Policy and Law

Strong and reliable communication is a key part of the space industry. From the signals that make global satellite navigation work to the data we collect from Earth-monitoring missions, space telescopes, human spaceflight and planetary exploration, everything has to be transferred and stored securely – including the news in ESA’s …

Six New Zealand research projects have received NZ$500,000 each to fund the development of innovative space technologies including satellite control systems and ocean and coastal monitoring satellites. The recipients of the funding, awarded through the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment’s (MBIE) competitive Catalyst: Strategic Space Fund, are …

The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) launched the 22nd edition of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) Humans in Space Symposium (HIS) at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. The UAE is the first country in the MENA region to host this conference, from 11 to 14 November …

Earth Science Information Partners (ESIP), the global community steward for Earth science data professionals, has announced Operational Readiness Levels (ORLs) to make Earth science data more trusted and to improve data-driven decision-making during disaster response and recovery. The new ORLs empower data professionals and operational decision-makers to turn the massive …

On 6 November 2019, on the occasion of President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to the People’s Republic of China, Centre national d’études spatiales (CNES) President Jean-Yves Le Gall and Zhang Kejian, Administrator of the China National Space Administration (CNSA), signed in the presence of Presidents Macron and Xi Jinping a …

The UK Space Agency will award £7.35 million to Virgin Orbit UK Limited, the UK branch of U.S. launch operator Virgin Orbit, to enable horizontal launch of small satellites at Cornwall Airport Newquay, it was confirmed on 5 November 2019. The funding will help to develop advanced ground support equipment, …

The New Zealand Government announced on 7 November 2019 it would contribute NZ$26 million towards MethaneSAT, a state-of-the-art satellite designed to detect global methane emissions with unprecedented accuracy. The mission is being led by United States-based NGO Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and its subsidiary MethaneSAT LLC, who have signed a …

In this article, Simon Drake, MD of Space Ventures Investors, CEO of Space Commodities Exchange, and organiser of Space Resources Community Voice, explores the reasons why space really has to rise to the top of politicians’ lists of priorities and why it’s down to us to do something about it.  …

Centre national d’études spatiales (CNES) President Jean-Yves Le Gall was at the 4th Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) symposium that is taking place in Herzliya, Israel, from Monday 4 to Friday 8 November 2019 on the theme of “Small Satellites for Sustainable Science and Development.” Formed in 1958, COSPAR is …

The UAE, represented by the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) has launched the UAE Sirius Mission, in partnership with the Roscosmos Space Agency’s Scientific International Research In a Unique terrestrial Station (SIRIUS) analog at Russia’s IBMP Ground-based Experimental Complex, NEK, in Moscow. This is part of the MARS 2117 …