Geopolitics

The UK Space Agency has opened two new funding calls worth £15 million, one for science and another for technology demonstrators. The calls are in preparation for a tentative agreement to fly a team of four British astronauts on a commercially sponsored mission, potentially to the International Space Station (ISS). The announcement follows the Memorandum of Understanding the UKSA and Axiom Space signed in October 2023, which outlined the plans to pursue a commercially-sponsored UK astronaut mission and an initial request for ideas for science and technology.

The European Space Agency (ESA) has given the green light for the realization of the Dutch TANGO satellites with ISISPACE as the prime contractor. TANGO (Twin Anthropogenic Greenhouse gas Observers) comprises two satellites flying in tandem. It will be a unique European measurement system that will determine methane, carbon dioxide and nitrogen dioxide emissions for individual industrial plants. Furthermore, it measures greenhouse gas emissions at source level from power plants, coal mines, landfills and factories, among others

Unseenlabs has announced its satellite fleet expansion and will consequently be launching two new satellites, the new unseenlabs bro-12 and bro-13 satellites. The satellites will tentatively launch in March as part of the transporter-10 mission aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket via Exolaunch from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has announced strengthening its partnership with the commercial space industry. NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană made the announcement during NATO’s first Space Reverse Industry Day yesterday, 20 February 2024, as he highlighted the importance of cooperation with the commercial space industry to ensure Alliance security. 

ClearSpace has secured a contract with the UK Space Agency (UKSA) to investigate the feasibility of an in-orbit satellite refuelling mission, an exciting new market for in-orbit services. The REFUEL.ME study, which will run until September 2024, will involve the establishment of the key mission requirements and the definition of the mission concept of operations, leading to an initial design of the servicer satellite and a review of the sizeable market potential.

PLD Space has signed a Boost! contract with the European Space Agency (ESA) for the development of a payload accommodation system on MIURA 5 that will provide greater flexibility to its customers. The project, in collaboration with OCCAM Space, is worth 1.3 million euros. In addition, it is part of ESA's Boost! program that aims to boost commercial space transportation initiatives and fits with PLD Space's value proposition of offering its customers a customized service capable of adapting to their needs through its orbital launcher MIURA 5.

The European Space Foundation has announced the 10th edition of its annual European Rover Challenge (ERC) competition. Every year, the Challenge attracts decision-makers, experts in the space sector and representatives of the best technical universities from around the world. This year, the AGH University of Krakow will host the ERC from September 6-8.

On the last day of the Munich Security Conference, Torsten Kriening spoke with Declan Ganley, CEO of Rivada Space Networks about the demands for secure data communication and the current status of the Outernet development by Rivada Space Network.

At the Munich Security Conference, Torsten Kriening talked with Professor Anke Kaysser-Pyzalla from German Aerospace Center (DLR). The German Aerospace Center (DLR) signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the World Food Program initiated by the United Nations. She highlighted the adaptability of space technology to applications on the Earth, such as the transfer of technology used for harsh environments and autonomous vehicles to deliver food across war-affected areas.

Before the 60th Munich Security Conference, Publisher and CEO Torsten Kriening talked with Ernst K. Pfeiffer, CEO of HPS GmbH, about space #security and space debris. Ernst gives an update on the recent United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) SSA Workshop and the Space Debris Conference in Riyadh by the Saudi Space Agency.