Policy and Law

Iranian press reports are suggesting that Iran and its Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organisation (APSCO) partners China, Pakistan, and Peru are in the process of creating a space situational awareness (SSA) network initially consisting of ground-based optical telescopes. According to reports, the first such optical telescope will become operational in October …

SpaceWatch Middle East is privileged to republish this article by Andrea Boyd. The geopolitical impact of the topic also has a huge value in the Middle East region. Australia is the only OECD country without a national space agency. Andrea Boyd, an International Space Station Flight Operations Engineer at the …

The UAE Space Agency has explored ways of strengthening bilateral relations and supporting the vision of cooperation in applying space technology to the agricultural sector. The developments were discussed during an official visit by senior officials from the Japanese government to the Space Agency headquarters in Abu Dhabi. HE Dr …

During the 10th annual summit of member states of the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organisation (APSCO) it was announced that Iran has been given permission for its satellites to share the APSCO information system. The summit, held in Istanbul, Turkey, on 6-8 September 2016, also agreed that Iranian satellites be accepted …

The Iranian and Bolivian governments signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the end of August that commits both countries to extensive cooperation in space issues. The MoU was signed in the Bolivian city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra on 26 August 2016 by the Iranian ambassador to Bolivia, …

The Israeli government secretly launched its Ofek-11 electro-optical reconnaissance satellite on a Shavit space launch vehicle from Palmachim Air Base in Israel on the night of Tuesday, 13 September 2016. Shortly after launch, however, it became apparent that there were problems with the Ofek-11 satellite, built by Israel Aerospace Industries …

On 8 September 2016, Mr. Yuichi Yamaura, Vice President of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and H.E. Dr. Cihan Kanlıgöz, Director General of the Aeronautics and Space Technologies, the Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications of the Republic of Turkey, signed a new Cooperation Arrangement concerning the utilisation …

Spacecom announced on 5 September 2016 that it is developing a plan of action following the loss of the AMOS-6 communication satellite due to the explosion of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket on the launch pad. The company has begun measures to recover funds invested in the project. The company’s management …

Remember Iran’s potential as a significant regional player in space? So do we, but as ThorGroup’s Chairman Dr. John B. Sheldon points out, that potential will mean nothing without significant economic and political reform from Tehran. So far, though, there is little sign that much-needed reform is in the offing …

Israeli online publication Israel Defense reports that the Israeli government has placed an order for an ‘Ofek’ electro-optical high-resolution reconnaissance satellite with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). According to the Israel Defense report, published on 6 September 2016, the Israeli Ministry of Defence placed the order with IAI some time ago …