Europe

Airbus Defence and Space SAS ("Airbus") and mu Space and Advanced Technology Co, Ltd ("mu Space") have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on potential future Thailand small satellite missions. This MoU outlines the terms and conditions for their cooperation and the key principles that would govern their relationship for the establishment of the Project. Both parties consequently believe that their combined expertise can lead to successful collaboration in the field of advanced space technology.

Connected, the Portuguese startup on a mission to make universal, standardized, sustainable and affordable NB-IoT connectivity from space a reality, has secured a €2M funding round. Shilling VC, Iberis Capital and FundBox co-led the funding round, with significant contributions from Amena Ventures, angel investor Keith Willey and Octopus Ventures, which leads one of the largest and most active investment funds in Europe.

Avanti Communications has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Telesat to test and develop LEO services as part of its global strategy to deliver bespoke, multi-orbit solutions to customers at scale. Avanti consequently plans to incorporate Telesat’s Lightspeed™ services into its network to provide affordable, high-quality broadband connectivity worldwide. Telesat’s global network comprises 198 state-of-the-art LEO satellites that seamlessly integrate with on-ground networks.

Aldoria has announced a project agreement with SES on a conjunction alert service aimed at enhancing satellite safety. Beginning March 1, 2024, Aldoria will consequently commence a three-month Project Agreement with SES. Under this agreement, Aldoria will offer its conjunction alert service, which provides satellite operators with advanced tools to track their satellites, identify potential collision risks, and receive timely alerts through conjunction data messages (CDM).

The European Space Agency (ESA) has given the green light for the realization of the Dutch TANGO satellites with ISISPACE as the prime contractor. TANGO (Twin Anthropogenic Greenhouse gas Observers) comprises two satellites flying in tandem. It will be a unique European measurement system that will determine methane, carbon dioxide and nitrogen dioxide emissions for individual industrial plants. Furthermore, it measures greenhouse gas emissions at source level from power plants, coal mines, landfills and factories, among others

Hungarian Group 4IG PLC has established 4iG Space and Technology Zrt as a subsidiary, transferring its space and technology interests into the new company to exploit global growth opportunities more effectively. As a result, 4iG Space and Technology Zrt will now be responsible for managing space and satellite manufacturing, autonomous aircraft development and manufacturing, drone defence, defence industry digitalisation services, and business strategy of the companies. 

Unseenlabs has announced its satellite fleet expansion and will consequently be launching two new satellites, the new unseenlabs bro-12 and bro-13 satellites. The satellites will tentatively launch in March as part of the transporter-10 mission aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket via Exolaunch from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has announced strengthening its partnership with the commercial space industry. NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană made the announcement during NATO’s first Space Reverse Industry Day yesterday, 20 February 2024, as he highlighted the importance of cooperation with the commercial space industry to ensure Alliance security. 

Sateliot, an operator of a Low-Earth Orbit 5G Internet of Things (IoT) satellite constellation acting as a seamless roaming extension of cellular networks, has achieved 5G service messaging connection via the Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT) commercial network, KSATlite, together with Amazon Web Services (AWS). Sateliot's LEO satellite constellation seamlessly integrates with KSAT's advanced ground network services, creating a robust system that ensures reliability, scalability, and global coverage.

ClearSpace has secured a contract with the UK Space Agency (UKSA) to investigate the feasibility of an in-orbit satellite refuelling mission, an exciting new market for in-orbit services. The REFUEL.ME study, which will run until September 2024, will involve the establishment of the key mission requirements and the definition of the mission concept of operations, leading to an initial design of the servicer satellite and a review of the sizeable market potential.