https://spacewatch.global/space-geopolitics/geopolitics-news/ AN INDEPENDENT PERSPECTIVE ON SPACE Thu, 30 Jul 2026 07:33:07 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.2 https://spacewatch.global/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SpaceWatchGlobal-Sign-90x90.png https://spacewatch.global/space-geopolitics/geopolitics-news/ 32 32 https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/ispace-to-launch-its-mission-3-ultra-lunar-lander-aboard-mitsubishi-heavy-industries-h3-rocket/ Thu, 30 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=76031 ispace, inc. and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. have signed a contract for the launch and transportation of ispace’s Mission 3 ULTRA Lunar Lander using the latter's H3 rocket which is currently scheduled for 2028. This marks the first time ispace will launch its Japanese lunar lander aboard a Japanese rocket, having relied on SpaceX for its previous launches. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/eutelsat-and-poland-sign-strategic-mou-supporting-polands-participation-in-iris%c2%b2/ Thu, 30 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=76042 Following Poland's commitment to participate in the construction of the IRIS² constellation satellites, Eutelsat has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Country to deepen cooperation in support of Europe's future secure satellite communications infrastructure under the IRIS² program.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/hawkeye-360-awarded-multi-year-contract-to-enhance-indian-ocean-region-maritime-domain-awareness/ Wed, 29 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=76008 HawkEye 360, Inc. has been awarded a multi‑year contract to deliver advanced space‑based RF data and analytics to the Indian Navy and regional partner nations, strengthening the Indian Ocean Region’s maritime domain awareness and enhancing security cooperation across the Indo‑Pacific. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/array-labs-raises-additional-21m-in-strategic-investment-anchored-by-mitsubishi-electric/ Wed, 29 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=76013 Array Labs has raised $21 million in an oversubscribed strategic investment round, anchored by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, one of Japan's largest defense and aerospace companies, with continued participation as well from Catapult Ventures, Kompas VC, and Y Combinator. As part of the financing, Array Labs and Mitsubishi Electric have also entered into a partnership to develop and bring to market, satellite-based airborne tracking services for defense and mainly security customers in the Asia Pacific Region. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/rocket-lab-awarded-record-266m-missile-defense-contract-with-u-s-space-force-for-suborbital-launches/ Tue, 28 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=75972 Rocket Lab has been awarded its largest launch contract to date, a $266 million multi-launch contract with the U.S. Space Force, solidifying the vertical integrator’s position in launch and critical mission enabler for programs with significant importance for the U.S.' national security. Under the contract, Rocket Lab will execute 12 suborbital launches, with up to six additional launches, with the first launch tentatively taking place no earlier than the end of this year.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/chinas-gravity-1-rocket-launches-nine-payloads-into-orbit-from-the-east-china-sea/ Fri, 24 Jul 2026 06:05:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=75925 China has launched the Gravity-1 Y4 carrier rocket from the East China Sea, placing nine satellites into their preset orbit as the country demonstrates open-sea mobile launch capability. The flight marks Gravity-1's first open-sea launch, the launcher's third mission, and China's first commercial sea-based launch in the East China Sea off the Yangtze River Delta. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/uk-space-agency-unveils-62-million-funding-program-alongside-300000-joint-fund-with-space-florida/ Thu, 23 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=75877 The UK Space Agency has unveiled a new funding program at the ongoing Farnborough International Airshow, pledging up to £62 million to develop homegrown satellite communications and space technologies. During the Airshow, UKSA also penned down a consequential agreement with Space Florida, establishing a £300,000 joint fund to help turn innovative ideas into commercial reality. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/vast-announces-two-new-appointments-as-it-pivots-towards-u-s-national-security-missions/ Thu, 23 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=75888 Vast has announced the appointment of Melanie Stricklan, co-founder and former CEO of Slingshot Aerospace and a 21-year U.S. Air Force veteran, as Senior Vice President of a new Special Programs division. The new division will deliver space-based capabilities for the U.S. national security enterprise, including the defense and intelligence communities.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/esas-first-chemical-propulsion-laboratory-for-testing-small-propulsion-systems-is-now-operational/ Wed, 22 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=75844 The European Space Agency has officially kicked off testing at its new Chemical Propulsion Laboratory, ESA's first dedicated facility for testing small propulsion systems for space missions. The facility is housed within a repurposed shipping container at the remote Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR) site in Marknesse.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/poland-to-build-12-iris2-constellation-satellites-after-agreement-with-the-european-commission/ Wed, 22 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=75851 Polish Minister Marcin Kierwiński and European Commissioner for Defense and Space Andrius Kubilius have signed an agreement for Poland's participation in the construction of the IRIS2 constellation satellites, marking a new chapter in Poland's security. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/ihi-corporation-and-kuva-space-partner-for-hyperspectral-intelligence-across-japan-and-east-asia/ Wed, 22 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=75859 IHI Corporation and Kuva Space have signed a memorandum of understanding to expand their cooperation on hyperspectral satellite data and services. Under the agreement, the companies will evaluate Kuva Space’s constellation capacity, define requirements for a Japanese sovereign hyperspectral constellation, and explore business structures to build and operate that capability in Japan, including potential domestic satellite manufacturing.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/the-netherlands-launches-space-command-under-air-and-space-force/ Mon, 20 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=75792 The Netherlands formally stood up a dedicated Space Command on 30 June under its Air and Space Force Command (CLRS), one year after adding "space" to the service's name. Starting with around thirty staff and set to reach full operational capability by 2028, the joint command will scale up Dutch military space operations - from ICEYE SAR satellites to the sovereign PAMI-1 optical mission.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/skyroot-aerospace-reaches-orbit-on-maiden-vikram-1-flight-making-india-the-third-nation-with-private-launch-capability/ Mon, 20 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=75796 Skyroot Aerospace has placed two satellites in a 453-kilometer orbit on the maiden flight of Vikram-1, launched from Sriharikota on 18 July. The success makes India the third country after the United States and China with a demonstrated private orbital launch capability. ISRO supported propellant casting, engine testing and launch operations.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/e-geos-to-provide-technical-training-to-the-african-space-agency-under-new-aespp-institutional-cooperation-project/ Mon, 20 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=75771 Italian Space Agency and Telespazio-owned company, e-GEOS will be providing technical training to the African Space Agency (AfSA) as part of the Africa-EU Space Partnership Program (AESPP), under a new AESPP institutional cooperation project.. Involving the development of strategic studies, infrastructure planning, training activities and communication initiatives, the project aims to support the African Space Agency in its role as the continental coordinating authority for space by strengthening its institutional, managerial, technical and operational capabilities.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/mauritius-joins-the-artemis-accords-becoming-the-programs-70th-and-7th-african-signatory/ Mon, 20 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=75782 The Republic of Mauritius has officially joined the U.S. led Artemis Accords, becoming the 70th signatory and seventh African country to join the Artemis Accords. Mauritius joins Nigeria, Rwanda, Angola, Senegal, Morocco, and Botswana who signed the Accords earlier this July.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/mission-vigilant-owl-viceadmiral-dr-thomas-daum-on-electronic-warfare-isr-and-collective-defense/ Fri, 17 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=75766 Vice Admiral Dr. Thomas Daum, Inspector of Germany's Cyber and Information Domain Service (CIR), explains how the Bundeswehr plans to move signals intelligence into low Earth orbit, why resilience means many small satellites across multiple orbits -and where a large share of the €35 billion space budget will actually go. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/nasa-welcomes-serbia-as-the-69th-signatory-to-the-artemis-accords/ Fri, 17 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=75732 The Republic of Serbia has become the latest country to join the U.S.-led Artemis Accords, with Serbia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Marko Đurić signing the international instrument yesterday 16 July on behalf of the country, during a ceremony hosted by NASA at the agency’s Headquarters in Washington. By signing the Artemis Accords, Serbia joins other nations in opening the door to opportunities for future lunar exploration with NASA, such as providing science and technology payloads for the U.S.-led Moon Base and CubeSats for upcoming Artemis missions.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/slingshot-aerospace-wins-69-2-million-u-s-space-force-contract-to-advance-ai-powered-mission-readiness-for-space-defense/ Fri, 17 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=75738 Slingshot Aerospace has won a $69.2 million, 4.5-year Space Force contract to deliver AI-powered mission-rehearsal and training capabilities for space operations.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/edge-to-acquire-100-stake-in-brazilian-aerospace-engineering-firm-akaer/ Fri, 17 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=75746 The United Arab Emirates-based advanced technology and defense company, EDGE, is set to acquire a 100 percent stake in AKAER, a Brazilian aerospace and engineering company. The acquisition announcement follows EDGE's recent European expansion, establishing EDGE Europe as a subsidiary based in Paris, France.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/rheinmetall-and-space-norway-expand-cooperation-on-developing-allied-maritime-domain-awareness-capability/ Thu, 16 Jul 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=75713 Rheinmetall and Space Norway have signed an MoU expanding their cooperation around space-based capabilities for defense applications, particularly in Maritime Domain Awareness, with the objective of developing future capabilities for customers in Germany and, in the longer term, in other allied nations.]]>