https://spacewatch.global/space-geopolitics/geopolitics-news/ AN INDEPENDENT PERSPECTIVE ON SPACE Tue, 10 Nov 2026 08:12:28 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.4 https://spacewatch.global/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SpaceWatchGlobal-Sign-90x90.png https://spacewatch.global/space-geopolitics/geopolitics-news/ 32 32 https://spacewatch.global/2026/11/rakuten-and-ast-spacemobile-establish-joint-venture-to-build-japans-d2d-satellite-network/ Tue, 10 Nov 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=80019 Rakuten Group and AST SpaceMobile have agreed to establish a joint venture, Rakuten AST, to develop and operate a direct-to-device satellite communications network in Japan. The agreement follows the selection of a joint proposal by Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) under its Japan Low Earth Orbit Satellite Communications Project.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/11/uk-launches-titania-military-satellite-as-it-expands-space-defense-investment/ Mon, 09 Nov 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79993 The United Kingdom has launched its Titania military satellite into orbit, marking another step in the country's efforts to strengthen its space-based defense capabilities. Developed by BAE Systems in partnership with the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, the satellite is part of the UK's ISTARI program, which aims to expand the military's ability to observe activity on Earth from space and deliver intelligence to military decision-makers.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/11/alexander-macdonald-takes-helm-of-canadian-space-agency-following-nasa-career/ Fri, 06 Nov 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79904 Alexander MacDonald, former chief economist at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, has been appointed president of the Canadian Space Agency, succeeding Lisa Campbell, who has led the agency since September 2020. Canada's Minister of Industry, Mélanie Joly, announced the appointment on 4 November 2026, following an open, competency-based selection process.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/11/eib-and-deutsche-bank-launch-e560-million-financing-initiative-for-european-space-companies/ Mon, 02 Nov 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79695 The European Investment Bank and Deutsche Bank have agreed a new financing partnership to back €560 million in investment across Europe's space industry. The initiative aims to help European space businesses expand their operations, bring new technologies to market and strengthen the continent's independent space capabilities by improving access to affordable, long-term capital.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/10/vyoma-brings-flamingo-1-germanys-first-space-based-sda-telescope-into-operation/ Fri, 30 Oct 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79618 Vyoma has begun routine operations with Flamingo-1, its first space-based space surveillance and tracking satellite. The spacecraft is designed to observe objects across different orbital regions, generating imagery that can help satellite operators and government customers monitor activity in space. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/10/vietnam-joins-artemis-accords-as-the-country-seeks-to-expand-its-space-capabilities/ Thu, 29 Oct 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79549 Vietnam has become the 78th signatory to the Artemis Accords. Minister of Science and Technology Vũ Hải Quân signed the agreement on October 28 during Vietnam International Digital Week in Ha Long, with U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Jennifer Wicks attending the ceremony. The signing extends the U.S.–Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership into civil space exploration as Vietnam seeks to strengthen its domestic space technology capabilities.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/10/himera-gomspace-advance-ukraines-independent-satellite-communications-initiative-with-obria-nano/ Wed, 28 Oct 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79512 Ukraine’s HIMERA and Denmark’s GomSpace have begun testing OBRIA NANO, the first test satellite for a planned independent Ukrainian satellite communications network. Launched on October 1 aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-18 rideshare mission, the spacecraft is conducting technical tests intended to inform the design of the future system. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/10/the-u-s-defense-intelligence-agency-highlights-growing-threats-to-space-security-in-new-security-report/ Wed, 28 Oct 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79499 The U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency has warned that expanding counterspace capabilities, closer cooperation among strategic competitors, and growing reliance on commercial satellite systems are creating new challenges for space security. Released on October 26, the 2026 edition of Challenges to Security in Space is the third in the DIA’s series of unclassified reports assessing the military space strategies, capabilities, and intentions of China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/10/iceye-nokia-explore-sovereign-satellite-communications-with-ukraine-as-iceye-partners-with-ororatech/ Fri, 23 Oct 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79345 ICEYE and Nokia have signed a Letter of Intent with Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense to explore cooperation on sovereign satellite communications, potentially giving Kyiv greater control over connectivity supporting its defense operations. Separately, ICEYE has partnered with German space technology company OroraTech to integrate thermal satellite data with radar observations for wildfire detection, progression monitoring, and damage assessment. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/10/esa-council-names-new-agency-directors-for-commercialisation-and-space-operations/ Fri, 23 Oct 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79364 The European Space Agency Council has approved the appointment of Andrzej Banasiak as Director of Commercialisation and Industry Partnership and Nicolaus Hanowski as Director of Space Operations. Announced on October 22 following the Council’s 350th meeting in Paris, both appointments will take effect on January 1, 2027.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/10/remondo-and-meissa-partner-to-advance-ai-powered-earth-observation-solutions/ Thu, 22 Oct 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79294 Remondo and Meissa have signed an MoU to explore the integration of AI-powered satellite operations, image processing and Earth observation analytics. Announced on October 21, 2026, the agreement covers potential collaboration across the satellite mission lifecycle, from observation planning and data acquisition to imagery processing and information delivery. The companies also plan to pursue joint business development opportunities in South Korea, Israel and other international markets.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/10/nordspace-secures-c20-million-canadian-defense-contract-for-responsive-space-launch/ Thu, 22 Oct 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79299 NordSpace has been awarded a C$20 million contract by Canada’s Department of National Defense to provide access to launch infrastructure at its Atlantic Spaceport Complex. The 10-year agreement is intended to help maintain launch facilities in a state of readiness, supporting the Canadian Armed Forces’ future need for responsive access to space from Canadian soil.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/10/european-telecom-operators-coordinate-on-spectrum-for-direct-to-device-services/ Wed, 21 Oct 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79225 European telecommunications groups Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefónica, and Vodafone have signed a letter of intent to explore a potential joint bid for future Mobile Satellite Services spectrum rights in Europe. The initiative aims to advance direct-to-device satellite connectivity, which would allow compatible mobile devices to connect to satellites when terrestrial network coverage is unavailable or limited.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/10/japan-launches-mmx-mission-with-european-built-rover-bound-for-mars-phobos-moon/ Tue, 20 Oct 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79154 JAXA has successfully launched its Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission aboard an H3 rocket, beginning a five-year journey to explore Mars’ two moons and return samples to Earth. The H3 Flight No. 10 vehicle lifted off from Tanegashima Space Center on October 20 at 4:41 a.m. Japan Standard Time, with JAXA confirming that MMX separated from the rocket and entered orbit approximately 71 minutes later. The mission aims to return the first samples collected from a moon of Mars.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/10/ssc-space-expands-japanese-presence-via-launch-and-recovery-services-mou-with-elevationspace/ Mon, 19 Oct 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79106 Swedish space services provider SSC Space and Japanese space company ElevationSpace have signed an MoU to explore cooperation in microgravity research, payload development, launch services, and spacecraft reentry and recovery. The October 14 agreement establishes a framework for the companies to pursue potential joint opportunities in Japan, Sweden, and international markets.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/10/chinas-landspace-launches-10-satellites-to-advance-orbital-computing-and-communications/ Fri, 16 Oct 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79047 China has launched eight computing satellites developed by ADA Space as part of its Star Compute program, expanding the company's efforts to establish artificial intelligence (AI) computing infrastructure in orbit. The satellites were among 10 spacecraft deployed by a LandSpace Zhuque-2E Y4 rocket on 14 October from the Dongfeng commercial space innovation pilot zone in northwest China.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/10/washington-throttles-starlink-and-starshield-over-ukraine-renewing-calls-for-european-solutions/ Fri, 16 Oct 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79058 Services provided by Starlink and its military counterpart Starshield have been curtailed over Ukraine, with devices moving above certain speeds losing connectivity. Who ordered the restriction is disputed, and European observers have pointed to the episode as fresh impetus for sovereign satellite capability.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/10/spacewatchgl-recap-riyadh-day-three-knowing-who-is-up-there/ Thu, 15 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79031 The final day in Riyadh turned to law, identity and resilience. UNOOSA brought industry into COPUOS, China proposed an “ADS-B for satellites”, ETH Zürich counted 407 cyber operations against the space sector, and Kratos showed live interference across the GEO arc. Our closing verdict on three days of Global Space Connectivity and Sustainability Events: the diagnosis is agreed, and the cure waits for WRC-27.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/10/germanys-european-space-component-command-and-academy-the-race-for-a-location-begins/ Wed, 14 Oct 2026 06:30:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=78957 Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia are vying to host Germany’s planned European Space Component Command and the Space Safety and Security Academy. NRW calls for a decision “based on expertise, not on who shouts loudest”. Planners, meanwhile, are focused on one key criterion: easy access for international partners.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/10/newspace-africa-conference-announces-dakar-as-2027-host-city/ Tue, 13 Oct 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=78909 Dakar will host the sixth NewSpace Africa Conference from 19–23 April 2027, organised by Space in Africa with the African Space Agency, under the theme ‘Building, Financing and Delivering Africa’s Space Infrastructure.’]]>