Space

The recent InSpace Forum held in Moscow demonstrated progress in cooperation and dialogue between Russia's state-run space companies and its fledgling New Space sector, reports Anastasiya Svarovskaya. The InSpace Forum 2018 held in Moscow on 21 March 2018 considered ways for the business sector and the state to cooperate in the space industry. This year’s forum was the third such event, and it consisted of two sections – the commercial space industry section and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) section.

Thailand’s mu Space is partnering with True Digital Park to establish a small satellite laboratory in Thailand and kick-start a New Space ecosystem in Southeast Asia. Digital hub True Digital Park announced its partnership with satellite technology startup mu Space Corp. to operate a lab that will research and develop satellite and space technology.

Chinese New Space company Kuang-Chi Science Ltd. and U.S. New Space pioneer Nanoracks have announced their partnership in developing new business outside of China for Kuang-Chi's Traveler near-space helium balloon platform for space tourism, Earth observation, small satellite launch, and scientific research.

In a boost to the Australian New Space sector, HorizonX, a venture capital subsidiary of U.S. aerospace giant Boeing, is set to invest U.S.$15 million in Australian enterprise Myriota, an Internet of Things (IoT) startup focusing on satellite communications to provide low-cost access to high-value data in remote locations.

Space is the next environment that has to be protected against the impact of human development, a panel of top experts has warned at the UK Government’s GREAT Festival of Innovation in Hong Kong. The group of academics said that international investment and regulation needs to happen urgently or space risks being as damaged as our oceans are by human development. Development on the Moon and other planets is a ‘virtual certainty’ as new resources are sought from outside the Earth. And, if not properly regulated, development will impact vital functions, such as enabling worldwide communications and vital observation of Earth.

Saudi Arabia is thought to be footing the financial bill for a hypersonic spaceplane concept capable of launching small satellites into low-Earth orbit (LEO) being developed by Ukrainian space company Yuzhnoye, according to Russian space journalist Anatoly Zak writing in Popular Mechanics.

In part three of a three-part feature, Vitaly Egorov describes Russia’s modern posture in space and the challenges and possible ways of development of the national space industry. In this third and final part, Vitaly looks at how commercial alternatives can help fulfill Russia's space ambitions and honour its heritage.

In part two of a three-part feature, Vitaly Egorov describes Russia’s modern posture in space and the challenges and possible ways of development of the national space industry. This second part looks at how space exploration is often associated with extremely ambitious goals. Which one will Russia choose for the next few decades? What will be more beneficial in terms of pub

Japan has announced a significant commitment to developing its NewSpace sector, offering nearly U.S.$1 billion of support, according to a report in Japan’s Nikkei Asian Review. Japanese news outlet the Nikkei Asian Review also claims that the Japanese government is considering amending its space policy and legislation to allow Japanese companies to exploit space resources on the Moon, which would be similar to policy initiatives made by Luxembourg and the United States.

The Greek space agency – known formally as the Hellenic Space Agency – was officially announced on Monday, 19 March, 2018, in Athens by the Greek Minister for Digital Policy and Media, Nikos Pappas, and the General Secretary of Telecommunications and Post, Vassilis Maglaras.