Europe

The EUTELSAT 5 West A satellite has retired after more than 20 years of in-orbit operation. As a result, Eutelsat has successfully re-orbited the satellite to more than 400km above the geostationary arc. Likewise, the satellite operator has depressurized the propulsion system and passivated the electrical equipment on board. The final operation to deactivate the remaining Radio Frequency source (telemetry transmitter) came from the Issy-les-Moulineaux Satellite Control Centre on 13 January at 09:57 UTC.

A group of Scottish global space industry experts have formed a committee, the Scotland International Space Advisory Committee (SISAC), consisting of members of the Scottish Government’s GlobalScot program. GlobalScots are Scots around the world voluntarily providing expertise to identify opportunities to achieve a £4 billion (US $5 billion) share of the global space market.

Sateliot and Sensefinity have launched a global 5G-IoT satellite connectivity to facilitate the first data transmission technology from 1,000 smart containers, saving medium shipping companies up to a reported $1.4 million per year on container maintenance and repairs.

In this German Space Café Radio – Space Café Germany Host Andreas Schepers spoke with Prof. Dr.-Ing. An­ke Kays­ser-Py­zal­la,  Chair of the Ex­ec­u­tive Board of the German Aerospace Center (DLR). The interview was conducted during this year’s ILA Berlin which is the largest aerospace trade show in Germany which took place June 22 – 26.

Thales Alenia Space has signed a contract with prime contractor App works to provide Thailand with a complete Search and Rescue (SAR) operational system based on the COSPAS-SARSAT MEOSAR Service.

Danish nanosatellites manufacturer and operator GomSpace has announced that the Jens Maaløe, Chairman of the Board of Directors, will retire with immediate effect due to health issues. Niels Buus, GomSpace’s CEO, will also step down after nine years of service.

Active phased array communications technology company, CesiumAstro has acquired United Kingdom-based communications company TXMission. Founded in 2018, TXMission develops software-defined radios and modems for satellites, ground stations, HAPS (high-altitude platform systems), and airborne platforms.

AAC Clyde Space has received a EUR 234,000 order from UK-based Space Forge to provide space products for a demonstration spacecraft that will leverage the space environment for production and experiments, capable of performing multiple trips to space.

Director-General Timo Pesonen on behalf of the European Commission signed a Copernicus Cooperation Arrangement with the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) of Japan.

Kevin O'Connell is a former Director of the Office of Space Commerce at the U.S Department of Commerce. He is now the founder of Space Economy Rising LLC, a company that works with clients and partners worldwide on all aspects of the space economy. He is an expert in the field of space commerce and has been involved in space issues for over 30 years. In this episode, he talks about the commercial potential of space and takes unexpected turns. It seems space is looking for any talent out there.