Several weeks ago SpaceWatch Middle East contributor Ghanim Alotaibi, a Kuwaiti engineer and Space Generation Advisory Council member, wrote of the need for a Kuwaiti space programme, but that such an endeavor faces several challenges, starting with the challenge of ‘Kuwaitisation’. This week, Ghanim address the other three challenges Kuwaiti leaders will …
Read More »Qatar’s Es’hailSat reveals Es’hail-2 and Teleport details at IBC 2016
Es’hailSat, the Qatar Satellite Company, exhibited at the annual IBC conference and exhibition held on 9‐13 September at RAI in Amsterdam. IBC is the premier annual event for the global broadcast, content delivery, digital media and satellite sectors. The company showcased Es’hail‐1, currently broadcasting high quality, premium high definition content …
Read More »Middle Eastern Lunar Missions: the Role of the Moon in the Middle East’s Spacefaring Future
The Moon is rapidly becoming the destination of choice for space agencies and companies since it poses less technical and financial risk than going directly to Mars. ThorGroup GmbH’s intern in Washington, DC – Nickolas J. Boensch – explores the emerging ‘Moon Rush’ and the possible roles and opportunities for …
Read More »Qatar’s Es’hail-2 launch delayed to 3rd Quarter of 2017
Qatar’s Es’hailSat has announced that it’s Es’hail-2 satellite will now be launched in the third quarter of 2017 rather than in December 2016 as originally planned. There has been no word as to why the launch date for Es’hail-2 has slipped by at least six months. Es’hail-2 will be launched …
Read More »Qatar’s Nakilat LNG and LPG ships to get SATCOM upgrade from Global Eagle Entertainment
Nakilat, the shipping arm of Qatar’s liquefied natural gas sector, has entered into a contract with Global Eagle Entertainment Inc.’s Emerging Markets Communications (EMC) service line to provide marine very-small aperture terminal (VSAT) services for vessels in its fleet of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carriers. …
Read More »Audi Lunar Quattro rover survives the desert of Qatar
On 29/30 July 2016, SpaceWatch Middle East accompanied PTScientists in the desert of Qatar to test their Audi Lunar Quattro rover that they hope to send to the Moon by the end of 2017 to win the Google Lunar X-Prize. SpaceWatch Middle East COO Torsten Kriening spoke with PTScientists CEO …
Read More »The Audi Lunar Quattro moon rover is coming to the Bir Zekreet desert in Qatar
Doha, July 27, 2016: The PT Scientists are aiming high – they are shooting for the Moon. By the end of 2017, a group of 30 scientists and engineers wants to send an unmanned rover to the Moon as part of the Google Lunar X-Prize (GLXP) competition which was proclaimed …
Read More »Kuwait mulling development of a national satellite capability
The Kuwaiti cabinet, the Council of Ministers, is considering the acquisition and launch of a satellite, according to local reports in Kuwait City. Draft legislation has been submitted to the cabinet from the Communications and Information Technology Commission. The reports say that the cabinet has formed a committee to examine …
Read More »The astropolitics of Iranian-Turkish competition in Central Asia
As both Iran and Turkey look to Central Asia to enhance their diplomatic and economic prospects and standings, space cooperation will become a more important and useful tool for gaining relative geopolitical advantage in the region for both countries. Who is better able to exploit the opportunities for space cooperation …
Read More »Es’hailSat and Qatar’s Civil Aviation Authority to cooperate on Earth observation satellites
Es’hailSat, The Qatar Satellite Company, announced on 8 June 2016 the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Qatari Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) for the joint development of satellite services. Es’hailSat’s President and Chief Executive Officer Mr. Ali Ahmed Al Kuwari and QCAA’s Chairman Mr. Abdulla Nasser Al …
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