Europe

Dive into this insightful episode of Space Cafe as Markus Mooslechner engages with Aarti Holla-Maini, the dynamic new director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA). With a rich background in the satellite communications industry and a passion for space sustainability, Holla-Maini offers a fresh perspective on global space policy and its impact on society. From her personal journey to her bold vision for the future of space exploration, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the evolving landscape of space diplomacy and technology.

Director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), Aarti Holla-Maini, launches the “UNOOSA Space Bridge, Where Leaders Meet” at the World Space Forum in Vienna.

Following the UK’s first-ever orbital launch from Spaceport Cornwall earlier this year, the UK Space Agency (UKSA) conducted a comprehensive First Launch Lessons Learned exercise and has published a report that identifies areas for improvement that will support future launches from the UK. Furthermore, work is already underway to implement the lessons learned for the benefit of the UK space industry and help inform future launch activity from the UK.

NASA has launched its Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring of Pollution (TEMPO) instrument as a payload on Intelsat 40E aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The instrument aims to provide unprecedented resolution of monitoring major air pollutants – down to four square miles. As a result, it also aims to improve life on Earth by revolutionizing the way scientists observe air quality from space. 

The Council of the European Union (The Council) have adopted conclusions on ‘Space traffic management: state of play’. The conclusions address the challenges of an increasingly congested orbital space and the need for a common approach to ensure a safe and sustainable European space policy. As a result, the conclusions stress the urgency of developing an EU space traffic management (STM) approach, which will contribute to space safety, sustainability and security, and welcome the progress made so far.

The European Space Agency (ESA) has announced the appointment of two new Directors by its 22 Member States at its council meeting. As a result, Laurent Jaffart will become the next Director of Connectivity and Secure Communications, and Marco Ferrazzani will become the next Director of Internal Services.

The World Space Forum 2023 at UNOOSA in Vienna was a great success. Dr Emma Gatti and Torsten Kriening offer their recap from the event here - in front of the frags. Stay tuned for more information about the Summit of the Future and the next World Space Forum 2024 in Bonn/Germany.

At the end of World Space Forum 2023, Torsten Kriening talked with Gina Petrovici from DLR about the next World Space Forum 2024 in Bonn/Germany - co-hosted by DLR.

SpaceWatch.Global Editor-in-Chief Dr. Emma Gatti describes Space Bridge. UNOOSA Director Aarti Holla-Maini announces the creation of Space Bridge, a new UNOOSA initiative aimed at bridging the knowledge gap within the sector and bringing different stakeholders together to compare problems and find answers for the significant challenges of the domain

The day two of the World Space Forum 2023 at UNOOSA in Vienna was fully packed with interesting and informative panels and events. Dr. Emma Gatti and Torsten Kriening give a short review of this day, starting with a panel moderated by Emma, followed by a high level panel on sustainability moderated by the Director of UNOOSA, Aarti Holla-Maini. Torsten summarises the panel about the Summit of the Future and highlights the Space Cafe Podcast live recording.