Mongolia and France signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 18 May 2018 in order to carry out space cooperation at the institutional level between the Centre national d’études spatiales (CNES) and the Mongolian communication and information technologies authority (ACTI). The MoU was signed by Jean-Yves Le Gall, President of …
Read More »Rocket Lab All Set For First Commercial Launch By End Of June 2018
U.S. based commercial space launch company Rocket Lab is getting ready for its first commercial launch, which is scheduled to take off from New Zealand in late June 2018. This U.S. spaceflight startup has scheduled new dates for its first commercial launch: a mission dubbed “It’s Business Time” which will launch via its small rocket, the Electron, between 23 June and 6 July 2018
Read More »Israel’s Space Industry Roiled By Scandal After Spacecom Decision to Buy SSL Satellite
The decision by the board of Israeli satellite communications company Spacecom to buy its AMOS-8 satellite from US satellite manufacturer Space Systems Loral (SSL) over Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has unleashed political controversy in Israel and revealed a potential corruption scandal within Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet.
Read More »Japanese MoD To Use Planet’s Dove Earth Imaging Satellites For Intelligence Gathering
The Japanese Ministry of Defence (MoD) will use Planet's Dove Earth imaging nanosatellites to collect intelligence on Japanese national security threats, supplementing the high-resolution satellite imagery it receives from the Japanese government's Intelligence Gathering Satellites (IGS).
Read More »Australia’s Sky and Space Global Successfully Validates Nanosatellite Narrowband Communications Capability
Sky and Space Global, the Australian New Space company that intends to provide narrowband satellite communications through its planned 200 Nanosatellite fleet in 2020, has successfully completed proof-of-concept tests using three pilot Nanosatellites in South America.
Read More »China Successfully Launches “Magpie Bridge” Relay Satellite in Run-Up to Historic Chang’e-4 Mission
China is on the verge of a space exploration breakthrough with the launch of the “Magpie Bridge” relay satellite for its Chang'e-4 lunar mission that will explore the dark side of the Moon, further establishing itself as a preeminent global space power.
Read More »Israel’s Spacecom Wins U.S.$55 million Contract for African Broadcasts
Troubled Israeli commercial satellite operator Spacecom has won a U.S.$55 million contract from an unnamed customer to use the AMOS-17 satellite to broadcast content to the African continent. AMOS-17 is being built by U.S. satellite manufacturer Boeing Satellite Systems International and is scheduled to be launched by SpaceX by mid-2019, and is to replace AMOS-5 – built by a Russian manufacturer – that failed in orbit in 2015 after only four years operation of what should have been a fifteen year mission.
Read More »UAE Space Agency and Partners Complete Preliminary Design Review of MeznSat-3U Cubesat
The UAE Space Agency, in cooperation with Khalifa University of Science and Technology at the Masdar Institute in Abu Dhabi and the American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK), has completed the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) of the MeznSat-3U Cubesat.
Read More »#SpaceWatchGL – Important Information About The Processing Of Your Personal Data
On 25 May 2018, the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is effective. The data protection for data subjects in the European Union is thereby significantly strengthened. As your information portal for the space industry, we have always attached special importance to the security of your personal data.
Read More »Russian Source Claims First UAE Astronaut to be Launched to ISS in 2019
A Russian media report is claiming that the first astronaut from the United Arab Emirates is to be launched to the International Space Station (ISS) on board a Russian Soyuz spacecraft as soon as April 2019, even going as far as apparently bumping a wealthy U.S. businessman who is paying U.S.$45-50 million to visit the ISS as a space tourist.
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