Space Economy

This week, Dr Emma Gatti, our Editor in Chief, discussed with us the latest updates from the 16th European Space Conference in Brussels, Belgium, 23-24 January 2024. She spoke about : 1. The pressing issue of #launch vehicles in Europe, 2.⁠ ⁠⁠European Commission versus ESA, 3.⁠ ⁠⁠The highlights from the conference- specifically #militarisation of space

In the latest (16th) “Space Café Law Breakfast with Steven Freeland”, host Steven Freeland, Emeritus Professor at Western Sydney University, and Professorial Fellow at Bond University, and Co-Host Torsten Kriening, SpaceWatch.Global’s Publisher, welcomed Anne-Sophie Martin and Duncan Blake to a sensational breakfast discussion at the famous Caffe Palombini in Rome.

ClearSpace and Orbit Fab have announced a multi-faceted strategic partnership to advance in-space refuelling and servicing capabilities that aim to revolutionize space operations and serve as a foundation for a vibrant and sustainable space economy. Under the memorandum of understanding (MoU), Orbit Fab and ClearSpace will develop key enabling technologies, building on their initial collaborative work that began several years ago

Boryung Corporation and Axiom Space have announced the formation of a joint venture, BRAX Space Corporation,  to leverage the unique strengths of both companies to advance the commercialization of low-Earth orbit (LEO) and push the boundaries of space exploration. As a result, both parties will jointly explore business opportunities related to the future Axiom Station. Furthermore, the collaboration will focus on various businesses, including research and development, new initiatives in the space industry, and joint production efforts

OIKON Ltd, the Croatian Institute of Applied Ecology, together with other partners has launched the National Map of Marine Habitats of the Republic of Croatia. The new, unique map of marine habitats for 51% of Croatia’s marine area provides a detailed insight into the distribution of species and habitats and is a key tool for the conservation and sustainable use of the Adriatic Sea.

GITAI USA Inc. has announced that its 1.5-meter-long autonomous dual robotic arm system (S2) is scheduled to launch to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket (NG-20) on January 29. Having passed the necessary NASA safety reviews, the S2 will conduct an external demonstration of in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing (ISAM) while onboard the ISS.

Astroscale Holdings Inc. has announced the completion of the final phase of its End-of-Life Services by Astroscale (ELSA-d) mission with the safe and controlled de-orbit operations of the ELSA-d servicer satellite. The satellite leveraged its remaining operational thrusters to achieve the controlled de-orbiting, marking the successful conclusion of the pioneering mission.

IRIS2 (pronounced “iris square”) is the new EU secure satellite constellation project, which stands for Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity, and Security by Satellite. Touted as “the European Union’s answer to pressing challenge of tomorrow, offering enhanced communication capacities to governmental users, businesses, while ensuring high-speed internet broadband to cope with connectivity dead zones,“ IRIS2 is the result of a brilliant vision at the intersection of European “strategic autonomy,” orbital economy and policy, space industry majors, innovative startups, bureaucratic agendas, and a European Union space strategy for security and defense. Like many brilliant visions, it runs the risk of being eaten for breakfast by the tyranny of execution. Could it be different this time?

Voyager Space (Voyager) has announced the appointment of Marshall Smith as the company's Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and as a member of Starlab Space's Board of Directors. Smith, who previously served as Voyager Space's Vice President of Exploration, will lead the technical strategy for Voyager's enterprise and guide the Starlab team through the design, development, and operations of the commercial space station.

ALDORIA (formerly Share My Space) has announced closing its Serie A funding round, securing €10 million in equity investments from a strong syndicate, bringing the total amount of investment in the company to €22 million to date. To support this new stage of development, the company is strengthening its brand and effective today, Share My Space has become ALDORIA, a former name of the Pleiades nebula.