Space

The Space Café Podcast #67: Thomas Zurbuchen - NASA’s Science Mission director Thomas Zurbuchen is one of NASA's most successful science directors of all time. After 6 years in office, he looks back on an outstanding career and gives insights into the future of NASA. 

Aerospace company Airbus’ HAPS Connectivity (High Altitude Platform Station) Business has signed a Letter of Intent with Japanese Space Compass Corporation to cooperate on servicing the Japanese market with mobile connectivity and Earth observation services from the Stratosphere with Airbus’ Zephyr HAPS platform, the company said.

Global satellite operator SES, chose to launch its EAGLE-1 satellite, which will support the end-to-end secure Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) system for Europe, by commercial launch service provider Arianespace, the company said. EAGLE-1 is planned to be launched on a Vega C rocket as early as Q4 2024. 

Japan-based Global lunar exploration company ispace, has received a license from the Japanese government to conduct business activity on the Moon as part of its first lunar mission, the company said. The approval is the first granted under Japan’s Act on the Promotion of Business Activities for the Exploration and Development of Space Resources (Space Resources Act). 

Sateliot, the U.S.-based first nanosatellite telecommunications company to offer 5G connectivity for IoT devices, announced the launch of its first functional nanosatellite in Q1 2023. The technology will allow anyone with a standard 5G device to stay connected anywhere in the world. 5G connectivity will also have an impact on the logistics, agriculture, maritime, energy, utilities, transportation and environmental sectors, the company stated.

OneWeb CEO Sunil Bharti Mittal has announced that it will become ready for service in the second half of 2023 as it will complete the launch of its constellations by March 2023. Sunil made this announcement at the ongoing Connecting the World from the Skies forum, organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Saudi Arabia Communications, Space & Technology Commission (CST). 

In this episode of Space Cafè Radio Editor in Chief Dr. Emma Gatti spoke with Prof. Patrizia Caraveo, the Research Director at INAF, the Italian National Institute of Astrophysics, about the quest for darker and quieter skies. Prof. Caraveo, who is also the author of the book "Saving The Starry Night" (Springer), argues that light pollution is a major issue that has a severe impact on astronomical observations, devastating effects on many species of wildlife, and negative effects on human health. For this reason, she argues, light pollution needs to be discussed, the public needs to reach a level of awareness of this problem, and regulations must be implemented to find a solution. Enjoy this compelling discussion with one of the major experts in this field.

Launch and space systems company Rocket Lab, has partnered with Inmarsat Government to develop and manufacture an L-band radio in support of NASA’s Communications Services Project (CSP), Rocket Lab said. CSP aims to accelerate the development of commercial near-Earth communications services by leveraging the expertise and technology of satellite communications providers. 

The 5G Automotive Association (5GAA) published a position paper outlining core priorities in the field of space-based connectivity and industry requirements for the European Communication Satellite Constellation, the 5GAA said.  With the publication, the Association aims to highlight the role of NTNs (non-terrestrial networks) in the development of automotive and telecommunications industries.

Fleet Space Technologies has announced a major new contract with Core Lithium. The 12-month agreement was signed on October 12 by Fleet Space co-founder & CEO Flavia Tata Nardini and Gareth Manderson, CEO of Core Lithium.