Middle East

The Russian state space corporation, Roscosmos, and the Turkish Space Agency are reported to be in advanced discussions over a formal bilateral space cooperation agreement, according to the Russian news agency TASS.

Kazakhstan has proposed a Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation with Turkey in order to collaborate on space launch out of the Baikonur Cosmodrome, according to an official from the Aerospace Committee of the Kazakh Ministry of Defence and Aerospace Industry.

In its new survey titled, “Satellite-Based Earth Observation Market Prospects to 2028”, Euroconsult forecasts that the market for data and services derived from Earth observation (EO) satellites is expected to grow by 9.4 percent each year for the next ten years for a total upside market value of $12.1 billion by 2028.

The head of the Iran Space Agency, Morteza Barari, told Iranian media that Iran plans to develop and build a high-resolution Earth observation satellite capable of taking images of one-metre resolution.

Processing is now underway with the TIBA-1 satellite passenger for Arianespace’s next dual-payload Ariane 5 mission, which is scheduled for a November liftoff from the Spaceport in French Guiana.

The UAE's Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) announced on 2 November 2019 that it has commenced work on the Smart Map of Natural Capital of the UAE.

Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd., a worldwide leader in satellite networking technology, solutions and services and China Satellite Communications Co., Ltd. (China Satcom), announced on 29 October 2019 the strengthening of the already established strategic partnership to jointly provide advanced satellite communication services covering: Aero, Land and Maritime fixed and mobility applications.

Within one year of its launch, KhalifaSat captured 7,250 high-quality images and was able to complete 5,431 low Earth orbits, and communicated with the ground station at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) 906 times to send information and images, and receive updates.

The UAE, represented by Yousuf Hamad Al Shaibani, Director-General of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), received the organising committee flag for the 71st International Astronautical Congress (IAC), which is set to be held in Dubai in 2020.

Eutelsat has signed a letter of agreement with Thales Alenia Space for the procurement of EUTELSAT 10B, a new all-electric satellite built on the Spacebus NEO platform.