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Space Systems Command (SSC) and SpaceX have successfully launched the U.S. Space Force (USSF)-52 mission using a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Launch Complex (LC)-39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Falcon Heavy carried the seventh mission of the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle, an experimental test program to demonstrate technologies for a reliable, reusable, unmanned space test platform for the USSF.

OHB System AG, a subsidiary of the space and technology group OHB SE, already selected as the project coordinator for ODIN'S EYE II, a space-based early warning system designed to detect and track ballistic and hypersonic missiles, has now been funded: the European Commission, along with the European Defence Fund (EDF), has signed a grant agreement providing EUR 90 million in funding for the project. An industrial consortium, led by Bremen's space experts and comprising 43 companies from 14 European member states, will contribute to the development

In this new episode of Space Café Radio - Karman Special- our Editor in Chief Emma Gatti has interviewed Norilmi Ismail, the founder and CEO of SpaceIn. Norilmi shares her exceptional background as a professor turned entrepreneur in the space industry in Malaysia.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) announced on the 25th of December that the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) was successfully inserted into lunar orbit at 16:51 JST on the 25th of December. SLIM launched on the 6th of September alongside JAXA’s X-ray imaging and spectroscopy Mission (XRISM). Whilst XRISM remained in orbit around the Earth investigating cosmic X-ray sources, SLIM went to go in orbit around the Moon.

OHB System AG has successfully launched two reflector satellites of the SARah reconnaissance system from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Launchpad SLC-4E at 14:11 CET and deployed its two passengers in space on schedule after a flight time of 25 minutes. Shortly afterwards, the operators received signals from the two satellites, kicking off the Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP). 

NASA has released its initial assessment of models for a next generation microgravity national laboratory. In September 2022, the National Space Council directed NASA to develop a plan led by the Space Operations Mission Directorate (SOMD) and the Office for Technology, Policy, and Strategy (OTPS). NASA’s OTPS conducted a study of various candidate models of future operations between a National Laboratory and various Commercial LEO Destinations (CLD). Six models were identified ranging from high to low levels of government oversight with three different economic models. 

Space Café "Law Breakfast with Steven Freeland" will analyse current space developments with a legal focus. It will, at the same time discuss and ‘demystify’ the law for everyone. In our next Space Café “Law Breakfast with Steven Freeland”, Host Steven Freeland, Emeritus Professor of International Law at Western Sydney University, Sydney and Professorial Fellow at Bond University, Australia, and Co-Host Torsten Kriening, SpaceWatch.Global’s Publisher, Duncan Blake and Anne-Sophie Martin. Over bagels, croissants, coffee and other treats, we will discuss many legal issues arising from everyday space activities.

This Space Café Radio is the second part of our mini-series about EshailSat -  SpaceWatch.Global publisher Torsten Kriening spoke with Mohamed Al Sayed, Executive Director of Sales at Es'hailSat, Qatar Satellite's Company. The company was founded in 2010 with the aim to provide Qatar with independent satellite capabilities and contribute to Qatar's National Vision 2030. Es'hailSat plays a key role in connecting the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and Africa due to its strategic geographical location.

Teams from Telespazio, ALTEC and Thales Alenia Space successfully completed the first System Validation Tests (SVTs) this week for the European Space Agency’s reusable Space Rider spacecraft. The ground segment tests aim to validate the interfaces between the ground and flight segment elements. This testing is a key aspect of the Space Rider Phase D activities which began last July. 

China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC), a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), successfully launched the rideshare mission on the 4th of December at 12:10 BJT. The Long March-2C (LM-2C) launch vehicle took off from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center (JSLC), sending the MISRSAT-2 Satellite, and rideshare satellite of the 2nd group satellites A/B of Starpool-1 into orbit.