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Remco Timmermans had the unique opportunity to have an informal chat with Dr. S. Pete Worden of the Breakthrough Initiatives. Breakthrough is one of the key supporters and sponsors of the Space for Island Nations Conference 2023 I asked him about two things that are important to emerging space nations and that were key points in the conference: 1) As a space policy advisor to the Luxembourg government, Dr. Worden shared a list of five key elements of a national space policy. These elements, adjusted to the specific national situation of a country, form the basis for a new national space ecosystem, like for island nations. 2) As a director of the Breakthrough Initiatives, which is all about the future exploration of very deep space, I asked him how students and really anyone interested in emerging and small space nations can benefit from these highly inspirational projects.

In this  Space Café Radio - SpaceWatch.Global Editor-in-Chief Dr Emma Gatti spoke with Dr Walther Pelzer, Member of the Executive Board of DLR and Director General of the German Space Agency at DLR during the 38th Space Symposium in Colorado Springs from 17th-20th April 2023, about the successful launch of JUICE, the new challenges for space in Europe, New Space and the current political environment Europe is operating

Our Space Café “33 minutes with Dr Clemens Kaiser – unlocking the potential of LEO, the data networks in the sky” took place on Tuesday, 25th April. 

Today marks one month since ESA’s newly selected astronaut class of 2022 began their basic training in Cologne, Germany. ESA astronaut candidates Sophie Adenot, Pablo Álvarez Fernández, Rosemary Coogan, Raphaël Liégeois and Marco Sieber took up duty at the European Astronaut Centre (EAC) on 3 April 2023 to be trained to the highest level of standards as specified by the International Space Station partners. They are part of the 17-member astronaut class of 2022, selected from 22,500 applicants across ESA Member States. 

Viasat Inc., a global communications company, has announced the successful launch of ViaSat-3 Americas aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The Czech Republic has signed the Artemis, becoming the 24th country to sign the Accords, during a ceremony at NASA Headquarters in Washington Wednesday. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson participated in the signing ceremony for the agency, and Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský signed the Artemis Accords on behalf of the Czech Republic.

Thales Alenia Space has won a contract from the Italian space agency (ASI) to conduct the development of the Space Factory 4.0 program in the frame of the Italian National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). Thales Alenia Space is leading a consortium, including Argotec, CIRA, and Sitael, to develop an interconnected system with facilities located across Italy, set to start operations by 2026.

Euroconsult has released its annual “Prospects for Maritime Satellite Communications” report. Euroconsult’s report provides a review of key metrics of the Maritime Connectivity systems and services market, focusing on satellite technologies, impact of NGSO constellations, smart ships, and autonomous vessel concepts.

Good morning from the third and last day of the @space for island nations conference 2023 in #Maldives! Today we will look at everything space policy, which is an important element of developing a space economy in a new space nation. This afternoon we will go to the #Moon, before landing at a closing networking reception on the beach with the @breakthrough initiatives, where we can bring together our learnings and start planning the future role of space for island nations! #SINC2023

A little personal reflection of the amazing second day of the @Space for Island Nations Conference 2023 conference. It is very inspiring to see how an initiative born at the @International Space University can turn a nation into a space faring nation. I am proud to see how @MSROmv is leading Maldives into the space era, bringing several national ministers and the country's former president to the first ever space conference in Maldives. I was very proud to have a good chat with Minister of Tourism Dr. Abdulla Mausoom about the specific benefits of space for tourism in the leading tourism nation of the world!