Space

On 26 and 27 April, the EU Global Action will participate in the NewSpace Africa Conference 2023 to put on display success stories and explore the new opportunities emerging in the fast-growing African space sector, a sector in which Europe is strongly present and sees new opportunities for business cooperation and growth.

Intelsat, a multinational satellite services provider, announced they ordered a Mission Extension Pod (MEP) from Northrop Grumman Corporation’s SpaceLogistics, which will add life to an Intelsat satellite and provide uninterrupted services to many customers. 

SpaceX has successfully completed its first fully integrated Starship flight test as it successfully launched the rocket. However, the launch was not a complete success, as the rocket exploded four minutes into the flight. This happened as the booster failed to separate from the spacecraft as intended, causing the rocket to tumble and subsequently explode before falling into the. Despite this, the rocket successfully separated from the Super Heavy booster, a key in-flight milestone.

Seeds sent into space last year returned to Earth on the 15th of April for joint efforts by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO). The mission is to develop resilient crops that can help provide sufficient food as the planet heats up. 

Over bagels, croissants, coffee and other treats, we will discuss many legal issues arising from everyday space activities. Ruvimbo and Antonino, both leading experts in space law, will also provide their ‘one word’ to describe the wonders of space/space law – a tradition for all guests at the Space Café Law Breakfasts, and help to demystify the sometimes complex and contradictory vested interests involved in space activities and industry.

Science Application International Corp (SAIC), an American technology company that provides government services and information technology support, and GomSpace, a manufacturer and operator of nanosatellites, announced on the 18th of April that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding. They will partner for CubeSat, MicroSat and SmallSats Systems and Solutions for the Americas market. 

Leidos and its Dynetics team have announced their intention to compete in another moon race through a promotional partnership with NASCAR. The partnership will be a collaboration between the two organizations in the areas of speed, safety, and reliability. The parties unveiled the details regarding the collaboration and design, and technology of the Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV) during a special event at the Space Foundation's 38th annual Space Symposium, the premier assembly for the global space ecosystem.

Aerospace startup Tehiru and Pangea Aerospace have announced a partnership that will involve Pangea Aerospace supplying the ARCOS methalox aerospike engine to Tehiru for its first-ever thermo-electric rocket booster, making it more cost-effective, sustainable, and reusable. Tehiru’s rocket can support payloads up to 550 kg to LEO as part of their air-launch system.

OroraTech, a German aerospace start-up company providing wildfire monitoring, announced on the 18th of April that Dr. Axel Roenneke will be their new Chief Commercial Officer. He has been appointed and aims to lead the global expansion and implement growth plans across new markets. 

Fleet Space Technologies has signed an AUD$6.4 million contract with Australia’s Defence Space Command, marking their first defense contract. The agreement will see Fleet's next-generation of Centauri satellites which it used to develop and demonstrate a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite communications system focus on tactical communications and data transmission where connectivity is limited.