Satellite

As space technology continues to develop at pace, we are seeing larger numbers of satellites being launched than ever before. Used for communication, navigation, earth observation and scientific development (to name but a few), these satellites provide some incredible services and insights required for the everyday functioning of our society.

OneWeb launched another 36 satellites, bringing the constellation in orbit to 358, over half of the planned 648 satellites, the low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite company said. The satellites were launched by Arianespace from the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia.

SpaceLink announced it has chosen OHB Systems as the preferred tenderer for the initial constellation of four high-capacity optical relay satellites after a comprehensive tender process. The parties are currently in advanced contract negotiations about the manufacturing and delivery of the initial constellation.

Planet Labs announced the launch of Pelican, a new line of imagery satellites to upgrade the company’s existing constellation of the 21 SkySat spacecraft. With the new, higher-resolution satellites the company can provide faster and near-real time data to customers, Planet said.

Since the dawn of the first ‘Space Age’ in 1957, space-related technologies have transformed our lives, revolutionising communications, medicine, navigation, finance, agriculture and computing, to name but a few. Space is an important element of critical infrastructure to support the world economy, international trade and investment, strategic thinking, military strategy, national security,

During this week’s SpaceCafé, SpaceWatch.Global publisher Torsten Kriening caught up with leading global politics and international law expert from the University of British Columbia’s Department of Political Science and co-director of the Outer Space Institute, Professor Michael Byers on the urgent need for countries to agree to ban anti-satellite weapons tests.

SpaceWatch.Global is pleased to present the 38th episode in our podcast series The Space Cafe Podcast: Joellen Russell, Mayday Mayday, an oceanographer's passionate cry for help to the space community. Episode 038 features a special guest Joellen Russell. 

Orbofleet’s report titled ‘Global Non-Geostationary (NGSO) Satellite Communications Market’ has found potential US$300 billion opportunities across multiple market verticals between 2021-2035. The 2021 edition report taps onto the most significant and promising markets that are set to flourish with the growth of satellite broadband connectivity.

Iceye on Copernicus: the company announced it has become a Contributing Mission to the Copernicus Programme, the largest Earth observation programme in the world. According to the agreement, Copernicus services will have access to Iceye’s synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) imagery. The collaboration will be funded by the European Commission and operated by ESA.

Skyrora has signed a multi-launch deal over the next decade with SaxaVord Spaceport (formerly Shetland Space Centre) on Unst, the Shetland Islands. With the agreement, Skyrora is to become the first company to launch a rocket from UK soil. The company is aiming to deliver up to 16 launches a year by 2030.