Space

The UAE Space Agency and US Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Colorado Springs, United States, on Monday, 11 April 2016, committing both the UAE and the United States to share space situational awareness (SSA) data. Dr. Khalifa Al Romaithi, Chairman of the UAE Space Agency, …

Shared views on the Muslim Brotherhood and Syria’s civil war saw the two countries join sides. But now a new interest binds them: reconnaissance capabilities – and Turkey’s earth observation satellites have never been as attractive. But does this defence cooperation have a space component? And what does such a …

By John B. Sheldon Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi is expected to sign a US$1.2 billion arms deal with French President François Hollande when the leader of France visits Cairo on April 18, according to French newspaper La Tribune. Among the items in the deal is a military communications …

The US Air Force’s Deputy Undersecretary for Space, Winston Beauchamp, told a group of leading US satellite industry executives on March 17 that the space industry must take the lead in developing norms for safe, predictable and responsible space operations. Speaking at an industry breakfast meeting in Washington, DC, Beauchamp …

In recent weeks, the Russian Government has provided Algerian and Tunisian authorities with intelligence and military aid to strengthen counterterrorism efforts in the fight against Islamic State terrorists operating in the region. The counterterrorism aid package includes the supply of Russian high-resolution satellite imagery of key Algerian border crossings with …

Eutelsat Communications has entrusted Space Systems Loral (SSL) with the manufacture of a high-power broadcast satellite to serve markets in Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Turkey. Called EUTELSAT 7C, the new satellite will be located at 7 degrees East, a position that already broadcasts more than 370 channels. To …

  Gilat Satellite Networks announced on March 17 the appointment of Yona Ovadia as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective from March 31. Ovadia will replace current interim CEO Dov Baharav, who will stay on at Gilat as Chairman of its board of directors. Baharav took over as interim CEO …

A Russian press report dated March 16 suggests that Roscosmos, the Russian state corporation responsible for space activities, has offered launch services to Morocco’s Royal Centre for Remote Sensing, should the North African country seek to “resume” its remote sensing satellite programme. The Russians launched Morocco’s Maroc-TubSat from the Baikonur …

According to Iranian and Azerbaijani press reports, Iran and Turkey, along with other member states of the Chinese-based Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO) agreed on March 11 to proceed with the design and construction of a remote sensing satellite. The decision follows the Fiscal Year 2015 APSCO Audit Commission meeting …

Building and launching a satellite is one thing, but keeping the costs down is another. Satellite operators are constantly looking for ways in which they can get more for their money and deliver a satellite of the highest quality but at lower cost. The use of electric propulsion can provide …