in Rome.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has confirmed the successful precision soft-landing of its Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) spacecraft on the moon. JAXA employed the mission to demonstrate its new precision technology by landing in an unprecedented 100-metre landing area. However, because SLIM's solar cells failed to generate power for the spacecraft, it had to shut down its operations.