Policy and Law

The social media app and website Telegram has deleted the channel used by Yemen’s Al-Masirah satellite television station, an entity thought to be affiliated with the Houthi’s, who are fighting the Saudi Arabian-backed coalition in Yemen. The action by Telegram took place over the weekend of 16-17 April 2016, and …

Iran and Kazakhstan have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) allowing access for both countries to each other’s space launch and satellite facilities. Kazakh Minister for Investment Aset Isekeshev visited Tehran on Tuesday, 12 April 2016, and signed the MoU along with Iranian Vice-President for Scientific Affairs Sorena Sattari. According …

A senior US government official has announced that the United States should like to enter in to space security dialogues with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states in the coming months. Speaking at the 32nd Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on 14 April 2016, the US Assistant Secretary of …

With an imminent satellite deal with Egypt, France is set to become the satellite manufacturer of choice for Middle East countries. John B. Sheldon, Chairman and President of ThorGroup GmbH, analyzes the geopolitical implications of this important deal. French President Francois Hollande and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi are expected to …

Reports suggest that Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu is expected to announce the creation of the Turkish Space Agency within the next three months. The Turkish Space Agency will be located in the town of Kazan near the capital Ankara, and will be a joint responsibility of the Turkish military’s …

During a press conference on 12 April 2016 with journalists on his flight to the 32nd Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, United States, the US Deputy Secretary of Defense Robert Work said that Daesh are being hit hard by coalition operations, to include so-called “cyber bombs” and by the use …

The Arab Satellite Communications Organization – Arabsat – held a board meeting in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on 11-12 April 2016. The board meeting involved directors from nine Arab League countries who are elected annually. The Arabsat board meets every three months. Arabsat was founded in 1976 by the …

The UAE Space Agency and US Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Colorado Springs, United States, on Monday, 11 April 2016, committing both the UAE and the United States to share space situational awareness (SSA) data. Dr. Khalifa Al Romaithi, Chairman of the UAE Space Agency, …

The US Air Force’s Deputy Undersecretary for Space, Winston Beauchamp, told a group of leading US satellite industry executives on March 17 that the space industry must take the lead in developing norms for safe, predictable and responsible space operations. Speaking at an industry breakfast meeting in Washington, DC, Beauchamp …

Proliferation of military satellite applications breeds dependency which, in turn, leads to adversaries developing counterspace capabilities. With the Middle East pushing ahead with space ambitions, a flurry of space weapons seems inevitable. As the space arms race peaks, how long will it take before warfare in space begins? By John …