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H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, and Edouard Philippe, Prime Minister of France, attended on 11 February, 2018, the signing of a joint declaration between the UAE Space Agency and France’s Centre national d’etudes spatiales – the National Centre for …

Singapore moved forward last week in its quest to become the first nation to implement a space-based very-high frequency (VHF) communications system. This system would include mounting VHF communications equipment onto a constellation of small, low-earth-orbit satellites to allow clear, real-time communications between pilots and air traffic controllers over oceanic …

The head of the Indonesian National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN – Lembaga Penerbangan dan Antariksa Nasional) announced in Singapore that his country intends to build and launch two Earth observation microsatellites by 2020, and that Indonesia still has ambitions to develop its own space launch capability. Prof. Dr. …

The UK Space Agency (UKSA) has announced a programme that will use Earth observation satellites and imagery data to assist members states of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) deal with public health threats such as Dengue Fever, and environmental and resource management problems such as monitoring forest …

The small satellite phenomenon continues to gather momentum, but is this something we can count on lasting well into the future? Is the smallsat here to stay? Stephen Ennis of the Small Satellite Project Group at the Space Generation Advisory Council gives his perspective on this fascinating question. From within …

The success of Galileo and Copernicus have galvanised the space ambitions of the European Union and given it the impetus to build on its achievements. This was very evident at the recent annual European Space Policy Conference that was held in Brussels from 24-25 January, 2018. Here, space policy analyst, …

By Andrew Jones China’s pioneering Chang’e-4 lunar mission set to launch later this year will carry an optical camera provided by Saudi Arabia as part of international involvement in the mission. The Chang’e-4 mission, which will use the backup to the 2013 Chang’e-3 Moon lander and rover, plans to make …

NBN Co. and Speedcast International, Ltd, partners in delivering Australian communications networks, have selected Israeli company Gilat Satellite Networks, Ltd. to provide the satellite platform to serve nationwide business clients in regional and rural Australia. Gilat will deliver, operate, and support its Business and Enterprise Satellite Service (BESS) for businesses …

Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. (SSTL), located in Guildford, Surrey, in the U.K., has signed a GBP25 million (approximately U.S.$34.8 million) deal with China’s Twenty First Century Aerospace Technology Co. Ltd. (21AT) for the lease of the SSTL-S1 Earth observation satellite. SSTL-S1 is due to be launched on an Indian Space …

The successful launch of SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy space launch vehicle (SLV) on 6 February, 2018, is a major milestone in spaceflight and space exploration. It is also a green light for the launch of the Arabsat-6A communications satellite in the coming months aboard a Falcon Heavy SLV. “Arabsat-6A positioned at …