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The first lecture sent us off into the coffee break with an imagination exercise - with unlimited access, what would we do or build in space to have a positive environmental impact. After a divide between unbridled imagination (I count myself to this optimistic group) and feasibility-focussed approach some interesting ideas were forged.

SpaceWatch.Global is pleased to present the 50th episode in our podcast series The Space Cafe Podcast #050: Hansjörg Dittus, about Europe's Role in Space (an honest discussion). Hansjörg Dittus served for many years on the board of the German Aerospace Center. Against the backdrop of dramatic developments in the crisis with Russia,

Space supplier RUAG Space has rebranded as Beyond Gravity to focus outward and position the space unit prominently on the markets, the company said. Beyond Gravity, which has around 1,600 employees, will launch an incubator in the summer to bring innovations to the market in cooperation with start-ups. 

Astra launched its Rocket 3.3 vehicle from Alaska on Kodiak Island, successfully placing several payloads into sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 525 km. An attempt the previous day had to be cancelled due to bad weather conditions. The liftoff and ascent went as planned, however, there was no immediate confirmation of payload separation.

The world's largest cargo plane by length and weight was severely damaged when Russians attacked Gostomel airport near Kyiv, Ukraine reported. The aircraft was used to transport Ariane rocket components, airlift aid during crises in other countries and transport medical supplies.

Day 2 of the course saw us first take an in-depth journey into space technologies and innovations discussing five clear segments: (1) materials and processes, (2) electronics and computing, (3) data sensing, analytics and applications, (4) space infrastructure, and (5) space tourism

Space4Impact, EPFL’s Space Center eSpace, E2MC Ventures, and Space Innovation joined forces to launch an online course on the New Space Economy, hosted on edX, Space4Impact announced. The program is already available as a free EPFLx course. There are over 30 video lectures accessible for those who want to learn.

NASA said it was ready to roll out the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket tomorrow for a fueling and countdown rehearsal. The SLS with Orion mounted on it will be transported from the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at the Kennedy Space Center to Launch Complex 39B. It will take approximately 11 hours  for the spacecraft to reach the pad.

SpaceChain is opening an office in the UAE, in Abu Dhabi to mark its foray into the burgeoning space sector in the Middle East, the company said. The new office is located at Hub71, Abu Dhabi’s global tech ecosystem. Its aim is to focus on the planning and development of integrated space-blockchain projects in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

SAR data provider Iceye, and Fermat Capital Management, an investment manager in the insurance-linked securities, announced a strategic collaboration in which Iceye will provide Fermat with near real-time flood hazard data and support research and development into other natural perils.