Government

Rivada Space Networks GmbH (RSN) has announced that it has joined the Global Satellite Operators Association (GSOA). It will work alongside other global satellite operators to realize GSOA’s aims to drive industry leadership in the face of unparalleled innovation in the space sector, an insatiable demand for all types of connectivity, and a need to bring sustainability to space. 

Electro Optic Systems’ subsidiary, EOS Defense Systems USA (EOSDS USA) has been awarded two contracts by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) government agency’s Office of Space Commerce, EOS said. The first of these contracts will enable commercial satellite laser ranging (SLR) data for NOAA’s Open Architecture Data Repository. Meanwhile, the second contract will provide passive electro-optical observations. 

At the Council Meeting at Ministerial Level (CM22), European Government Ministers in charge of space activities met to discuss and affirm their commitment to the European Space Agency's programs for the future.

Norway has announced plans to launch a satellite constellation in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA) to provide continuous real-time maritime surveillance. The announcement came during the ESA Ministerial Council in Paris, France. The Norwegian Minister, who made the disclosure, revealed that Space Norway will launch two communications satellites to provide broadband in the arctic region in the meantime.

Episode 5 -  Regulations vs. wishful thinking: how to craft data-based regulations to protect Space assets? The Prague Security Studies Institute (PSSI), has the pleasure to present Space Cafè Radio - PSSI Space Security Mini-Series, a radio series focused on allied preparedness to face the rapidly changing space domain. PSSI is a non-profit non-governmental public policy organisation founded in 2002 and based in Prague. In space, PSSI emphasizes emerging threats and available policy solutions.

UK regulations regarding space, in force since July 2021, helped pave the way for Virgin Orbit to get approval for launching its LauncherOne vehicle from Newquay’s Spaceport Cornwall facility. The launch will be the first ever space launch from UK soil. Commercial space lawyer Andrew Sparrow, Founder of Lecote Applied Space Technology Lawyers, says this model shows how to align enabling laws with industry needs.

NASA and the Government of Japan agreed on further contributions by Japan to Gateway, the Moon-orbiting outpost, as a key component of the Artemis missions, NASA said. In addition to this agreement, Japan also committed to participate in the International Space Station Program up until 2030.

The least we can say is that 2022 has been an eventful year on the world stage, and with no doubt, space took a major part in the headlines. From global environmental challenges to the sudden perception of a war fought Europe's backyard, the space domain and its technology have suddenly reached a level of public awareness and public utility never experienced before. What have we learned from the year that has just gone by, and what still needs to be addressed?

The Council and the European Parliament have reached a provisional agreement on a regulation establishing the EU's secure connectivity program for the period 2023-2027. The program sets goals for the European Union to deploy an EU satellite constellation called 'IRIS2' (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity, and Security by Satellite), which will enable secure communication services by 2027

Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) announced at Space Tech Expo Europe in Bremen that RFA will build and operate its own test stand at the DLR site in Lampoldshausen, Germany. There, RFA will test its Helix engine starting in mid-2023 to bring the European Union's first staged-combustion engine to serial production maturity.