Space Missions

In this German Space Café Radio – Space Café Germany Host Andreas Schepers spoke with Dr. Melanie Heil,  Space Weather Space Segment Coordinator at the European Space Agency (ESA). The interview was conducted during this year’s ILA Berlin which is the largest aerospace trade show in Germany which took place June 22 – 26.

Airbus has signed a contract with the Belgian Ministry of Defense to provide tactical satellite communications services for a 15-year period. The Armed Forces will utilize channels of the Airbus UHF (Ultra High Frequency) military communications hosted payload on board a commercial telecommunications satellite manufactured by Airbus.

Myanaric has announced an order for a small number of CONDOR Mk3 terminals by Japan-based WARPSPACE. WARPSPACE will use the terminals to establish a commercial optical data relay network for Earth observation satellites, with product deliveries scheduled for 2023, 2024, and 2025.

NASA and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) announced a collaboration to demonstrate an in-space nuclear thermal rocket (NTR) engine. They will collaborate on the Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations (DRACO) program, enabling NASA crewed missions to Mars. The non-reimbursable agreement will benefit both agencies and outline the roles, responsibilities, and processes to speed up development efforts.

Astrobotic has announced that its Peregrine lunar lander has successfully completed its entire flight acceptance campaign. As a result, Peregrine is now ready to ship to Cape Canaveral, Florida, when Astrobotic’s rocket provider, United Launch Alliance (ULA), gives the green light to receive it.

In this German Space Café Radio – Space Café Germany Host Andreas Schepers spoke with Dr. Matthias Maurer,  Astronaut at the European Space Agency (ESA) with a Gerrman passport. The interview was conducted during this year’s ILA Berlin which is the largest aerospace trade show in Germany which took place June 22 – 26.

Spanish Government satellite operator Hisdesat has awarded GMV a contract to build and develop the ground segment of the SPAINSAT NG program satellites. These two new satellites, scheduled for launch in 2024 and 2025, will replace the operator’s current SpainSat and XTAR-EUR satellites and significantly improve their performance and capabilities. 

The European Space Agency (ESA), the European Commission, and Promus Ventures have joined efforts for a Space Index which Euronext will launch, develop, and maintain. This is the first Euronext European space-related index to measure the stock market performance of European companies in the space sector. Through the partnership, the European Commission, ESA, and Promus Ventures intend to provide their expert advice in their respective areas of activity to Euronext in relation to the index.

The European Space Conference began yesterday, January 24, 2023, at the Egmont Palace, Brussels, Belgium. Josep Borrell Fontelles, High Representative and Vice President of the European Commission, delivered the first Keynote address.

This Space Café Israel will feature Ram Levi - Founder & CEO of Konfidas - in conversation with Meidad Pariente, correspondent of SpaceWatch.Global for Israel. Cybersecurity for space missions - a trend or a necessity? with Ram Levi, Founder & CEO of Konfidas - Cybersecurity & Crisis Management Company.