Geopolitics

The Global Satellite Operators Association (GSOA) and the European Space Agency (ESA) have announced the signing of a Memorandum of Intent (MOI). The MOI, signed by Isabelle Mauro, Director General at GSOA, and Francisco-Javier Benedicto Ruiz, Acting Director of Connectivity & Secure Communications at ESA, solidifies the commitment of both organizations to work closely together in the pursuit of their shared goals in this area. 

ThrustMe has announced a transformative off-the-shelf contract with the French Centre National d'Études Spatiales (CNES). This purchase agreement is a testimony to the rapidly changing aerospace sector, where the lines between the legacy and new space are blurring. Long-standing actors such as CNES can benefit from complete and reliable industrial and standardized products for their space missions to accelerate development times and reduce costs.

LeoLabs has announced its selection to participate in the U.S. Space Systems Command's Space Domain Awareness (SDA) Tools Applications and Processing (TAP) Lab Apollo Accelerator. This program enables LeoLabs to demonstrate its AI-powered solutions for Combat ID and Space Battle Management.

Arianegroup's special ship "Canopée" has picked up the upper stage for the next generation of the European launch system, Ariane-6, from Bremen this week and is bringing it to Kourou in French Guiana. Ariane-6's launch is planned for the summer of 2024.  

The NorSat-TD demonstration microsatellite has successfully transferred data to a ground station using optical communications technology. Space Flight Laboratory (SFL) developed the demonstration satellite for the Norwegian Space Agency (NOSA). The accomplishment is a first for a Dutch-built laser communication device and among the first achieved by a microsatellite. 

The Egyptian Space Agency (EgSA) has launched its NexSat-1 satellite into orbit aboard Jielong-3 (Smart Dragon-3), China’s small orbital launch vehicle and has subsequently established communications with the satellite. The microsatellite weighs 67 kilograms, and it features a panchromatic imaging payload with 5.7 meters of ground resolution

The first Franco-German Space meeting took place at the French Embassy in Berlin on 2 February 2024 to discuss the launcher situation in Europe. The meeting was hosted by the French Ambassador to Germany. Our Publisher, Torsten Kriening, could attend the meeting and share his thoughts and his expected analysis here and walk you through the highlights.

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.