https://spacewatch.global/space-geopolitics/geopolitics-news/ AN INDEPENDENT PERSPECTIVE ON SPACE Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:44:00 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.2 https://spacewatch.global/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SpaceWatchGlobal-Sign-90x90.png https://spacewatch.global/space-geopolitics/geopolitics-news/ 32 32 https://spacewatch.global/2026/09/avio-usa-breaks-ground-on-first-u-s-solid-rocket-motor-facility/ Wed, 30 Sep 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=78350 Avio USA has broken ground on a 900,000 sq ft solid rocket motor facility in Hurt, Virginia, targeting thousands of motors annually for US tactical missile programmes from early 2029.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/09/gps-interference-near-los-angeles-raises-new-questions-for-u-s-aviation/ Wed, 30 Sep 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=78358 Several United Airlines flights reported GPS interference near Los Angeles on 25 September, highlighting civil aviation's exposure to navigation disruption - uncommon in US airspace, but increasingly familiar in parts of Europe.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/09/cote-divoire-signs-artemis-accords-as-african-participation-expands/ Tue, 29 Sep 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=78293 Côte d'Ivoire has signed the Artemis Accords, the fifth African country to join in 2026, as the framework expands across the continent.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/09/satellite-connect-europes-itu-filing-plans-for-344-satellite-european-d2d-network/ Mon, 28 Sep 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=78266 An International Telecommunication Union (ITU) filing has revealed that Satellite Connect Europe’s planned European direct-to-device network could comprise 344 satellites, providing an indication of the scale of the Vodafone-AST SpaceMobile venture’s satellite ambitions in Europe. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/09/uk-space-agency-opens-tender-for-international-disaster-charter-support/ Thu, 24 Sep 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=78073 The UK Space Agency is seeking a commercial Earth observation provider to deliver operational support to the International Charter: Space and Major Disasters under a procurement estimated at £546,693. The contract, scheduled to run from January 2027 through March 2029, is intended to support the provision of satellite data during Charter activations.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/09/italy-continues-copuos-chairmanship-with-mario-cospitos-appointment/ Thu, 24 Sep 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=78162 Italy will continue to chair the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) after consensus among COPUOS' 110 member states was reached to appoint Ambassador Mario Cospito, Special Commissioner of the Italian Space Agency (ASI), as Chair for the 2026–2027 biennium.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/09/streeting-this-century-will-depend-on-control-of-space/ Wed, 23 Sep 2026 17:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=78103 UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting closed day one of the UK Space Power Conference by placing control of space at the heart of British deterrence, and warned that adversaries use satellite disruption to fuel populism.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/09/uk-forms-first-space-effects-squadron-as-uk-space-power-conference-opens/ Wed, 23 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=78062 The UK is forming No. 3 Space Effects Squadron, its first dedicated unit for offensive and defensive space operations, Air Chief Marshal Sir Harv Smyth announced at the inaugural UK Space Power Conference in London.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/09/marble-imaging-and-msg-systems-partner-on-european-sovereign-isr-capabilities/ Tue, 22 Sep 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=77977 Marble Imaging and msg systems have signed an MoU to develop sovereign European ISR solutions, combining satellite Earth observation with AI, open-source intelligence and secure digital infrastructure.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/09/dhruva-space-and-thales-alenia-space-sign-mou-on-global-satellite-opportunities/ Mon, 21 Sep 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=77896 Dhruva Space and Thales Alenia Space have signed an MoU to explore collaboration on satellite constellations, space infrastructure and advanced systems, as India's private sector expands beyond its home market.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/09/integrasys-selected-to-lead-consortium-developing-eoblinding-counter-surveillance-system/ Mon, 21 Sep 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=77910 The European Defence Fund has selected a consortium led by Spanish satellite communications company Integrasys to develop a capability designed to counter space-based surveillance, bringing together European companies working across space surveillance, radio-frequency systems and other sensing technologies.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/09/esa-signs-e20-million-in-low-leo-contracts-as-iris%c2%b2-enters-hardware-development/ Fri, 18 Sep 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=77847 ESA has signed 18 contracts worth €20 million in Madrid, bringing nearly 80 companies into Low-LEO studies that could expand IRIS² beyond its initial architecture.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/09/esa-awards-parallel-eogs-architecture-studies-to-iceye-and-leonardo/ Fri, 18 Sep 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=77862 ICEYE and Leonardo have been selected by the European Space Agency to lead parallel studies to develop architectural blueprints for the European Union’s planned Earth Observation Governmental Service. The contracts mark an early step toward defining a sovereign and secure Earth-observation capability for European government users.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/09/synspective-signs-h3-launch-deal-as-it-expands-sar-constellation-service-with-new-omnia-program/ Fri, 18 Sep 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=77870 Synspective has signed with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to launch two StriX satellites on Japan's H3 in the second half of 2027, alongside a new OMNIA programme sharing small SAR constellation capacity among multiple users.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/09/viasat-and-pgz-sign-mou-to-explore-military-satellite-communications-in-poland/ Thu, 17 Sep 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=77805 Viasat and Poland's state-owned PGZ have signed a Letter of Intent to explore cooperation on Poland's military satellite communications and space capabilities.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/09/airbus-to-build-spainsat-ng-iii-as-spain-replaces-lost-communications-satellite/ Thu, 17 Sep 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=77800 Spanish satellite operator Hisdesat has contracted Airbus Defence and Space to develop and build SpainSat NG-III, a new secure communications satellite intended to strengthen Spain’s strategic communications capabilities and replace the damaged SpainSat NG-II.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/09/djibouti-joins-artemis-accords-as-eighth-african-signatory-expanding-its-national-space-program/ Wed, 16 Sep 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=77745 Djibouti has joined the Artemis Accords as the eighth African signatory and 72nd globally, building on its transition from establishing a national space programme to operating satellites.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/09/u-s-confirms-space-force-has-deployed-on-orbit-space-control-weapons/ Tue, 15 Sep 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=77697 U.S. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink has confirmed that the United States has deployed “on-orbit space control weapons” capable of defending its military forces against hostile action, marking a significant public acknowledgement of a U.S. orbital counter-space capability.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/09/marlan-space-and-loft-orbital-launch-1-billion-plan-for-50-satellite-ai-constellation/ Tue, 15 Sep 2026 04:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=77670 Marlan Space and Loft Orbital are leading a $1 billion Franco-Emirati consortium for Altair-Next Gen, a 50-satellite constellation combining optical, radar, onboard computing and AI for sovereign and commercial users.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/09/swissto12-and-mitsubishi-electric-expand-japan-partnership-with-mou-and-antenna-contract/ Mon, 14 Sep 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=77656 SWISSto12 and Mitsubishi Electric have signed an MoU on payloads and RF products across Japan and Asia-Pacific, with MELCO separately awarding SWISSto12 a phased-array antenna contract for a Japanese government GEO secure-communications programme.]]>