Space Sustainability

SpaceWatch.Global is pleased to present the 40th episode in our podcast series The Space Cafe Podcast: Luc Piguet, ClearSpace or how to solve an impossible mission. Luc Piguet is co-founder and CEO of Clear Space, a Swiss-based startup that cleans up space debris. ESA's hottest attempt is to develop a solution to a global problem.

SINCE Yuri Gagarin’s maiden trip into space 60 years ago the aerospace industry has been largely dominated by men. Men are, on average are paid £11k more than women. The mean and median salaries for women are £41k and £35k respectively. For men, they are £52k and £45k. This gap widens with age and seniority1.

Following an open call for tenders, GMV has been awarded a contract by the German Space Agency at the German Aerospace Center (DLR), GMV announced. The purpose of the arrangement is to develop advanced space surveillance and tracking (SST) data processing algorithms for the German Space Situational Awareness Centre.

The UN First Committee, responsible for international security, approved the establishment of a new working group to develop rules for military activities in space, Breaking Defense reports. The plan was proposed by the UK and supported by a number of Western countries including the US. 

I have just come back from the IAC 2021 in Dubai where I enjoyed advocating for end-to-end data security for commercial “newspace” missions. While it was so great to meet colleagues face-to-face and discover the energetic city of Dubai, it bothered me when booking my plane tickets that this trip was to be accounted in my annual carbon footprint.

The 72nd International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2021), organised by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), held in the Middle East for the first time and hosted by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Center (MBRSC) ended on Friday. Over 6,500 delegates from more than 110 countries attended the “Inspire, Innovate & Discover for the Benefit of Mankind” themed event.

The Swedish Space Corporation (SSC) and Bradford Space / ECAPS signed a Memorandum of Understanding for collaborative orbital debris removal services. The agreement was signed at the International Astronautical Congress 2021 in Dubai. Common Earth orbits are getting increasingly congested with more companies deploying satellite constellations than ever before.