Europe

CIMON-2, the updated version of the CIMON astronaut assistant, developed and built by Airbus for the German Aerospace Center Space Administration (DLR), has now demonstrated its capabilities during initial tests on the International Space Station (ISS).

We have seen different initiatives from maker communities around the world to develop solutions to fight COVID-19.

European launch vehicle manufacturer Isar Aerospace announced its expansion into new production facilities in Germany’s space valley in Ottobrunn/Taufkirchen near Munich.

Berlin-based Exolaunch, a leading launch services and deployment system provider for small satellites, revealed on 14 April 2020 that it has signed a rideshare launch services agreement with SpaceX.

A new drive to fund space-enabled technology and services that can strengthen the NHS response to coronavirus has launched on 14 April  by the UK Space Agency.

The spread of SARS-CoV-2 - Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) around the world presents huge challenges to health care systems and disease outbreak management. Some countries can build on strong information and healthcare systems whereas others, particularly resource poor countries are highly vulnerable.

The Estonian Centre for Defence Investment (ECDI) concluded a framework agreement with Guardtime OÜ and GT Cyber Technologies OÜ, the object of which is to develop, over a period of four years, an automated command and development platform for the NATO Cyber Range, which will exponentially improve the resources required for preparing and carrying out cyber training exercises.

Public broadcaster BVN TV has signed a long-term worldwide distribution agreement with SES for the use of its satellite capacity and services

Omnispace, the company that is reinventing mobile communications by building a global hybrid network, announced on 9 April 2020 that it has selected Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), to develop the initial component of its satellite-based Internet of Things (IoT) infrastructure

The first European external commercial facility on the International Space Station arrived at its new home last week: the Columbus laboratory module.