Satellite

Thales Alenia Space has signed a contract with prime contractor App works to provide Thailand with a complete Search and Rescue (SAR) operational system based on the COSPAS-SARSAT MEOSAR Service.

Danish nanosatellites manufacturer and operator GomSpace has announced that the Jens Maaløe, Chairman of the Board of Directors, will retire with immediate effect due to health issues. Niels Buus, GomSpace’s CEO, will also step down after nine years of service.

Raytheon BBN has won a contract with the U.S. Air Force to develop a rocket cargo mission planning and Command and Control, or C2, system for the U.S. Air Force. The contract has a potential value of $8.7 million over four years and is part of the U.S. Air Force 2030 Science & Technology Strategy’s transformational science and technology portfolio.

Global satellite communications firm, GapSat has newly acquired British consulting firm, QBX. This move will expand the frequency range at which they will be able to operate.

The Sultanate of Oman is planning to build the Middle East’s first space rocket launch centre in the port town of Duqm this year, as reported by The National. The National Aerospace Services Company’s Etlaq Space Launch Complex could launch its first rocket as early as next year.

AAC Clyde Space has received a EUR 234,000 order from UK-based Space Forge to provide space products for a demonstration spacecraft that will leverage the space environment for production and experiments, capable of performing multiple trips to space.

Director-General Timo Pesonen on behalf of the European Commission signed a Copernicus Cooperation Arrangement with the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) of Japan.

Kevin O'Connell is a former Director of the Office of Space Commerce at the U.S Department of Commerce. He is now the founder of Space Economy Rising LLC, a company that works with clients and partners worldwide on all aspects of the space economy. He is an expert in the field of space commerce and has been involved in space issues for over 30 years. In this episode, he talks about the commercial potential of space and takes unexpected turns. It seems space is looking for any talent out there.

Synspective and Insight Terra have entered into a strategic partnership to deliver a new space-enabled data and monitoring solution for the mining industry. The solution uses satellites and earth observation, and ground sensors to monitor mine tailings facilities.

Arianespace has appointed Steven Rutgers as Chief Commercial Officer as of 16th January, 2023. Rutgers reports to Stéphane Israël, Chief Executive Officer of Arianespace, and joins the company’s Executive Committee, Arianespace said.