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Pakistan is set to have its indigenously-built Earth observation satellite, PakTES-1A, as well as its Pakistan Remote Sensing Satellite (PRSS)-1, launched by China in July 2018 in a bid to catch up with its geopolitical rival, India. The 285kg PakTES-1A observatory satellite will be fItted with sensors and cameras; it …

By Daniel A Porras [1] There is widespread concern about the prospect of space becoming militarised and it is a critical issue on the United Nation’s agenda. In this exclusive article, Daniel Porras, Space Security Fellow, United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research, gives an update on the efforts of the …

The Israeli government will shortly come to a decision on the manufacturer for its own satellite – and this has become a hot topic in industry and political circles. Perhaps somewhat controversially, Israeli satellite operator Spacecom decided to purchase its next satellite, AMOS-8, from Space Systems Loral, an American satellite …

by Dmitry Oliferovich, Editor SpaceWatch Russia&CIS Last month ex-deputy prime minister of Russia Dmitry Rogozin was appointed Director General the Roscosmos Corporation by Vladimir Putin, replacing Igor Komarov, who had headed the agency since 2015. Mr. Rogozin has overseen Russia’s space industry since 2011. He was placed under US sanctions …

Hong Kong’s AsiaSat has voiced its deep concern over the Communications Authority’s (CA) decision to reallocate the 3.4-3.7 GHz band, the lower C-Band frequency in Hong Kong, from Fixed Satellite Services (FSS) to mobile service (5G) and the subsequent proposal of two exclusion zones as a potential solution. AsiaSat responded …

After the failure of Angosat-1 shortly after its launch late last year, Angola is again partnering with Russia to build and launch Angosat-2 by 2020. Angola’s first communications satellite, Angosat-1, failed shortly after reaching orbit. It was launched in December 2017 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on board a …

Thailand’s head of the National Council for Peace and Order, General Prayut Chan-o-cha, is expected to make a U.S.$215 million order for the Thailand Earth Observation Satellite (THEOS)-II with French satellite manufacturer Airbus Defence and Space during a visit to France on 25 June 2018, according to a diplomatic source …

Acknowledging competition from companies like SpaceX, Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) aim to ensure that its next-generation space launch vehicle, the H-3, will cut launch costs by half compared to its current workhorse, the H-2. The 39th H-IIA vehicle was launched Tuesday afternoon, …

By Krystal Wilson, Director of Space Applications Programs, Secure World Foundation In September 2015, more than 150 world leaders met at the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit to adopt the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Building on the successes of the original eight Millennium Development Goals(MDGs), this new agenda officially came into …

Airbus Defence and Space has been highlighting its wide range of satellite-based solutions to the South African military and other organisations during the company’s recent Airbus Defence and Space South Africa Defence Day 2018 presentation in Pretoria. The country already utilises Airbus satellite products. The South African National Space Agency …