News

Amos has won an ESA contract to supply six hyperspectral spectrometers that will serve as the heart of the CHIME satellite mission (Copernicus Hyperspectral Imaging Mission for the Environment, also known as Sentinel-10). CHIME is an extension of the Copernicus program of the European Commission, in partnership with the ESA. 

The intersection between space exploration and climate action is becoming increasingly relevant, as advancements in technology enable us to monitor and understand our planet's changing climate from a unique vantage point.

In the first half of 2023 I conducted a study on the future of the global space economy for the future studies institute 2b AHEAD. Being based on in-depth expert interviews from both inside and outside the space sector, the study contains some wild predictions for the upcoming two decades: private space stations, modular, repairable satellites, a permanent Moon base, and nuclear propulsion. But many of these predictions stand on the assumption that SpaceX’s Starship will, as promised, dramatically ease accessibility to space. What if Starship fails? In this article, I would like to provide an overview of the consequences of Starship’s failure for future human activities in space.

Focus on local industries, people and communities brings #space community closer. Remco Timmermans gives us his final thoughts from the NSE ExpoForum held in Italy this past week. The highlights include : - The need for legislation and space law, nationally and internationally, - EU Space law to presented during March 2024, - Role of space in national and international security

Zhang Kejian, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) administrator, and Sherif Sedky, the Chief Operating Officer of the Egyptian Space Agency (EGSA), signed a cooperation agreement between the CNSA and the EGSA on the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) in Beijing on the 6th of December. 

Uzma, a energy and technology company and Satellogic Inc, a Earth Observation (EO) data collector, announced on the 7th of December a new collaboration. The companies are aiming to evolve the landscape of satellite imagery capabilities and geospatial services in Southeast Asia. As part of the agreement Satellogic will design and manufacture a EO satellite. It is planned to be launched in the second half of 2024 as ‘UzmaSAT-1’ aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

Neutron Star Systems (NSS) has announced the signature of its second contract with the European Space Agency to deliver "Very High Thrust Density for Space Transportation". Under the agreement, NSS and its partners will design and manufacture a high-power electric propulsion (HPEP) prototype which will lay the groundwork for deploying electric propulsion (EP) technologies on future missions and ensuring European independence and capabilities for future operations.

Capt. Andrea Patassa the European Space Agency - ESA Reserve Astronaut , from the Italian Air Force spoke with Remco Timmermans at the NSE ExpoForum The conversation highlighted the dual use and the relevance of defence in space.

NSE ExpoForum started on the 5th of December with a focus to help create new market opportunities in Europe and become a catalyst of local industry growth. Remco Timmermans walks us through the quick highlights of the upcoming conference and sheds light on the increasing #defence interest to invest in private space companies.

This episode of Space Café Radio is part of our Karman mini-series, produced in collaboration with the Karman Project. The Karman Project every year selects 15 fellows from around the world to foster trust, cooperation, and dialogue between global leaders in space. In this episode Editor in Chief Dr Emma Gatti interviewed Jacob Malthouse, the executive director of the Lunar Foundation and her co-fellow at the Karman Fellowship for 2023. In this intense talk, Jacob emphasizes the importance of collaboration, open standards, and informal dialogue to ensure a peaceful future on the Moon.