Government

The Saudi Ministry of Education has approved the teaching of earth and space sciences as part of the curricula for the secondary school system, starting the academic year 1445, corresponding to 2023-24, according to local reports. This is because the ministry aims to cultivate positive attitudes toward space science among male and female students. This will be in accordance with international best practices for academic courses, as well as recent developments and scientific and national standards in this field.

Westinghouse Electric Company and Astrobotic have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore collaboration on space technology programs for NASA and the Department of Defense. The collaboration will consequently focus on developing space nuclear technology and delivery systems. The joint effort will also include strengthening the space nuclear supply chain and workforce in the Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia regions.

On December 6, 2021, GomSpace and UK partner, RAL Space, signed a contract with ESA for the Scout-1 Mission for climate observation, known as CubeMap. During the past year, the parties have been working on completing the scope and requirement specifications. However, after several negotiations between ESA, GomSpace, and UK partner RAL Space,

Spain has become the 25th country to sign the Artemis Accords, as it signed it during a ceremony at the Moncloa Palace in Madrid on Tuesday. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson participated in the signing ceremony for the agency, and Diana Morant, Spain’s science and innovation minister, signed on behalf of Spain. Pedro Sánchez, President of Spain, Julissa Reynoso, the U.S. Ambassador to Spain and Andorra, and Karen Feldstein, NASA Associate Administrator for International and Interagency Relations, also were in attendance.

New Zealand has launched its national space policy, outlining the increasing geopolitical risks associated with space and the urgency to work with like-minded partners to protect the country’s national security. The Policy also set out New Zealand’s values and high-level objectives for space activities. The policy outlines the New Zealand Government’s objectives for growing an innovative and inclusive space sector, protecting and advancing its national security and economic interests.

The United States Department of State has released the first-ever Strategic Framework for Space Diplomacy to advance U.S. global space leadership. Through this Framework, the Department will expand international cooperation on mutually beneficial space activities, including through the Artemis Accords and commitments against destructive anti-satellite missile tests. Furthermore, the Department will encourage responsible behaviour, strengthen understanding and support for U.S. national space policies, and promote international use of U.S. space capabilities.

China launched three astronauts to its Tiangong space station on Tuesday, putting a civilian into orbit for the first time as it pursues plans to send a crewed mission to the Moon by the end of the decade, according to Times of India. 

The European Council has adopted conclusions on the ‘Fair and sustainable use of space’, which includes a call for a European approach to space traffic management at a time when orbits are increasingly congested with space objects.

Rocket Lab USA, Inc. has successfully completed the second of two dedicated Electron launches to deploy a constellation of tropical cyclone monitoring satellites for NASA. The "Coming To A Storm Near You" launch lifted-off on May 26 at 15:46 NZST (03:46 UTC) from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 on New Zealand’s Mahia Peninsula, deploying the final two CubeSats of NASA’s TROPICS constellation to orbit.

Arabsat has launched its Airbus-built Badr-8 telecommunications satellite from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Based on Airbus’ latest geostationary Eurostar Neo satellite, Badr-8 will provide connectivity for users across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Central Asia.