We hear the same thing over and over again at industry conferences all over the world: ‘We must do something about orbital debris’ and yet, somehow, there has been a failure to act. This is a hugely serious problem that has the potential to cause catastrophic collisions in orbit, putting …
Read More »Nigeria and China Agree to U.S.$550 Million Satellite Deal
The Nigerian government has concluded negotiations with the Chinese government’s ExIm Bank and the China Great Wall Industries Corporation for two communications satellites thought to be worth U.S.$550 million . The Nigerian minister for communications, Adebayo Shittu, told journalists in Abuja, the Nigerian capital, that it is hoped that the …
Read More »Iran To Use Azerbaijani Imaging Satellite
A source within the Iranian communications industry revealed to Trend News in late December 2017 that Iran would continue to utilize Azerbaijan’s AzerSky satellite. The source further stated that the two countries have discussed the possibility for increased cooperation regarding satellite operations during 2018. The AzerSky satellite was sold to …
Read More »Israel’s Technion and Israel Space Agency to Launch World’s First Nanosatellite Formation in 2018
Technion and the Israel Space Agency announced that in late 2018, a group of three nanosatellites, which will fly in controlled formation, will be launched for the first time into space. The satellite formation will be launched by the Dutch company Innovative Solutions In Space, which specialises in launching nanosatellites …
Read More »UAE’s MBRSC Encourages Emirati Youth to Register for UAE Astronaut Programme
Following the announcement from H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center is now accepting entries for the UAE Astronaut Programme. At the end of 2018, four carefully selected Emirati candidates will be …
Read More »YahSat’s Al Yah-3 and SES-14 Preparing for Arianespace’s First 2018 Launch
As another year of successful Arianespace launch activity draws to a close, two satellites for its first mission of 2018 are now in French Guiana – positioning them for liftoff on January 25, 2018, from the Spaceport on a heavy-lift Ariane 5. Arriving December 22, 2017, was SES-14 for Luxembourg-based telecommunications …
Read More »IAI’s Joseph Weiss To Step Down As CEO After Six Years In Charge
As he approaches six years as President and CEO of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and retirement age, and following a long series of managerial positions held at IAI during more than 20 years, Joseph Weiss has informed the Company’s board of directors of his decision to step down from his …
Read More »Nine Arabsat Member States to Attend Board Meeting in Istanbul
With the participation of nine Arab countries, headed by Saudi Arabia, Arabsat is to hold its Board of Directors meeting in Istanbul, Turkey. Arab Satellite Communications Organization (ARABSAT) will hold its 160th Board of Directors meetings in Istanbul, Turkey, on January 3-4, 2018, under the chairmanship of Dr. Nasser Al-Hujailan, …
Read More »#SpaceWatchME Review of 2017 – A Year in Content
Wow. It’s been a busy year at SpaceWatch Middle East, but it’s also been a very rewarding one as the team has seen the platform grow form literally nothing to a publication that has earned a following that we could never have dreamed of and interest from all over the …
Read More »UAE Vice President Launches ‘Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Future Research’
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has launched the Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Future Research. The centre will openly publish its research and outcomes to global academic and research communities and will adopt a new concept based on open …
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