Space Missions

Indian Prime Minster Narendra Modi announced on 15 August 2018 – India’s Independence Day – that India will launch its first manned space mission by 2022. The announcement was made by Modi in what is his last Independence Day speech ahead of the general election to be held in early 2019. “India …

The Turkish minister for Science, Industry, and Technology, Mustafa Varank, said on 7 August 2018 that the Turkish government will establish the Turkish Space Agency this year in order to coordinate the country’s space activities and manage international cooperation and relations. “The Turkish Space Agency will be founded this year …

Lunar Orbital Platform – Gateway (LOP-G) is a future international lunar orbiting outpost, planned to be built in the 2020s. We talked about the development of the project, its tasks and goals as well as about Russia’s participation with Oleg Valerievich Kotov, pilot-cosmonaut of the Russian Federation, recipient of the …

China is seeking to enhance its soft power and global scientific reputation by inviting international participation and cooperation in space science experiments on its planned space station. Proposals and projects can be submitted online and peer-reviewed. Submitted projects will go through to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). The offer is open …

Lunar Orbital Platform – Gateway (LOP-G) is a future international lunar orbiting outpost, planned to be built in the 2020s. We talked about the development of the project, its tasks and goals as well as about Russia’s participation with Oleg Valerievich Kotov, pilot-cosmonaut of the Russian Federation, recipient of the …

A team from the UAE’s Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) consisting of Emirati officials and nine astronaut candidates are now in Russia, according to Russian state space agency Roscosmos. The nine Emirati astronaut candidates will now undergo further selection tests and medical evaluations by Russian specialists. From that group …

Singaporean New Space company Astroscale has announced that it will open a National In-Orbit Servicing Control Facility in Harwell, UK. Astroscale is among the most high-profile company looking to remove space debris from orbit. This UK facility, which will open at the Satellite Applications Catapult in Harwell, Oxfordshire, will support …

The UAE Space Agency has signed an agreement with the U.S. space agency, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), to cooperate in the peaceful uses of outer space and with the new UAE Astronaut Programme. The letter of intent was signed by Dr. Mohammed Al Ahbabi, Director-General of the …

On July 10, the 2018 Progress MS-09 (Progress 70 or 70P as identified by NASA) resupply vehicle made history by reaching the International Space Station in the record-short time of only 3 hours and 40 minutes (and two orbits) after launch. Unfortunately, that remarkably short ride failed to make headlines …

Industry veteran Bob Gough has joined the team at Goonhilly Earth Station as the company bids to expand its operations and develop new business opportunities across Australia and the Asia-Pacific. Gough will oversee commercial expansion across the region and will grow Goonhilly’s customer base in this new market, one that …