Space

Space In Africa published the the African Space Industry Annual Report displaying how space economy is becoming a strategic tool for boosting the national economy and contributing toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Africa.  According to the report, the African space industry was valued at USD 19.49 billion in 2021.

Skyrora has successfully completed the static fire test of the second stage of its Skyrora XL orbital rocket, hosted by Discover Space UK at Machrihanish Airbase, taking the company one step closer to entering commercial operations planned to start in 2023 from the SaxaVord Space Centre, Skyrora said.

Florida Space infrastructure company, Redwire Corporation will develop the only commercially owned and operated spaceflight-qualified plant growth platform, Redwire Greenhouse, in space. The platform is expected to launch to the ISS in spring 2023.  Redwire Greenhouse will not only deliver valuable insights for crop scientists but will also expand our ability to grow full crops in space.

Spanish astronaut and aeronautics engineer, Pedro Duque, will attend the 8th edition of the international Martian robot competition, the European Rover Challenge (ERC) co-organized by the European Space Foundation, Kielce University of Technology and Swietokrzyskie Voivodeship. ERC 2022 finals will be held at Kielce University of Technology in Poland, between 9–11 September.

Space logistics company D-Orbit, has canceled plans to go public by merging with special purpose acquisition company Breeze Holdings Acquisition, D-Orbit said. D-Orbit, announced it would trade on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol DOBT after the merger.

Lunar lander developer, Astrobotic Technology, has formally bid for the assets of space infrastructure company, Masten Space Systems, after it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last month, Masten said. According to the bid, Astrobotic would pay US $4.2 million for Masten’s assets, which includes a US $14 million SpaceX launch credit.

The Space Studies Program (SSP) of ISU is since 1988 a unique intensive nine-week course hosted each year where participants learn about all facets of space. The SSP provides courses in all space disciplines, as well as hands-on education through workshops and professional visits.

In this week’s Space Café Brazil, Ian Grosner talked with Prof. Dr Thais Russomano, a Brazilian Space Scientist, Researcher and Medical Doctor. Prof Thais Russomano has 30+ yr of experience in Aerospace Med, Space Phys & Digital Health. She is an MD with an MSc in Aerospace Med/USA, a PhD in Space Phys-KCL/UK, and was a researcher for 3 yr at DLR/Germany.

Estonian space technology startup Spaceit, has signed an agreement with Rhea System to participate in the development of the new Cyber-Security Operations Centre (C-SOC) for the European Space Agency (ESA), Space announced. The center will be a key infrastructure for the economy and security of Europe.

The United States and the New Zealand governments signed a Framework Agreement to provide new opportunities for the New Zealand space sector and closer collaboration with NASA, said Economic and Regional Development Minister, Stuart Nash. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, and Vice President Kamala Harris, welcomed the completion of negotiations on the agreement earlier in May.