Geopolitics

SES has successfully launched two additional O3b mPOWER satellites on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The second pair of O3b mPOWER satellites will consequently join the first two satellites launched in December 2022, which have arrived at their target medium earth orbit (MEO) and are currently undergoing in-orbit checkout.

CisLunar Industries has received a patent for its Space Foundry from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on April 25, 2023, under the number 11,634,241. As a result, the patent grants CisLunar Industries the exclusive rights to use and license the technology covered by the patent for a period of 19 years

The JUICE (Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer) mission control center in Darmstadt, Germany, along with partners in science and industry, is still working on the JUICE spacecraft as its ice-penetrating Radar for Icy Moons Exploration (RIME) antenna has not deployed as expected. This is as an issue arose with the 16-meter-long RIME antenna, preventing it from releasing from its mounting bracket.

Exotrail has disclosed a new contract with the satellite manufacturer Satrec Initiative to embark on a spaceware™ electric propulsion system for a Korean governmental mission. As a result, within a year, Exotrail will deliver a spaceware™ - micro XL propulsion system engineering model, as well as a flight model for a proof-of-concept mission for an innovative earth observation service aiming to validate the use of Satrec Initiative’s Earth observation platform in LEO.

NASA has selected 16 proposals from 12 companies under the 2022 Announcement of Collaboration Opportunity (ACO) to advance capabilities and technologies related to NASA's Moon to Mars Objectives. As a result, the cadre of U.S. industry-led teams will test a new lunar rover tire design, develop a robotically assembled power system, build an electrically actuated device to join in-space propellant transfer lines, and more.

Astrobotic has announced its purchase of launch services aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket for its third upcoming lander mission to the Moon. The Company made the announcement during the spring Lunar Surface Innovation Consortium (LSIC) This mission will subsequently launch an Astrobotic lander to the Moon’s South Pole in 2026 to deliver payload customer instruments and cargo from around the world.

OQ Technology has received a space activity licence from the Government of Luxembourg after undergoing rigorous technical, legal, security, and administrative due diligence on the company, its operations and future plans. As a result, OQ Technology becomes one of the first space companies in Luxembourg to receive this authorization under Luxembourg’s new law on Space Activities

The European Space Agency (ESA) has signed a letter of intent with the Swedish National Space Agency to send an ESA astronaut to visit the International Space Station (ISS) on an Axiom mission. For this mission, Axiom and partners of the ISS have to approve the flight and the name of the astronauts that will go on the mission. 

The Swiss Federal Council has strengthened its commitment to space by adopting its 2023 Space Policy. This sets the course for the Confederation’s future space activities, providing a policy that is coordinated with Switzerland’s players in the space sector and embedded in its international context.

The Space Arbitration Association, supported by SpaceWatch.Global is featuring a new event series: Space Arbitration Regionally. The first event will take place on 24 April at 10 am ET and 4 pm CEST and focus on Latin America.