https://spacewatch.global/space-geopolitics/geopolitics-news/ AN INDEPENDENT PERSPECTIVE ON SPACE Fri, 21 Aug 2026 09:59:32 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1 https://spacewatch.global/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SpaceWatchGlobal-Sign-90x90.png https://spacewatch.global/space-geopolitics/geopolitics-news/ 32 32 https://spacewatch.global/2026/08/taiwans-first-domestic-rocket-test-ends-in-mid-flight-termination-as-the-island-pursues-launch-independence/ Fri, 21 Aug 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=76805 Taiwan's first flight test of a domestically developed satellite launch vehicle, conducted by the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology, ended in flight termination shortly after liftoff. The flight was terminated using a pre-planned self-destruct mechanism after the vehicle deviated from its intended trajectory.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/08/landspace-successfully-recovers-zhuque-3-booster-diversifying-chinas-reusable-rocket-ambitions/ Thu, 20 Aug 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=76763 LandSpace has announced the successful launch, orbital payload deployment and first-stage recovery of its August 19 mission featuring the Zhuque-3 Y2 reusable carrier rocket. The achievement marks a significant milestone for the company and China’s commercial space sector, bringing the country another step closer to an operational reusable-launch model.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/08/space-forge-partners-with-texas-am-to-expand-advanced-semiconductor-materials-capacity-in-the-u-s/ Wed, 19 Aug 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=76715 Space Forge has signed a master research agreement with the Texas A&M University System, a first step toward building its US semiconductor-materials manufacturing capability.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/08/united-launch-alliance-appoints-mark-peller-as-president-and-chief-executive-officer/ Tue, 18 Aug 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=76687 United Launch Alliance has appointed veteran aerospace industry executive Mark Peller as its next president and chief executive officer, effective immediately, succeeding interim CEO John Elbon, who has held the role since December 2025. Peller's appointment comes at a pivotal moment for ULA as the company transitions Vulcan from a newly introduced launch vehicle into the backbone of its future launch operations. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/08/u-s-and-japan-strengthen-space-security-alliance-with-second-sda-payload-launch-aboard-qzs-7/ Mon, 17 Aug 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=76653 A U.S. Space Domain Awareness payload hosted on Japan's Quasi-Zenith Satellite 7 successfully launched aboard Japan's H3 launch vehicle on August 10, 2026. The mission marked the H3 vehicle's second consecutive successful launch following its December 2025 mission failure. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/08/space42-and-leonardo-drs-sign-mou-to-advance-next-generation-national-security-mission-systems/ Thu, 13 Aug 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=76528 Space42 has signed an MoU with Leonardo DRS to integrate its secure satellite connectivity with Leonardo DRS mission systems, advancing sovereign national security in the UAE.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/08/vinspace-announces-launch-contract-with-spacex-marking-a-new-milestone-for-vietnams-space-industry/ Wed, 12 Aug 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=76453 Vietnam's VinSpace has signed a launch contract with SpaceX, a milestone in the country's push to build comprehensive aerospace capabilities.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/08/chinas-long-march-7a-rocket-suffers-anomalous-break-up-shortly-after-lift-off/ Wed, 12 Aug 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=76463 China's normally reliable Long March 7A broke up 85 seconds into flight, losing the ChinaSat-4B military communications satellite - only the launcher's second failure since its 2020 debut.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/08/japans-h3-rocket-launches-second-successful-mission-following-december-2025s-mishap/ Wed, 12 Aug 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=76481 Japan's H3 has flown a clean second success, deploying the MICHIBIKI QZS-7 navigation satellite from Tanegashima and putting December's mishap behind it.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/08/astrolight-and-atmos-space-cargo-target-first-in-flight-reentry-capsule-to-satellite-laser-link/ Tue, 11 Aug 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=76400 Astrolight and ATMOS Space Cargo have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly demonstrate the first in-flight optical communications link between a re-entry spacecraft and an orbiting satellite next year.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/08/hispasat-confirms-spanish-commitments-to-iris%c2%b2-as-ground-segment-prime-contractor-with-the-program-targeting-2029-for-initial-launches/ Mon, 10 Aug 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=76336 The European Commission and ESA have concluded IRIS² negotiations with the SpaceRISE consortium (Eutelsat, HispaSat, SES), naming HispaSat prime contractor for the ground segment, with initial launches targeted for 2029.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/08/cnes-secures-access-to-orbitworks-altair-earth-observation-constellation-in-a-multi-year-deal/ Mon, 10 Aug 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=76352 The French Space Agency has secured access to Altair, the ten-satellite, AI-enabled Earth observation constellation being developed and manufactured by Orbitworks, a UAE commercial satellite constellation production and operation joint venture comprising Loft Orbital and Marlan Space. Featuring a multi-year contract with Loft Orbital, the arrangement reflects growing international confidence in advanced space capabilities designed, manufactured, and integrated in the UAE.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/08/blue-origin-traces-cause-of-new-glenns-explosion-as-the-company-targets-a-return-to-flight-this-year/ Fri, 07 Aug 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=76275 Blue Origin has traced New Glenn's May static-fire explosion to a main oxygen valve on one of the BE-4 engines, confirmed by hardware recovery and hotfire testing, with return-to-flight targeted this year.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/08/ast-spacemobile-accelerates-network-presence-across-europe-following-three-new-orbital-additions-to-its-bluebird-constellation/ Fri, 07 Aug 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=76287 AST SpaceMobile has launched BlueBird 11, 12, and 13, expanding its direct-to-cell constellation as it begins network-integration tests with European mobile operators.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/08/nineteen-group-acquires-space-comm-expo-europe-from-lunar-ridge-ventures/ Tue, 04 Aug 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=76153 Nineteen Group has acquired Space-Comm Expo Europe from Lunar Ridge Ventures, aiming to grow its international, government, and defence delegations.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/08/planet-acquires-berlin-innovation-campus-space-to-set-up-its-first-european-production-facility/ Mon, 03 Aug 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=76111 Planet has acquired around 5,700 square metres at Berlin's BERLIN DECKS campus for its first European production facility, for satellite manufacturing and R&D.]]> 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. ]]>