Centuries ago, China and Europe were connected by a number of trade routes across the Eurasian landmass and the Indian Ocean that were later known as the Silk Road. These Silk Roads not only connected the ancient Chinese Middle Kingdom and Medieval Europe, but also connected regions of Eurasia that …
Read More »UNOOSA Director’s Statement to the 60th Session of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space
STATEMENT BY SIMONETTA DI PIPPO DIRECTOR UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR OUTER SPACE AFFAIRS (UNOOSA) Sixtieth session of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space Vienna, 7-16 June 2017 Mr. Chair, distinguished delegates, On behalf of the Office for Outer Space Affairs, I warmly welcome you all to the sixtieth …
Read More »UAE’s MBRSC Launches Its First “Like a Scientist” Camp
The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) has launched its first science summer camp, under the title “Like a Scientist.” The camp targeted students from grade 9 to 12 at UAE schools, who had the opportunity to explore how planetary scientists work through a series of interactive activities, workshops, and …
Read More »#SpaceWatchME Op’ed: Ilan Ramon Scholarship – Overcoming Adversity to Inspire
SpaceWatch Middle East Chief Editor Helen Jameson speaks with a scholarship fund that was born out of tragedy but now helps dozens of young Israelis make a difference in space. “Today was the first day that I felt that I am truly living in space. I have become a man who …
Read More »UAE’s MBRSC Signs STEM Education MoU With University of Dubai
To strengthen links of cooperation between educational institutions in the UAE and centre’s specialized in advanced technology, science and space, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Dubai (UD). The MoU aims to develop and qualify national human resources capable …
Read More »Johann-Dietrich Woerner: Cooperation And Competition In Space Is Both An Opportunity And A Necessity
European Space Agency (ESA) Director-General Johann-Dietrich Woerner reflects on international space cooperation and competition in these unsettling times. As I reflected on the successful launch of Hispasat 36W-1 on the new SmallGEO geostationary platform on a Russian Soyuz rocket from Kourou, French Guiana, and the current global political backdrop, it got …
Read More »Iran Abandons Its Human Spaceflight Ambitions
In an unsurprising move, the Iranian government has officially abandoned Tehran’s ambitions to send humans into space. According to Iranian news agency ILNA, Mohammad Homayoun Sadr, the deputy head of the Iran Space Agency (ISA), made the announcement citing the extremely steep cost of a human spaceflight programme that he …
Read More »UAE’s MBRSC Reveals Further Details About Its Mars 2117 Colonisation Programme
The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, has revealed further details behind the grand vision to colonise Mars by 2117 set out by their Highnesses Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan in February 2017. Speaking to an audience …
Read More »TeamIndus Moon Mission To Use Thales Alenia’s Integrated Transponder
Thales Alenia Space has been chosen by TeamIndus to provide the Integrated S Band Transponder on board its Lunar Landing Spacecraft system to transmit video and images from the Rover. Thales Alenia Space is the world leader in space communications systems, with customers including space agencies and satellite manufacturers from around …
Read More »AMADEE-18 Mars Analog Field Simulation To Be Held in Dhofar, Oman
In February 2018, the Austrian Space Forum – in partnership with the Oman National Steering Comittee for AMADEE-18 – will conduct an international Mars analog field simulation in the Dhofar region of Oman. Directed by a Mission Support Centre in Austria, a small field crew will conduct experiments preparing for …
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