Policy and Law

European Space Imaging (EUSI) has announced a multi-million euro investment into their ground station at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) near Munich. This strategic upgrade extends EUSI's ability to deliver imagery with remarkable speed and efficiency, solidifying its claim to the position as a hub for the best satellite imagery technology in Europe.

The United Kingdom and European Union have agreed to a draft agreement regarding Britain’s re-entry into the Horizon Europe research program. Britain formally left all three schemes when it quit the EU in January 2020, and discussions to re-associate as a third country proved difficult. As a result, the European Commission blocked the British researchers' participation until the UK resolved a post-Brexit row over Northern Ireland’s trading arrangements.

Space Café "Law Breakfast with Steven Freeland" will analyse current space developments with a legal focus. It will, at the same time discuss and ‘demystify’ the law for everyone. In our next Space Café “Law Breakfast with Steven Freeland”, Host Steven Freeland, Emeritus Professor of International Law at Western Sydney University, Sydney and Professorial Fellow at Bond University, Australia, and Co-Host Torsten Kriening, SpaceWatch.Global’s Publisher, welcome Axelle Cartier and Dr. Ingo Baumann.

In this Space Café Radio - SpaceWatch.Global contributor Remco Timmermans spoke with Einar Bjørgo,  Director, United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT)at GLOC - the Global Space Conference on Climate Change in Oslo in May 2023 about the center, the role of UNOSAT and the ways of activation. The Global Space Conference on Climate Change was co-organized by IAF, the International Astronautical Federation, and the Norwegian Space Agency.

Rivada Space Networks has announced that the International Telecommunications Union (ITU)’s Radio Regulations Board has waived the requirement that Rivada put 10% of its constellation into orbit this year.

In this  Space Café Radio - SpaceWatch.Global publisher Torsten Kriening spoke with Niklas Nienass, Member of the European Parliament for The Greens/ European Free Alliance, about GLOC - the Global Space Conference on Climate Change in Oslo in May 2023 and about the challenges in climate change where space can be part of the solution. They also covered the current status of the European Space Law and the new study about life-cycle assessments for space missions.

This Space Café WebTalk will feature Dr. Josef Aschbacher, Director General of the European Space Agency - ESA, in conversation with Dr. Emma Gatti, Editor-in-Chief of SpaceWatch.Global. For over four decades, the European Space Agency (ESA), alongside its member states and associated industries, has been instrumental in spearheading numerous triumphs in European space exploration. To keep pace with changing circumstances, ESA has deftly refined its rules, procedures, and governance structure. Its demonstrated flexibility in adapting as needed constitutes a valuable asset.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has announced the appointment of Aarti Holla-Maini of the United Kingdom as Director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) in Vienna. She will succeed Simonetta Di Pippo of Italy. The Secretary-General also extended his appreciation to the Chief, Committee, Policy and Legal Affairs Section, Niklas Hedman, who will continue to serve as Acting Director of UNOOSA until Ms. Holla-Maini assumes this position.

The Board of The Global Satellite Operators Association (GSOA) has announced the election of Telesat’s CEO, Dan Goldberg, as its new Chair. The body also elected Eva Berneke, CEO of Eutelsat, as co-Vice Chair, alongside Ali Al Hashemi, CEO of Yahsat, whom the body appointed earlier this year.

Virgin Galactic has announced the four-person crew and target date for its Galactic-01 commercial spaceflight. The three-person crew from the Italian Air Force and National Research Council of Italy will board VSS Unity for a 90-minute flight to conduct a series of suborbital science experiments.