The space economy next giant leap for inclusive recovery

VVVolVolVolVol o6 o6 66l l. .No. NoNo. No79 N N 55 oo5.. 7 Septembe 2018r 2021

AFRICA

SPECIAL EDITION

SPECIALThe rise REPOR of T Nigeria

NAi gneerwia 'lse aBdoerrd aenr d player Sine cthueri taye: rMoosprea cSea tienldliutesst,r y Gear, Sensors and Walls

C O N T E N T S Vol.9 No. 7

Between 4G LTE and 5G Editor in-chief Aliyu Bello The new face of mini rockets in Africa’s space industry Executive Manager Tonia Gerrald Tokyo Cubesat captures scenes at Olympic 2020 SA to the editor in-Chief Ngozi Okey UNOOSA’s Director Ms. Simonetta Di Pippo on space4women, roles of UNOOSA and Head, Application Services M. Yakubu international cooperation Editorial/ICT Services John Daniel How Embratel's new satellite will boost the media sector Usman Bello 5G and the Military Alozie Nwankwo SANSA hosts Digital Earth Africa Program Management Office Juliet Nnamdi India ramps up space program across frontier Client Relations Sunday Tache Untangling the OneWeb web Lookman Bello Brazil celebrates INPE’s 60th anniversary Safiya Thani Nigeria's Border Security: More Satellites, Walls, Gear and Sensors Marketing Offy Pat Tunde Nathaniel At Creative Destruction Lab, over Wasiu Olatunde 100 start-ups have emerged, generating over $50 million in equity value Media Relations Favour Madu Multichoice posts strong Q1 results Khadijat Yakubu Shipowners embrace digitalisation expanding frontiers of tracking Zacheous Felicia How a healthy space economy can support economic growth Finance Folarin Tunde

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1 INDUSTRY REPORT

Between 4G LTE and 5G

5G is the latest technological standard for mobile Plus , depending on the operator. So, on a 3.5 GHz: frequency aimed at the end services and in Brazil, Anatel is working towards its full business trip to the United States, for example, consumer; 26 GHz: frequency designed for implementation. With this new technology, using 4G there will be the same experience as fixed broadband. communications, subscribers will be able to transmit connecting a smartphone to 3G+. The internet And the 5G echoed high data rates and low latency, with security and may even be fast, but it won't offer the same Although 5G is already present in some parts of reliability. 5G offers a wide range of possibilities to be speed and frequency that the 4G here provides. the world, the technology in Brazil should only explored and will boost efficient applications in the start running in 2022 or in the following years. development of services for people and for the most In theory, 4G can achieve download speeds of Globally, it will also take time for the fifth diverse economic activities.4G has increased speed up to 150 Mbps. The uploads should reach up to generation of mobile connectivity to fully over the previous generation, and the user has started 50 Mbps. But this will depend on the frequency replace 4G. Ericsson research shows that LTE to have the possibility of being connected to a high- used by operators. The 4G Network is distributed is still the dominant cellular network in most speed network at all times. This allowed the going to in 5 bands: namely, Band 1: with nominal regions of the world with 59% in Latin America, the virtual environment of several services that were frequency of 2100 MHz; Band 3: with nominal 78% in Europe, 83% in Northeast Asia and 89% present in the “physical world”: food delivery, calling a frequency of 1800 MHz; Band 5: with a nominal in North America. By 2026, Latin America transport vehicle, high definition video sharing and frequency of 850 MHz; Band 7: with nominal should have 18% of 5G contracts, according to social networks are examples of applications that frequency of 2600 MHz; Band 28: with a nominal the report. stood out in this generation. frequency of 700 MHZ. In the business view, as it has higher bandwidth The 5G will bring deeper changes for industrial and In practice, download and upload speed may and low latency, 5G cannot be ignored in the automation applications than for smartphone users. change depending on geolocation. For example, future. Even more so if your company needs These users will have at their disposal average and some operators use the 700 MHz frequency connectivity through the constant use of peak transmission rates much higher than 4G, but the close to municipalities in the interior and with few connected sensors and IoT networks . great innovation of the fifth generation is in commercial inhabitants. The 700 MHz frequency has a wider Even though it has not been officially launched, applications such as autonomous cars, remote coverage range, not requiring many antennas in there are already initiatives to create use cases surgeries, sensors in industrial parks, among others.. these locations. However, it has less capacity to with 5G. Recently, Embratel announced a The promise is that 5G will deliver faster download serve simultaneous users and the download and partnership with Claro and SLC Agrícola in the speeds and lower latency than the 4G network, implies upload speed is lower. With 5G, the expectation development of solutions based on fifth an even more stable internet with a larger number of is to bring higher internet speeds, enabling generation technology. devices connected to it. A new range of possibilities will companies from different sectors and the The partnership between Embratel, Claro, be opened to be explored that will boost efficient industry to enable more connected devices, Ericsson and Centro Universitário Facens applications in the development of services for the creating an intelligent ecosystem, autonomous foresees the creation of a campus connected most diverse economic activities. cars and factory floor automation, for instance. with 5G. The idea is to enable companies, startups and academia to learn about, test, Another benefit is providing high-speed prototype and scale their products and services Is 4G the same as LTE? broadband without the need for operators to to different segments. Let's start by explaining something that can generate bring fiber or copper cabling to enterprises. With these and other initiatives, it is now some doubts among users, customers and These promises must be fulfilled because 5G will possible to study possibilities of the impact of companies. We often hear that 4G is the same as LTE use high frequency spectrum: 700 MHz: to 5G on your business. But until the network is and vice versa. This statement is correct, but in part. improve 4G and distribute 5G in the future; 2.3 100% organized in Brazil, 4G will serve your The 4G in other countries - like the US - uses HSPA+ GHz: the same goal as the 700 MHz frequency; networks. Accordingly, HSPA+ is known as 3G+ or 3G needs for a while.

2 MARITIME SECURITY

Behind enemy lines! Addressing piracy in West Africa

When many of us think of pirates, we think of jolly, swash-buckling, cutlass-wielding men, with parrots on their shoulders, eye-patches on their faces and, more often than not, a peg leg (or two). In reality, piracy is neither so endearing nor so light-hearted. For those companies who operate in areas where piracy is commonplace, the threat posed to ships and seafarers presents a massive challenge. The Gulf of Guinea (GoG) is one such area. Piracy in the region has long been a concern for ship owners and managers alike. Recently, the situation has become far worse, putting the safety and security of seafarers on the line. GoG waters fall within the Exclusive Economic Zone's (EEZ) of multiple West African countries, viz. Nigeria, Togo, Benin, Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, which have the most hostile waters. It also includes Gabon, Congo, Ghana and Ivory Coast. The problem lingers on particularly due to the absence of a unified naval action between the regional governments to secure the area.

The problem rigging double-layer barbed wire all around it, to relevant Authorities. Pirate Action Groups (PAGs) take shelter in restrict access to the accommodation quarters abandoned vessels like mother vessels, offshore and engine room, among others. Keeping track. Reporting!: All vessels travelling platforms and structures off the coast of Nigeria, Further, to achieve full lockdown in the event of through areas known to harbour pirates are which are not secured by the local navy. They use an attack, a hardened 'citadel' is fitted on required to possess Maritime Security Charts. fast-moving skiffs to attack and board merchant vessels. The 'citadel' prevents the ship from For West Africa, Chart Q6114 provides details vessels. Usually, one or more mother vessels support getting hijacked or the crew getting kidnapped. It of security reporting requirements. The vessels them in their act. The pirates often use these mother is fully equipped with the minimum survival and are required to register with the Maritime vessels as bases to move around in the area. communication equipment needed to outlast an Domain Awareness for Trade – Gulf of Guinea attack. (MDAT-GoG) Centre when entering this area. The most active PAGs operate in Nigerian waters, off The voyage risk assessment considers Submit daily security reports to MDAT-GoG and the Brass and Bonny rivers and offshore terminals additional protective measures, contingent on your CSO for vessel tracking assistance. such as Agbami and Egina. Recently, one PAG has the risk rating of the port of call, such as: Placing MDAT-GoG can communicate with ships and extended its operations into the coastal belt between security guards onboard and escorting the CSOs directly to disseminate Warnings and Lagos (Nigeria), Cotonou (Benin) and Lome (Togo). vessel using a Security Escort Vessel (SEV); Advisories of incidents within the region. You Unlike piracy in other regions of the world, which and Using a Secured Anchorage Area (SAA), should immediately report any suspicious usually limits to robberies of cargo, the pirates in the where the vessel can safely anchor while waiting activity in the area to your CSO and MDAT- Gulf of Guinea aim to kidnap crew with the motive of for her turn to berth GoG. demanding ransom from ship owners. These pirates In situations when none of the measures is are reportedly violent, carry weapons, and have been available, we advise the vessels to stay more responsible for several casualties. In 2019, Nigerian than 200 nautical miles away from the coast, to Going forward pirates were responsible for the kidnap and ransom steer clear of the piracy zones. At FLEET, we have been actively involved with of around 146 seafarers. 2020 is also seeing a similar our industry partners to find solutions to the trend with 44 attacks been reported between January problem of piracy in West Africa. We are to September, involving 80 kidnappings. A message to all our seafarers extending our full cooperation to efforts made There have also been numerous injuries sustained The best deterrent: Stay alert! : An alert crew is b y o r g a n i s a t i o n s s u c h a s B I M C O , by our crew, and in total, PAGs have killed four the most effective deterrent against piracy. Early INTERTANKO, INTERCARGO, and HKSOA. security guards and two seafarers, making West detection of suspicious crafts gives vessels a Together, we aim to find ways to address this Africa the epicentre of piracy. good chance for avoiding an attack as they can issue and set common security standards, make evasive manoeuvres. It is vital to maintain which will benefit all seafarers, owners and a sharp lookout by employing all available charterers. Our solutions means. Use radar scanning, AIS tracking, night Furthermore, through a unified approach, we At FLEET, we are fully committed to combatting the vision binoculars at night, and monitor the endeavour to actively call on the regional threat of piracy and ensuring the safety of our security broadcast by VHF, Sat C and security Governments and Flag States to have a naval seafarers. Any vessel visiting the Gulf of Guinea must alerts. presence in the Gulf of Guinea to deter piracy, undergo a thorough voyage risk assessment with the Training for effective response: It is in the best as has been done earlier in the case of the Gulf Company Security Officer. Ships plan voyages using interest of the Master to ensure his crew is well- of Aden. the most recent intelligence to know where the trained to deter piracy. Conduct frequent We are hopeful, with these efforts, we will be pirates are operating to avoid those areas. security drills that include a complete lockdown able to adequately protect the safety and of the Citadel. Also, do not forget to activate your security of seafarers, which is our foremost Moreover, we follow Best Management Practices Ship Security Alert System (SSAS) in the event responsibility! (BMP West Africa), which outline the security of an attack. Use the emergency communication Captain Kuldeepak Sethi, Company Security measures to be implemented to deter piracy in this equipment provided in the Citadel to alert your Officer region. These include hardening each vessel by Company Security Officer (CSO) and the

3 AFRICA REPORT

ANGOLA The new face of mini rockets in Africa’s space industry

In today's world, having an operational satellite in based on the three laws of movement. The The mini rocket is a space launcher capable space is not a luxury issue, but rather a strategic three laws explain how rockets work and why of placing a payload with a mass of less than necessity that responds to economic they are able to function in the vacuum of outer two tones into a low earth orbit. Sometimes development and national security challenges. space. a launcher capable of placing a payload of When you have a launch system, you are moving In 1898, the era of modern rockets begins with less than 500 kg is called a micro launcher towards achieving autonomy and independence the Russian professor, Konstantin Tsiolkovsky [2]. While microrockets, they are miniature from the various processes of development, (1857-1935), proposing the idea of ?space experimental rockets that provide a safe manufacturing and exploration in the space exploration by rocket. According to introduction to the parameters that govern a sector. Tsiolkovsky, the speed and range of a rocket rocket's flight. They are powered by a low were limited only by the exhaust velocity of the power powder propellant, therefore Mini rockets fall into the launch segment. To reach escaping gases. In the early 20th century, the classified in the “micromotor” class. Micro space, a means of transport is needed, which in American, Robert H. Goddard (1882-1945), rockets can ascend to an altitude ranging this case is the launch vehicle. conducted practical experiments on rockets. from 100 to 500 m before descending to the The story tells that it is not clear when the first He became interested in a way to reach higher ground with or without a parachute, thus, rockets appeared. Stories of similar rocket altitudes than lighter-than-air balloons (eg, with complete safety, different models of devices appear sporadically through the historical helium balloons). Finally, on October 4, 1957, rockets can be tested to understand, records of various cultures. In the first century AD, the Soviet Union (USSR) placed an artificial through practice, the laws of aerodynamics the Chinese had a simple form of gunpowder satellite in an earth orbit, called Sputnik I. [1] [3] . made from saltpeter, sulfur and coal dust. The There would not be enough space in this Mini rockets are developed with the aim of date reporting the first use of rockets was 1232. article to narrate some of the great events in launching small satellites at a drastically Rocket becomes a science during the latter part of the history of rockets. But this is to remember reduced price and higher launch rate the 17th century, when Isaac Newton (1642-1727) that it all started with small models. This compared to larger rockets. The laid the scientific foundation for modern rockets highlights the importance of mini rockets for development cost of a mini rocket is also the development of the space industry.

4 AFRICA REPORT

low, for example the manufacturing cost of the achieved significant revenues in 2018 among them we have the International Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) ranges (SpaceX) and in the first half of 2021 (Northrop Telecommunications Union (ITU) which is from US$4.2 million to US$4.9 million and the Grumman). In 2018, SpaceX had revenues of the United Nations agency dedicated to development cost is US$17 million, and the cost $2 billion [6]. Northrop Grumman's 2021 the telecommunications sector, from per launch is $4.2 million. SSLV is developed by second quarter financial results report which the registration of orbital positions the Indian Space Research Organization indicates a sales volume of $18.308 billion and for geostationary satellites is performed, (ISRO) with the ability to place a payload of 500 net revenues are $3.2 billion. The Space the United Nations Committee for kg into the low Earth orbit (500 km) or 300 kg System contributed $5,269 in sales volume, or Peaceful Uses of Outer Space into the Sun's synchronous orbit [4]. approximately 28.7% [7]. According to a report (COPUOS) is one of the main The development of mini rockets is also of great published on July 14, 2021 by Space Capital, international forums for discussion in the importance in the strengthening of relations of New York, in the second quarter of 2021, space field and the International between states, taking into account the new private investment in space companies Federation of Astronautics (FAI), paradigm of the space sector with the insertion reached the value of US$ 4.5 billion, a record of new actors with space resources. for the sector. beat the previous annual record Difficulties in the development of mini of $9.1 billion raised in 2020 [8]. rockets have been of various orders, It should be noted that it is for peaceful Therefore, the private sector plays and must some of which we will now mention: lack purposes that the importance of mini rockets in play an important role in the development of of qualified technicians, scarce the development of the space industry was the space industry and create policies that r e s o u r c e s , i n t e r n a t i o n a l a n d mentioned. The activities carried out or to be encourage research and development, technological restrictions. carried out in the scope of the design, design, production and marketing of mini One of the reasons that inhibits the manufacture and exploitation of mini rockets rockets. Bearing in mind that the entry of new development of the mini rocket industry is must be in accordance with the Treaty on the players , especially those from the private the difficulty of acquisition related to the Principles Governing the Activities of States in sphere in the space sector, enables the high costs of equipment and the fact that it the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, democratization of space, which for decades cannot be manufactured internally in the Including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, has been difficult to access, due to high costs. country, due to the lack of necessary This treaty was signed on January 27, 1967. Mini rockets help in competitiveness, technology. This agreement regulates the activities of innovation, capacity building of the industrial It is important that States create incentive States, due to the fact that they are responsible fabric and contribute to the development of mechanisms through continuous and for the national public and private space space applications, taking into account that objective investments to leverage the activities and, for this, they must not only they enable the defense and security sector of industrial fabric of companies dedicated authorize such activities but also exercise the State with modern technological means for to the development and manufacture of continuous surveillance. about them [5]. use in the prevention and combat of various components for mini rockets and other Taking into account the new trends in the crimes, accidents, monitoring and protection products in the space sector, in order to launcher market, it is essential to make the use of borders, ensuring autonomy and create better conditions for development of mini rockets more attractive to meet the new sovereignty, among others. and growth of the space industry, because challenges in the space area, thus, it is For countries with limited financial resources, the use of space technology is an asset necessary to channel more investments in the it is not an easy task to self-finance their for commercial purposes, capacity field of mini rockets and create more successful programs to develop and manufacture their building and training of human resources companies in the sector. For these companies mini rockets. One way to reverse this situation for the space sector and related sectors to succeed, they must follow the good concepts is to participate in international programs and for industrial development and practiced in the sector and beyond. Among the based on mutual interest and an agreement to sustainability. several companies in the sector as examples of share benefits, in order to raise external success, we can mention Northrop Grumman financial resources.Some International Diengue Abilio Custodian and SpaceX, private equity companies that Organizations that have helped in this area,

5 ASIA

TOKYA OLYMPICS 2020 Tokyo Cubesat captures scenes at Olympic 2020

It was the first time in Olympic and Paralympic history that a satellite will be orbiting the earth to celebrate the Games.

The G-Satellite to Space project, solely designed for became a reality. Partly because of that, when whatever happens, you don't lose functionality 2021 Tokyo Olympics is a world first. The project the approach came from the Olympic entirely. I'm always saying to my students: 'Your aims to load a nanosatellite with a pair of plastic Organizing Committee, there was no way I aim should be to create a die-hard type of figurines of characters from the popular science could refuse.” satellite!'”The last time the Olympics were held in fiction anime Mobile Suit Gundam and an electronic A major satellite manufacturer chose not to get Tokyo, Nakasuka was three years old. He bulletin board. The models will then send back involved in the project, claiming it would take at remembers being excited by the sight of Abebe messages during the Olympics and Paralympics to least four years. Whether anyone reassured Bikila, the Ethiopian gold medalist in the cheer on athletes from space. In charge of Nakasuka “You can do it!” (famous words of marathon, and running around shouting: “Abebe! developing the satellite at the heart of this mission is encouragement spoken by his favorite Abebe!” This time, the Olympics will be a period Professor Shinichi Nakasuka, a pioneer in the character in the series) is unclear, but the of continuous stress and hard work, as he hurries development of micro/nanosatellites. project got underway with his research lab to launch the rocket, deploy the satellite from the A satellite is generally considered “small” if it weighs playing a major role. The size of the satellite, space station, blast the Gundam figurines into less than about 500 kg. Micro/nanosatellites often determined by the budget and amount of time space, display the support messages on the weigh just 100 kg or less. Nakasuka's lab has available for development, was 10 x 10 x 34 board, illuminate the five-colored LEDs successfully launched 12 micro/nanosatellites, the cm. The need to fit two models inside this box embedded in their eyes, rotate their necks, and first of them a tiny cube-shaped nanosatellite with a meant that the size of the Gundam figurines conduct a special event of listening in on weight of just 1kg and size of 10 x 10 cm. In was reduced from the familiar 1/144 to a 1/200 conversations between the Gundam characters November 2019, a satellite jointly developed with scale. While the model manufacturer worked Amuro and Char. Although he might feel a thrill the country of Rwanda was deployed from the hard to find plastics and paints that could once the satellite is working as planned, he won't Japanese Kibo lab on board the International Space withstand an extraterrestrial environment, the be running around with excitement this time while Station. Given this experience, is it fair to assume laboratory and its partner company in Fukui watching the Olympic Games. that developing another microsatellite for the Prefecture worked to design and implement “I've always loved sports. I founded a tennis club Olympics was just a walk in the park? the systems needed to control the two models in high school, and when I was in university, my “You must be joking. Every satellite is different. Each from Earth once they had been placed in the team came in third in the President's Cup for project is quite different in almost every aspect: the satellite and blasted into space. After careful baseball. This time, I'm particularly looking intended use of the satellite, the team and the consideration, the team adopted what might forward to watching the baseball events, back in system for developing it, the specifications of the seem a surprisingly primitive solution. the Olympics for the first time after a long satellite, as well as the budget and deadline. Of “We attached a spring to the base where the absence, and the men's and women's course, experience is important, but as a developer, models are mounted and held it in place with gymnastics.” it's a new experience every time. This project was no fishing line, which is later burnt away using the As well as leading the day-to-day work of exception in that respect; we faced numerous heat from a nichrome wire. Why not use a developing satellites, Nakasuka is also a challenges.” motor? Actually, there are very few motors that member of the Japanese Cabinet Office's One of the most significant difficulties was the short work well in a vacuum environment. Motor Committee on National Space Policy. One of the amount of time available. An advantage of problems have caused accidents and subjects discussed at the committee is the future micro/nanosatellites is that they can be developed breakdowns in conventional satellites. We of Japan's space development, and this is over a relatively short period but even so, it normally chose this method because it is the one we another reason why Nakasuka decided to get takes at least a year. This time, the satellite had to be trust the best, having used it ever since our involved in the current project. produced in only around seven months. What very first micro/nanosatellite.” “In the past, I think there was a tendency to focus persuaded Nakasuka to take on the project As their classification as “non-repairable on the technological side of developing satellites, anyway? One factor was his affection for the systems” suggests, satellites cannot be fixed if but in the future it will be necessary to think Gundam series. He has been a fan since his second anything goes wrong; once they are in space, carefully about how we want to use satellites as year as a university student, and says his favorite no one can reach them to carry out repairs. well. It used to be that computers were character is Sayla Mass. He has displayed a 1/144 With larger satellites, it is possible to equip the something only a limited number of people used, scale Gundam figurine on a shelf in his lab since satellite with backup systems that can help to but the advent of the personal computer lowered long before he became involved in this recent address any problems that might arise, but on the threshold and gave rise to new ways of using project. He had even planned a similar idea himself micro/nanosatellites, the limitations of size them. This led to massive new development. I one time. and cost make this impossible. All the think the same thing is likely to be true of space designers can do is to do their best under the development, and one of the most promising A second chance at a Gundam given conditions. To mitigate against possible areas for this new technology is entertainment. failure, one of the seven cameras on the The Gundam satellite will be a good example of satellite satellite will be used exclusively for taking this.” “Around 2005, I had the idea of launching a satellite footage of the Gundam figurines in their One year later. After completing its mission, the inspired by the space colonies in the series. I built a moored state. plan is for the Gundam satellite to burn up on detailed model of the colony cluster Side 7 from reentering the atmosphere but Nakasuka's Gundam and proposed it to the production energy and drive to bring space development company. The people I spoke to were quite Create a die-hard satellite! into new dimensions shows no signs of burning enthusiastic, but in the end the project never “The most important thing is to ensure that out any time soon. 6 SPACE4WOMEN

UNOOSA’s Director Ms. Simonetta Di Pippo on space4women, roles of UNOOSA and international cooperation By Juan Cruz Gonzalelez Allonca

Simonetta Di Pippo is one of the world leading experts in international cooperation in the aerospace sector. Between 2008 and 2011, she was the director of Manned Space Flights of the European Space Agency ESA, and until March 2014 she was in charge of the Observatory for European Space Policy at the Italian Space Agency, in Brussels. Since June 2009, she is also President of the international association WTA-Europe (Women in Aerospace), of which she is co-founder in MARCH 2014, she assumed the position of Director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs.In this interview, Ms. Pippo spoke about UNOOSA's plans to help developing countries to access space, and to get more women into the space sector. What is the role of UNOOSA today?

UNOOSA is the sole United Nations office responsible for promoting international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space. The Office supports all United Nations Member States in establishing legal and regulatory frameworks to govern space activities and assists in strengthening the capacity of developing countries to use space science, technology and applications for development by helping to integrate space capabilities into national development programmes. The Office as the secretariat for the General Assembly's only committee dealing exclusively into international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space (COPUOS) as well as its two sub committees. UNOOSA also discharges the Secretary General's responsibilities under international space law and maintains the United Nations Registrar of Objects launched into Outer Space, the only existing treaty-based tool supporting TCBMs (transparency and confidence building The UNOOSA fellowship programmed for measures) in outer space activities. c h a n g e , h u m a n i t a r i a n a s s i s t a n c e , research teams to conduct microgravity environmental monitoring and natural experiments at the Bremen Drop Tower in The Office works closely with United Nations resources management, and more. Germany An agreement with Sierra Nevada Member States to support their capacity building Additionally, through its United Nations Corporation to provide opportunities for efforts in space activities and their development Platform for space-based Information for Member States, especially non-space faring of national space infrastructure. The Office does disaster Management and Emergency ones affordable access to its Dream Chaser to this by organizing workshops on space based response UN SPIDER, programme, UNOOSA develop and fly payloads for missions related to technology subjects, space law and policy, as also supports United Nations Member States to experiments in microgravity conditions that well as on questions relating to international access and use data for disaster recovery, risk contribute to the fulfillment of the Sustainable cooperation in space activities and on united reduction and emergency response. Development Goals. Nations space based activities. Agreements with the China Manned Space UNOOSA's programmes on Space Applications Under the Programme on Space Applications, Agency to enable Member States, particularly builds capacity and promotes cooperation in UNOOSA also has a Human Space developing countries, to conduct space space science and technology. UNOOSA Technology Initiative HSTI programme to help experiments on board China's future space provides capacity-building, education, research everyone, everywhere, access space and its stations, as well as to conduct feasibility study and development support and technological benefits. Initiatives under HSTI include: to look at also providing flight opportunities for advisory services on topics that include basic The joint KiboCUBE initiative with the Japan astronauts and payload engineers. space sciences, basic space technology and Aerosoapce Exploration Agency, JAXA, which Furthermore, UNOOSA is the executive human space technology, and promoting Global offers educational and research institutions secretariat of the International Committee on Navigation Satellites Systems and integrated from developing countries the opportunities to Global Navigation Satellite Systems (ICG), space technology applications in the areas such deploy cube satellites from the International which promotes voluntary cooperation on as global health, disaster management, climate Space Station. matters of interest related to civil satellite-

7 SPACE4WOMEN

based positioning, navigation, timing and value- exciting, upcoming initiatives in this field include: strategy planning to address development added services. UNOOSA is also the permanent A partnership with the China Manned Space framework. The space for women project has secretariat to the Space Mission Planning Agency to enable United Nations Member been operational since 2018. Advisory Group, which considers asteroid States, particularly developing countries to impact mitigation. conduct space experiments on-board China's What are the UN UNOOSA prepares and distributes reports, future space stations, and an agreement to studies and publications on various fields of conduct a feasibility study on provide flight strategies to narrow the space science technology applications and opportunities for astronauts and payload international law. These documents and reports engineers to China's space stations. gap between developing are available through the UNOOSA website. A partnership with Sierra Nevada Corporation nations and in turn SNC to provide opportunities for member states, between men and what is meaning of the especially, non-space faring nations, affordable access to SNC's Dream Chaser to develop and women? UNISPACE + 50? fly payloads for missions related to experiments in microgravity that contribute to one or more of Our goal for UNISPACE +50 is to build together The UNOOSA's goal is to bring the benefits of the sustainable development goals. with all stakeholders, a new concept of global outer space to all mankind. An important part The global space community is continuing to governance of space activities known as of achieving that is working closely with non- grow and diversify, and to this end, UNOOSA will “space2030” agenda that supports the use of space faring nations and developing continue to support the committee on the space for the attainment if sustainable countries, particularly in capacity building. Peaceful Use of Outer Space and its growing development goals and is based on peaceful Having access to space brings countries a memberships as well as increasing engagement exploration and use of outer space. We want to number of advantages since space are widely with the private sector. make sure space is accessible to all and that used in telecommunications, to track weather, This includes the high level forum series. The space technology and applications are used to improve crops, study diseases, manage high level fora series are unique event bring concrete benefits to human kind. At the disasters, among many other things. same time, space needs to stay sustainable so it consisting of experts presentation and expert panel bringing together a wide range of can be used by future generations. The Office provide capacity building and participants, including academia, international That is why the UNISPACE_50 and Space 2030 advisory services for the benefit of developing organizations non-governmental organizations, will take into account the interdependences in countries through workshops, training government entities, space agencies And the the space sector and foster international courses, projects, education curricula, and private sector. The for a started as one of a range cooperation, paying special attention to future other initiatives on topics that includes remote of flagship activities to provide recommendation space faring and developing countries while sensing, satellite navigation, satellite for UNISPACE+ 50 and have since been carefully considering sustainability of the outer meteorology, tele-education, space science extended past UNISPACE +50 to provide an space activities.Space2030 will be based on and space law. ongoing opportunity for engagement amongst four pillars, namely space economy, space More than 21000 participants have attended the broader space sector, including input into society, space accessibility, and space over 300 UNOOSA trainings activities in the UNOOSA and COPOUS We expect that diplomacy. last 45 years. UNOOSA particularly Space2030 will further determine the office encourages women to apply for those activities and priorities in the coming years. Furthermore, the space 2030 agenda will be opportunities. aimed at reducing the so-called Space-Divide, We have been ramping up our Human Space the gap between the nations that have What is the role of women Technology Initiative HSTI to involve more developed space related capabilities and countries on activities related to human space technologies, and those who do not have access in the aerospace sector flight and make space exploration a truly an to these capabilities and benefits. today? international effort, inclusive and open to As part of the preparations for UNISPACE+50, everyone. HSTI activities include the COPUOUS agreed to seven thematic priorities kiboCUBE programme, a partnership with the for activities to guide discussions on the future of As humankind makes important scientific and technological advancements, there is still a Japan Aerospace Agency JAXA, that offers international space cooperation. These seven educational and research institutions an thematic priorities are: gender imbalance in the space sector. While there is an encouraging improvements, opportunities to deploy cube satellite from the women's contributions and potentials are still not Japan kibo module of the International Space Global partnership in space exploration and Station (ISS). This is an example odf pour innovation; Legal regime of outer space and fully utilized. Its imperative that we empower women to start working towards a career in the triangular approach to capacity building, global space governance current and future where the Office works with space faring perspective; Enhanced information exchange in space sector, to strengthen women in pursuing a career in the space sector and to support women nations to help non-space faring nations to space objects and events International develop their space technology capabilities. framework for space weather services; to stay in the space sector. In response to this and in line with the Also, under the HSTI, an agreement signed Strengthened space cooperation for global between UNOOSA and China Manned Space health International cooperation towards low- sustainable development goal 5,”Gender equality” and sustainable development goal 4, Agency will enable member states to conduct emission and resilient societies; and Capacity experiments in microgravity conditions on- building for the 21st century “Quality education” UNOOSA is developing a space for women project to get more girls and board China's future space stations. And we After flagship initiatives, such as conferences are cooperating with Sierra Nevada under each thematic priority, recommendations women into STEM education, especially in the developing countries and to promote gender Corporation to provide United Nations have been developed by stakeholders from the member states, with a particular focus on broader space community which will now be mainstreaming in the space sector. The first step in developing this project was the developing countries to send space sciences incorporated into UNISPACE +50 and Space experiments in to low earth orbit for extended 20230 agenda. space for women expert meeting to gather experience and recommendations from which period as part of research in pursuit of the project will be developed. sustainable development goals. What are the basis for The Expert meeting held in New York from 4 to 6 October 2017 in cooperation with the UN This will be especially beneficial to countries future plans for the UN in Women, address the current problems which cannot afford their own space program space? regarding the involvement of women in the and will through this initiative have the space sector by bringing participants from the opportunities to conduct research in space. private sector, research institutions, and experts Furthermore, Space2030 agenda which will In line with the UNISPACE+ and Space2030, the from the UN entities as well as the leaders of the result from UNISPACE+50 will be aimed at United Nations Office for Outer Space affairs civil society. reducing the so-called space divide, the gap engages extensively on capacity building, In the future, the space for women project will between nations that have developed space focused on non-space faring nations and endeavour to equip government with policies related capabilities and technologies and developing countries, to help countries use and technical capabilities to integrate gender those who do not have access to these space science, technology and applications for perspectives in their respective space capabilities and their benefits. sustainable development goals. Some of our technology and applications as part of the

8 SATELLITE BUSINESS

How Embratel's new satellite will boost the media sector

In Brazil, the final of a classic football championship is one of those events broadcast via satellite that is very important for broadcast TV. After all, there are a lot of people gathered in front of the small screen at the same time. In 2019, Flamengo's victory over River Plate in the final of the Copa Libertadores da América earned TV Globo a large audience in the country. Figures from Ibope, at the time, showed that the audience in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, two of the main markets in the country, was greater than that registered in the last four World Cup finals. Now, can you imagine if the broadcast signal had dropped just as Flamengo, in the final minutes of the match, scored the goals of the comeback victory that gave the club the title? That will implied a tragedy for both the fan and for the broadcaster that distribute the signals and the advertisers who invested to expose the brand to so many people together at the same time. Thankfully, there are satellites, so moments like these are possible to be followed live and without interruptions, regardless of where the viewer is. Fans, advertisers and broadcasters are all happy. This happiness is possible because broadcasters use the C-band satellites to distribute their signals [the preferred position of TV broadcasters] will be usually available on pay TV. From the moment both to affiliates and to headhends, transmission operational by the end of 2024. Since we needed that large broadcasters use less transmission and reception of signals of pay TVs. to build a new one and the technology has bandwidth, there will be more space available However, despite the C-band being responsible for evolved since our last model, we decided that we for them to be able to increase the audience transmitting signals that reach homes, there is still a would launch a more modern satellite with more and, with that, the number of advertisements. challenge: how to regionalize the signal and power in the C band”, explains José Antonio This brings us to advertisers. With a greater manage to segment advertising to generate new Gonzalez, manager of products and special variety of channels reaching a greater number revenue? projects for Satellite Networks at Embratel. of homes, companies from different sectors will According to the Global Entertainment Nand Media have more space to present their products and Research 2017-2021, published by PwC showed services, reaching a mass that still finds on that the Brazilian media market should reach $ 43.7 Leveraging the business with open TV a source of information, entertainment billion in 2021. Embratel's Star One D2 and contact with the world. Although the changing consumption habits of viewers have led advertisers and broadcasters to satellite rethink their strategies, open TV still has the The Star One D2 Embratel offers some benefits Accelerating Satellite potential to reach homes with advertising. Data for the media industry, not only about TV from the Executive Council for Standard Norms broadcasters, but also about companies that Digitization with Star One D2 show that, from January to September 2020, R$ 4.8 want to advertise on open channels to expand Embratel's Star One D2 satellite has four times million were invested in open TV media, 54.1% of their market presence. more power than the Star One C2, which is the total amount spent on advertising. "Due to the Star One D2's power that's four times currently in orbit at position 70° west. This The high reach of open TV, present in 96.4% of greater than the current satellite, TV power gain will bring more quality to Brazilian homes, helps explain this preference. And broadcasters will be able to send their professional satellite dishes, such as the it is only possible to be present in practically all programming with HD quality, but with less use of broadcaster that broadcasts a sporting event. Brazilian homes thanks to the satellite dishes. megahertz capacity, also reducing expenditure In addition, the Ku band, also present in this According to the PNAD Continuous 2018 – TIC, in on transmission resources", explains Gonzalez. new satellite, will play a relevant role in the Brazil, 21.5 million Brazilian families receive open For instance, if, today, a broadcaster needs to digitalization of satellite dishes. TV transmission exclusively via satellite. The dish use 9 megahertz from one of the satellites that Once it occupies this hot position, the Star One is, so to speak, an important part of national are in orbit to carry out its transmissions, with the D2 satellite will make room for a greater offer of integration. Star One D2, it will be able to send the same channels for professional video distribution. At The chance of impacting these homes increases content with the same quality, but using less the same time, Ku-band digitization will “further even more with the Star One D2, the new satellite capacity. improve the quality of images transmitted to launched by Embratel into space in the third quarter Some opportunities arise when broadcasters use Brazilian homes”, as explained by Gustavo of 2021. less megahertz capacity. Among them, the Silbert, Executive Director Embratel Satellites. Embratel's new satellite brings as a great possibility of geographic segmentation, since the One of the advantages for the broadcasters, differential greater power in the C-band, the most use of smaller signals allows broadcasters to also according to the executive, is that the indicated and used video transmissions because of adopt more regionalized signals. technology will allow the acceleration of the its high availability. This extra power will improve Thus, a broadcaster with several affiliates can process of digitalization of analog signals and a the transmission of the television signal in Brazil, in better promote local programming. Or even a greater offer of high definition (HD) channels addition to helping media companies in the arduous company with a national signal can enter the with lower costs and smaller reception challenge of cutting costs while transmission regional market, as it will save on the budget and antennas. In other words, both emitters and quality needs to be maintained and even improved. may find new forms of revenue. consumers end up benefiting from this advance “The satellite we have today at position 70° west Another area of interest is the small channels, in satellite technology.

9 MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS

5G and the Military

Today’s government recognized the vast potential of 5G to deliver superior mission outcomes. Realizing those outcomes is the challenge of 5G. How are defense and civilian organizations developing their core and edge network testing strategies for this game-changing technology?

5G is evolving faster than any previous wireless Government Challenges to technology will work as intended in live, often network technology, bringing with it unique and 5G Adoption rigorous and demanding environments. compelling capabilities. Promising extreme high- speed connections, ultra-low latency, and a The way forward is to test with the right Government has traditionally followed capacity to connect massive numbers of people, strategy, the right technology capabilities and commercial organizations' lead to evolve machines and devices, 5G has captured the the right people. By testing networks and innovative technologies and prove their attention of commercial sectors across the devices across a multitude of use cases with value. However, the power of 5G is seen to country and around the world. a state-of-the-art testing approach, represent a new de facto paradigm shift in organizations discover issues, then adapt networking as it continuously evolves in real- Government, too, is jumping on the 5G and improve their 5G network performance in time – and government is eager to be bandwagon. From remote oversight of transport real-world conditions. With the cutting-edge involved early. An example of that is their and agricultural systems, to life-saving medical nature of 5G technology – and the critical prioritized focus on 5G and Open RAN. procedures and essential resilience and need for a holistic and comprehensive 5G was primarily designed for broad survivability of communications at the military's approach – a DIY custom testing strategy commercial use. Government and defense, tactical edge, 5G represents the potential for can cost an impractical amount of time and of course, have performance, resiliency and cutting-edge technology to deliver optimal money, with no guarantee of the results security requirements that exceed the needs mission outcomes. When it comes to 5G required. of commercial organizations. The essential adoption, what challenges is government question is: Can 5G be reliably adapted to facing? government's specialized requirements? How Digital Twin Can Help For example, is 5G flexible enough to The 5G Network Digital Twin is an example of What must be done to prepare core and edge survive an attack on a defense network that a solution that emulates network functions networks for 5G to facilitate the achievement of can never be allowed to go down? Long and traffic to empower and expand an the highest quality mission outcomes possible? before 5G is integrated into civil and defense organization's testing capabilities. Using a networks, government must know the twin of the communication network, blended

10 MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS

3. Edge distributed core communications in a congested and contested environment. network performance and The Digital Twin can test that slice, resilience testing for multi- alongside other slices in operation access edge computing at the same time, to ensure it meets the specified set of requirements to (MEC) for low latency d e l i v e r s e c u r e , p r i o r i t i z e d applications communications. As part of the test, Digital Twin can introduce One of the key tenets of 5G is low latency, to impairments that replicate system close the round-trip time lapse between an congestion to guarantee the slice event and the communication transmission meets key performance metrics related to that event. One factor for latency is under impaired conditions. d i s t a n c e . T h e c l o s e r t h e e v e n t communication is to the message or data recipient, the faster the message is 2. Multiple network received. with the real-world network, the Digital Twin can slice priority and performance Digital Twin helps answer the question of test the performance, resiliency and security of testing for different optimal proximity for scenarios such as technologies and services under the rigorous classification levels and use autonomous vehicles or roadside drones, conditions anticipated in the real-world which are heavily reliant on video. Testing environment. case requirements with Digital Twin can help to answer, “What Enlisting a qualified Digital Twin expert test capabilities must be at the edge? Which can partner for government can guide federal civilian Digital Twin supports multiple and be moved some distance away, and how far, and defense organizations through unique use simultaneous network slice capability testing, to still meet operational requirements? case development and testing, to ensure testing to facilitate testing numerous and diverse use is targeted on the scenarios and conditions case requirements across multiple slices. A From a global government perspective, the encountered in the live environment core network, for example, might have a slice U.S. government is leading the way on 5G .Use cases may call for millions of end users for telemedical use that supports remote adoption, with other governments where Digital Twin can artificially stimulate and medical procedures. Another may support monitoring their actions and strategies to impair the network with synthetic traffic battlefield drones collecting real-time visual inform their own. As a vendor-neutral generation, cyberattacks, unexpected outages, intelligence. Both use cases demand reliable advisor to government security other noise interference, usage surges and more. instantaneous connectivity and high- advisory groups within and outside the U.S., Digital Twin can also integrate the test network resolution video imagery, so Ultra-Reliable Spirent engages in strategic consultations with the live network to better understand real Low Latency Communication (URLLC) would and track key developments for the 5G network behavior under test conditions. be the priority for those slices. global roadmap. Using Digital Twin, we work The Digital Twin delivers essential 5G network For teams running augmented reality (AR) hand-in-hand with governments to optimize performance validation at a significant reduction training on a base, that 5G network slice can 5G core and edge network technologies, in cost and time compared to traditional real- be configured to support massive Machine reducing the risks associated with those world testing. This approach helps pinpoint Type Communications (mMTC), with capital investments. vulnerabilities and resolve issues long before extremely high connection density by multiple the 5G network is activated for the operational online devices. While AR training is important, environment. the associated network slice may not be Emerging 5G trends in prioritized over those supporting lifesaving or government Three Use Cases for life-preserving slices on the same network. In our 5G collaboration with government, The Digital Twin team can help to define, we have observed two trends. Government 5G Core and Edge prototype and test the multiple slices – and the First, the potential of 5G is accelerating Network Testing prioritization of each, when there are many innovation in government, especially in the slices operating simultaneously in one Digital Twin offers immense flexibility for defense sector. The agencies and defense environment. networks to accommodate a wide range of use organizations are in the early phases of cases, including when critical communications testing their core and edge networks as they must be delivered rapidly, reliably and with the experiment, adjust, and define their cutting- highest level of quality. A selection of these use “Long before 5G is edge solutions for tomorrow – for on and off cases includes: the battlefield. As well, the government integrated into civil maintains a high motivation to stay ahead of 1. Secure and emergency and defense the 5G curve, and not risk falling behind. communications network slice S e c o n d , w e s e e u n p r e c e d e n t e d performance networks, collaboration within and across government and commercial organizations, breaking government must through silos to participate in multi- Network slicing provides new ways to implement engagement environments. 5G is already networks with multiple, different security and know the technology realizing the promise of bringing networking performance characteristics that are suited to to an entirely new level of capability. But specific operational needs such as classified will work as there is more to come. With the right and unclassified communications. advanced testing strategies in place, in Digital Twin supports advanced network slice intended in live, collaboration with the right testing partners testing of the core and transport networks. Each and technology capabilities, the ground- slice can be dedicated in a secure and isolated often rigorous and breaking promise of 5G will deliver optimal configuration with its own defined performance mission outcomes across civilian and testing capabilities and use requirements. A demanding defense environments. secure emergency communications network slice, for example, requires higher levels of environments”. resilience, reliability and priority over other

11 AFRICA REPORT

SANSA hosts Digital Earth Africa Program Management Office

After careful selection, the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) will host the Digital Earth Africa Program Management Office (PMO). The appointment marks a significant milestone in establishing an Africa-based infrastructure for Digital Earth Africa, ensuring that the platform remains responsive to the needs, challenges, and priorities of the continent, and continuing its vision and mission to provide routine, reliable and free access to Earth observation data to tackle some of Africa's greatest socio-economic and sustainability challenges. 'It has always been fundamental for Digital Earth Africa to become fully operational in Africa, and I am delighted to announce this vital step in Digital Earth Africa's growth. An Africa-based PMO allows us to tailor our platform even more to the needs of our users. It also signals an important step towards the complete transition of Digital Earth Africa to be owned and run by African organisations and stakeholders,' says Adam Lewis, Managing Director of the Digital Earth Africa Establishment Team. Based in Pretoria, South Africa, the PMO will strengthen Digital Earth Africa's already extensive network of partners from across the continent. The For the remainder of 2021 and into 2022, the PMO will provide on-going leadership and direction current Establishment Team will work closely linked to recurrent droughts and floods. The as the program continues to deliver upon its with SANSA and the PMO to transition functions NBS has been conducting research on how to strategic objectives. from the Establishment Team to the PMO. monitor and report on Sustainable 'SANSA has as its vision, “an integrated National Development Goal (SDG) Indicator 6.6.1 - Space Capability that responds to socio-economic The establishment of Digital Earth Africa (DE change in the extent of water-related challenges in Africa by 2030”. The coordination of Africa) has been funded by US-based Leona M ecosystems over time, and more specifically the PMO through SANSA aligns with and supports and Harry B Helmsley Charitable Trust and the the spatial extent of water-related the objectives of using space knowledge and Australian Government. The Australian ecosystems. technology to the benefit of all citizens on the Government has committed to providing the Lake Sulunga, also known as Bahi Swamp, is continent. Moreover, it gives impetus to an technical and operational expertise from Digital in Central Tanzania and relied upon by many operational African space programme that has Earth Africa. Through the establishment phase, surrounding settlements for drinking water, been on the cards for a while,' says Dr Val Munsami, we will institutionalize the DE Africa program in fishing, agriculture, livestock farming and salt SANSA CEO. Africa, and staffing for the program based in production. Using DE Africa services, the The selection was made after careful assessment Africa will increase over the next three years. A Tanzanian NBS was able to gather valuable by an independent panel with majority key objective is to leverage the existing capacity insights to improve policy to protect Lake representation from African organisations. There is across Africa and work with partner institutions to Sulunga and the communities who depend on confidence in the aligned missions and visions of maximize the potential impact of the program. it for water, food, and income. SANSA and Digital Earth Africa, as well as the The Tanzanian NBS have been among the capacity and capability of SANSA to host the PMO, Amongst its numerous program min Africa, first advanced users to transition to the new ensuring the ongoing success of the platform. Digital Earth Africa (DE Africa) last year DE Africa continental-wide infrastructure from This agreement was made under the terms of a announce plans to help Mr Benedict Mugambi, the Africa Regional Data Cube (ARDC). contract between SANSA and Geoscience Head of Geographic Information System (GIS) at Following its launch in May 2018, the Africa Australia. the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Regional Data Cube (ARDC) initiative has Alison Rose, Chief of Place, Space and Tanzania to analyse data on issues related to proven the value of open data cube Communities Division at Geoscience Australia and agriculture, deforestation, water access and technologies in providing access to data for Co-Chair of the Digital Earth Africa Governing food security. decision-making in five African countries Board says: 'Geoscience Australia is delighted to Most countries in Africa lack statistics on (Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, Sierra Leone and see such an active step taken towards achieving environmental degradation and subsequent Tanzania). DE Africa is the evolution of the Digital Earth Africa's vision and mission. I, and the climate change impacts. Tanzania is vulnerable ARDC from a trailblazing capability for five rest of the Board, look forward to working with to extreme weather events and disasters. countries to a fully operational, continental SANSA to guide the transition of the program to Currently, more than 70% of all natural disasters scale data and information infrastructure. Africa.' in Tanzania are climate change related and are

12 ASIA

India ramps up space program across frontier

The Government of India (GoI) is currently carrying build on national achievements made to date, by Digitalization is key to meeting such out reforms aimed at opening space activities in the focussing on digital technology and service challenges. Complex hardware for example country to more private sector stakeholders. To provision. (such as complete satellites or advanced sub- take full advantage of these reforms, it will be The majority of the businesses identified in the systems) often has an extended supply chain important for domestic and international space study were found to be privately-owned, small to with multiple space-grade, radiation-hardened organisations to use key insights into the current medium enterprises (SMEs), typically with less components produced by suppliers around the state of the space ecosystem. than 200 employees. They are also clustered world. According to media reports and statements by the around major ISRO facilities in Bangalore and in Managing this supply chain and keeping track Chairman of the Indian Space Research south India demonstrating the importance of the of the rich product-level data, documentation, Organisation (ISRO), there are many local national space program to wider commercial and logistical information (which upstream suppliers in India that support the agency, but it's development. space industry customers require for not clear who they are, what their capabilities cover, ISRO's five decades serves as an excellent procurement) is an area where digitalization and how exactly they contribute to the national foundation for some of these companies who are has many benefits. space program. intending to develop end-to-end launch vehicles To address this issue, Dassault Systèmes, in and satellites. This could help businesses to partnership with the global space marketplace scale and grow internationally, opening up new Building a Connected satsearch, has conducted a unique trade study of markets and revenue streams. However, this will Ecosystem 281 Indian space sector suppliers, focussing on only be achieved if companies can harness the Achieving faster, better, and more cost- their identity, location, and digital capabilities. huge potential of digital technologies and effective technology outcomes through However, the Covid-19 pandemic has no doubt processes to improve production. digitalization is only a part of the challenge affected some companies and projects, while facing space companies today. The other changing priorities at nationalHimma and Aklilu international The growing value of piece of the puzzle is for firms to design and levels have also led to impacts on commercial develop their own intellectual property (IP). activities. digitalization Of the companies in our analysis only 30% The space industry in India in particular has been Industries everywhere are becoming were found to have revenues of 100 crore undergoing a variety of major changes in recent increasingly digitalized to exploit modern (€8,250,000) and above. Reaching the next months. The Government of India (GOI) is in the innovation and seek out cost and efficiency level of growth for many smaller firms will process of implementing reforms designed to savings. And space is no different. Our study require a transition from acting as part of the increase private sector participation in the industry highlighted attitudes towards the use of digital industry's manufacturing backbone to creating to open up the market and encourage further tools in engineering and commercial workflows, proprietary technologies. development. as well as the capacity of companies to deploy To achieve this, companies require a business India has a rich heritage of space exploration and them at scale. platform that not only integrates different technology development, but companies have While operating at the cutting-edge of certain departments and information while providing mainly worked in a sub-contracting role with the categories of hardware development, space digital capabilities to accelerate rocketry and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) as companies can sometimes rely too heavily on satellite design and manufacturing but also opposed to acting as primary customers to the legacy processes and systems that are utilizes advanced simulation capabilities. As downstream supply chain or to serving those larger performing sub-optimally compared to firms in Arun Rao, Senior Director, Sales & Geo clients. other sectors. Strategy, Dassault Systèmes, India, explains; Enabling more firms to act as these primary There are many opportunities for companies to “To win the space race with successful satellite customers, while also encouraging greater levels use innovation such as virtual reality (VR) launches, companies must close the gap of foreign investment and private capital, is opening technologies to better integrate design, between the real and virtual worlds. India has up India's market, so it is important for companies manufacture, and testing data to generate t h e r e q u i r e d p r o v i s i o n s , e v o l v i n g to be understand how the supply chain in the ongoing improvements in spacetech production. infrastructure, and young talented minds to country is structured. Indian companies can create new competitive master this cusp of space technology and strengths by taking advantage of such evolve into a global leader in the sector.” Significant Potential for opportunities in the future. Our trade study identified that there is “We need to ensure that we enable the NewSpace companies in India significant scope for Indian space businesses emerging companies with accurate know-how, The shape of the international space industry is to build further capacity in the use of such profound knowledge, and expertise changing. China is emerging as a significant force digital tools. Only a fifth of respondents experience to close the gap between two for example, while Europe and Japan are reported themselves as 'expert' in the use of worlds with unlocking new prospects with new continuing years of support for multiple commercial digital technologies while around two-thirds stellar V+R technologies.” and research projects, and the UK is now stated they were at a 'beginner' or Advanced virtual simulation capabilities allow developing more independent initiatives after 'intermediate' level. Clearly there is some companies to improve testing and validation of exiting the European Union. work to do, yet some major opportunities new space technologies and instrument In addition, the US is orienting aspects of its public- configurations. await those businesses able to harness digital funded activity around ambitious exploration goals, In addition, enhancing the integration of such battling climate change, and increased space tools and develop a connected, integrated testing and simulation approaches into the militarisation through Space Force, while the approach to space technology development. product development lifecycle (at all stages; private industry is growing on many levels in the As David Ziegler, Vice President of Aerospace from concept to in-orbit operations and country. and Defense Industry at Dassault Systèmes eventual de-orbiting) will speed up the time to Many countries with less well-established space explains; “The challenge for NewSpace market of new innovations. programs are also developing and launching companies is to develop the versatility of their Such capabilities will be critical to enabling satellites and/or providing new services such as platforms while manufacturing to order at scale. Indian companies to expand upon existing launch sites that have been built in New Zealand. In the longer term, the challenge will be to manufacturing expertise into the creation of Amid such changes Indian businesses have the manage mega-constellations and ensure their proprietary systems and IP. opportunity to emerge as successful players, and sustainability.”

13 INDUSTRY REPORT

EUROPE Delivering complex infrastructure programmes

More than 80,000 vehicles flow around the junction clear strategy from the outset. Intelligent planning, goal, minimising risk keeping down cost, allowed each day travelling between the UK's largest car identifying key milestones early and making them permanent works to go ahead on schedule and manufacturing plant Nissan and the Port of Tyne. visible and visual for all was a constant in his continued relatively unaffected throughout a wet As part of Highways England's £130 million planning meetings. Supported by the summer and into the winter months. upgrade to the busy junction, the 142-metre and empowerment of this project team, who were able Another key milestone was the first major traffic 1,393-tonne bridge which raises the A19 above the to make decisions and take ownership played a switch – moving the traffic onto the newly existing roundabout, will allow drivers to drive huge part in the successful delivery. constructed A19 to get access to the centre of the straight through without stopping. One of the junction to start building the flyover. largest and most iconic highways projects in the Digital tools supported the efficient delivery, North east, the new flyover opened for traffic on 21 especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and Russell explained, “This was a key focus from the June with an official ceremony on 6 July 2021. lockdown, explains Russell, “The early adoption outset and the milestone needed to be hit to Delivered by Costain for Highways England, the and continued use of Aphex, a cloud-based maintain the critical delivery path. The main two-year scheme which began in 2019, will support planning tool to track, update and communicate learning here was planning and sticking to it, plan to economic growth, provide a safe and serviceable the programme in real time and from anywhere in execute then execute the plan.” The traffic switch road network, provide a more free-flowing road the UK was key. It allowed us to work remotely and was successfully achieved on schedule in network, improve the environment, and provide an maintain social distancing at a critical time for the December 2019. accessible and integrated road network. project but for the wellbeing and safety of our The nearby A19 Downhill Lane scheme running in people.”Robust forecasting helped Russell Community support parallel provides extra capacity on the junction establish a drumbeat that facilitated an accurate Complex infrastructure projects can disrupt. Local between the A19 and the A1290 in Sunderland, forecast with a focus on the financial planning and communities are affected when and construction supporting regional economy and plans for the work scheduling. A team of package managers starts. The Costain team is passionate about development of International Advanced ensured that every subcontract element was making a difference to the communities in which it Manufacturing Park (IAMP), located in an area managed effectively. works by minimising impact in a variety of ways. north of Sunderland's Nissan Motor Manufacturing To keep the team on track and focussed on Together with Highways England and Jacobs, plant and major international supply chain delivery, Russell believes managing and Costain delivered a host of social value and companies , adjacent to the A19. New link roads will minimising change is a vital part of successful community enhancement projects in the Northeast. be created between Downhill Lane and Testo's, project delivery. One of the first was a volunteering day at outdoor boosting journey times and providing new facilities education centre, West Boldon Lodge. for pedestrians, cyclists, and horse riders. A 40 strong team helped build footpaths, move a Before undertaking the major upgrade of the A19 H i g h p e r f o r m i n g a n d piano to an outdoor music area, built a treetop Testo's Junction, drivers experienced severe integrated team parachute canopy and complete the roof on a congestion at the roundabout during peak times. One of the early successes of Testo's was 'Hobbit' house. This resulted in longer than usual journey times for establishing all the haul roads at the earliest road users. Now, drivers experience more opportunity. During a dry April in 2019, the Costain has collaborated with more than 20 predictable and reliable journeys and improved integrated team of Costain, Highways England, schools, leading assemblies, offering numerous road safety with less traffic around the junction. Jacobs and the wider supply chain worked activities, and delivering careers talks. At the North together to deliver the temporary haul roads and East's “Bring it On” careers event, Costain engaged Empowering people laydown areas. with over 2,000 children and young people about Russell Furnival, project lead for the A19 had a the world of complex infrastructure programmes. The collaborative working towards a common

14 EUROPE REPORT

Untangling the OneWeb web By Tom Goulding

OneWeb's concept for a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) services require unrestricted access to a that the deal “underlines the scale of satellite communications system for global high- secure, ideally sovereign, system. As Mark Britain's ambitions on the global scale,” and speed broadband3 has long been well known Garnier MP, vice-chairman of the UK's all- presents an opportunity to further develop among industry watchers. The emergence of party parliamentary group on space put it, the nation's advanced manufacturing low-cost modular satellite design and “We have spent some £90 million looking at capabilities. manufacturing processes have made mass our own alternative – GNSS – but have constellation LEO broadband a technologically concluded that it would be too ambitious. The pressing question is therefore, and financially viable proposition. These lower Costs of £5 billion concentrate the mind.” precisely what can OneWeb do to meet the orbits of around 1,200km5 enable powerful Britain saw and seized an opportunity to UK's needs? As identified by Mr. Garnier, signals with lower latency than high-throughput adapt OneWeb for use as a lower-cost OneWeb is less expensive in the short run; it broadband signals available from higher orbits. combined communication and positioning has the benefit of its existing infrastructure This could allow satellite constellations to service. and 74 completed satellites, and LEO expand their business offering to address mass Despite OneWeb's lower cost, the most constellations are easier and cheaper to market and time-sensitive applications that senior civil servant from the Government's launch and replace. By some measures it is require continuous connectivity. own Department for Business, Energy & also likely to be cheaper than a custom- While OneWeb's LEO-broadband concept is one Industrial Strategy could not recommend the designed alternative in the medium term, that seek the the use of such mass purchase as an appropriate use of public though this cost saving needs to be weighed constellations, the UK Government's investment funds. She also cited the UK Space up against reduced functionality relative to a appears to be motivated by a desire to explore Agency's assessment that further system tailored to the Government's needs. other proposals. Of particular interest is the novel investment will likely be needed to complete In terms of technical capabilities, a LEO concept of a dual-use LEO system that can the system and encourage user uptake, and constellation is closer to Earth than existing support resilient positioning, navigation and the significant risks associated with making GNSS systems in Medium Earth Orbit timing (PNT) and supersede the need for a UK a single large investment rather than adding (MEO), thus suffering less path loss and sovereign global navigation satellite system a smaller stake in OneWeb to a larger potentially delivering higher signal strength, (GNSS) in the style of other GNSS programmes. portfolio which spreads risk. Interestingly, which could penetrate deep into buildings, while other OneWeb detractors have unlike current GNSS systems. This could Finding such a support resilient positioning, echoed and reiterated the civil service letter, open new applications, such as location- navigation and timing PNT replacement is likely many have failed to repeat some non- based advertising, improving the accuracy to be a pressing concern for the UK Government, financial considerations that are raised in the of the vertical location of emergency calls as Brexit ends Britain's stake in the EU's Galileo letter. These considerations include (e.g. from high-rises), and accurate asset or Public Regulated Service (PRS), a secure potential long-term foreign policy, soft people tracking that require a seamless encrypted position and timing service. The PRS power, manufacturing, and mass positioning both indoor and outdoor or in the service, in which the UK played a significant role constellation early-mover advantages. urban environment. in the design and development, is restricted to Indeed, the Government's stated (EU) 'government-authorised users'. While motivations appear to encompass broader Furthermore, LEO systems are more consumer use of Galileo's other services industrial and strategic considerations, with resilient to interference or jamming, owing to remains possible, national security and military business secretary Alok Sharma asserting the stronger signal on the ground. Additional

15 EUROPE REPORT

resilience comes from the redundancy brought satellite with atomic clocks was €2.2 million. OneWeb. Supporting this compromise is the by volume. Hundreds or thousands of satellites in Combined with the relatively short lifespan of Government's own stance, as expressed by a network travelling at high velocity in LEO mean LEO satellites, which generally run out of fuel Lord Callanan of the UK House of Lords in a each one is only critical for operations for a few years earlier than their higher-orbit cousins, the debate; in that the Government believes the minutes at a time. These advantages have also design issues posed compound the financial investment “is likely to make an economic been considered by the US military's Defense concerns of those who predict OneWeb will be return”, and hence recognising the potential Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) more expensive than traditional positioning non-financial benefits. as part of their 'Blackjack program', which aims to systems in the long run. demonstrate how PNT payloads in LEO orbits Amid the countless sources of risk and can augment other satellite navigation Further complexity arises from the UK uncertainty, a few things are clear. OneWeb systems.11 These resiliency gains are of obvious Government's position as just one stakeholder offers some significant potential advantages interest to the UK and offer a valuable in a larger public-private partnership, meaning to the UK government, but is also far from complement to traditional GNSS that have an OneWeb will also be required to generate optimised for their likely requirements. Its entirely different set of weaknesses. The enough revenue to satisfy other shareholders. costs will likely exceed the initial $500m Government's 'golden share' in OneWeb gives it Attempts to develop a relationship of this type price tag paid. However, the Government's veto power over who can access OneWeb's failed in 2007 with Galileo, the European plans for OneWeb are not purely financial, services and changes including takeovers or GNSS, and GNSSs are not generally and the future likely involves a hybrid acquisitions. This reinforces these potential financially self-sufficient. This implies that the approach that adapts the existing security features. new dual-purpose OneWeb may have to communications satellite constellation's d e d i c a t e m o r e r e s o u r c e s t o t h e specifications to provide some level of PNT The Government's logic behind the purchase communications part of the system than is ideal capabilities as well as higher-encryption becomes more understandable in light of the for the UK government's purposes. The communications. This balance between cost advantages offered by OneWeb but many critics naysayers have a point; OneWeb was not and effectiveness may also give the UK still remain. As alluded to already, the design designed for UK government's needs, and it control over a unique system with strategic specification for OneWeb is by no means shows. value when optimised for positioning services. The satellites Bleddyn Bowen argues that “we've bought already in orbit are not currently tracked with The conflict between the original and new the wrong satellites,” but this may only be enough accuracy to allow positioning capability. system requirements mean that a pragmatic true if we retain a narrow understanding of The already-launched satellite design does not approach must be taken. Rather than the Government's requirements of the currently allow for the military-grade encryption designing an optimised system, the feasible system. OneWeb cannot replace the the UK likely wants. To allow for positioning as capabilities of an adapted OneWeb must be purpose-built GNSSs already in place, but it well as the default communication capabilities, technically and financially defined first. One can offer a complimentary system that payloads will have to be added to OneWeb's possible view of OneWeb's future comes in the enhances the resilience and reach of design and new receivers must be developed, form of Iridium Communications, a LEO satellite-derived PNT. The debate around introducing fresh technical and financial constellation operator that has demonstrated the financial and economic value of these challenges. PNT capabilities using 'instantaneous Doppler services will undoubtedly continue long after These challenges stem from the fundamental positioning'. By measuring the Doppler-shift of OneWeb's final technical specification is issue of trying to adapt a system optimised for signals from LEO satellites, and despite a much determined, meaning the untangling of the one purpose to serve more. For example, GNSS higher 'carrier to noise ratio', recent tests OneWeb web is likely to be an ongoing systems require expensive 'space-qualified achieved a mean error of positioning of 180m. process for some time yet. atomic clocks', and so a OneWeb positioning That these LEO signals can augment GNSS payload that follows the dominant design will solutions by 'delivering a time and location Tom Goulding is an Economic Analyst at London require hundreds, which is far in excess of the UK solution into environments where GNSS Economics' Space Team or indeed the world's supply capabilities. For signals are not available' suggests that some reference, the cost of equipping one Galileo level of compromise design is still feasible for

17 AMERICA

Brazil celebrates INPE’s 60th anniversary

INPE emerged in the early 1960s, motivated by the expectations that were created around the first space achievements achieved by the Soviet Union and the United States. In 1957, the Soviets launched the first satellite into space, Sputnik. A year later, it was the United States' turn to place the Explorer in Earth orbit. At the time, two engineering students from the Technological Institute of Aeronautics (ITA), Fernando de Mendonça and Júlio Alberto de Morais Coutinho, with the collaboration of the Naval Research Laboratory of the United States Navy, built a tracking station, with which they were able to pick up the signals from the two satellites. In 1960, the Brazilian Interplanetary Society (SIB) decided, during the Inter-American Space Research Meeting, to propose the creation of a civil space research institution in the country, and sent a letter to the then President of the Republic, Jânio Quadros, suggesting such an initiative.

The year 1961 would be decisive for Brazil's entry into the space age. In May of that year, the United States, in response to Soviet attempts - which a month earlier had placed the first man, Yuri Gagarin, in Earth orbit - launched the Apollo Program, reinforcing the commitment they would give to their space program. In a speech, President John Kennedy stated that by the end of that decade an American astronaut would step on the lunar ground, as he did in 1969. In August of the same year, Jânio Quadros, enthusiastic about initiatives in the area, signed the decree that would create the Organizing Group of the National Space Activities Commission (GOCNAE), the embryo of what would become INPE, initiating space activities in Brazil. National Aeronautics and Space rocket. the Space Research Committee (COSPAR). In GOCNAE's attributions were: to propose the Administration (NASA). Until 1970, around 230 the early 1980s, INPE became involved in the Brazilian space policy in collaboration with the foreign and national rockets had been launched then recently created Brazilian Antarctic Ministry of Foreign Affairs; develop technical- through the Aeronomic Sounding with Rockets Program (PROANTAR), starting in this region scientific exchange and international cooperation; (SAFO) project. Later, there was also the development of research in geophysics, promote the training of specialists; carry out cooperation with the French space agency, upper atmosphere physics, meteorology, research projects; and coordinate and execute theCenter National d'Études Spatiales (CNES), climate and oceanography, activities that are space activities with the Brazilian industry. which equipped the CLBI with a modern maintained until today in Antarctica . In the mid- tracking and control station, in exchange for 1980s, the Ozone Laboratory was created, The first years of existence of GOCNAE or CNAE, using the Centre. which provided INPE with great visibility when as it came to be known in the 1960s, were the reduction of the ozone layer became a dedicated to space and atmospheric sciences, at a International cooperation global public interest. time when the international scientific community Experimental activities have always been a The scientific activities of the early 1960s intensified research in the areas of geophysics, strong point of INPE and, following this line, in allowed the Institute to host, in 1965, the aeronomy and magnetism, due to the reduced the 1980s, the Institute participated in the Second International Symposium on Equatorial solar activity in the International Years of the Calm Global Troposphere Experiment in the Aeronomy (SISEA), the result of activities in Sun (1964 – 1965). The external interest in data Boundary Layer on the Amazonian Atmosphere cooperation with NASA. Campaigns in collection in the equatorial range brought the (GTE/ABLE), in collaboration with NASA and cooperation with the international scientific opportunity for INPE to insert itself in the other organizations national and foreign. In community became a strategy to enable INPE's international scientific community. 1995, another large experiment was carried research and instrumentation teams that would Scientific campaigns in cooperation with other out, Smoke, Clouds, and Radiation-Brazil support Space and Atmospheric Science countries, in addition to generating data for (SCAR-B), also in collaboration with NASA. experiments. In 1968, the launching of research, would also be essential for training stratospheric balloons with payloads dedicated specialists. INPE then proposed to the Ministry of In 2008, INPE created the Space Climate to research in the areas of atmosphere, Aeronautics the construction of a launch base in program (EMBRACE), with the objective of astrophysics and geophysics began. That year, the Northeast, to launch rockets with scientific measuring and modeling the Sun-Earth around 130 balloons for X-ray measurements payloads. The Barreira do Inferno Rocket Launch interaction and its effects on the near space and were launched in the South Atlantic Magnetic Center (CLFBI, which would later be called CLBI), on the surface of the Brazilian territory. Anomaly region. installed in the city of Natal (RN), was inaugurated Magnetic and ionospheric storms, generated The natural growth of space sciences led to the in 1965, with the launch of a Nike-Apache, a by solar activity, interfere with human activities holding, at INPE, in 1974, of the 17th Meeting of

18 AMERICA

by impacting data transmissions from GPS, satellites, designed to provide visibility to the Institute strategy, aiming at accessing the sensitive aircraft and electrical systems. To make this program and thereby legitimize space activities, which technologies necessary for the autonomous operational, INPE installed a Space Weather data are still incipient. development of remote sensing satellites, collection, modeling and forecasting infrastructure. INPE sought international cooperation. As an extension of this initiative, the Joint Brazil- In order to support the scientific pioneering of Together with the Ministries of Science and China Laboratory for Space Climate was inaugurated space activities, INPE created, in the 1960s, a Technology and Foreign Affairs, it began to in 2014, starting work on the creation of project that would encourage the training of discuss and negotiate with China, in 1984, a computational products for space climate specialists to make up for the lack of scientists cooperation protocol for the development, applications. in the different areas of research in which the manufacture, testing and launch of two large- Institute was already operating. In 1968, scale remote sensing satellites. The The developments achieved by space and PORVIR was established, through which INPE cooperation also included the operation, atmospheric sciences culminated with INPE's began its postgraduate activities. In addition to reception, processing and dissemination of participation in the North American LIGO project for panning for talented researchers still in training images by Brazilian and Chinese stations. the detection of gravitational waves. In February at universities, foreign researchers were The signing of the cooperation protocol 2016, the LIGO collaboration communicated the first attracted to work in different areas of research between Brazil and China, in 1988, resulted direct measurement of gravitational waves, and teaching at INPE. The training of in the launch of the first satellite of the theoretically predicted by Albert Einstein in 1916, and researchers also involved the completion of a CBERS series, in 1999, and of the CBERS-2, which represented an experimental challenge for a doctorate abroad. These researchers, when in 2003. From the success of this program, century. The INPE, so far, is the only Brazilian they returned to the country, started to work in there was a renewal of cooperation, with the institution that maintains experimental activities in the training of new scientists in INPE's launch of CBERS-2B in 2007 and expansion gravitational waves. postgraduate courses. of the joint mission with two more satellites, CBERS-3 and CBERS-4. The use of satellite data as a From Satellite Applications to In 2013, with the failure to launch CBERS-3, stimulus to applied research Daily Weather Forecasts the Brazilian and Chinese teams committed to a major effort to produce, integrate, test With the evolution of meteorological and remote From the mid-1960s, INPE began and and launch the next satellite, CBERS-4, sensing satellites in the 1960s, the Institute expanded expanded its activities in scientific research within a tight one-year schedule . The its areas of activity and scientific interest. Two large and reception and processing of data and satellite was successfully launched in projects were created with the aim of developing images from meteorological satellites. Since December 2014, bringing a new perspective applied research using satellite data and images. In that time, it has carried out developments to the extension of the program between the 1966, the Meteorology by Satellite (MESA) program extracting a series of products from data and two countries. CBERS images are used to was created, based on the reception of images obtained from sensors aboard control deforestation and burning in the meteorological images from the US Environmental satellites of the Geostationary Operational Legal Amazon, to monitor water resources, Science Services Administration (ESSA) series, Environmental Satellite (GOES), National agricultural production and expansion, which would be renamed NOAA ( National Oceanic Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration cartography, among other applications. and Atmospheric Administration).), from NASA. INPE (NOAA) series of the United States, and trained specialists to make use of data reception Meteorological Satellite series (METEOSAT) The 2000s were positive for INPE in stations, whose technology was transferred to the of the European Union. In the 1980s, as a budgetary terms. With the increase in national industry. Several units were provided to result of research activities and following the spending on S&T by the Lula government research and monitoring institutions, such as the evolution of numerical weather forecasts in from 2004, INPE's budget grew from R$ 100 National Institute of Meteorology (INMET) and developed countries, INPE researchers million in 2003 to R$ 200 million in 2007, companies. proposed the creation of a modern weather reaching R$ 250 million in 2010. resources forecasting center, where models would be allowed for better planning of satellite Another program with the same concept, the Remote d e v e l o p e d t o b e p r o c e s s e d o n a programs, including contracts with the Sensing Project (SERE) began in 1969 and involved supercomputer. The creation of the Center for national industry. Currently, the main satellite the training of personnel in the United States to carry Weather Forecasting and Climate Studies programs developed by INPE are, in addition out missions to map the Brazilian territory's natural (CPTEC) was approved in 1987 and its to CBERS, the Multimission Platform (PMM). resources through aerial photos and data reception inauguration took place in 1994. Designed to The PMM is a multi-purpose platform for the Earth Resources Technology Satellite (ERTS), generate numerical weather forecasts, satellites up to 500 kg in total mass in orbits which led to the series of Landsat satellites. In 1970, CPTEC also started to provide seasonal from 600 to 1000 km. For the next few years, the first experiment in remote sensing was carried weather forecasts. A few years later, the new INPE plans to launch a series of satellites out, the “Ferrugem” Mission, whose objective was to center started to generate regional forecasts, based on the PMM, for Earth observation detect rust in coffee plantations in the region of covering South America with better resolution, (remote sensing and space climate) and Caratinga (MG). As early as 1974, INPE started using and in the early 2000s, environmental scientific (astrophysics and space LANDSAT images to map deforestation in the forecasts and monitoring. geophysics) applications. Amazon. The use of communication satellites was another With the constant updating of its high- INPE's history of major initiatives reflects the area of ?interest of INPE explored within the performance computational base, CPTEC has proactive stance of its scientific community, perspective of development and use of applications of become an international reference center, with which has gradually expanded the space technologies in national problems. scientific and technological capacity that institution's area of ?action in response to Between the late 1960s and early 1970s, the allows continuous improvement of its forecasts society's demands and scientific and Advanced Interdisciplinary Communications Satellite for the country and South America. technological challenges. The competence (SACI) project was created, which consisted of the In addition to forecasts, CPTEC monitors the acquired in its main areas of activity - Space use of a NASA telecommunications satellite for a t m o s p h e r e a n d r a i n f a l l , a d d i n g and Atmospheric Sciences, Environmental transmission of elementary level educational content environmental, weather and climate and Meteorological Sciences, and and teacher training in remote regions of the country. information to agribusiness, energy Engineering and Space Technologies - were This project had a pilot experience with schools in Rio generation, transport, services and established, on the one hand, thanks to Grande do Norte, between 1973 and 1975. construction, tourism and leisure activities, etc international scientific cooperation. On the Educational programs were produced and broadcast I other hand, it took advantage of the by INPE. The CBERS Program: constitution of a scientific and technological community of excellence that was Although this project has not evolved as an area of cooperation with China established under the strategy of training in ?activity for INPE, developments in the areas of remote The 1980s were marked by successive the most advanced research centers and by sensing and meteorology have prospered. All these economic crises that were partially reflected in attracting researchers from abroad to work in projects were based on generating economic and MECB's results. In order to face the financial the institution. social benefits for the country. They were also difficulties, but also for reasons of geopolitical

19 PERSONALITY

Dominating ungoverned spaces and porous borders in Nigeria

Dr Halilu Ahmad Shaba was born 1st October 1966 The programmes were to the family of Halilu Shaba from Lapai in Niger strategically developed State and Zainab Olayanju Abdulkadir from llorin in in response to the Kwara State. He began his basic education from challenges faced by Capital School Sokoto where he did his nursery t o d a y ' s s c i e n t i f i c school and Primary one and then finished his community that requires primary education Authority, Polytechnic Road ability to analyze and Kaduna. solve complex scientific He attended Rimi College Kaduna and and engineering design Government Secondary School, Rijau respectively problems in space between 1978 and 1984. He graduated from s c i e n c e a n d Bayero University with Bsc Geography in 1988 and e n g i n e e r i n g . did his National Youth service Crops 1988-1989. The Institute involves He started work immediately with National interdisciplinary skills, Population Commission till 2001. He further e x p e r t i s e a n d obtained his masters in technology in remote a p p r o a c h e s f o r sensing application in 1993 and a PhD in the same proffering solutions to a field January 2000 all from Federal University better understanding of Technology Minna. He transferred his service from Earth-Sun systems and National Population Commission in 2001 to space technology for Federal University Technology Minna and later left t h e p u r p o s e o f to join National Emergency Management Agency i m p r o v i n g s o c i o - in 2006. economic development Dr Halilu Ahmad Shaba joined the National space and safety of our world Research and Development in 2009 and is today. currently the Director General/CEO of the Agency. T h e I n s t i t u t e i s He is a member of academics of science, Nigeria committed to be a Geographic Association, Association of Nigeria leading national and Authors and GEOSON and also a fellow of Nigeria international institute of Cartographic Association. space research and He has written two Novels, including Darkness of development that is able to demonstrate Doom and Bubble Dreams and has supervised high-quality teaching, learning and a world-class leader in research, over forty Master's and post Graduate Diploma enterprise. To bridge the gap between the development and innovations. thesis and about thirty undergraduate researches. industrial sector and the academia by He has co supervised over seven PhD both in creating enabling environments that will help The institution argues that national security Nigeria, United Kingdom and Ghana and have the students and staff to acquire skills and was all about national safety with food written or co-authored about 35 journals and maximize their potentials so as to strengthen security, economic, social, physical, energy, conferences articles. He is still lecturing, and research quality and thereby increase environmental, border, cyber securities as farming and a scholar. knowledge transfer and economic impact for components. The institution called for the According to the National Space Research and the benefit of humanity. deployment of specialised satellite, Development Agency, NASRDA, the Institute of The Institute of Space Science and reconnaissance satellite that will assist the Space Science & Engineering (ISSE), which is Engineering is a research and development- armed forces in detecting danger locations. currently located in Abuja-FCT, was established on oriented institution that is set to pursue Prof. Lazarus Ojigi, Director, Mission the 2nd June, 2015 in accordance with the National learning, scholarship and advancing Planning IT and Data Management of the Space Research & Development Agency dissemination of knowledge that can be National Space Research and Development (NASRDA) Act 2010. used to leverage the Nation to become an Agency (NASRDA), said,” “Having the It is a unique postgraduate Institute set to address advanced economy. ground segment will help us to subscribe and the growing needs of space scientific knowledge The Institute is committed to working closely optimise; offering enough information for your and innovations in Nigeria and Africa continent at with its students, businesses, government, security agencies and those information are large. In general, the Institute comprises of the private sector, civil society and international encrypted for use.“By that architecture, following programmes: Space Physics, collaborators for proper knowledge transfer Nigeria will not only provide satellite signals Geoinformatics and GIS Applications, Aerospace for the benefit of humankind. Its mission was but services in terms of telecommunications, Engineering and Systems Engineering leading to also to be an exclusively postgraduate, internet and augmentation services to Africa the award of Master of Science (M.Sc.) and Doctor mono-Institution (Single Faculty), that will be and other parts of the world. of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees.

20 SPECIAL REPORT

Nigeria's Border Security: More Satellites, Sensors and Walls

Nigeria needs to build a Border Space Command as part of a larger effort to manage the country's more than 4,047km land borders which comprise of 1,690km with Cameroon, 87km with Chad, 1,497 with Niger, 733 with Benin Republic and a coastal line of Gulf of Guinea with 853km. Space technology, according to Dr. Haliru Ahmad Shaba is continually breaking new ground and thereby helping countries to boost the protection of their borders. Read the excerpts in this report.

It was another occasion of the Brigadier General various applications and operationalize In Nigeria, ungoverned spaces are mainly Michale Agu distinguished lecture at the Obasanjo indigenous space system for providing Space Centre, in Abuja attracting dignitaries from the remotest peripheral areas bordered by space services and shall be the government different countries with little or no state the all walks of life especially key space industry Agency charged with the responsibility for l e a d e r s , g o v e r n m e n t s , b r o a d c a s t e r s , presence. Ungoverned spaces could be building and launching satellites; and also physical or non-physical. The physical areas businessmen, military officers, and other industry serve as the repository of all satellites data players in Nigeria and beyond. include forest-based ungoverned space over Nigeria's territory and accordingly, all such as Sambisa Forest that served as a The event organised by the Nigerian Institution of collaborations and consultations in space Space Engineers, NISE was the 5th edition of its sanctuary for the Boko Haram terrorist data related matters in Nigeria shall be group. Kinyanbana, Fagore and Kamuku kind and the 4th fellowship conferment with the carried out or undertaken by or with the theme, “Dominating Ungoverned Space and forests in northern Nigeria used for Bandits' Agency, according to Dr. Haliru Ahmad operations, Creeks and Atlantic Ocean in the Porous Borders in Nigeria”; the roles, challenges Shaba, Director General and Chief and prospects of space technologies. Niger Delta, used for bunkering oil and the executive officer of the National Space porous Borders. The distinguished annual lecture x-rayed the Research and Development Agency. various roles satellite technology can play in Ungoverned spaces, according to Dr. Shaba safeguarding the Nigeria's borders and protecting Ungoverned spaces the country's security in the face of obvious could be non-physical financial space where Nigeria, like many other countries has its challenges including terrorism, banditry and criminals, bandits, terrorists, raise and move share of challenges, says Dr. Shaba. One of kidnapping. monies and other resources without any such challenges he said, is insecurity. Over The distinguished lecture was instituted five years impediment. the years the country has experienced ago to honour Brigadier General Michale Agu rted, In order to guarantee the protection of lives myriads of security challenges, including for his contributions to the development of and property within a specific territory, border Boko Haram (Jamâ'at Ahl as-Sunnah lid- engineering and particularly space technology in security is vital. It therefore implies that Da'wah wa'l-Jihâd) insurgency, Islamic Nigeria. pporous border under secured or ill secured State's West African Province (ISWAP) According to the Nigerian Institution of Space border allow for easy passage in and out of a insurgency, Banditry, Kidnapping, Engineers, NISE, Engr. Brig, General Agu rted, country. The activities at a country's border Herder/farmer clashes and Piracy. These FNSE has served as a member of the Space can affect the country politically, insecurities are prevalent and occurring Technology Committee of the Council of the economically and socially. simultaneously within a common shelter- Nigerian Society of Engineers in 2002, and also Unfortunately, the porosity of Nigeria's belt called the ungoverned space. took part in the development of Nigeria's National borders have been attributed to the way the Space Development Agency, NASRDA'S Act and colonialists divided the African continent into Simply put, he said, ungoverned spaces are was the pioneer National Chairman of the countries for administrative convenience. areas where the state institutions cannot institution during which he laid a solid foundation These boundaries, he said, were defined in exercise their full authority. In Jigeria, these for the growth of the institution. terms of latitudes, longitudes, geometric ungoverned spaces serve as criminal safe circles and straight lines, splitting several havens where they organize, plan, raise The National Space Research and Development ethnic and cultural communities. As a result, funds, communicate, recruit, train, transit, Agency, NASRDA Act, 2010 has spelt out the roles most African Governments find it extremely and operate in relative security or limited and responsibilities of the agency and therefore, difficult to administer international fear of counterterrorism action. its mandated to develop satellite technology for boundaries that were created dividing

21 SPECIAL REPORT

peak. Satellite imagery can be used to track activity at border control posts between Nigeria and neighboring countries. In addition, satellites also provide data, video and voice communications along with aircraft, helicopters, ground vehicles and maritime vessels on border patrol. Therefore, it makes it possible for widely scattered forces to share information and images, and to operate as a single unit. Space technologies have been playing a major role in manning and protecting these ungoverned spaces and porous borders in Nigeria. One of such technology is the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). For instance, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles UAV data have been used to map forest area, monitor human activities in and around the forest and other relevant information.

In the US, the Department of Homeland Security shares data from military reconnaissance satellites with local, state and Federal agencies responsible for immigration and anti-smuggling programs. According to Dr. Shaba, sensors are able to penetrate cloud cover, detect chemical traces and even identify objects inside Push-to-Talk radio signals over Nigeria and neighboring countries buildings. India RISAT and Cartosat spacecraft are used to capture still images as well as high-resolution video of the cultural and ethnic groups. their presence. nation's disputed borders. According to him, the porosity of Nigeria's border In Nigeria today, most of the states affected has been further exacerbated by the failure of by insecurity are linked with porous and In South Africa h, satellite imagery have succeeding Governments to properly administer unmanageable international border routes been used to track activity at border control these borders. The size of Nigerian borders with Cameroon, Niger, and Chad. In posts between that nation and Zimbabwe. makes it difficult to be policed and managed addition, according to the International The potential of the use of imagery is its terrestrially by the relevant security agencies Crisis Group, herder-farmer confrontations ability to picks up new roads and tracks, assigned with the responsibility. Nigeria is have increased in Benue, Taraba, massed vehicles, temporary settlements bounded by four different countries and occupies Adamawa, Zamfara, and other states, with and even places where fences have been more than 926,000sqkm land mass. almost 1,300 deaths recorded, and there is compromised by migrants seeking access to cause for alarm. one of Africa's most stable and prosperous In the East with Cameroon, the border extends countries. beyond the length of 1,690 kilometers. With the republic of Niger, 1,497 kilometers stretch of Space technology as a Also, Australian government monitors their border in the North. In Benin republic, the border panacea to ungoverned coastline for illegal immigration and resource have been estimated at 773 kilometers in the space exploitation using satellites which links a West, Chad with border length of 87 kilometres in fleet of coast guard ships and small boats as The fact that scientists can access the Northeast with Nigeria. Most of these border well as camera-equipped surveillance information from space remotely makes areas are either mountainous or in the jungle. aircraft. In the Oceania nation, satellites are Space technology suitable and reliable for Irrespective of their geographic nature, according used to link automated surveillance radar the management of our country's border. to Dr. Haliru Shaba, a common feature of the units set up at borders to detect moving Curiously, space technology, according to nation's borders is its porosity. It is characterized targets over both land and water. In this wise, him, offers revisit capabilities, global by large area of ungoverned land and several they are particularly effective at spotting the coverage and can provide data in an area illegal entrance along its border. The porosity of tiny ultra light aircraft that drug smugglers that cannot be accessible by humans. our borders has made it difficult to contain the use to bring their goods to market. inflow of small arms and light weapons. This has Therefore the application of Space technology in the management of the therefore paved the way for constant occurrences Within the European Union (EU), the EU country's border and ungoverned spaces in of criminality across the Nigerian borders. Also, Satellite Centre and Front-ex, the EU agency the country will be of great advantage and the porous border has been the major reason for tasked with border control covering the will help checkmate the illegal activities the continued insecurity situation in the country European Schengen Area, is using geo-data around these areas. Space technology, he and the rise in terrorism, banditry, Helders attack to counter illicit trafficking and smuggling, said, is continually breaking new ground and and cattle rustling. For example, the terrorist and will continue to do so as this is the only thereby helping countries to boost the activities of Boko Haram and others criminalities way to develop a holistic representation of protection of their borders. use the borders around Nigeria to carry out their the border through real-time mapping. attacks. Besides, the uses of unmanned aerial In contrast, the management of external vehicles (UAVs or drones) have borders in territories like the European Unfortunately, at these sections of the country's, revolutionized warfare globally. They are Union can become a fairly complex matter. there is inadequate security presence, also active in border patrols. Flown via Several factors need to be considered to governance, dividends of democracy as well as satellite by remote operators, they can stay ensure this protection is effective. any semblance of any recognized authority. in the air for long periods of time and send Accordingly, satellite plays many roles in Therefore, non-state actors including criminal video from the field, which effectively securing the border. The first is visibility: entities such as the insurgents and bandits find it extends the reach of border control agencies Earth observation satellites provide detailed easy to move into ungoverned spaces to assert for thousands of miles. images of hot spots where border crossings 22 SPECIAL REPORT

vessels on border patrol. As a result, monitoring Nation coastline for illegal immigration and resource exploitation is only possible because satellite links a fleet of coast guard ships and small boats as well as camera-equipped surveillance aircraft. He said, “Satellite is even being used to link automated surveillance radar units set up at borders to detect moving targets over both land and water. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or drones) have revolutionized warfare”.

Flown via satellite by remote operators, they can stay in the air for long periods of time and send video from the field, which effectively extends the reach of border control agencies for thousands of miles. A combination of satellite radar and imaging technologies can help immigration authorities to monitor the size and changes at refugee camps and near borders. Space technology makes it easier to monitor and predict future immigration attempts and, through preparation, save lives.

Space technology contributes to monitoring the propagation of threats in any society. According to Dr. Shaba, border security and satellite technology are closely linked. Earth o b s e r v a t i o n , s u r v e i l l a n c e a n d Real time monitoring of porous communications in border security programs borders using space technology platform for security agencies in the rely heavily on satellite. Satellite based earth country to truly synergise and harmonise observation and surveillance systems help to efforts under one roof to frontally address monitor and report movement in areas of a India has recently launched an earth observation various national security concern using the country along the border which are more satellite that will provide it near real-time images instrumentality of information and remote due to terrain condition like mountain of its borders and also enable quick monitoring of communication technology adding that ranges, sea, tropical forest or climate factors, natural disasters. Experts said positioning the holders of Nigerian passport can no longer including desert or thinly populated regions. state-of-the-art agile earth observation satellite in travel with lost, stolen or a reissued geostationary orbit has key advantages. "It's passport. Managing the border is important for not only going to be a game-changer in some sense for maintaining the security of the country, but India", a Department of Space official said. "With In the migration context, satellites also reducing the workload of the Nigerian onboard high-resolution cameras, the satellite equipped with cameras, optical sensors or army, fighting a low-intensity war with will allow the country to monitor the Indian active sensors can be used to monitor terrorists and insurgents. landmass and the oceans, particularly its borders refugee camp size and the movement of Until recently, ungoverned spaces that were continuously". According to Dr. Shaba, the near large object such as boats. To achieve this, not considered significantly important, and real-time change detection for border monitoring most of these satellites are in Low Earth have over time transformed themselves into can be performed by collecting repeat-pass Orbit as it is closer to the earth and enables breeding grounds for violent extremists and imagery over periods of minutes to hours using them to capture multiple images of an area criminal gangs' operative domain. Today, they an aircraft flying a defined flight pattern. every day. present a new dimension in understanding These surveillance systems make use of the insurgency and emerging armed militias The near real-time change detection offers the archived satellite imagery and real-time in the Country. ability to collect multitemporal imagery using remote sensing tracking, combined with specific techniques that enable precise spatial other tools, letting authorities detect and However, border security is ultimately about co-registration of multitemporal images, spatially monitor the effects of illegal practices such bringing together many different sources of co-register the multitemporal mages, perform as piracy, but also illegal immigration information and making it available to a widely change detection to identify features of interest through land borders. dispersed team. that are newly apparent or have moved locations, The only technology in the world that can do collect geographic coordinate information about the whole job is literally out of this world. With the features of interest, and transmit the locations A military reconnaissance satellite is unsleeping vigilance, from thousands of of change features of interest (as well as any responsible for immigration and anti- kilometers overhead, satellites are standing relevant attributes) to command and control smuggling programs. Sensors are able to guard. Space science, technology and data stations on the ground. penetrate cloud cover, detect chemical hold the potential to help achieve monitoring traces and even identify objects inside ungoverned space. In the fulfilment of near real time monitoring, the buildings, according to Dr. Shaba. For Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has deployed instance, India uses the RISAT and Nigeria needs to embrace policies for open a technology Migration Information Data Analysis Cartosat spacecraft to capture still images data and open science for geospatial data; System (MIDAS) to enable it monitor the Nigerian as well as high-resolution video of the and leverage public to private cooperation on borders from its headquarters in Abuja. nation's disputed borders. Therefore, common goals for space science, technology According to the Comptroller General of NIS, satellite imagery can be used to track and data for achieving the Goals, he said. M u h a m m a d B a b a n d e d e , t h e d a t a activity at border control posts between Costs are being driven down by new communication, command and control centre at Nigeria and neighbouring Countries. t e c h n o l o g i c a l d e v e l o p m e n t s a n d the immigration headquarters will improve border Satellites also provide data, video and collaborations between local, national, security and facilitate better travel experience. voice communications with aircraft, regional and international stakeholders. According to him, the centre provided a unique helicopters, ground vehicles and maritime 23 SPECIAL FEATURE

Creative Destruction Lab Revolutioning hi-tech entrepreneurs

Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) is a nonprofit Destruction Lab. “We're thrilled to partner with and provide hands-on support to achieve organization that delivers an objectives-based one of the world's great research institutions, the those objectives set during sessions. This program for massively scalable, seed-stage, University of Washington, located in such a invaluable interaction allows students to science- and technology-based companies. Its nine- vibrant hub of global leaders in technology reframe their perspective around a career month program allows founders to learn from commercialization - the Seattle region." defined by original thinking and innovation. experienced entrepreneurs, increasing their A partnership of investors--Artie Buerk, Neal Live the startup experience likelihood of success. Dempsey, Bill McAleer, Rob Short, and Steve It is a real-life immersive experience that The Creative Destruction Lab was established to Singh--backed CDL-Seattle, helping the initiative cannot be found in any textbook. Instead of foster the next generation of Canada's technology gain early momentum. reading a 30-page case that comes with a fact startups, while giving students practical experience “I view CDL as an engine for scaling and funding set, students have to discover the facts working with world-class investors and deep-tech companies, which supports our brand themselves and figure out which are the most entrepreneurs. Students enjoy a first-hand of having an 'innovation mindset,'” said Frank valuable. They develop a keen awareness of immersion in the startup ecosystem, as they help to Hodge, Orin and Janet Smith Dean of the UW the messiness of the real world and the bring to market the innovations needed to solve the Foster School of Business. “It will also offer challenge of having to make vital decisions most pressing problems of our time. students a highly experiential, hands-on before a clear picture of the key indicators has Founded by Professor Ajay Agrawal at the Rotman entrepreneurial education and opportunities to emerged. School of Management in 2012, the CDL has now work with startups in an objectives-based While working with startups, every decision expanded to Vancouver, Sauder School of Business, accelerator.” Over nine months, CDL's program matters. Students often feel a strong personal University of British Columbia, Calgary, Haskayne provides a marketplace for technical startup investment in their startup experience, School of Business, University of Calgary, Montreal founders to learn from the insights of experienced because the consequences of their (HEC Montréal, Halifax Rowe School of Business, entrepreneurs, increasing their likelihood of participation are so tangible. Some graduates Dalhousie University, Atlanta, Scheller College of success. of the program end up joining the companies Business, Georgia Tech, Oxford, Saïd Business they partnered with or start their own, School, University of Oxford, Paris, HEC Paris), A powerful network continuing on an entrepreneurial path. Others enjoy the strategic advisory role they play with Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and One of the greatest functions of the Creative the ventures, and translate those skills into Seattle University of Washington's Foster School of Destruction Lab is its role as a crucible of roles in finance or management consulting. Business. business acumen and technical expertise, Whatever their learning trajectory, graduates Ventures accepted into the program have bringing together a highly effective combination of emerge from the program both professionally backgrounds in the areas of artificial intelligence, entrepreneurs, investors, scholars, inventors and and personally transformed. quantum computing, clean tech and health. Creative risk-takers. Destruction Lab alumni include Thalmic Labs, Students are paired with early-stage technology Atomwise, Deep Genomics, Automat, and Kyndi. companies looking to scale their idea into a high Creative Destruction Lab Companies that have participated in the Creative growth company. Every two months, students Fellowship program Destruction Lab programs have created over $3 and ventures are invited to join an intensive full- billion in equity value. day session with the Fellows and Associates, an The Creative Destruction Lab Fellowship "The rapid growth of new machine learning elite group of successful entrepreneurs, angel program has been created to unlock the applications focused on enhancing human health investors, and partners from leading venture entrepreneurial ambitions of up to 20 incoming combined with innovations in sensor technology and capital firms, focused on objective setting. Rotman students who are committed to other complements has created a flood of new Learning from these experienced entrepreneurs exploring careers in entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial opportunities that will benefit and investors, students work with their ventures society,” said Ajay Agrawal, Founder, Creative

24 Ajay Agrawal Founder of the Creative Destruction Lab at the Rotman School of Management. REFLECTION

Interview with Ajay Agrawal At Creative Destruction Lab, over 100 start-ups have emerged, generating over $50 million in equity value By Karen Christenson

entrepreneur, the investor usually says no, but potentially transformative change to the way Describe what happens at the occasionally says yes, at which point they are drugs are discovered which represents a Creative Destruction Lab very committed. By the time we hit the end of m u l t i b i l l i o n - d o l l a r p r o b l e m f o r t h e (CDL). the academic year, the Fellows and pharmaceutical industry. Associates have met with the ventures many While we were working with Abe, a team of The Creative Destruction Lab is a seed-stage times, and they've gotten to know each other. graduate students from U of T Computer program for massively scalable science-based Furthermore, the entrepreneurs have Science won a high-profile competition at companies. Some start-ups come from the demonstrated their ability (or inability) to Stanford called ImageNet. It's basically an University of Toronto community, but we now also deliver against an aggressive set of objectives image-recognition competition, whereby a receive applications from Europe, the U.S. through several cycles. We don't require computer is given a bunch of pictures and has to (including Silicon Valley), Israel and Asia. We Fellows and Associates to invest, but they can, identify the image, whether it's a ball, a horse or launched the program in September 2012, and and many do. a wheelbarrow. This team from Toronto each autumn since, we've admitted a new cohort of participated, and not only did they win using a start-ups into the program. Most companies that When you're founding a company, you're machine learning technique called deep we admit have developed a working prototype or faced with a thousand different things you learning, largely developed at U of T- but they proof of concept. The most common type of could be working on. The question is, what won by such a margin that the following year, all founder is a recently graduated PhD in should you focus on? People who have done of the finalist teams were using their technique. Engineering or Computer Science who has spent this before are able to triage those thousand several years working on a problem and has things and prioritize the two or three most Those are just two examples of events that invented something at the frontier of their field. important things to focus on right now to inspired us to bet on machine intelligence. The program does not guarantee financing, but the increase value and de-risk the venture as Overall, we saw mounting evidence that AI was majority of companies that succeed raise capital quickly as possible. Every eight weeks, this a general-purpose technology that could be from the CDL's Fellows and Associates — a group meets with the founders and sets applied to a wide range of problems across a carefully- selected group of individuals who objectives; then the founders carry on building vast array of industries, and that's what themselves are serial entrepreneurs and early- their ventures. prompted us to dedicate a new stream of the stage investors. Throughout the year, our MBA Lab's activity to AI. students work with the start-up founders as part of The Creative Destruction Lab does not At first, you faced resistance; why? a second-year elective course, helping them charge fees or take equity. The currency for People said we were being too narrow, that there develop financial models, evaluate potential participation is performance. There were weren't enough startups to fill an AI stream and markets, and finetune their scaling strategies. To seven Fellows in our first year, so the bi- that there wasn't enough interest from investors. date, more than 100 start-ups have come through monthly sessions were named after that At the same time, we had believers. One such the Lab. When we launched, we set a goal of Group of Seven Fellows, or 'G7'. At the end of believer who herself had written a highly generating $50 million in equity value created in each G7 session, we ask the Fellows and influential blog post describing the 'landscape' of terms of the aggregate value created by Associates to raise their hand for any companies emerging in the machine learning companies that went through the Lab. When we companies for which they are willing to commit world was Shivon Zilis, a Canadian based in finished our fifth year in June 2017, we had their most precious resource: time. We ask San Francisco and a partner at the venture exceeded $1.4 billion in equity value created. them to commit to meeting with the company investing firm Bloomberg Beta, where she led for an hour every other week until the next the firm's investments in machine intelligence. What exactly does the Lab session. Any companies that don't inspire at provide to entrepreneurs? least one raised hand are dropped from future I invited her to the Rotman School to present her meetings, although they are still part of the insightful analysis to our MBA students, and the Start-up founders benefit from a structured, Creative Destruction Lab family and attend CDL team — quickly realizing she is a star objectives-oriented process that increases their other events. The rule is that at least one recruited her to join forces on our AI initiatives. probability of success. The process is orchestrated company must be dropped from the G7 Elon Musk subsequently saw the same potential by the Creative Destruction Lab team, while sessions at each meeting. In the rare case that and recruited her to help him build his empire. Creative Destruction Lab Fellows and Associates hands go up for all companies, we raise the So, we moved forward with the new stream, but generate the objectives. Objective-setting is a price in terms of the amount of time required to to address these concerns, in 2015 we also cornerstone of the process. Every eight weeks the commit. As we proceed throughout the nine- launched an annual conference with Shivon as Fellows and Associates set three objectives for the month program, this allows us to focus more co-chair called Machine Learning and the start-ups to achieve, at the exclusion of everything and more resources on ventures that are Market for Intelligence. The goal was to educate else. In other words, they define clear goals for an showing the most progress. the Canadian business community about the eight week 'sprint'. Objectives can be business, importance of this emerging field. Leaders in the technology or HR-oriented. Our Fellows and field from organizations like Google, Uber, Associates all volunteers are critical to the Creative Three years ago, Creative Apple, Stanford, Carnegie Mellon and MIT came Destruction Lab 's success. Destruction Lab made a to Rotman to discuss and debate how AI is and huge bet on artificial will impact a variety of fields, from life sciences to manufacturing to retail. Tell us more about the Creative intelligence (AI) and Destruction Lab Fellows and machine learning. What Talk a bit about the Creative Associates. prompted that? We have designed a marketplace, a community Destruction Lab's results to that functions under a set of rules and norms that In our first year of operation, one of the start- date. facilitates efficient transactions between first-time ups that came to us was Chematria, now founders and experienced entrepreneurs, many of called Atomwise. Its founder, Abe Heifets, a U The launch of our AI stream transformed the Lab whom are also investors. Often, the two sides don't of T PhD in Computer Science and Biology from a Canadian enterprise into a global one. In know each other until the rookie founder seeks out was applying a new AI technique to drug our first year, our start-ups were all from Ontario, the experienced entrepreneur/investor when discovery. What Abe was doing represented but they now come from around the world. raising capital. Knowing very little about the not just a marginal improvement, but a Similarly, in our first year, our Fellows were all

26 REFLECTION

Ultimately, Katya ran out of capital before she gas. And that is what they ended up doing. from Canada, and that, too, changed when we could get to revenue and the company folded; launched the AI stream. Our ML7 (Machine but she wouldn't give up and launched another One of our Fellows is Dr. Chen Fong, former Learning Seven) includes William Tunstall- start-up. She learned a lot from her first head of Radiology at the University of Calgary Pedoe, who flies in from Cambridge, England, company and maintained great relations with and active investor in medical technologies as every eight weeks. He has a PhD in Machine her investors. I wouldn't be surprised if they well as the energy industry. After learning about Learning and founded Evi, which was acquired invest in her again, because she is so driven, Validere's technology and the recommendation by Amazon in 2012. Evi's technology powers the trustworthy and willing to learn. She is a prime to focus on oil and gas, Chen flew the founders AI engine in Amazon's Alexa, which, to my example of the persistence required of out to Calgary and drove them (himself!) around knowledge, is still the top-selling consumer AI entrepreneurs. the city to meet with a number of oil and gas hardware product in the world. executives to solicit feedback on their product. Soon, the business was transformed: They The ML7 also includes Barney Pell, who flies in Will AI change the way attracted some significant customers and went every eight weeks from San Francisco. Barney decisions are made in from being unable to raise capital to being over- also has a PhD in Machine Learning and led an subscribed, with more investor interest than 85-person team at NASA that flew the first AI into organizations? they could accommodate. Our MBA students deep space. He then built an AI company called learned a tremendous Powerset that was acquired by Microsoft, and Yes. Every disruptive technology lowers the now he's the cofounder of Moon Express, which cost of something, and in the case of AI, that amount a very different but complementary type is essentially building a Federal Express-type something is prediction. By prediction, I mean of education than they get from reading about service to the moon, because Barney believes using data that you have to generate data that historical case studies. This example epitomizes the moon is going to be an important gateway for you don't have. Economic theory tells us that CDL's vision: A science-based innovation that commercial space travel. as the cost of machine prediction falls, we will will enhance society; created by appreciative, So far, the results have surpassed our use more of it. Prediction is an input to persistent, and coachable founders; national expectations. Back in 2012, we accepted 25 decision- making under uncertainty. When connections, insightful advice and mentoring companies into our general high-tech stream. faced with uncertainty, we need to predict the from our G7 Fellows; and an incredible hands- Last year, we doubled that by adding the second likelihood of different outcomes when we on learning experience for our MBA students. cohort focused on AI, so we had 50 start-ups. make a decision. As machine prediction becomes cheaper, we'll increasingly substitute This year, we doubled our intake again by Universities rarely adopt accepting 100 AI-focused start-ups and adding a human prediction for machine prediction in the new stream: The world's first program focused on decision-making process. programs developed launching startups predicated on quantum elsewhere. What motivated machine learning (QML). To our knowledge, the However, prediction is not the only ingredient CDL is home to the greatest concentration of AI- for decisionmaking. Judgment — the the University of British based companies of any program on Earth. assignment of value or payoffs to possible outcomes — is also important. Machines do Columbia, New York prediction, but only humans have judgment. I University, the University of Among Creative Destruction anticipate that organizations will engage in much more decision-making because a key Calgary, Université de Lab's 'graduating' companies ingredient is now much cheaper, and the value Montreal and Dalhousie to date, which best of human judgment will increase, as we demand more of it. We can only speculate on University to adopt the personifies your vision? the aspects of judgment that will be most Creative Destruction valuable, but things like ethical judgment, Lab program? We are proud of all of them, and different emotional intelligence and artistic ability are companies reflect different aspects of our vision. likely suspects. For example, Atomwise personifies our focus on Every university has a program or course on the application of science that can have a entrepreneurship and start-ups, but I think the transformative effect on society. As indicated As indicated, Creative CDL stands out due to its significant results. The earlier, it brought in a very early application of a Destruction Lab features calibre of investors from the business new branch of Computer Science (deep community who have rallied around the CDL is learning) and applied it to a commercial focus collaboration with both unprecedented. Naturally, other universities (drug discovery). Thalmic Labs captures the current MBA students and would love for that to happen at their own scale and ambition of our mission. They raised highly successful business schools. their seed financing largely from our G7 Fellows. When UBC indicated interest in adopting the About a year ago, they raised $160 million in entrepreneurs. Can you give program, the big question was, 'Is this Series B financing (US$120 million), which was an example of a firm that replicable?' But a very competent team, under one of the largest Series B financings in the direction of Professor Paul Cubbon, was Canadian history. benefited from both? able to reproduce it. When Creative Destruction UDIO, founded by Katya Kudashkina (Rotman Lab -West completed its first year, the results on MBA '15), captures the CDL's entrepreneurial One example is Validere. One of the co- all dimensions were impressive, and we had spirit: She immigrated to Canada without a penny founders just finished his PhD at Harvard, evidence that, yes, this program is replicable. to her name and really hustled to get into the top where he developed a technique called We have since launched CDL at the University of business school in the country while studying Optical Liquid Fingerprinting, which identifies Calgary, Dalhousie University and Université de English at night. When she graduated, she was the properties of a liquid. Normally if you want Montreal, and in October, we announced a recruited into a nice, secure job at the Canadian to find out a liquid's properties, you take a partnership with New York University's Stern Pension Plan Investment Board. She left that job sample, send it to a lab, and wait for the School of Business. to found a start-up, which she brought to the Lab, results. This startup developed a process raising a few hundred thousand dollars in whereby they can essentially determine the CDL Toronto's competition is not Vancouver, investment capital. properties of a liquid in real time. They came to Calgary, Montreal, New York or Atlantic Canada: the CDL wanting to sell this service to the it's Silicon Valley. Each of the CDLs has attracted Early on, UDIO was focused on building robotic luxury perfume industry, to help detect some of the top business people from its region. bees for artificial pollination in the agricultural counterfeit perfumes. Our challenge now is to cross-pollinate, so that industry. But the G7 advised Katya that it was After reviewing their business, the Fellows told the Montreal Fellows are connecting with going to take too long to get to revenue with that the founders that they loved the technology but companies in the Toronto program and the business model, and that she needed to be hated the business idea. So, the G7 turned to Toronto Fellows are connecting with companies closer to her customers. So, she packed up her our MBA students and asked them to do a at Creative Destruction Lab Atlantic, and so on. life and moved to California — essentially living market analysis to find out where this One of the things that makes the Bay Area so on someone's couch so she could focus on technology would have the most value. The effective is that everything moves so fast. If we almond farmers in Northern California and learn MBAs returned with a recommendation to can accelerate the velocity of business their business from the ground up. move from one of the sexiest of all industries, development here, we will have raised Canada's luxury perfume to one of the least sexy: oil and game as a whole.

27 SATELLITE BROADBAND

How to leverage opportunity presented by low earth orbit satellites

As the new LEO constellations begin requirements to transmit data locally are driven full, either one-time or recurring, for the initial offering commercial service in 2021, actions by sovereignty and cybersecurity justifications, hardware and/or trial service, or to provide free can be taken today to ensure that low- and it may be possible to put in place policies that public Wi-Fi. A number of countries in Asia and middle-income countries are well positioned preserve sovereignty and cybersecurity the Pacific fund public access by subsidizing to take advantage of potential cost savings principles without requiring data localization. free Wi-Fi services, of which LEO could and increased coverage. These include provide connectivity in remote areas. Public ensure flexible and streamlined licenses Reduce or remove import access services via satellite could support procedures for domestic internet service c o n n e c t i v i t y t o u n c o n n e c t e d a n d providers; and satellite broadband tariffs, quotas, or local underconnected government offices, schools, providers. manufacturing requirements hospitals, and other public facilities. for satellite user terminals. Public–private partnerships may be helpful in Licensing regimes of internet service Hardware, software, and licensing costs for this regard, both in terms of consumer access providers differ widely between countries. user terminals (consumer equipment, as well as upstream infrastructure Good practice licensing policy includes including satellite antennas, modems, and Wi- development. simple registration with administrative Fi access points) contribute to the total cost of bodies, rather than complex and onerous satellite internet service, and user terminals Invest in developing accurate, procedures that require legislative are already priced significantly above other publicly available, mobile approvals. Regimes that require broadband internet service hardware such as congressionally awarded franchise cable modems or stand-alone Wi-Fi access coverage and network licenses, for example, create a significant points. Reducing the production cost of user infrastructure availability barrier to entry and allow for rent seeking by s a t e l l i t e t e r m i n a l s r e q u i r e s m a s s maps to better identify firms that are able to navigate the manufacturing and economies of scale; the cumbersome processes. Allow for satellite benefits of which can best be passed to geographic areas that are provision of international internet capacity consumers if trade barriers do not further unserved and underserved without a requirement for domestic ground increase the cost of devices. stations to route traffic to and from satellite transponders. by current service providers. Comprehensive, Engage in regional discussion and cooperation up-to-date, and publicly available (open data) both in terms of regulatory convergence to So-called data localization regulations, that mapping of network infrastructure (mobile improve the “ease of doing business” for LEO cellular base stations, fiber optic cable routes, require internet traffic within a country to satellite connectivity as well as for potential pass through nationally mandated microwave backhaul lines, points of presence, demand aggregation between markets. The internet exchange points, and others) as well infrastructure points of presence, create expansion of satellite coverage and increase in barriers to deployment and increase cost as service coverage areas will better inform available capacity will particularly benefit public and private decisions on where to and complexity. National requirements, countries that have limited international which stipulate that satellite transponder allocate resources and investment to expand internet bandwidth being supplied by undersea service availability. data traffic must transit through a domestic and terrestrial fiber optic cables, such as small ground station (rather than be allowed to island developing states and landlocked transmit from a ground station located in developing countries. Regional integration Consider supporting another country), create burdensome between countries and their neighbors could consumer financing for user infrastructure deployment requirements. accelerate deployment timelines by easing the terminals. LEO constellation firms may decide that more cumbersome regulatory issues and these represent too large a cost for markets To increase the affordability of user terminals for forging convergence of licensing issues. individual subscriptions, governments could work with small potential revenue opportunities. Similarly, aggregation of demand between It is common for internet traffic to be with consumer finance institutions to develop markets could present more attractive programs that amortize the cost of user terminals transmitted via satellite transponders that deployment timeline prioritization and may also originate in a country where the satellite's over a service period, reducing the up-front cost generate bargaining power for favorable terms barrier to access LEO service. ground station is located, particularly for of service. smaller markets whereby providers need to aggregate total traffic being transmitted to Support demand generation activities. These achieve economies of scale. include enhancing the digital skills of the general Deploy universal access public with emphasis on the youth. In addition, If future versions of LEO satellites are able funding to support public technical skill development, such as VSAT to deploy optical inter-satellite links, optical access through community deployment and maintenance for remote areas can laser beams will directly transmit traffic help not only in connectivity to communities, but between satellites in space. This will create Wi-Fi deployments. also assists in recovery of post-disaster further efficiencies in space network telecommunication. segments and could allow satellite Individual subscriptions to LEO service may In addition, demand generation could be constellations to reduce the number of still be commercially priced at levels beyond considered to sustain connectivity. For instance, ground stations needed. the affordability thresholds for low- and middle- pacific connectivity and rural connectivity could Regulations that impose a domestic ground income consumers in developing countries. go with digital applications and services, such as e- station requirement would negate these However, public access could be subsidized by commerce, trade, and financial services, so that the efficiencies. In cases where the national and local governments partially or in community and households will be able to pay.

29 SPECIAL REPORT

Shipowners embrace digitalisation, expanding frontiers of tracking

As the global flow of goods continues to make its monitoring and tracing their fleet. 8,000 tankers via their AIS feed, was developed way across the oceans, an increasing trend of at the right moment. “There has been a real overall globalization is the pace at which trade The reality is that sub standard ships and poor change of attitude. Everyone now realises you occurs as more transactions are encouraged to be shipping practices are leading to massive marine can't be left behind.” He outlines the three levels delivered just-in-time. This has drastically increased pollution and damage. The threats posed by of shipowner engagement: the lowest level the velocity of freight and has put tremendous shipping are not spread evenly across the encompasses those who only invest in pressure on the logistics and supply chain oceans, instead they are concentrated in busy technology when they have to; the mid-level is management organizations that facilitate global shipping lanes and ports. Congested shipping those who follow everyone else; the highest level trade. lanes increase the levels of pollution, the chance is those out in front.” To have an accurate pulse of the world's for spills as well as increased threat to natural commodities market, industry players now require a habitats around ports. As a result, monitoring, Mr Hånell acknowledges that owners in the complete picture of the world's shipping to know tracking and understanding ship traffic patterns is highest category have to pay out but they get the where cargo is at any given time across the world's a critical piece in any efforts to effectively mitigate benefits of new development. OrbitMI draws on oceans, with uncompromising accuracy. the effects of shipping on our oceans. commercial and technical data to optimise vessel In today's situation of globalising economy and performance and manage energy consumption. increasing world trade, the miracle of maritime Stena Bulk has been a major player in tanker and Over two years, fuel efficiency has been shipping is the ability to source products from all gas shipping, with 35 vessels under ownership improved by 20%, translating to 30,000 tonnes of over the world, without transport costs being a huge and between 70 and 80 vessels under charter at fuel oil saved, and a reduction of CO2 emissions obstacle. As of today, the cargo or freight market any one time. It has also been a major player in of 100,000 tonnes. Financially that's a saving of size takes a significant value share in global GDP digital technology since 2016, when its IT team $15M. and is highly correlated with the global demand for created the Orbit digital platform. It allows Stena Bulk to plan and operate its fleet commodities and international trade. The platform was developed to optimise vessel with great attention to detail, and to follow the In order to best predict the future, the commodities operations and reduce the company's market and its competitors more closely. OrbitMI industry need to have a better understanding of the dependency on brokers. Orbit has been so enables a more sustainable operation while past while also maintaining a current picture of the successful that the platform has been spun off as remaining commercially driven. All Stena Bulk's global commodities flow as well as market an independent company, OrbitMI. “OrbitMI is ships report into the OrbitMI platform, which is performance amongst industry leaders. For over now being sold to other shipowners, and there is integrated into the company's financial system. It 100 years, shipping companies have relied on noon great interest from agents and oil companies,” has not been difficult to upgrade chartered reports for vessel status checks. Theee outdated says Stena Bulk CEO Eric Hånell.He believes the vessels because, Mr Hånell says, Stena only method of providing 2 status report a day leaves platform, which allows Stena to follow the takes high quality tankers and it's a Stena Bulk shipping companies in the dark when it comes to movements not only of its own ships but up to requirement. “It has been very easy.”

29 SPECIAL REPORT

appropriate regulations were in place. Meanwhile the operation of tugs and service vessels could

be supported remotely in a harbour, rather like air traffic control. And fully autonomous vessels could provide transport for short-haul cargo movements or ferry crossings between two fixed points. “None of these, however, implies that vessels will not be manned,” he says. “I don't think it's likely we'll see job losses at sea but I do see that a change in work patterns and functions on board will be required. A fully electric propulsion system, incorporating batteries charged ashore, might not need constant supervision but could be supported remotely or by regular calls from service crews, for example. “Actually, I think the questions we should be asking are: 'Will we have enough crews to man all ships in the future and how can we ease their workload, improve safety and raise efficiency?' The answer is … through autonomy in one form or another.” Mr Lehtovaara gives the example of challenges faced by the officerof-the-watch. Not only must he or she contend with working shifts and The change over five years has been dramatic. In The most critical task for both Stena Bulk and periods of boredom, but also with spells on the 2015, the tools available were limited. Talk of OrbitMI is to help the market understand how the bridge during digital tech was new for everyone, and there was a platform delivers what many other platforms aspire which the outlook is impaired by darkness, fog reluctance to share information. The biggest to offer. “OrbitMI is our baby,” Eric Hånell or a violent storm. In such circumstances, challenge was that digital systems were not concludes. “That's the tool we are using. There autonomous coordinated, so crews were reporting the same was a little slowdown for the coronavirus, but we information in many different ways. The process was are up and running again.” systems supplementing a ship's radar – repetitive and time consuming. “Today, ships must including lidar, infrared cameras, ordinary share their AIS data: it's a regulation. A lot of cameras and sensors – could dramatically information is open, and we can see what any vessel As a master mariner with years of seagoing improve situational awareness, easing is doing – including speed and performance,” says Mr experience, ABB Marine & Ports Head of workload, stress and strain, and enhancing Hånell. Regulatory & Public Affairs Eero Lehtovaara is safety. ABB's 'Bridge Zero' concept could excited about the impact that digital technologies provide watch-keepers with further support, he As a result of the change in understanding and offer in helping seafarers, raising safety standards, suggests. This initiative is based on a attitude, it has become harder for shipowners to improving efficiency and supporting decision- combination of digital technology interacting charter out a ship if they won't share data. A significant making both at sea and on shore. But he is also with human cognition and would enable an contributory factor to this change of attitude is the well aware that the regulatory framework that is oceangoing cargo ship to run safely and openness to new ideas in Sweden and its north required for autonomous operations is lagging efficiently without a deck officer on the bridge. European neighbours. Digital technology now drives behind the innovative technologies developed by manufacturing, retail and land transportation, and is ABB and other members of the One Sea alliance, ABB's most recent initiative is the result of embedded in the home. “Sweden is receptive; it's the of which he is now Chairman. The 12-member collaboration with Keppel Marine and culture we are in. We try to put ourselves at the ecosystem includes technology heavyweights Deepwater Technology involving the retrofitting forefront of technology, and we are not afraid to share such as ABB, Kongsberg, Wärtsilä and Cargotec, of a 32m-long harbour tug, enabling it to information. You have to get past that hurdle.” Eric as well as maritime satellite service provider operate autonomously in the Port of Singapore Hånell believes shipping will see further dramatic Inmarsat.. “We already have the technologies. by the end of 2020. When the project is change over the coming five years. Digital technology These have been successfully demonstrated by completed, the tug will be Southeast Asia's first will sweep away the need for routine work carried out the sector's digital pioneers over the last three autonomous harbour service vessel. Mr by ships' crews, while control over systems will years,“ says Mr Lehtovaara. “Now we need the Lehtovaara's seafaring background equips him become much easier. So, there will inevitably be a regulatory framework both at an international level to envisage the benefits of autonomous reduction in the number of seafarers. through the IMO and, for local applications, from operations more clearly than most. But he is flag states. Our ambition is that One Sea will absolutely convinced that the digitalisation “Efficiency will increase even further with artificial represent automation technology providers as drive in shipping must involve strategic intelligence helping to track down what's not working new regulations are drawn up. This is now urgent. collaboration – even between companies which correctly. We will be pushed into stricter and more compete fiercely at a commercial level. accurate reporting by the needs of the environment. “We also need to be clear what we're talking That is where the One Sea alliance can play a And we'll be watching the developments undertaken about,” he continues.“There are various levels of pivotal role, he observes. It allows technology by shore-side transportation, which moves a lot faster autonomy but not everybody understands the providers to sit at the top table alongside other in digital technology than shipping.” differences. As an industry, we must agree the mainstream industry associations offering fully definitions so that One Sea can speak both with transparent advice and guidance as the This will require new skills across the maritime sector authority and with one voice.” regulatory framework is developed. – more high-tech than today. These skills will be Mr Lehtovaara describes a range of achievements required in both the commercial and technical sides, in shipping autonomy that are available today Global shipping and the and will be drawn from different backgrounds. through digital technologies. They range from “Traditional ship and shore employees won't autonomy used in ship operations to support impact on our oceans disappear, but they will have to adapt to new ways of seafarers, improve efficiency and safety, to fully Over 90 per cent of world trade is carried thinking,” says Mr Hånell. autonomous operation on short repetitive voyages across the world's oceans by over 150,000 close to shore. ships, contributing more than 10% of the Stena Bulk moved its OrbitMI business away from Each one is important in ABB's 'electric, digital, total marine pollution. Our oceans are Sweden to New York to sit alongside North America's connected' business strategy, Mr Lehtovaara regularly falling victim to dangerous levels of largest maritime cluster and access the potential of explains. Manned autonomous systems could be emissions and illegal dumping activities that adopted in both coastal and deep-sea trades if one of the best places to build a technology company. are significantly damaging our fragile ocean

30 SPECIAL REPORT

environment. Although marine shipping is considered the most carbon efficient form of transport compared to planes or trucks, it remains a major sources of harmful emission and species threatening pollution. This is compounded by the fact they ships contribute to 2.7% of annual global greenhouse gas emission and are a major cause of oil pollution in the oceans. The carbon footprint of shipping has been blamed for posing significant threat to even human health in recent years. Satellite AIS Since 2004 the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has mandated under the safety of life At Sea (SOLAS) convention the use of an Automatic Identification System (AIS) on all ships of 300 gross tonnages and upwards not engaged on international voyages and cargo ships of 500 gross tonnages and upwards not engaged on international voyages and passenger ships irrespective of size. The AIS is a digital sophistication. It has lived through a been the case for generations – you can now radio frequency-based communications system seismic change in communications technology process data across multiple arrivals at multiple that constantly transmits position information and since the 1970s, from telex to fax and emails, ports, you can advise your customers also tracks vessels through the use of AIS with the rapid increase of cellular/mobile phone accordingly and work to reduce that delay. transponders on board the ships. As a result this usage. In many ways, observes WaterFront technology not only helps ships avoid each other Maritime Services CEO Terry Gidlow, this “Owners are looking to save as much time as at sea, but provides a ready-made solution for the explosion in communications set ship agency they can; charterers want to reduce the amount tracking of ship at sea and coastal stations have back five years. of demurrage. How much non-productive time been set up around major ports to give a full “Fifty years ago, the ship agent was core to the have you had in these ports over the past year?” picture of local shipping. However, because of industry. Shipowner principals trusted him. Over he asks. Further, the agent can look at the data the curvature of the earth, there is still the age-old time, communications technology gave those from an environmental angle. Non-productive issue that once ships go over the horizon (around principals the opportunity to take power back. time is spent burning diesel or gas oil, so a 50 nautical miles) they essentially disappear. They could now deal with multiple people and get reduction in delay would not only save time and information for themselves. Relationships were fuel, it would also cut emissions. “We can show Today, the ability to readily know the who, what whittled away.” A low point was reached a decade the customer the value we are creating and point and when of any transiting ship is a critical piece ago when, in order to work at breakeven levels, out their ship's carbon footprint while in the port.” of intelligence. Satellite Automatic Identification agencies were forced to jettison all but essential The biggest advantage of digitalisation for the System, AIS provides that knowledge in near real responsibilities such as inward and outward ship agency is the capability to add value for time for any area of interest. This has been a boon clearances. customers and enable closer collaboration. The for marine operations, whether it is for better “The turnaround has come with the new digital emergence of blockchain and similar mapping and monitoring of protected areas, or technology available and our use of it,” he says. technologies means agencies can start to tackle policing marine pollution. Agencies can collect a lot more data and find new parts of the business that would previously have Satellite AIS extends vessels tracking from just capabilities. “We have been forced to reinvent been out of bounds. Terry Gidlow has not 50 nautical miles off the coast to a complete ourselves and use the technology to add value invested in a team of in-house data scientists global picture of the world's shipping. Satellite for customers.” because, he argues, WaterFront is a ship AIS technology can accurately monitor all The key for ship agencies is to add value such as agency with shipping people. vessels in the vicinity of protected areas, saving time in port or saving cost per tonne of determine traffic patterns and identity culprits of cargo. Digital technology, and more recently A handful of employees have been sent to 20 environmental offences in near-real time. Covid-19, have acted as a catalyst in changing countries or more to learn the areas of business When coupled with historical information, it the way principals look at ship agency. about which it would be most helpful for the provides trace of illicit activity back to the Technology has transformed documentation and company to gain a deeper understanding. They offender, increasing the chances to catch the processing of data, developed data science, are now partnering with external data scientists violators. Additionally, Satellite AIS data can be and optimised the way agents report. to work out how to use the data available to add integrated with other geospatial tools such as “The core function of an agent is as a purveyor of value for customers. “We want to harness the radar and optical imagery and GIS platforms, someone else's data,” Mr Gidlow explains. best skills sets available today, which might be authorities have the intelligence to help bring “Instead of just getting more efficient at very different in two or three years' time,” he their areas of interest down to a management communicating data, we are able to process it says. “Even if we are three of four times bigger, size and better prevent marine disasters. and give our customers actionable data. We offer I'd still go down this road.” them optionality. The biggest advantage is being Since 2011 low earth orbiting satellites have been able to create value with the data we collect.” Digitalisation will do less to encourage launched that can also listen in to the AIS Ship agencies gather every scrap of data around collaboration among competitive ship agents message (Satellite-AIS) and in doing so the vessel, from before the ship arrives at port. Mr than it will to bring agencies closer to their eliminate the limitation of the horizon. As a result Gidlow doesn't believe there's any data collected principals. The timing of the coronavirus S-AIS extend the range of surveillance allowing that wasn't being collected before, however pandemic has come when digital technology is coverage of the global instead of just along the agents can now process that data in a way they in place. “Covid-19 has forced people to look at coastal regions around major ports, which couldn't previously. new ways of doing things; there is less enhance the applications of the original AIS “Three years ago, we would have thousands of resistance to change and to taking on new ideas. system. By doing so, Satellite -AIS provides a statements of fact used to make, for example, a Looking ahead, Mr Gidlow has learned that continuous global view of the world's shipping. laytime calculation; then it was forgotten. Today change is constant: technology has made great we can process those statements to extract strides in the past decade and a similar evolution delays and inefficiencies not discernible to the can be certain in the coming decade. However, Digitization and ship naked eye.” despite video conferencing becoming ubiquitous, the essence of ship agency – agency Part of the job of an agent is to optimise a vessel's professional relationships – is unlikely to be Ship agency is a notoriously fragmented sector of turnaround. “If there's a one-hour delay before diminished by digitalisation. the industry, representing varying degrees of the draught survey commences – which has

31 AFRICA REPORT

BUSINESS MultiChoice posts strong Q1 results

In a year that required careful navigation of COVID- 19 challenges, MultiChoice Group added 1.4m 90- day active subscribers to close the year ended 31 March 2021 (FY21) on 20.9m subscribers. This represents a 2% acceleration in year-onyear (YoY) growth to 7%, as heightened consumer demand for video entertainment services, continued penetration of the mass market and an easing of electricity shortages in southern Africa improved growth rates. The 90-day subscriber base is split between 11.9m subscribers (57%) in the Rest of Africa and 8.9m (43%) in South Africa. Revenue increased 4% (4% organic) amounting to ZAR53.4bn, with subscription revenues accounting for ZAR44.7bn, a solid 5% (5% organic) increase YoY. Both advertising and commercial subscription revenues were significantly impacted by COVID-19. Advertising revenues were down 34% YoY (ZAR0.6bn) at the interim stage, but with less lockdown intensity in the second half and the return of live sport, it recovered well, ending 11% down YoY at ZAR2.8bn. Similarly, commercial subscription revenues started to recover in the latter part of the John Ogbe financial year. At the interim stage it was down 46% but finished the year 35% lower than the prior year. business performance, was up 32% on the prior of commercial subscribers, this resulted in the The hospitality industry remains intermittent in its year at ZAR3.3bn. The strong earnings growth monthly average revenue per user (ARPU) recovery due to lockdowns and is expected to take was attributable to the improvement in trading declining 4% from ZAR290 to ZAR277. some time to normalise. Group trading profit rose profit and realised foreign exchange Trading profit increased 9% to ZAR11.1bn. 28% to ZAR10.3bn (44% organic), benefiting from a movements. Consolidated free cash flow of The higher profitability can be attributed to the ZAR1.5bn (ZAR2.7bn organic) reduction in losses in ZAR5.7bn was up 10% compared to the prior group's cost optimisation programme, the non- the Rest of Africa and 9% growth in South Africa. This year. This was underpinned by strong earnings recurrence of three major sporting events strong trading profit performance was due to resilient growth for the year, but dampened somewhat expensed in the prior year, lower operational revenue growth, strong cost control and the impact of by the end of a contractual agreement on the costs in a COVID-19 environment and a embracing new ways of working as a consequence of southern Africa transponder lease, whereby an temporary shift in content costs as a result of COVID-19 that reduced operating costs. It was upfront payment led to reduced lease payments deferred sporting events. further supported by a delay of ZAR1.1bn in sports for the first 36 months of the lease term SuperSport had to contend with no live sport in events costs, which will be incurred in FY22. (ZAR0.4bn negative the first half of the financial year and nimbly impact versus FY20). An increase in capital adapted by changing channel line-ups, by An ongoing focus on cost reduction allowed for a expenditure (ZAR0.7bn), primarily related to a broadcasting top-quality documentaries and further ZAR1.5bn in costs being eliminated from the multi-year investment programme to upgrade showcasing blockbuster sporting movies to keep base during the year. Overall costs decreased 1% the group's customer service, billing and data subscribers entertained. Highlights for the year YoY (-3% organic) and resulted in the group capabilities, reduced cash flows further. As one included renewing the English Premier League accelerating operating leverage from 5% in the prior of the largest taxpayers in Africa, the group paid (2025) and UEFA Champions League (2024) year to 7% in FY21. Major contributors to these direct cash taxes of ZAR4.1bn, slightly more rights, securing exclusive continental rights for savings were renegotiated sports rights, lower than the prior year due to higher profitability. the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and the decoder unit costs, sourcing and procurement blockbuster start to the group's live documentary savings, and the benefits of ongoing digital adoption journey with the hugely popular Chasing the Sun. throughout the organisation. The group continued its South Africa strategy of differentiation through local content and The South African business held up well in a Connected Video users on the DStv app and stepped up its investment by producing 4 567 tough consumer climate, delivering subscriber Showmax continue to grow as online additional hours (19% YoY growth), despite growth of 6% YoY or 0.5m subscribers on a 90- consumption increases. During the year disruptions caused by strict early COVID-19 day active basis. The impact of COVID-19 and Showmax launched Showmax Pro, the group's lockdown measures. the associated lockdowns saw consumers first standalone online sport offering, as well as As a result, the total local content library now prioritise video services, but a lack of live sport, DStv Streaming, which allows customers to exceeds 62 000 hours. During FY21, the group combined with the inability of commercial subscribe to an online-only service. launched eleven new local language/content subscribers to trade, negatively impacted Local content is also proving to be a key channels across sub-Saharan Africa. In Nigeria, the revenue generation, especially early in the differentiator on Showmax, with local content fifth season of Big Brother, produced as a lockdown financial year. viewership up significantly this year, and four of edition, achieved a record 3m viewers. In South the top five titles on Showmax being local Africa, the group screened several new local Revenue increased 1% to ZAR34.3bn despite productions. A record number of Showmax productions such as Inconceivable, Lioness, lower advertising (ZAR0.4bn) and commercial originals were launched during the year, Gomora and Legacy. It also renegotiated two major subscriber revenues (ZAR0.3bn). Revenue including the first Kenyan and Nigerian original international content agreements in South African growth was supported by healthy subscriber series. rand (ZAR) and completed five new co-productions growth in the middle and mass market, and the The group expanded its entertainment (Reyka, Rogue, Crime and Justice, Blood Psalms uplift from annual price increases. This was ecosystem with the launch of Netflix and Amazon and Endangered Species) with global content negated by a lower average Premium Prime Video on the Explora Ultra platform. On the producers. subscriber base, mainly attributed to the lack of product front, numerous innovative and live sport for part of the financial year. Together customer-centric product launches occurred in According to MulltiChoice Africa, core headline with the ongoing shift in subscriber mix towards FY21. earnings, the board's measure of sustainable the mass market and challenges faced in terms

32 INDUSTRY INSIGHT

The space economy next giant leap for inclusive recovery

The world has reached unprecedented level of the goal behind the long history of space The space economy goes beyond mere Technological advances in Space-Science and cooperation between France and many African production and launch of spacecraft into the Technology in a very short time. It is clear the Space- countries and organizations. outer space. It includes the full range of Science is expected to grow at a very high pace for activities and the use of resources that the coming 10 to 30 years. Many countries in Africa Africa has an opportunity to exploit its create and provide value and benefits to are at the beginning stage of Space-Science that is geographic position and natural resources to human beings in the course of exploring, only in theory and preliminary level of the sciences promote economic growth, improve the quality understanding, managing and utilizing of the field.. of life of its people, and contribute to scientific space. knowledge. At the same time, Africa is facing According to recent report, the space While humans have dreamed about space major challenges in food security, rapid economy consists of two segments: the exploration since ancient times, it was not until the urbanisation, the sustainable use of the upstream and the downstream segment. Sixties that it became reality, and it wasn't until the environment, and the need to educate a The upstream segment includes all activities end of the millennium that space became a business growing population. that focus on the design, manufacture, opportunity available even to small businesses. The The importance of Space in facing Africa's a s s e m b l y, l a u n c h , f u n c t i o n i n g , first artificial satellite was sent to space on 4th challenges is now clear to all African countries: maintenance, monitoring and repair of October 1957 by the Soviet Union. Launched from agriculture, maritime security, accurate spacecraft destined to be sent out to space the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the weather forecast, industrial fishing, emergency as well as the products and services related Sputnik 1 marked the beginning of a new era. operations and environment management are to them; whereas downstream segment According to the data provided by the United only some of the regional activities that can refers to all activities that employ data and Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), benefit from space applications and data. knowledge that are derived from the space since then a total of 8,130 objects have been Global space knowledge can also foster for Earth-related objectives as well as the launched into space, 4,813 of which are active. development in higher education and eliminate products and services that support them. In gender disparities. It is now evident that space other words, the upstream segment can be Space has already demonstrated the benefits it can produces direct socio-economic benefits for seen as the provision of space technology, provide in a range of fields, such as agriculture, the involved countries as, for instance, whereas the downstream segment can be transport, bridging the digital divide, health, marine maintaining territorial integrity or fighting seen as the exploitation of space technology. and costal protection, mapping, forest health against poverty. In addition, the risk of ending monitoring and protection. But all of this cannot be the enormous abundance of African national Today's rise in space activities may not have effective without a clear understanding of the resources is a real call for environmental been the aftermath of any space race among potential of space assets, well expressed needs sustainability. nations, but rather the result of a new and, of course, the necessary infrastructures. This is paradigm known as Space 2.0. The recent technological improvements are indeed 33 INDUSTRY INSIGHT

acceptance for risk has emerged: the focus in more than ever on satellites that might have a shorter life-cycle, but that are cheaper.

For instance, Nanosatellites weigh between one and ten kilograms compared to satellites such as the IKONOS-2 for earth observation 817 kg, the GeoEye-1 imaging satellite 1955 kg, and the Inmarsat I4 F3 communications satellite 5960kg. So, estimate of the production and launch cost of a satellite, though depends on the specific case, now range in the US$150,000-US$1 million interval, including the launch, rather than US$200 million-US$1 billion for old generation satellites.

In addition, Nano and microsatellites in the range of 1 – 50 kg in particular have captured considerable attention in recent years. Over 300 were launched last year, a 205% increase over previous year, surpassing the 182 launches forecast from the previous year.

A US based space pioneer company, Planet today have reached enough capacity to map the entire Earth's surface once a day using 1.5 million images, so they declared that their focus is now on building analytics capabilities. So far, the new trend of cheaper and more readily available satellites is bringing a huge impact for the space economy as a whole. In the upstream segment, new enhancements to making the production of satellites substantially annual growth rate of the global space economy respond to the rising level of competition in the quicker and cheaper. These satellites are had been 11.11%. More specifically, commercial market are ongoing, starting from research smaller with respect to “old-generation” ones, activities grew at an annual compound growth and development and manufacture in order to nanosatellites being approximately the size of a rate of 14.64%, while government budgets of reach even higher efficiency, to launch shoebox. They usually have a shorter expected 7.96%. Moreover, from 1973 to 1998 activities that will have to serve increasing lifecycle, but a different conception and commercial space activities show an annual demand for ancillary services. acceptance of risk seems to have emerged on compound growth rate of 15.19%, whereas Also, the downstream segment is benefiting the demand side bringing in a large number of government activities is 8.98%. Turning our from enormous range of the products and actors with the ability to gain access to space. attention to the period from 1998 to 2016, new service never imagine before, made possible The way from the earth to the stars is starting to report revealed an annual compound of growth and profitable by innovation and the become easier. rate of 13.89% for private operations and of decreasing costs in the upstream segment. 6.56% for public operations. Though, it's growing, new expansion Naturally, Space 2.0 deeply affects the possibilities will depend largely on how the downstream segment as well. In fact, The turn of the new millennium marked a new actors involved in the downstream segment innovations such as the increased accuracy in chapter for the space economy: the exploitation will be able to bring on the market applications position and the improved resolution in satellite phase. At this stage, the environment and the that will help businesses on Earth to make images, and the lower access costs to space technology needed to operate in it are well smarter and more informed decisions to technologies, together with the advancements understood. In this phase risk is typically low, generate added value. The success in doing in other technologies such as big data, artificial costs are decreasing substantially and the focus so would in turn increase demand and intelligence and the Internet of Things, open the is on further cost cutting and developing new competition on the upstream segment, giving door to a plethora of applications which were not applications that respond to the newly rise to a so-called 'virtuous circle'. economically viable or even possible before. generated demand in the market economy. The Whether we realize it or not, space is already possibility for returns is recognized. Investment Morgan Stanley expects the space economy pervasive in our everyday lives. Navigation is generated from private companies rather than to hit US$1.1 trillion by 2040, while Bank of systems, maps, weather forecasts, urban government, and therefore massive America Merrill Lynch estimates that the planning, sports, insurance, unmanned investments injected into the new industry, space economy will grow eight times bigger in vehicles business intelligence and logistics are either by acquiring existing infrastructure or by the next thirty years, reaching US$2.7 trillion but a few examples of space-enabled building new infrastructure. As they observe the in 2045. applications that this paper analyses positive performance of the first entrants, new extensively. actors are moving into the market, often sustained by a large availability of funds The downstream segment In 2016, the global space economy was provided by an excited capital market. As the While the upstream space market, with its estimated to be worth more than US$329 billion level of activity in the environment is rocket launches and high-tech satellite in terms of turnover, over a half of which overheating, new ideas for business and payloads, may seem at a first glance to be estimated to be generated by the downstream efficiency gains come in succession at an ever- the most exciting segment of the space segment. Some foresee a huge growth in the increasing pace. industry. But when it comes to innovation, next years. According to latest report, the Bank job and revenue creation and the of America Merrill Lynch estimates that the On the supply side, small satellites are in fact provision of services that change people's space economy will grow eight times bigger in benefitting both from lower development costs lives for the better, the downstream market the next thirty years, reaching US$2.7 trillion in and shorter production times. Today, trade-off is where the action is, according to EU 2045. As government involvement in space is between size and functionality has often existed report. gradually decreasing, investment by is now becoming less relevant, thanks to the commercial entities is gradually increasing; improvements in miniaturization and integration We are living in the Golden Age of GNSS. therefore, a further sustainable development of technologies. Also, more standardized and Space-based technology is driving innovation the space economy will be driven by the commercial of the shelf (COTS) parts are and supporting service delivery in almost all downstream segment. becoming more popular in the construction of sectors of the global economy – from spacecraft. On the demand side, a new agriculture and transport to healthcare and From 1973 to 2016 the real compounded 34 INDUSTRY INSIGHT

telecoms. Satellites and the location-based “Over 50% of this GNSS revenue comes from vessels and the monitoring of North Korean services that they enable are transforming the added-value services,” he said. Government activities for the Committee for way that we live and work. One sector in particular in which new possibilities Human Rights in North Korea by AllSource are opening up is road transport, which is a huge Analysis90, which offers expertise in According to data provided by Northern Sky GNSS market segment. The road segment is analysing images acquired by other Research, in 2016, commercial Earth forecast to dominate all other market segments operators such as Planet, Spire, DigitalGlobe observation size was estimated at US$2.90 and account for 93.3% of cumulative revenue in and Airbus to organizations, businesses and billion in terms of turnover, representing around 2019-2029. In her keynote at the NSE forum, the private citizen. 1.65% of the overall size of the downstream GSA's Head of Market Development Fiammetta segment. This corresponds to an increase by Diani spoke about GNSS and the road sector In addition, Earth Observation have also US$0.22 billion with respect to the previous and, in particular, the state of play in autonomous been used for business intelligence as well. A year's absolute value of US$2.68 billion vehicles. good example is that of the Orbital Insight, (+8.21%). Noting that almost 97% of new vehicles are which can count the number of vehicles equipped with GNSS-enabled in-vehicle parked in the parking lots of stores and other As agriculture was one the first beneficiaries of systems, which provide PNT for a wide range of businesses to better understand consumer Earth Observation, the applications in this field in-vehicle applications, Diani said that these behaviour. “Counting cars at big box retailers, are manifold. The most basic is crop location systems are currently able to support navigation, such as Target and K-Mart, gives an mapping, which consists of identifying cultivated remote diagnostics and assisted driving. “In the indication of how many customers visited the land as opposed to non-cultivated land. The future, IVS will support even more complex stores during a quarter, and could give an analysis can be carried out at different levels of applications, including automated driving,” she early sign on whether company earnings will spatial coverage, such as global, national or said. go up or down”. regional. For instance, temporal variation in vegetation greenness and in land including Navigation profoundly changed the way drivers Another interesting case sees the start-up growth, field clearance, sowing, harvesting, are of different vehicles can move from one place to company Ursa Space Systems employing exploited for increased productivity. This allows another. The most immediate benefit is the Synthetic Aperture Radar technology to the identification of trends over time and of possibility of having access to reliable and provide its customers with information about specific characteristics of favourable conditions updated directions in real time. The real time oil storage, might it be in oil tank depots, oil for cultivation. In Africa, this technique often dimension is a crucial aspect what would not businesses' parking lots or in harbors. Such a represents the only means to collect information have been possible without the advent of GNSS. knowledge can reveal itself to be particularly on the size of cultivated land. When this process is integrated with other relevant for oil market investors, especially technologies, benefits in terms of time saving, when data is scarce, such as for China. Ursa Accordingly, Earth Observation Satellites also safety, efficiency and environmental impact can Space System also offers reports on the provide insight on the health of plantations with be huge. For instance, by monitoring real time crude oil market, based on the intelligence high frequency to have early warnings in case of traffic conditions on the road usually by combing acquired via its satellite observation. negative conditions in order to plan an data on position and speed of users collected in intervention and for ordinary management. In conjunction with Earth Observation techniques Furthermore, earth observation services this regard, different indicators can be and/or other devices, rerouting of vehicles is have also been of great use in identifying new computed such as the Vegetation Productivity. made possible, hence reducing travel time, fuel mineral deposits, for planning and designing Moreover, there are equally services that consumption, the risk for incidents and more efficient seismic surveys and for provide farmers with near real time information emissions. Also, users can update in real time monitoring the impact of fossil fuel extraction on precision agriculture involving the integration events such as accidents and road closures to and mining on measures such as air, soil and of Earth Observation derived data with in situ enhance the service. In addition, user provided water quality, presence of site rehabilitation observation. The former is of particular use in information are also combined with street-view and land use change. In addition to that, identifying inadequate cultivation practices and techniques that help to anticipate street signs Earth observation enables remote monitoring irrigation. and other authorities' directions that might of oil, gas and biofuel pipelines. When otherwise have been discovered too late for compared to ther technologies, it offers In the unfortunate case of a disaster, it can be efficient route planning. increased frequency and accuracy, early extremely helpful to have maps and images of GNSS is also used to track taxis so that when detection of stresses and leaks, the area of interest before and after its customers require a ride they can be informed encroachment monitoring and enhanced occurrence. Some sites might become about the waiting time. Moreover, the taxi network performance and safety, route inaccessible and so satellites might represent company can also keep track of its vehicles. City planning and ground motion monitoring. the only way to gain such an insight in a short car sharing is increasingly popular, as the Earth Observation can assist also in staying time. Therefore, information about the extent of relatively newly introduced sharing economy in line with the global trends on the energy active fires, floods, volcanic eruptions, storms, paradigm confirms its role in the market. GNSS market, which put more and more attention hurricanes, tsunamis and earthquakes, and on enables firms to track their cars and follow the on renewable energy. the status of rivers, roads, buildings and other route of their customers, so they can charge the infrastructure are but a few examples of a correct fare and to ensure the car is not driven As the number of active satellites and their knowledge that can become essential in outside a predetermined geographical area. capability keeps increasing and as a result understanding the severity and evolution of a the amount and variety of images they disaster and thus to plan, organize and carry out According to the data provided by the GSA produce also increases, traditional software appropriate interventions. recently, the downstream market for GNSS, was no longer able to store and process the During an address on GNSS markets, worth around €110 billion, around US$122 billion enormous amount of information collected. applications and data, the GSA Executive in terms of turnover, an increase of more than For instance, it is estimated that following Director, Carlo des Dorides at the New Space 15% with respect to the previous year figure. launch, the European Space Agency Economy forum noted that downstream users Around €50 billion is attributed to devices and spacecraft Sentinel will have acquired 25 are directly benefitting from Galileo. “Over augmentation services, while around €60 billion petabytes of Earth Observation data, Not 50,000 jobs are supported annually in the to added-value services. many entities possess the ability to manage downstream GNSS industry,” des Dorides said, such a large amount of data, even though adding that European companies account for Another key area offering supports to the public storage costs are decreasing and analytical 27% of the global GNSS market and that this sector agencies for Earth Observation tools are becoming increasingly powerful. It share is set to grow. technology is its abilities to gather intelligence follows that if Earth Observation operators from diverse sources. In so far, governments are expanding their market penetration are now “GNSS downstream is driving the space the most immediate consumer of intelligence developing these capabilities in order to be economy. Global revenue generated by the services for defence and homeland security competitive and offering their customer GNSS downstream market is forecast to reach purposes. Examples include the Indonesian some sort of cloud based service which EUR 150 billion in 2019 and increase to EUR Government detecting illegal fishing in its water enables them to work without having to 325 billion in 2029,” des Dorides said, citing the supported by the company Spire, which provides download the data and use their own latest edition of the GSA GNSS Market Report. hourly updates on the identity and position of processing capability.

35

IN THE NEWS ASIA

Chinese Mars rover Spaceflight Technology (SAST), a major By mid-to-late September, Earth and Mars subsidiary of China's giant state-owned main continues scientific mission will be on opposite sides of the sun, and the space and defense contractor, the China three could be almost in a straight line. The Aerospace Science and Technology China's Mars rover Zhurong has outlived its probe will enter the solar transit phase. Corporation (CASC). three-month life expectancy with all of its During the transit, the ground-space predetermined tasks completed, according to communication will be cut off due to Shenzhen Airlines conducts the China National Space Administration. The electromagnetic radiation interference, administration announced on Tuesday that the forcing the orbiter and rover into a safety breakthrough test flights 1.85-meter-tall robot, which is now hundreds of mode and halt their probe work. And when the using Inmarsat's SB-S millions of kilometers from Earth, will continue phase comes to an end, the orbiter will enter carrying out an extended expedition toward an the remote sensing mission orbit at a suitable connectivity solution on ancient coastal area of Utopia Planitia, a large timing to carry out global remote sensing Boeing 737 aircraft plain within the largest known impact basin in exploration of Mars, and also relay the solar system. communication of the Mars rover expansion Inmarsat announced that its SB-S connectivity The 240-kilogram robot is the core component mission stage. platform for aviation operations and safety has of the Tianwen 1 mission, the country's first On Monday, to celebrate the success of the successfully powered the first ever test of a interplanetary adventure, and is also the sixth country's first Mars probe mission which digital cockpit application on a Boeing 737 rover on Mars, following five others launched accomplished landing, orbiting and roving all aircraft within Chinese domestic civil aviation. by the United States. in one go, the first time in human history, the The tests were conducted by Shenzhen Tianwen 1, named after an ancient Chinese CNSA and The People's Bank of China Airlines, in partnership with Inmarsat and China poem, traveled more than 470 million km and ( P B O C ) j o i n t l y r e l e a s e d t h r e e Transport Telecommunication Information carried out several trajectory maneuvers commemorative coins in gold and silver. Group Company Limited (CTTIC), during a before entering Mars' orbit on Feb 10. Zhurong The new series of Tianwen-1 coins have two number of flights between Beijing and touched down on the planet on May 15 and types in gold weighing 250 grams and 8 Chongqing. SB-S provided a two-way separated from its landing platform a week grams and one in silver weighing 30 grams. communication channel between Aircraft later. By now, Zhurong has obtained about 10 The back of the coins shows the logo of Operations Centre (AOC) flight dispatchers GB of primary data and has moved about 900 China's deep space exploration programs and airline crew, allowing multiple different meters. while the key stage of landing, orbiting and activities to be demonstrated, such as text roving during the Tianwen-1 mission and message verification, video communication, According to Sun Zezhou, head designer of the Zhurong rover, as well as the Tianwen-1 voice messages and 6D position tracking. Tianwen 1 probe, the rover will suspend its probe complex are seen on the fronts. operations from mid-September to late- It is the seventh edition of space-themed In addition, flight dispatchers were able to send October due to the anticipated disruption of its commemorative coins. The previous ones the crew uploads of meteorological radar communications with Earth caused by solar include those on the first manned space pictures in real time, while the crew sent electromagnetic radiation, and will then resume mission, first successful lunar probe and first pictures of cockpit equipment and conducted its mission. spacewalk video calls mid-flight. SB-S, winner of the Jane's Air Traffic Control Zhurong's success has marked the completion China launches twin radar (ATC) Technology Award, combines cutting- of all of Tianwen 1's mission objectives-orbiting edge satellite technology with secure IP Mars for comprehensive observation, landing satellites for 3D mapping connectivity to meet the needs of aviation data on the planet and deploying a rover to conduct communications in the digital age. As the scientific operations - also making Tianwen 1 China conducted its 29th orbital launch of a world's first and only global, secure broadband the first Mars expedition to accomplish all three busy year to boost the country's remote platform for aviation operations and safety, it goals with one probe. sensing and satellite mapping capabilities. provides airlines with capabilities and benefits Tianwen 1 is the latest example of China's A Long March 4B rocket lifted off from no other satellite communications provider can rapidly expanding presence in outer space, Taiyuan, north China, at 6:32 p.m. EDT deliver. following a string of recent accomplishments August 18 (2232 GMT, 6:32 a.m. local August that include putting the first section of the 18) rising into foggy skies. Insulation tiles Zhang Yi, Inmarsat's China Managing Director, country's permanent space station into orbit, were illuminated as they fell away from the said: “Our SB-S connectivity platform has returning the first lunar samples to Earth in rocket body and close to the rocket plume. already been retrofitted on more than 130 more than four decades and completing a U.S. space tracking data reported that the two Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft from the global navigation satellite network. Tianhui-2 (02) satellites into a near-polar orbit Shenzhen Airlines fleet, in partnership with around 318 miles (511 kilometers) above the CTTIC. The success of these recent test flights Trekking 100 days on Mars, Earth. are not only a significant milestone in our Zhurong drives further continued rollout of SB-S with Shenzhen Little information about the satellites was Airlines, but also supports China's 14th Five- south with efficiency released prior to nor following launch. Year Plan, which sets out ambitious targets to Chinese state media said, the pair were for develop and advance the country's civil Zhurong, rover of China's first interplanetary “scientific experiments and research, land aviation industry.“We look forward to building probe mission Tianwen-1, has worked on Mars and resources surveying, and geographic on the positive momentum of these flights and surface for 100 days as of Monday, and has surveying and mapping.” exploring how SB-S can be used to advance driven 1,064 meters south from its landing A paper published in the Journal of Surveying integrated cockpit communication with point. and Mapping states that the Tianhui-2 Shenzhen Airlines satellite system is China's first microwave Named after an ancient god of fire from surveying and mapping satellite system. Chinese mythology, the 1.85-meter-tall and The two satellites will orbit in formation, BRICS Space Agency Signs 240-kilogram Zhurong Mars is in good shape mapping the Earth so that their respective with sufficient power and it will keep its effective data can be combined to create 3D maps with Remote Sensing Satellite momentum to travel further south to a shoreline a resolution of around 9.8 feet (3 meters). The Data Sharing Cooperation of an ancient “ocean” to obtain scientific data. paper also compares the system to the Some 392 million kilometers away from Earth, German TanDEM-X and TerraSAR-X Agreement orbiter of Tianwen-1 has circled the Red Planet combination launched in 2010 and 2011 for 403 days, adding that a high-definition respectively. Zhang Kejian, Director of the National Space camera onboard the craft has taken a picture of Both the Tianhui-2 (02) satellites and the Administration and Carlos Mora, Director of the Zhurong's landing area in which the travelling Long March 4B rocket were developed and Brazilian Space Agency, Rogozin, General track of the rover could be clearly seen. manufactured by the Shanghai Academy of Manager of the Russian National Space

37 IN THE NEWS ASIA

Corporation, Sivan, Chairman of the Indian team entered the field during the extreme multiple payloads per day into Low Earth orbit, Space Research Organization, and Mousami, weather of typhoon "fireworks". After flight which can fully meet the launching demand of Director of the South African National Space delays and cancellations, the team members future commercial and military satellites. Agency, jointly held a video conference and changed from plane to high-speed rail to signed to signed the "Agreement on the ensure that they arrived on time; faced with No environmental damage from electromagnetic Cooperation of the BRICS Satellite the impact of the new round of epidemic, they launch and low risk of storage management Constellations for Remote Sensing.” took the initiative to take precautionary The use of electromagnetic launch technology measures such as quarantine and nucleic could eventually replace the first stage of rocket The BRICS remote sensing satellite acid testing in advance , To ensure the orderly propulsion. The electromagnetic launch can be constellation cooperation initiative was development of the launch site workflow. done without the need for staged propulsion, and initiated by the China National Space The Tianhui-2 Group 02 satellites launched can throw satellite directly into near-Earth orbit. Administration in 2015. With the joint efforts of this time were developed by the Eighth the BRICS space agencies and relevant Academy of China Aerospace Science and Electromagnetic launch is inexpensive compared departments, the cooperation agreement was Technology Corporation Limited, and are to conventional chemical rockets. We aim to cut signed in 6 years, laying the foundation for mainly used for scientific experimental the launch cost to $600 per kilogram of payload.” follow-up cooperation. The constellation is research, land and resources surveys, and composed of the existing satellites of the map surveying. Mars mission outcomes to BRIC countries, including China's Gaofen-6 This launch is the 78th launch of the Long satellite and Ziyuan-3 02 satellite, China- March 4B series of carrier rockets. The 9th advance space research Brazil Earth Resources Satellite 04 jointly launch this year is the 141st launch of the developed by China and Brazil, 1 star from the Long March series of carrier rockets China's Tianwen 1 Mars mission has generated a Russian Canopus five system, and India developed by the Eighth Academy of great deal of engineering and scientific data that Ziyuan Satellite 2 and 2A satellite. Satellite Sciences and the 384th launch of the Long will extensively advance research about the data can be obtained from ground stations in March series of carrier rockets. planet and support future exploration, according Sanya, China, Cuiaba, Brazil, Moscow region, to mission leaders. Russia, Shadnagar-Hyderabad, India, and Liu Jianjun, chief designer of the Tianwen 1 Hartbeeshawke, South Africa. The Chinese Startup Wants to mission's scientific system, said on Tuesday in establishment of a "virtual constellation of Replace Chemical Rocket Beijing that the 13 scientific devices mounted on remote sensing satellites" between the Tianwen 1's orbiter and the Zhurong rover have BRICS space agencies and the establishment with Electromagnetic generated more than 420 gigabytes of primary of a data sharing mechanism will help cope Power to Launch Satellites data since the mission was launched on July 23, with the challenges of global climate change, 2020, from the Wenchang Space Launch Center major disasters and environmental protection Guangzhou-based company Guoyao Tech in Hainan province. faced by mankind. announced a roadmap to complete a prototype launch of 10 kg by 2022 and short- Zhurong alone has obtained about 10 GB of Long March 4 Yiyao 50 range tonnage launch by electromagnetic by primary data since it began to travel on the 2023. The company is developing a novel Martian surface on May 22. By Sunday, the robot launch vehicle successfully launch system - based on electromagnetic had moved 889 meters, Liu said. launched Tianhui-2 Group technology that would essentially bring "The data will substantially boost scientists' satellite and human into space. studies of the planet. Data about Mars' landforms, 02 satellites material compositions and magnetic The company was founded in 2017 and characteristics will help us investigate its environmental evolution," Liu said. China's Long March 4 Yiyao 50 carring rocket emerged into the public eye in 2018 after "For instance, we tasked the rover with surveying ignited at the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center acquiring seed funding and hired Dr Yadong sand dunes it moves past, and by analyzing the has successfully sent the Tianhui-2 Group 02 Zhang as the Chief Technology Officer. In data, researchers will be able to know about the satellites into the scheduled orbit. The launch October 2019, after the company dunes' origin, composition and movement, and mission was a complete success. successfully completed the prototype their findings will allow scientists to deepen their The Long March 4B launch vehicle for this electromagnetic launcher, it secured $1.5 knowledge about weather and climate change on launch is a normal temperature liquid three- million in Series A funding. the planet.” stage launch vehicle developed by the Eighth Academy of Sciences. It has excellent Dr Yadong Zhang, spokesperson and Chief Sun Zezhou, head designer of the Tianwen 1 performance and a wide range of uses. It has Technology Officer at Guoyao said that the probe, said Zhurong has worked very well and its the ability to launch multiple types of satellites electromagnetic launching technology has a power generation and data transmission were with different orbital requirements. It can be huge potential in Aerospace but not just "satisfactory". implemented with one shot. Single or multi- limited to rocket launch. It can also be applied Mission controllers are planning to task Zhurong satellite launch, its sun-synchronous circular to various forms of civil rescue and field with some "stress tests" to demonstrate the orbit carrying capacity can reach 2.5 tons exploration scenarios. "In early 2020, our maximum capability of its equipment and (orbital height of 700 kilometers). team has successfully produced the world's first electromagnetic thrower for commercial accumulate experience for future robotic adventures on Mars and other planets in the solar The rocket adopts a 3.35m diameter fairing use. The rescue equipment product has been system, he said. and a 3.35m diameter transition cabin double- granted 20 innovation patents in China. And star tandem configuration, which is the third by August, the production capacity can reach According to the designer, the rover will suspend launch of this configuration. The model up to 150,000 units a year," Zhang added. its operations from mid-September to late- actively responds to the "digital" Guoyao is attempting to cut the cost of October due to the anticipated disruption of its transformation requirements of the group manned, low Earth orbit (LEO) launch to $2.6 communications with Earth caused by solar company, applies the digital quality million per launch by 2025. It will be the only electromagnetic radiation, and will then resume information management and acquisition electromagnetic launch system that will be its mission. system, and explores a new model of digital capable of sending human into orbit without The China National Space Administration management of the launch site. In response to the traditional use of chemical rockets. announced on Tuesday that Zhurong has the high temperature operating conditions of outlived its three-month life expectancy with all of the summer launch, the test team carried out Zhang further explained that "Our team has a its predetermined tasks completed. The 240- double thinking and re-examination, and took strong background in electromagnetic kilogram robot is the core component of the measures to control the temperature to launching technology and can quickly start Tianwen 1 mission, the country's first ensure the products on the rocket and the the technology validation phase. And just to interplanetary adventure, and is also the sixth satellite environment, and to ensure the talk about a few advantages of the rover on Mars, following five others launched by reliable quality of the rocket products. The test electromagnetic launch. The operation is flexible and can allow the United States. 38 IN THE NEWS ASIA

The 1.85-meter-tall robot, which is now where they are set to remain in space for a total of Chairman, ISRO on their activities and sought hundreds of millions of kilometers from Earth, three months in China's longest crewed mission suggestions for accomplishment of the same. will continue carrying out an extended to date. Secretary, DOS acknowledged and expedition toward an ancient coastal area of On Friday, astronauts Nie Haisheng and Liu appreciated the formation of an exclusive Utopia Planitia, a large plain within the largest Boming successfully exited the Tianhe core space industry advocacy group – the Indian known impact basin in the solar system, module to install foot stops and a workbench on Space Association [ISpA] – of stakeholders according to a statement from the the station's robotic arm, said the China Manned of the Indian space ecosystem to collectively administration. Space Agency in a statement. voice the expectations and aspirations to IN- Tianwen 1, named after an ancient Chinese Video footage showed the astronauts working SPACe. He suggested start-ups and industry poem, traveled more than 470 million km and outside the spacecraft while tethered to it with a players to join the ISpA and benefit from the carried out several trajectory maneuvers long rope. platform to enhance the evolving landscape of before entering the orbit of Mars on Feb 10. Their tasks also include working on a thermal unit space activities in the country. Lt Gen A K Bhatt Zhurong touched down on the planet on May and adjusting a panoramic camera, state (Retd.), DG, and Shri J D Patil, Chairman 15 and separated from its landing platform a broadcaster CCTV reported. (Designate), ISpA, presented the roadmap of week later. This marks only the third spacewalk for Chinese the association expressing how it would astronauts, after the first in 2008 -- when Zhai benefit the space industry as a whole, in-line In another development, the China Manned Zhigang made China the third country to with the vision of the Honourable Prime Space Agency announced on Tuesday that complete a spacewalk after the Soviet Union and Minister for the overall development of our astronauts on board the core module of the the United States. Nation. A brief demonstration of the proposed Tiangong space station will carry out their website for IN-SPACe was made for the benefit second extravehicular activity, or spacewalk, The second took place in early July, when Liu and of the participants. in coming days. the third crew member Tang Hongbo left the The three astronauts on the Shenzhou XII station. BRICS Space Agencies mission have stayed inside the core module It is China's first crewed mission in nearly five for two months and conducted a host of years and a matter of huge prestige as the leaders signed Agreement mission tasks and scientific operations, country marks the 100th anniversary of the ruling for cooperation in Remote according to the agency. Communist Party. sensing satellite data Chinese astronauts out of ISRO Announced Successful sharing spacecraft for second time hot Test of Gaganyaan EVA Service Module Propulsion Under the India's BRICS Chairship, the BRICS Space Agencies Heads have signed an Chinese astronauts Nie Haisheng and Liu System – System agreement for cooperation in remote sensing Boming had both slipped out of the space satellite data sharing on August 18, 2021 in the station core module Tianhe to conduct Demonstration Model presence of Mr. Sanjay Bhattacharyya, extravehicular activities (EVAs) for a second Secretary (CPV&OIA) & India's BRICS time, according to the China Manned Space ISRO successfully conducted the first hot test of Sherpa, Ministry of External Affairs, Agency (CMSA). the System Demonstration Model (SDM) of the Government of India and other officials from Nie opened the hatch of Tianhe's node cabin Gaganyaan Service Module Propulsion System respective external/foreign affairs Ministries. at 8:38 a.m., the CMSA said. for a duration of 450 s at the test facility of ISRO Dr. K. Sivan, Chairman, Indian Space Donning Feitian, new-generation homemade Propulsion Complex (IPRC), Mahendragiri, Tamil Research Organisation (ISRO)/ Secretary, extravehicular mobility unit spacesuits that Nadu. The system performance met the test Department of Space; Mr. Zhang Kejian, literally means "flying to space," the two objectives and there was a close match with the Administrator, China National Space astronauts have completed installing the foot pre-test predictions. Further, a series of hot tests Administration (CNSA); Dr. Val Munsami, restraints and extravehicular working are planned to simulate various mission Chief Executive Officer, South African National platform on the mechanical arm, the CMSA conditions as well as off-nominal conditions. Space Agency (SANSA); Mr. Carlos Augusto said. The Service Module is part of the Gaganyaan Teixeira De Moura, President, Brazilian Space Orbital module and is located below the crew Agency (AEB); and Dr. Dmitry Rogozin, They will continue to work together to install module and remains connected to it until re-entry. Director General, State Space Corporation other relevant extravehicular equipment with The Service Module (SM) Propulsion System “Roscosmos” have signed this Agreement. the aid of the mechanical arm, it said. consists of a unified bipropellant system Astronaut Tang Hongbo has been staying consisting of 5 nos. of 440 N thrust engines and This Agreement enables building a virtual inside Tianhe in cooperation with Nie and Liu 16 nos. of 100 N Reaction Control system (RCS) constellation of specified remote sensing for their EVAs. thrusters with MON-3 and MMH as Oxidizer and satellites of BRICS space agencies and their Fuel respectively. The System Demonstration respective ground stations will receive the The three astronauts were sent into space Model (SDM), consisting of 5 nos. of 440 N data. This will contribute in strengthening aboard the Shenzhou-12 spaceship on June engines and 8 nos. of 100 N thrusters, was multilateral cooperation among BRICS space 17. Liu and Tang completed the first EVAs realized to qualify the propulsion system agencies in meeting the challenges faced by during the construction of the country'sChina space launched performance two satellite for in its ground.GPSsystem A (Source:new test China facility Daily is mankind, such as global climate change, major station on July 4. established at IPRC, Mahendragiri for testing the disasters and environmental protection. SDM.

China's astronauts make ISRO interacts with delegates ISRO's Chairman, Dr. K. spacewalk to upgrade Sivan virtually inaugurated robotic arm from Industry, Academia and Start-ups health QUEST study in Chinese astronauts edged into space as its hospitals add the finishing touches to a robotic arm on Secretary, DOS/Chairman ISRO had an the Tiangong space station. interaction with delegates from Industry, Dr K Sivan, Secretary, DOS/Chairman, ISRO The foray, the second spacewalk in two Academia and Start-ups, who have proposed formally inaugurated the Health QUEST study months and relayed on state television, is part their ideas to the Indian National Space (Health Quality Upgradation Enabled by of China's heavily promoted space Promotion and Authorization Centre [IN-SPACe] Space Technology of ISRO) which will be programme which has already seen the About 25 non-government/private entities undertaken by 20 private hospitals across nation land a rover on Mars and send probes [NGPEs] including L&T, Bharti Airtel, Pixel, India. Dr Devi Prasad Shetty, Chairman, to the moon. Agnikul, Skyroot, Alpha Designs etc.. briefed Narayana Health was the guest of honour and In June, three crew arrived at the station, spoke on the occasion. The objective of the 39 IN THE NEWS ASIA

study is to strive towards reducing human presence of Scientific Secretary, ISRO, with the errors and achieve zero defect and quality selection of the first batch of registered ISRO MEASAT Supports Covid-19 service in the Emergency and Intensive Care merchandisers. Vaccination Drive with units of hospitals. The study aims to upgrade the healthcare systems standards of the Customized ISRO-theme based products can CONNECTme NOW service in country in line with the ISRO quality play a game-changing role in creating Kota Kinabalu Vaccination standards and best practices. The awareness and kindling interest of the students, procedures and practices of Quality children and public, in the domain of space Centres Assurance mechanism in vogue in ISRO will science & technology, propagating the be shared with the study team for setting the achievements and laurels that ISRO brings to In support of smooth, safe and effective parameters to establish health care quality the nation. An Announcement of Opportunity vaccination efforts by the Special Committee for standards.# has been floated in this regard, where interested Ensuring Access to Covid-19 Vaccine Supply agencies were invited to apply to become (JKJAV) in Sabah; MEASAT Global Berhad During his inaugural address Dr. Sivan registered ISRO merchandisers. (“MEASAT”) will be sponsoring broadband data assured the support from ISRO for offered through its satellite-based CONNECTme completing the study and achieving the JAXA established joint NOW service. The allocation will cover three quality goal. The event was co-organised by Vaccination Centres (“PPV”) – at SK Talungan Association of Health Care Providers India research structures for Telipok here beginning today (13 August) (AHPI) and Society for Emergency Medicine airframe noise reduction of followed by Balai Raya Kg Kolosunan (16 in India (SEMI). The CEOs and Coordinators August) and SK Babagon Toki (17 August) – both of the 20 hospitals have participated in the medium for size passenger in Inanam. Overall, the vaccinations are targeted virtual event. aircraft to cover close to 2,000 people including 1,200 at SK Talungan Telipok, 50 at Kg Kolosunan and ISRO's Chairman holds a The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency 700 at SK Babagon Toki. virtual meeting with the (JAXA) has set up joint research structures to facilitate the practical development of its Through the sponsorship of internet data, Director General of Israel airframe noise reduction technology, with an healthcare workers, supporting personnel and Space Agency eye towards technology validation using a members of the public at the vaccination centres medium size passenger aircraft*1 with around will benefit from broadband coverage with Dr. K. Sivan, Chairman, Indian Space speeds of up to 30Mbps. “At MEASAT, we are Research Organisation (ISRO)/ Secretary, 200 to 400 seats. JAXA has been conducting a series of research and development activities committed to using our technology to serve the Department of Space had a virtual meeting needs of Malaysians. This includes using our with Mr. Avi Blasberger, Director General, on airframe noise reduction technology to reduce noise around airports. CONNECTme NOW satellite-based broadband Israel Space Agency (ISA) on July 29, 2021. service to provide coverage for people living in In order to meet future passenger traffic remote areas with limited telecommunications Both leaders reviewed the progress of the tower infrastructure. With the ongoing Covid-19 ongoing activities including cooperation in demand, and to strengthen the international competitiveness of the airports, there have been vaccination drive, it is critical for all vaccination electric propulsion system and GEO-LEO centres to have reliable broadband service at optical link. They also discussed potential discussions to increase the number of takeoffs and landings at major airports in Japan. An good speeds, particularly for updating records on opportunities of working together in future the MySejahtera application and for including launch of Israeli satellites in Indian example is the introduction of the new flight route to Tokyo International Airport (Haneda), in communications by frontline personnel. In line launcher and commemorating 75th with our vision, we are offering our resources to Anniversary of Indian Independence and 30 which aircraft pass over the central Tokyo area at low altitudes for approach. On the other hand, overcome intermittent internet connectivity at years of India-Israel diplomatic relations these three sites, with the support of our rapid through appropriate event in the year 2022. it also raises concerns about aircraft noise, and public demand for quieter aircraft is growing. deployment team,” said Yau Chyong Lim, Chief The challenge here is to mitigate the noise Operating Officer, MEASAT. ISRO's Chairman holds a around airports even with increased air traffic. Meanwhile, public health expert Dr Suhaila virtual meeting with the Osman, who is the Chief Coordinator for the Kota new Director General of The framework aims at phasing up the research Kinabalu District Vaccination Centres, said, “The European Space Agency and development of airframe noise reduction installation of CONNECTme NOW satellite technology to the next level. Based on the noise broadband service by MEASAT at these three vaccination centres is most beneficial. It will #Dr. K. Sivan, Chairman, ISRO/ Secretary, reduction design methodologies established through the FQRUOH project*2, JAXA will certainly help our frontline medical personnel Department of Space had a virtual meeting update vaccination status in the MySejahtera with Dr. Josef Aschbacher, Director General, continue making collaborative efforts with Japanese manufacturers to examine feasible application, as well as communicate with their European Space Agency (ESA) on July 30, colleagues around Kota Kinabalu and in Kuala 2021. Both leaders reviewed status of design concepts for noise reduction devices for medium-size passenger aircraft. JAXA will also Lumpur. . It is good to see private corporations ongoing cooperation activities in earth stepping forward to contribute their expertise and observation, space science, satellite work with the Boeing Company, which has extensive experience in building passenger resources to help Malaysia through this difficult navigation, space situational awareness and time.” human space flight. They also welcomed aircraft, to develop a plan for validation by a recent signing of 'ISRO-ESA Arrangement flight test. Thus, the joint research structures will concerning network and operations Cross- help accelerate the practical development of KSTI and MEASAT Expand support” which will enable use of ground airframe noise reduction technology. CONNECTme NOW High- station to support each other's spacecraft missions. They agreed to form thematic JAXA plans to identify design concepts for noise Speed Satellite Broadband working groups which will discuss to identify reduction devices by March 2022, which will be Services in 50 New Locations potential opportunities for working together followed by the development of the devices for a to further enhance ISRO-ESA cooperation. flight test as well as the development of Across Sabah evaluation plans in 2023 or later. JAXA is committed to contributing to reducing noise The Sabah Ministry of Science, Technology and around airports with its research and Innovation (“KSTI”) and MEASAT Global Berhad ISRO Merchandise development of airframe noise reduction (“MEASAT”) are expanding the deployment of The Secretary, DOS/Chairman, ISRO technology. the CONNECTme NOW high-speed satellite formally launched the ISRO-theme based broadband service in 50 new locations across merchandise program in a virtual event in the 40 IN THE NEWS ASIA

Sabah. In a symbolic installation event held in Despite maintaining continuous telemetry Director Professor Russell Boyce said there Kudat today, Sabah Chief Minister YAB Datuk and command control of MEASAT-3, further was a need for Australia to develop its own Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Mohd Noor launched testing and recovery efforts found that the Earth observation capabilities. the latest expansion, which will see many more satellite could not re-enter service. The rural communities across Sabah benefiting satellite will be de-orbited in the following “SCR would secure Australian data supply by from faster internet connections. The event weeks. MEASAT-3, a Boeing 601 satellite, contributing to the global observing system, was witnesses by YB Datuk Haji Yakub Khan, had provided satellite communication strengthening relationships with other space Minister of Science, Technology and services for almost 15 years since its launch fairing nations, and improving the Australian Innovation for Sabah. “The State Government in December 2006. space sector's design, manufacturing and places great importance on ensuring that testing capabilities,” Professor Boyce said. everyone in Sabah has access to quality The spacecraft, manufactured by BSS, The study, which was funded by Geoscience internet connectivity, so they will not be left equipped with C-band and Ku-band Australia, concluded that the SCR mission behind in the digital age, where so much transponders that cover over 100 countries was both technically and programmatically education activity, economic opportunities and across Asia, Eastern Europe, the Middle East feasible. even essential services have moved online. and Africa. MEASAT is currently finalising the launch date of MEASAT-3d for early 2022, The Pre-Phase A Study for the Australian The implementation of home-based teaching which is expected to restore its unrivalled in- Development of a Satellite Cross-Calibration and learning (PdPR), e-commerce and orbit satellite redundancy at the company's Radiometer SCR Series Including Potential working from home in this pandemic stresses key orbital hotslot 91.5°E, providing Direct-to- to Support Partner Land Imaging Programs the need to ensure that all members of society H o m e ( D T H ) , B r o a d c a s t i n g a n d was published today by UNSW Canberra. It can be connected. The digitalised future holds Telecommunications services for the region, is one in a series of reports that will inform the great promises, but we must close the digital besides significantly enhancing broadband upcoming Australian Space Agency's Earth gap to ensure everyone has fair access to speed of up to 100 Mbps in areas with limited Observations from Space Technology opportunities and a better quality of life,” said or without any terrestrial connectivity Roadmap. YAB Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Mohd throughout Malaysia. Announcements on the Noor, Chief Minister of Sabah. YAB Datuk Seri MEASAT-3d launch will be released in due It is the 12th study conducted at the ANCDF Panglima Haji Hajiji said the RM3.5 billion course. and follows a recent scoping study for allocation from the Federal Government to AquaWatch Australia, a joint initiative improve communications infrastructure in International study aims to between CSIRO and SmartSat Cooperative Sabah through the Jalinan Digital Negara Research Centre, which aims to use space (JENDELA) initiative, coupled with the efforts secure Australian Earth technologies to monitor the quality of by KSTI and MEASAT to drive rapid solutions Australia's fresh and coastal water bodies. in Sabah, such as with CONNECTme NOW observation data services, is key to helping Sabahans. “Having rolled out the installation of CONNECTme Twenty-one organisations from across SITAEL Australia and IPAS NOW services in several remote locations in Australia and the United States have found to cooperate on utilising Sabah, we have seen promising results, thus that a series of satellites fitted with we are further expanding the benefits with the hyperspectral sensors could become a key multi-aperture infrared latest rollout to 50 new locations across the component in Australia's space capabilities. sensors state. Conducted in UNSW Canberra's Australian National Concurrent Design Facility SITAEL Australia has announced a new (ANCDF), the study examined the feasibility The challenge of providing internet partnership with the University of Adelaide's of a Satellite Cross-Calibration Radiometer connectivity in Sabah, where some remote Institute for Photonics and Advanced (SCR) mission. communities still do not have 3G or 4G speeds, Sensing (IPAS) to cooperate in innovative cannot be overcome overnight, due to the research into space-based infrared It brought together central organisations in limited radius of terrestrial broadband instruments. the Australian space sector, including networks in rural areas and the time it takes to SITAEL Australia and IPAS will cooperate on Geoscience Australia, the Australian Space construct a network of telecommunication utilising multi-aperture infrared sensors with Agency and the CSIRO and incorporated key towers. On the other hand, MEASAT's intelligent processing to achieve low cost, inputs from a range of companies within the CONNECTme NOW service can be set up high resolution thermal imagery. Australian space industry. It also welcomed anywhere in just days, helping to bring high- The partnership has been conceived as part the US Geological Survey as an international speed broadband connectivity via satellite to of the SmartSat Cooperative Research partner. Sabah's rural residents, so this is an important Centre (SmartSat CRC), that sees SITAEL solution for KSTI,” commented YB Datuk Haji Australia and the University of Adelaide The Australian SCR series of hyperspectral Yakub Khan, Minister of Science, Technology amongst the members developing know-how sensors aims to improve the data quality and Innovation for Sabah. YB Datuk Haji and technologies for intelligent satellite provided by optical Earth observation Yakub said KSTI will continue working with systems and Earth observation data satellites through cross-calibration. MEASAT to expand satellite broadband services. coverage to rural communities in Sabah until “In effect, this means that SCR data will terrestrial network coverage is available. In the “We are taking an innovative pathway to the improve the calibration of other sensors such latest rollout, each new location will receive collection of thermal imagery from space, as Landsat and allow for that calibration to be 300GB of data sponsored by the Sabah State combining the small satellite and infrared transferred to a variety of civil and commercial Government. instrument knowledge of SITAEL, with the satellites to increase their overall utility,” unique expertise and capabilities in sensing ANCDF Manager and Space Systems from IPAS,” Executive Director and General Engineer Denis Naughton said. “These Manager of SITAEL Australia Mr Mark MEASAT to Retire MEASAT- datasets could improve the quality of Earth Ramsey said. 3 observation image products for important applications such as climate science, disaster Associate Professor Martin O'Connor, management, water resources monitoring, Defence Technologies Theme Leader at MEASAT Global Berhad (“MEASAT”) will retire agriculture, and land use.” its MEASAT-3 satellite after an anomaly on 21 IPAS said: “IPAS is pleased to partner with SITAEL Australia, with this new research June 2021. The incident resulted in a complete Australia is one of the largest users of Earth further increasing IPAS' space domain outage of service and is still under observation data worldwide, relying on data instrument expertise in Adelaide. investigation in partnership with our satellite supply from foreign governments and the Furthermore, we are strongly aligned to the provider Boeing Satellite Systems (“BSS”). private sector. UNSW Canberra Space

41 IN THE NEWS ASIA

commercial outcomes focus of the project, Gilmour Space has secured a total of $64 small satellite deployment service on August connecting technological development with million US dollars from global investors to 29, 2021 at 3:14 a.m. (EDT). Space BD has end-user application.” date, the largest private equity investment been appointed by Japan Aerospace The project, which has a one-and-a-half year raised by a space company in Australia. The Exploration Agency (JAXA) as the private timescale, will help grow Australia's sovereign Eris launch vehicle is scheduled for a debut partner for the small satellite deployment space-based infrared imaging capability, and commercial launch in 2022. The family of Eris service from the International Space Station has applications across defence and launch vehicles will offer launch capacity (ISS) Japanese Experiment Module Kibo surveillance, water monitoring, fire monitoring within the range of 300-4000 kg to low Earth since 2018. And it has led to the and agriculture. orbits from Australian and international launch commercialization of Japanese space assets sites. as a private sector. “Innovative space-based thermal imagers will be used for wide-area, bushfire early warning This capability is in line with Australian Space This was the first satellite launch for the State and tracking. Algorithms will interpret data in Agency's national civil priority areas which of Western Australia, the first satellite launch real time to help immediately pin point fires in include Access to Space; Position, Navigation for of the Australian Research Council areas obscured by smoke,“ said Associate a n d Ti m i n g ; E a r t h O b s e r v a t i o n ; Training Centre for CubeSats, Uncrewed Professor O'Connor. Communications Technologies; Space Aerial Vehicles and their Applications The technology will have other applications Situational Awareness and Debris (CUAVA), and the first overseas satellite such as checking inland and coastal water Management; Leapfrog R&D; and Robotics launch for Space BD. quality and monitoring industrial energy use and Automation. and its effect on climate change. Space BD provided one-stop support for the “The need for sovereign launch capability is technical coordination, safety reviews, and The aim of the research is to move towards coming into focus for Australia. However, governmental applications related to this Problem-centric Operations in the infrared space is a global industry and we're proud to launch. Space BD aims to strengthen its domain, a long-term goal of the SmartSat be working with leading companies like collaboration with the Australian space CRC Earth Observation roadmap. The project Exolaunch to expand our launch services to agency and local industry to promote space in will create new space research positions in global customers,” said Adam Gilmour, CEO the country through satellite launches and the Adelaide for both SITAEL and IPAS, and Co-founder of Gilmour Space. space-based solution business. Beyond that, expanding their capabilities locally. Exolaunch provides rideshare launch, Space BD also plans to expand its business deployment, integration and in-space model to early-stage countries in the space Professor Andy Koronios, Chief Executive transportation services for New Space industry, especially in the Indo-Pacific region. Officer of the SmartSat CRC said: “We are companies, space agencies and scientific About the satellites pleased to see the strong cooperation institutions. Its flight heritage counts 13 between our industry and academic partners, successfully accomplished launches totalling The satellites launched on this mission are to develop next generation Earth observation 170 deployed small satellites with a similar "CUAVA-1" by CUAVA, an industry-university technologies, creating economic value amount of contracted satellites to be launched consortium consisting of the University of through innovation.” in the near future. Sydney, the University of New South Wales, and ten other industrial and government The company is known for its ecosystem of organizations, and "Binar-1" by the Space Australia's Gilmour Space flight-proven proprietary small satellite Science and Technology Centre at Curtin and Germany's Exolaunch deployment technologies, including University in Perth, Western Australia. Both CarboNIX, a lightweight, scalable and shock- satellites were launched as part of NASA's sign agreements for Small free microsatellite separation system and Commercial Resupply Services (CRS)-23 Satellite Launch and In- EXOpod, a cutting-edge cubesat deployer. mission from Cape Canaveral, Florida, Exolaunch is also developing a line of U.S.A., aboard Space X's ISS resupply ship Space Transportation environmentally-friendly orbital transfer Dragon 23. The two satellites are scheduled Services vehicles named Reliant for the satellite last- to be deployed from the ISS Kibo in fall 2021. mile delivery and space debris removal. CUAVA-1 aims to demonstrate advanced Gilmour Space Technologies and Exolaunch Reliant will become available for commercial communications, remote sensing, GPS, and announced a series of agreements for small use starting in 2023. s p a c e e n v i r o n m e n t m e a s u r e m e n t satellite launch, deployment and in-space technologies in space, and utilize the data transportation services. “Partnering with Gilmour is a worthy example obtained from the satellite. Other objectives Under the agreements, the companies will join of bridging progressive innovation with including training the engineers who will lead forces to provide tailored launch, precise heritage,” said Jeanne Medvedeva, VP of the future Australian space industry through deployment and in-space transportation Launch Services, Exolaunch. “Reinforcing satellite development experience, and services to the small satellite operators using novel launch architecture with state-of-the-art contributing to the Australian space industry's Eris, a hybrid launch vehicle, developed by deployment and in-space logistics services development by solving important research Gilmour. will pave the way for reliable launch solutions. problems in the space domain. Gilmour partners with Exolaunch, a trusted We look forward to launching customers' and experienced rideshare specialist with a satellites from Australia on the Eris rockets Binar-1 is the first satellite to be launched in solid flight heritage, and gains access to making space more accessible for the New Western Australia. Curtin University, which Exolaunch's flight-proven cutting-edge small Space industry.” coded, designed and built Binar-1, focused satellite deployment technologies and in- mainly on developing the bus section that space transportation services via Exolaunch's controls the satellite's operational functions. Reliant orbital transfer vehicle to expand the Space BD Strengthening By mounting the power supply, computer, capabilities of Eris in low Earth orbit and Relationship with the steering, and communication devices on a beyond. small printed circuit board (8 layers), it Australian Space Industry succeeded in making the bus section Exolaunch gains access to low-inclination to Promote the Industry in compact (approx. 10cm x 10cm x 2.5cm), missions and unique orbits via Gilmour's expanding the mission area in the limited innovative Eris launch vehicles lifting-off from Australia space of the satellite. Australian soil and will begin manifesting customers' satellites on the upcoming Japan and Australia's Space Industries: With Space BD announces the launch of two the establishment of the Australian Space launches of Eris. Australian satellites through Space BD's

42 IN THE NEWS ASIA

Agency in February 2020 and the first half of 2022, subject to regulatory has a reliable “grab-and-go” real-time Memorandum of Cooperation on Space approvals. satellite communications solution, ideal for between JAXA and the Australian Space Hanwha Systems of South Korea invests communications on-the-move applications Agency in July that same year, Japan stands USD $300m to OneWeb, brings advanced across the country's diverse island as an essential partner in building the technology capabilities landscapes. foundation for Australia's space industry. OneWeb's first generation fleet of 648 As the largest archipelago in the world, Governments have to create a sustainable satellites that will deliver global coverage in Indonesia is made up of five major islands space industry that meets the needs of 2022 is fully funded. To date, the company has and more than 17,500 smaller islands, of partner countries, including capacity building launched 254 satellites into orbit, with another which about 6,000 are inhabited.1 The size in areas such as legal systems and human launch planned this August from Baikonur, and scope of its territory makes building and resource development, and support for Kazakhstan. Thanks to the success of recent maintaining cellular or land-mobile radio solving various issues. launches, OneWeb's network will be ready to (LMR) network infrastructure expensive, offer connectivity services from 50th parallel challenging and impractical. It also leaves a Distinguished Professor Phil Bland, Director and above by the end of 2021. need for communications resiliency across of Curtin University's Space Science and all of Indonesia, especially during and after Technology Centre (SSTC) said, "The Space Sunil Bharti Mittal, Founder and Chairman of natural disasters, as the country's Science and Technology Centre at Curtin Bharti Enterprises, said: "We welcome topography is subject to earthquakes, University is proud to be working with Space Hanwha to OneWeb. These are exciting and volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis. During BD, using their expertise and guidance to fast paced times in the space sector. With emergencies, Indonesian government bring our miniature satellite into orbit." Hanwha alongside, we will be able to access personnel deploy on Search and Rescue Because our Binar-1 CubeSat Bus uses as a the highest quality of technological thinking missions to its remote islands that may have compact single-circuit board system it and development. They are a powerful damaged or unreliable connectivity. Iridium presents a more cost-effective alternative partner in our global mission to connect the PTT is helping the country conquer these than those currently being produced by other world.” challenges, immediately providing an easily manufacturers. deployed, cost-effective solution for reliable Youn Chul KIM President, Chief Executive real-time communications on land, at sea or The Binar Space Program has six more Officer and Director at Hanwha Systems said: in the air. launches planned over the next 18 months, in "We are pleased to join hands with OneWeb, partnership with Fugro's Australian Space which has strength in the LEO communication Iridium service provider PT Amalgam Automation, Artificial Intelligence and area, the core of space business. To OneWeb Indocorpora supported the implementation Robotics Control Complex (SpAARC). 's vision of connecting all the people across by providing the Indonesian government Our Binar Space Program will also be used the globe, Hanwha System's satellite and with customized Icom IC-SAT100 PTT as part of the AROSE consortium which antenna technology will bring more devices. With one-to-many communication brings together the best of Australian advantages." at the push of a button and Iridium's truly industry, with the most advanced technology, UK Business Secretary, Kwasi Kwarteng said: global coverage, the devices help ensure to lead WA scientists in delivering solutions "Today's $300m investment in OneWeb by Indonesian government personnel remain that will benefit the Australia-NASA Moon-to- Hanwha is the latest in a series of votes of connected. This capability brings immense Mars program. confidence in the company from the market. value to the Indonesian government as they It's clear that leading global investors see a bridge the previous connectivity gap, Takuma Terada, General Manager, promising future for this ground-breaking allowing deployed teams to efficiently Engineering at Space BD said, I am pleased company and a robust commercial case for communicate with one another across the to announce the successful launch of two investment. country's islands over the Iridium network Australian satellites. Space BD believes that . Japan's space assets, with a proven track "The Government's equity stake in OneWeb The IC-SAT100 is a compact, user-friendly record worldwide, provide the easiest launch not only allows the UK to capitalise on our radio with military grade ruggedness and methods for people and countries to develop first-mover advantage to deploy low Earth includes a high audio speaker to ensure their space industry. Space BD will provide a orbit technology but will put our country at the communications clarity, even in high more user-friendly service to broader space forefront of the small satellite market, which is ambient noise environments. Radio-style development sites by combining the reliability set to rapidly expand over the years ahead." control knobs and a familiar LMR user of the International Space Station Japanese Neil Masterson, Chief Executive at OneWeb, interface make the IC-SAT100 incredibly Experiment Module Kibo, and our knowledge said: "Hanwha brings advanced defence and easy to operate for existing radio users. With as JAXA's commercial operator for satellite antenna technology development to the real-time, one-to-many communication, the deployment OneWeb line-up. We are all delighted that highly secure service has end-to-end AES- t they have chosen to join us on this journey of 256 encryption, making it an ideal option for innovation, shaping a global service to militaries and government organizations in OneWeb Announces connect the most remote locations and to need of global group communications Significant New Equity provide a critical digital pathway from space to capabilities offering operational security and our interconnected world.” safety. Users will know that regardless of Partner where in the world they need to deploy Indonesian Government personnel and assets, they will remain Hanwha has announced a USD $300m within coverage. equity investment by Hanwha Systems Deploys Iridium® Push-to- ("Hanwha") in OneWeb, the Low Earth Orbit Talk, Overcoming Remote “The small, lightweight and high-performing (LEO) satellite communications company. IC-SAT100 PTT device is the ideal tool for Hanwha brings further defence capabilities Communications keeping dispatched personnel connected and the latest antenna technologies to Challenges beyond the reach of traditional LMR OneWeb, alongside relationships to new networks,” says Bryan Hartin, executive government customers and expanded vice president of sales and marketing, geographical reach. Iridium Communications Inc. announced that the Republic of Indonesia's government has Iridium. “In Indonesia's remote locations, adopted Iridium Push-to-Talk (PTT) devices where terrestrial networks are limited or This investment brings OneWeb's total equity non-existent, and in disaster-affected areas investment since November 2020 to USD to support communication efforts across the country. By fully deploying 500 Iridium PTT where terrestrial networks are damaged, the $2.7bn with no debt issuance. The government can rely on the Iridium network investment is expected to be completed in the handsets, the Indonesian government now

43 IN THE NEWS ASIA

to stay connected.” Commercial rocket launch determining the site's viability as a possible “From customization to activation, it was an honor launch location for future suborbital and to work with the Indonesian government to permit granted for South orbital launches. ensure device best practices and a swift Australia Since 2018, the Morrison Government has deployment to the field,” says Andre Halim, invested more than $700 million in the civil president director, PT Amalgam Indocorpora. The Morrison Government has given space sector as part of its plan to grow the “With a full suite of Iridium solutions, we are regulatory approval for a commercial rocket sector to $12 billion and add another 20,000 committed to working closely with our customers launch to take place later this year from a jobs by 2030. to support their vast connectivity needs.” newly licensed launch facility in South Australia. Taiwanese company tiSPACE will conduct a PT Amalgam Indocorpora also supports test flight of its Hapith I – a 10m, two-stage, AsiaSat launches SAILAS, customers' connectivity needs for businesses sub-orbital rocket – from the Whalers Way and governments with Iridium Certus® and IoT new managed Orbital Launch Complex, which is operated solutions, ideal for tracking personnel and assets, by Southern Launch. connectivity service for command and control, situational awareness and Minister for Industry, Science and more. Iridium Certus is the only truly global Asia-Pacific maritime Technology Christian Porter said approval broadband service that provides weather- of the launch permit is an exciting moment sector resilient coverage for on-the-move internet and that adds to the growing momentum in high-quality voice access. As the satellite IoT Australia's space sector and will help Asia's premier satellite solutions provider, market continues to grow, Iridium's suite of small position Australia as a future launch AsiaSat, has launched its new managed form factor, low-power IoT devices continues to destination. connectivity service SAILAS, a key expand, further establishing Iridium's position as “This is an important outcome in component of the company's complete, the leader across a variety of industries ranging establishing Australia's commercial launch end-to-end solution to support digital from maritime, aviation, government, land mobile capability and demonstrating what our transformation of the Asia-Pacific maritime and more. country can offer to the international space sector. sector,” Minister Porter said. Dawn Aerospace to Supply “We are excited about the launch of Propulsion for Indonesian “Space is a significant global growth market SAILAS, our brand new connectivity service that will support Australia's economic future for the maritime industry. The managed Space Agency's Early through big investment, new technologies connectivity service is designed with Tsunami Warning Satellite and job growth across multiple industries.” enhanced flexibility and reliability to meet The date for the launch will be determined the accelerating pace of digital Constellation by tiSPACE and Southern Launch in the transformation of the maritime sector. This coming months. tiSPACE is also currently is an important milestone of AsiaSat's considering bringing manufacturing of strategic transformation to become a The National Institute of Aeronautics and Space complete rocket systems to Australia. service-centric company as we continue to of Indonesia (LAPAN) has selected Dawn Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment focus on delivering quality and creating Aerospace's green propulsion for a new satellite Dan Tehan said the launch marked another values for our customers,” said Raymond constellation used for the early detection of significant milestone in the rapid Chow, Vice President, Business Tsunamis. development of Australia's space capability. Development & Strategy of AsiaSat. “Australia has an opportunity to become a Indonesia, located along the Pacific Ocean's key player in the rapidly expanding global “SAILAS offers tailored services to address Circum-Pacific belt, or "Ring of Fire", is space launch market, which will bring the exact requirements of the maritime geographically prone to Tsunamis; several investment, jobs and innovation to our vertical and all of its sub-verticals in the tectonic plates meet and frequently cause nation,” Mr Tehan said. region. By leveraging our wholly-owned volcanic and seismic activity. As a result, around satellite fleet and ground infrastructure, we 90 percent of the world's earthquakes occur in the “The Morrison Government is working with have full control of the network which will area. other governments, businesses and the allow us to consistently deliver a high level sector to ensure Australia is best placed to of quality service and solution that can fit With Indonesia's history of earthquakes and take advantage of the growing opportunities flexibly into our customers' network and tsunamis, a new Tsunami Warning System in space.” business. We have also included a wide (TWS) is expected to save lives and result in range of value-added services to address significant economic benefits for the nation. Head of the Australian Space Agency different maritime segments such as A TWS uses buoys and satellites to measure Enrico Palermo said Australia is serious package options with a compact and easy- wave heights after an earthquake. It can provide about growing its emerging launch industry to-install maritime antenna provided in warnings of up to several hours, depending on and contribution to the global space sector. partnership with a leading mobile antenna the quake's location. After receiving a signal of “This is a significant milestone that will help manufacturer,” said Tony Chung, Vice unusual activity from sea bed sensors, the buoys pave the way for future commercial President, Data Services. then transmit data to satellites, sending warnings launches from Australia,” Mr Palermo said. to ground stations and tsunami warning centers. “We are passionate about growing a thriving Powered by AsiaSat's high-performance The public is then informed to evacuate via sirens space industry – one that can open doors for satellites, including AsiaSat 5, AsiaSat 7 or text messages. our national space sector to launch and AsiaSat 9 and the hub infrastructure technologies from home and attract greater from its Tai Po Earth Station and regional The planned constellation is for nine satellites in investment from international launch teleport partners, SAILAS' service will be an equatorial orbit, providing constant coverage customers.” available in high reliability and availability for the nation. over a wide area from the Middle East, "Our industry often talks about going to space to The Whalers Way launch site will initially South Asia to South East Asia; passing improve life on Earth," said Jeroen Wink, Dawn support a test launch campaign for up to through major shipping routes across the Co-founder. "We are incredibly proud to be part of three suborbital rockets. Data will be Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean, Malacca Strait a project designed to save lives.” collected during those launches to measure and the Indonesian archipelagic waters. environmental impacts to assist in

44 IN THE NEWS AMERICAS

Anatel conducts webinar on will help with your Martian vacation planning. 1969. Alan Brown to Receive the From 1975 to 1989, Dr. Brown was a member station licensing of the Lockheed Advanced Development 2021 Daniel Guggenheim Projects, colloquially known as Skunk Works. The National Telecommunications Agency Medal for Influential He served first as the deputy program (Anatel) has announced a virtual event manager for the Have Blue low observable designed to guide technicians responsible for Contributions to the F-117, research aircraft. He then became program network projects on how to license Private the First Stealth manager and chief engineer for the F-117A Limited Service stations in the Mosaic System. Stealth Fighter from initial concept until the The event will be broadcast by the Teams, and Fighter/Bomber Aircraft first production aircraft was built those interested must register through a (1978–1982), and also was director of Low specific form. During the event, step-by-step Alan Brown has been awarded the 2021 Observable Technology (1982–1989). licensing will be discussed, with presentations Daniel Guggenheim Medal for his innovation Since retiring from Lockheed, Dr. Brown has on self-registration and use of the Electronic and technical leadership of the design and taught short courses at Cranfield University, Information System (SEI); Mosaic System production of the F-117, the first stealth England; Linkoping University, Sweden; modules; how to consult stations, acts of radio fighter/bomber aircraft. Georgia Institute of Technology; and, the frequencies and print licenses; licensing The Daniel Guggenhein Medal was Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, options; and how to update already licensed established in 1929 to honor innovators who California. He was active in the University of stations. make notable achievements in the California Mathematics, Engineering, advancement of aeronautics. Its first recipient Science, Achievement (MESA) program for was Orville Wright. The medal is jointly middle and high schools from 1994 until sponsored by the American Institute of 2010, serving on the state committee, and Scientists Suggest Safest Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), the working particularly with Watsonville High Time for Mars Travel American Society of Mechanical Engineers School. He occasionally is seen on television (ASME), SAE International (originally the on Discovery and History channels in stealth Humanity is set on the idea of visiting Mars in Society of Automotive Engineers), and the and fighter documentaries. person, but there's the pesky problem of Vertical Flight Society (originally the hazardous radiation during long-duration American Helicopter Society). Dr. Brown received an Honorary Doctor of spaceflights to get there. Scientists have raised Science from Cranfield University in 2001. He concerns about brain damage gastrointestinal “Alan Brown's fundamental insights and is an AIAA Fellow, a Royal Aeronautical issues and cancer on a journey to the red innovative solutions to the problems of Society (England) Fellow, and a member of planet. All in all, it sounds pretty off-putting, but designing low observable aircraft have the National Academy of Engineering. He it's not impossible to pull off. changed the way aircraft are designed. He is also was honored with the 1990 AIAA Aircraft A new study has some suggestions for dealing a real rocket scientist and a true English Design Award and the 2020 AIAA Reed with the safety issues, and it could partly come gentleman. Even in retirement, Alan Aeronautics Award. down to strategically picking the best time to continues to be generous with his time – travel. lecturing, teaching, and mentoring. His Past recipients of the Guggenheim Medal are d e d i c a t i o n , p r o f e s s i o n a l i s m , a n d some of the greatest names in aerospace, "This study shows that while space radiation contributions are a benchmark for our including Walter Vincenti, Holt Ashley, imposes strict limitations and presents aviation community,” said Dr. Paul Bevilaqua, Lawrence Bell, William Boeing, James technological difficulties for the human mission Lockheed Martin Skunk Works (retired) and Doolittle, Donald Douglas, Charles Stark to Mars, such a mission is still viable," says the Dr. Brown's nominator. Draper, Hugh Dryden, Robert Goddard, paper published this month in the journal of Jerome Hunsaker, Theodore von Kármán, Space Weather. It covers simulations that point Dr. Brown retired in 1992 as Director of Charles Lindbergh, Glenn Martin, Frank to the optimal time to travel to Mars. Engineering at Lockheed Corporate Robinson, Burt Rutan, and Igor Sikorsky, The paper calls out two main types of Headquarters, where his two principal among many others. hazardous particle radiation: solar energetic concerns had been the promulgation of particles (SEP) from our sun and galactic concurrent engineering and stealth Space Pens, Pencils, and cosmic rays (GCR) from outside the solar technology. He has given invited papers on system. The researchers point to a time known both these subjects at the national and How NASA Takes Notes in as solar maximum -- when our sun is at its international level. Space highest activity level -- as an ideal time for The Space Pen has captured the American humans to head to Mars. Dr. Brown began his aeronautical career with imagination in more ways than one. It's an engineering apprenticeship at Blackburn appeared repeatedly in pop culture and even "The scientists' calculations demonstrate that it Aircraft in England (1945–1950). After worked as a plot device in a "Seinfeld" would be possible to shield a Mars-bound obtaining a diploma from the College of episode titled "The Pen," and in 2021 was spacecraft from energetic particles from the sun Aeronautics, Cranfield, in 1952, he worked at inducted into the Space Technology Hall of because, during solar maximum, the most Bristol Aeroplane Company as an Fame. It's also the subject of a myth that the dangerous and energetic particles from distant aerodynamicist prior to going to the United space agency spent millions to invent a pen galaxies are deflected by the enhanced solar States in 1956. He worked as a research that can write in zero gravity, while activity," UCLA said in a statement. associate and lecturer at the University of cosmonauts simply used a pencil. Let's get to Southern California, and as a research the facts about the Space Pen, pencils in Spacecraft designers would need to focus on associate at Wiancko Engineering Company. space, and how NASA astronauts write shielding astronauts from SEP, but there would Dr. Brown joined Lockheed in 1960, starting aboard the space station. be a reduced impact from damaging GCR in the physics laboratory of the Lockheed during solar maximum. The team also Missiles and Space Company in Palo Alto, recommends keeping a Mars round trip to less California. In 1966, he moved to the aircraft Is the Space Pen a real thing? than four years in duration, though the study company in Burbank, California, working on Yes, it is. The Fisher Space Pen made its acknowledges this could change based on the propulsion installation on the Supersonic television debut in October 1968, as Apollo 7 development of new shielding materials. Transport and the FX and VSX aircraft (which mission commander Walter Schirra The travel time to Mars can vary (it took NASA's later became the F-15 and S-3A, demonstrated weightlessness by blowing on Perseverance mission about seven months to respectively). He also was engineering a pen to control its movement as it floated get there), but there are a couple of prime times manager for the Lockheed group at Rolls- about the capsule. It was one of the first live coming up in the mid-2030s and 2050 when Royce on the L-1011 commercial transport video transmissions from an American shorter Earth-to-Mars journeys will coincide program. He received an M.S. in Aeronautical spacecraft. Since then, Space Pens have with periods of solar maximum. Hopefully that Engineering from Stanford University in appeared in television shows from "Mad Men"

46 IN THE NEWS AMERICAS

and "Gilmore Girls" to "How it's Made." The currently aboard the International Space involved in human spaceflight. pens are on display in space museums and in Station the permanent collection of the Museum of Is it only for space?. James Webb Space Telescope Modern Art in New York. The Space Pen line now comprises about 80 The James Webb Space Telescope (also In 2021, the technology was recognized by the models. While they are popular gift items, Cary known as Webb) will be the largest, most Space Foundation as an innovation developed said, they are especially in-demand among powerful and complex space science for space that now improves life on Earth, members of the military and law enforcement, telescope ever built by NASA. An Ariane 5 joining around 80 other technologies in the as well as outdoor enthusiasts, plane rocket provided by the European Space organization's Hall of Fame. manufacturers, and oil workers, all of whom, Agency will launch Webb in late 2021 from the like astronauts, appreciate their ability to write European Spaceport located in Kourou, Why not just use a pencil? in any conditions. French Guiana. NASA wanted an alternative to pencils because the lead could easily break off and float away, Fisher Pen Company has distributors in 52 The scientific successor to the enormously creating a hazard to astronauts and sensitive countries but still makes all its pens in Boulder successful Hubble Space Telescope, Webb will electronics on the spacecraft. Cosmonauts also City, where more than 60 employees turn out use its advanced capabilities to peer even have been using Space Pens since 1969. over a million pens a year. farther into the universe than its predecessor. NASA has a long history of transferring NASA educational resources and art activities technology to the private sector. The agency's offer opportunities to learn more about how Did it cost taxpayers millions? Spinoff publication profiles NASA technologies Webb can be used as a window into the No. Paul Fisher at the Fisher Pen Company had that have transformed into commercial universe's past. already been working on a pressurized pen. products and services, demonstrating the That said, it likely would never have reached the broader benefits of America's investment in its Educator resources are available for both heights it did, in orbit or in popularity, without space program. Spinoff is a publication of the formal and informal education, including NASA's testing. Technology Transfer program in NASA's Space comprehensive lesson plans and materials in “The original ballpoints were terrible,” said Cary Technology Mission Directorate. the James Webb Space Telescope STEM Fisher, Paul's son, and current president of the toolkit. Kids also will enjoy the James Webb company, which is now located in Boulder City, Launch Back to School With Fun Pad, a printable activity book designed for Nevada. He notes that the early ballpoints grades K-4. tended to leak, skip, and dry up. NASA: Student and To solve the problem, his father, who had Educator Resources for the Mars 2020: Perseverance and already invented the first universal ink cartridge refill, was working on a sealed cartridge with 2021-2022 School Year Ingenuity pressurized nitrogen at the top pushing a tiny The Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover piston against the ink. But the pressure caused As students across the country are saying successfully landed on the Red Planet's the pens to leak. goodbye to the summer and the new school surface in February 2021, and has begun its year is kicking off, NASA is gearing up to search for signs of ancient microbial life. As its When NASA reached out to him looking for a engage students in exciting activities and mission continues, students and educators can pen that didn't require gravity, he knew this thought-provoking challenges throughout the utilize an array of NASA activities and pressurized ink cartridge could be just the thing year ahead. The agency offers many resources resources to understand its operations and – if he could solve the leaks. With NASA's to inspire the next generation of explorers, and discoveries. interest spurring him on, he finally succeeded help educators and students stay involved in its when he added resin to the ink to make it missions. The Mission to Mars Student Challenge is “thixotropic” – almost solid until friction with the designed to help educators lead students ball at the point of the pen liquefied it. He called “Back-to-school season is a really exciting time through the process of designing, building, the result the AG7, for anti-gravity, and sent for NASA. It represents the beginning of a new launching, and landing a Mars mission. several to NASA. year of opportunities to connect with students, Students will apply their creativity, as well as and the families and teachers who support science and math knowledge, to explore the NASA's Manned Spacecraft Center, now them,” said Mike Kincaid, associate Red Planet. Educators also are invited to Johnson Space Center in Houston, tested the administrator for NASA's Office of STEM explore the Mars 2020 STEM Toolkit and use pens extensively. The space agency found the Engagement. “We're thrilled to be able to offer the NASA Space Voyage Card Game to design pens worked in all positions, in extreme heat this variety of activities and options for students a planetary spacecraft. and cold, and in atmospheres ranging from pure from K-12 to the collegiate level, whether oxygen to vacuum. And they held enough ink to they're returning to a brick-and-mortar school Observing Earth draw a solid line more than three miles long – or a virtual classroom at home.” The NASA TechRise Student Challenge invites well beyond NASA's half-kilometer (.3-mile) ink teams of students in grades 6 to 12 to design, requirement. Artemis build, and launch experiments on suborbital That testing accelerated the pen's development NASA's Artemis missions will return humans to rockets and balloon flights during the school from a prototype to a safe, reliable product. the Moon aboard the Orion spacecraft year. Participants will submit ideas for climate Once it had flown in space, Paul decided on the launched by the massive Space Launch or remote-sensing experiments to fly on a high- name Space Pen “I thought it was a terrible System rocket. Artemis crews – including the altitude balloon, or space exploration name,” his son recalled. “I said it's going to first woman and first person of color to walk on experiments to fly aboard a suborbital rocket. sound like a toy. But my father was right, as he the lunar surface – will use new technologies to LandSat-9 is the latest in the Landsat series of often was.” explore our celestial neighbor. Lessons learned Earth-observing satellites that for decades The pens are known in part for their reliability, during the Artemis era will help us prepare to have provided high-quality images and but they also came to symbolize American send astronauts to Mars. measurements – and a record of our ever- ingenuity: an inventor and small business NASA will launch this exciting new era starting changing home planet. Landsat 9 is slated to owner stepped up and solved the pen problem with the uncrewed Artemis I mission later this launch in September 2021 aboard a United while NASA focused on safely landing American year. Get started with ten ways for students to Launch Alliance Atlas V 401 rocket from astronauts on the Moon. join Artemis, then learn more about Artemis I's Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Paul and his son continued perfecting the purposeful passenger, the Artmis Generational technology and designing new models. certificate, and the STEM Forward to the Moon Crafters of all ages are invited to share activity guide. Landsat-inspired art creations. Search the High school and college students should check Landsat image Gallery for an inspiring image, Do astronauts still use them? out NASA's Artmis Student Challenge, create your own work of art, and share it on The pens have been used on every crewed engineering and technological design social media using the hashtag #LandsatCfrat NASA mission since Apollo 7 – dozens are challenges focusing on topics and technologies

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economic situations that are much more Ozires Silva: “The world does not wait for us”. Laser Communications Demo challenging than ours, but that has arrived Laser communications will revolutionize the way there”, said the president. I TA s t u d e n t s l a u n c h NASA sends and receives information to and Brazil was one of the pioneers when it created from space. Using infrared light, laser its space program in the 1960s. However, with CubeSat by stratospheric communications will allow 10 to 100 times more several other nations realizing and investing in balloon space exploration, the country is at risk of not data to be transmitted back to Earth than current The 4th year students of the Aerospace taking advantage of its potential and its legacy radio frequency systems. Additionally, laser Engineering course at the Technological in the sector. “There is a big challenge to communications systems are smaller in size, Institute of Aeronautics (ITA) launched, in recover this role of Brazil, a gigantic country weigh less, and require less power. partnership with the Atmospheric Sciences with a huge market, with a lot of potential, but Launching later this year, Laser Communications Division of the Aeronautics and Space which is lagging behind a number of others that Relay Demonstration (LCRD) will test out how Institute (IAE), an small satellite called were not traditional”, revealed Moura. the technology works more than 22,000 miles ITACUBE 2021, using a stratospheric The Brazilian Space Agency has been working away from Earth. K-12 educators can teach balloon. The coordinator of the Regional Unit to improve space-related policies, with the students about laser communications using the of the Brazilian Space Agency (AEB/MCTI) in objective of: creating an integrated vision for LCRD STEM Launch Kit. São José dos Campos, Alexandre Oliveira, the use of space and the development of was present at the launch and praised the strategic competencies; create mechanisms students' work. Crew Flights to the International for the sustainability of actions over time; “It is very important for the future of the persevering in the field of sensitive Space Station Brazilian Space Program that these students technologies; and encourage society's NASA is once again launching astronauts to the have this type of experience during their understanding of space, as fundamental for space station from American soil through the training. This brings a differential for the future socioeconomic development, quality of life and Commercial Crew Program. Both the Boeing professional who will work in the space area. I a reason for influencing geopolitical relations. Starliner and SpaceX Crew Dragon are designed am very happy to see that the ITA and the IAE One of the concerns of the AEB is for the to dock with the station, and now beginner and maintain this capacity for launching balloons, country to create mechanisms that allow self- advanced student programmers can give it a try to carry out experiments related to our space sufficiency or, at least, create structures that through the Crew Orbital Docking Simulation. area", said Alexandre. reduce dependence on other nations. As an Additionally, anyone can get an immersive, The moment of launch was attended by the example, Moura mentioned the positioning behind-the-scenes look at astronaut training, director of the IAE, Air Brigadier César and navigation systems (GNSS) and spacecraft manufacturing facilities, and launch Augusto O'Donnell Alván, and by the head of meteorology, sectors where the country is, sites with 360 degree virtual reality tours – perfect the Division of Atmospheric Sciences of the unfortunately, lacking its own instruments and for virtual class field trips! IAE, Colonel Cleber Souza Corrêa. dependent on the availability of services provided by third parties. Space, according to The project proposes to collect data on Brazilian participation in the him, has to be seen as a promising economic pressure, temperature and intensity of the field, full of opportunities, especially in the aerospace field earth's magnetic field, and obtain, in real time, downstream field , the use made of data, In a recent lecture, the president of the Brazilian telemetry data and operating status of the information collected by satellites. Space Agency (AEB/MCTI), Carlos Moura, embedded instruments, through a mobile showed the doctoral students of the ground station. The ITACUBE 2021 will serve “Existem diversas aplicações, diversas Postgraduate Program at the University of the Air as a flight prototype and will make it possible demandas nacionais, imprescindíveis de Force (UNIFA) the Brazilian space scenario and to validate concepts for later more complex serem atendidas. Ou desenvolvemos its importance the work of several generations missions, allowing the data obtained to be soluções próprias ou ficaremos à mercê dos dedicated to advancing the sector. Entitled “The used in models for studying the atmosphere. outros, daquilo que queiram nos fornecer, Brazilian Space Agency in the context of “Our proposal is to bring the course students quando e a que preço for”, disse Moura. Aerospace Power”, the presentation showed closer to the experimental environment of the We currently live in a period of opportunity for several facets of the Agency's work and also theory of the Aerospace Engineering course”, growth. The country has many space assets, a investments and actions for the future of the said Professor Tertuliano Ribeiro, the structural situation, which can be a differential Brazilian space sector. project's creator. Worldwide, investments in the space sector have at the moment. The country has the National Institute for Space Research (INPE/MCTI), the increased. In addition to countries with a tradition ITACUBE 2021 was developed during the first Technological Institute of Aeronautics (ITA) in the sector, such as the United States and semester, in parallel with the theoretical and industry associations in the sector. “We Russia, several others have been investing large classes of the Electronics for Space are a country that has academia, research amounts of money in research and development, Applications (ELE-27) course at ITA. The institutes, launch centers with favorable as well as business in the sector. At the event, course covered everything from the initial part conditions, and we have an excellent interesting cases involving India, China, France, of the project, such as the definition of the aeronautical and defense industry. We need to Canada, Japan, Argentina, South Korea and mission scope and requirements for the use all of this to consolidate an economically Australia were discussed. Carlos Moura payload , physical architecture and relevant space sector”, he said. highlighted the Indian space program as an specifications, to the assembly and example of rapid and consistent growth, as they integration phase of the flight prototype. After The AEB maintains the challenge of taking realized the importance of investing in space, analyzing the data and recovering the load, Brazil to the group of countries launching even in a country with even greater which was safely returned to the ground by orbital vehicles. The country has invested in socioeconomic challenges than the Brazilian means of a parachute, the mission was microgravity experiment services and the ones. considered a success. The next steps will development of a new rocket engine, the S50, consist of a more detailed analysis of the by the Aeronautics and Space Institute (IAE), Moura made a point of highlighting a photo he collected data, implementation of which will be used in the VS-50 (suborbital) found when he went to India - on the occasion of improvements and incorporation of new and VLM (orbital) vehicles . Ground testing of the launch of Amazonia 1, where parts of rockets sensors. and satellites appear being transported in the S50 is scheduled for the end of September this year. The creation and updating of stretchers and carts. “The pride they have in "The realization of projects of this type Brazilian space regulations should also be showing how the beginning was, the long contributes extremely positively to learning, highlighted, to guarantee the safety of journey, a reason to be proud and overcome, not only solidifies knowledge, but develops launches made in national territory. catches our attention. This type of work has to be essential skills for future engineers, such as Carlos ended his lecture by quoting the former stubborn, in the sense of having tenacity and problem structuring, teamwork and concept Minister of Infrastructure and Communication, perseverance. It is the pragmatism and validation according to a multidisciplinary co-founder and first president of Embraer, consistency of a country with social and approach", said the Captain Carlos Amaral,

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one of the students responsible for the most recent activities in Brazil, the effort to Nations Committee for the Peaceful Use of project. integrate the Brazilian space industry into global Outer Space (COPUOS), established general The aspirant Joliver Kozlowski, another supply chains, as well as the Alcântara rules that would become the basis for the student responsible for the project, Spaceport. regulation of the sector. This formulation was emphasizes that he hopes that "the project approved in a Resolution of the UN General can continue in the coming years, so that the She also recalled that, next October, Brazil will Assembly, being known as the Space Treaty following groups have the opportunity to live promote, together with the United Nations (in English, "Outer Space Treaty - OST") . this incredible experience of designing and Office for the Pacific Use of Space (UNOOSA) Among its principles are peaceful reasons and launching a CubeSat in a stratospheric and the MCTI, an important event related to the the prohibition of military use of the Moon. But balloon". inclusion of women's participation in space what stands out is Article IX, where it says that activities, Space4Women . The following week, exploration must be guided by the principles of BRICS Satellite during the International Astronautics Congress cooperation and mutual assistance, and that (IAC), the most important event in the area, nations must conduct its activities based on Constellation Agreement Brazil will defend its candidacy to host the 2024 the common interest of all. signed edition of the IAC in São Paulo. It asked for support from other BRICS members for this A few years later, the Moon Agreement (MA) appeared , which was approved in 1979, The president of the Brazilian Space Agency proposal, whose impacts will be in line with the reiterating, improving and adding some rules (AEB/MCTI), Carlos Moura, signed the efforts to improve the inclusion of gender and established by the OST. According to the Cooperation Agreement for the BRICS new generations, as well as for geographic document, the Moon is considered a heritage Remote Sensing Satellite Constellation. The diversity in the scope of Astronautics. for humanity and an international regime must virtual meeting, which took place this be established to govern the exploitation of its Wednesday, August 18, was attended by Dr. Representatives of the Ministries of Foreign natural resources. Newman pointed out how K. Sivan, President of the Indian Space Affairs and Science and Technology, as well as the International Space Station (ISS) showed Research Organization (ISRO), Dmitriy the National Institute for Space Research a possible way of coexistence between the Rogozin, Director General of the Russian (INPE/MCTI), also participated in the event. most different types of nations, but stressed State Space Corporation (Roscosmos), that the characteristics of the station limit the Zhang Kejian, Director of the National Space knowledge of a space exploration process. “In Administration of China (CNSA) and Val Who owns the Moon? space exploration, companies are focused on Munsami, CEO of the National Space Brazil's Transport Law Study Group and the profit,” he said. Agency of South Africa (SANSA). Private and the Public Air and Space International Law Group organized the webinar For the professor, the signing of the Artemis “BRICS represents the voice of developing entitled “Who owns the Moon? (Translation: Agreements could be the next step in space countries and contributes positively to the Who is the owner of the Moon?)”, last Thursday, legislation. He cited Senator and current global effort to organize topics such as August 5th. The president of the Brazilian NASA Administrator Bill Nelson's statement on multilateral cooperation, sustainable Space Agency (AEB), Carlos Moura, the Artemis Accords: "Universal and simple development and climate change. The participated in the webinar and made a point of principles that will enable the next generation agreement is a step towards high-tech stressing the importance of discussing the of partnerships to explore the moon.” cooperation between the countries, which subject. “The last few years have been very will help achieve their goals and challenges”, important for us. We are entering a new era. We said Carlos Moura. created a study group on Space Law within the Brazilian Space Agency The representative of the Ministry of Foreign AEB and we know that we need to discuss improves administrative Affairs of India, Sanjay Bhattacharyya, several issues in the area, such as security and greeted those present at the beginning of the space law”, he said. procedures ceremony highlighting the importance of the signature. “We are grateful for the support of The webinar was mediated by associate The Brazilian Space Agency (AEB) has the BRICS. Negotiations for this agreement professor at the Faculty of Law of the University improved its administrative procedures to lasted 5 years. It is a victory for everyone”, he of Brasília (UnB), Inez Lopes, and had the make them simpler, more efficient and said. participation of the doctoral student at the standardized. A Standard Operating University of Law of the Faculty of Northumbria, Procedure for Budgetary Decentralizations The signed agreement allows cooperation England, Delphine Defossez, and had as main (POP) was created in the processing of between the BRICS space agencies to build speaker the Professor of Space Law and Policy, Decentralized Execution Terms (TED). The a virtual constellation of remote sensing Northumbria College, Cristopher J. Newman. SOP brings reference documents, to be satellites: it is a data sharing mechanism Newman began his talk by demonstrating a consulted in case of internal doubts and composed of existing satellites already in series of challenges lawmakers have to deal external questions. The matter is monitored by orbit, indicated by the space agencies. with on the issue of space. Currently, the world the Internal Audit (AUDIN). "The AEB is CBERS-4 (together with Brazil and China), is in a political situation where there is a lot of working to map its internal processes, which Kanopus-V (from Russia), Resourcesat-2 polarity, making it necessary to create also contributes to the progress of and 2A (from India), and GF-6 and ZY-3/02 “horizontal” relations between nations through implementing risk management at the Agency. (from China) are the satellites of the consensus, but, at the same time, with the need The internal audit has been promoting and constellation. Ground stations located in to have forms of control for eventual excesses. joining forces in favor of these initiatives, thus Cuiabá (Brazil), Moscow (Russia), Thus, it is necessary to create relationship fulfilling its role, which is to add value and Shadnagar-Hyderabad (India), Sanya mechanisms between the most diverse improve an organization's operations, (China) and Hartebeesthoek (South Africa) countries. will receive data from the indicated satellites. With the publication of Degree No 10,426 of This data-sharing mechanism will help to The possibility of colonization of the Moon July 16 2020, which provides for the address humanity's current challenges, such demonstrates several challenges for space decentralization of credits between agencies as climate change and natural disasters, and legislation. The process would be very and entities of the Federal Public may support environmental protection expensive, a huge infrastructure project that Administration through TED, a Working Group policies. would require a lot of resources, and it would be was created at the AEB, with a view to necessary to provide guarantees for investors analyzing the aforementioned provision legal The meeting also served as an opportunity to to guarantee their return and, at the same time, and the updating of the AEB ordinance that share updates on the activities of each of the a balance of power between the interested dealt with the subject. This working group, with space agencies, through their leaders. The parties. participants from all areas of the AEB and president of the AEB highlighted, among the The United Nations (UN), through the United 49 IN THE NEWS AMERICAS

coordinated by the Federal Attorney at the execution and respective deliveries, creating Representatives from the Technological AEB, was responsible for the text of indicator panels and making them available to Institute of Aeronautics (ITA), the National Ordinance No 269 of August 25, 2020, which support decision-making”, said Fernanda Lins. Center for Monitoring and Alerting of Natural establishes the procedures for the transfer of Disasters (Cemaden), the Association of resources from the AEB through TED. National Institute for Space Aerospace Industries of Brazil (AIAB) and the “Our ordinance got out of date and we had to Department of Aerospace Science and adapt quickly. As this is very important for the Research holds a ceremony Technology (DCTA) were also present to AEB, we got together to draw up this draft to commemorate its 60th honor the institution. ordinance“, said Henrique Tróccoli, chief prosecutor at the Specialized Federal anniversary Attorney at the Brazilian Space Agency. Brazilian Space Agency and The president of the Brazilian Space Agency NASA together in Space “In a month, we were able to create this (AEB/MCTI), Carlos Moura, participated in the internal regulation and establish what is 60th anniversary ceremony of the National Apps Challenge called the Standard Operating Procedure, Institute for Space Research (INPE/MCTI), which is the creation of a checklist and which took place this Tuesday, August 3rd. The The Brazilian Space Agency (AEB/MCTI) standard usage minutes, which were event, which starts a series of other activities to participates in the NASA Space Apps disseminated throughout the Agency. celebrate the date, honored the institution's Challenge , which will take place between Before, each board had a procedure for servers with the delivery of medals distributed by October 2nd and 3rd. Celebrating 10 years of TED, so it came in a specific format, with length of service. “It is a source of pride and, the event, NASA is collaborating with several specific flaws. Today, the Agency, as a certainly, a challenge for us to preserve the international space agencies to increase whole, has a single process", said Henrique. legacy and make it grow and bear fruit more and audiences. Over a 48-hour period, participants "The POP is the product of internal more, whether in space or in science and from around the world will create virtual teams discussions between the boards directly technology. Congratulations to the inpeanos of and use Earth observation data to develop involved with the management of TED and today, yesterday and forever!”, said Carlos solutions to hot topics around the world. The includes basic concepts, reference Moura. Space Apps teamsthey will share the creation regulations, standardized models and and application of knowledge through new structured organizational processes", said Clezio de Nardin, director of INPE, congratulated scientific discoveries to help improve life on the technical advisor of the Portfolio all the employees and highlighted their Earth. “The challenges are unique learning Management Board, Fernanda Lins. importance for the Institute's work. “INPE is full of opportunities that allow participants to get their extraordinary people, as well as incredible hands dirty, develop innovative ideas and The creation of the POP allowed for a better supporters,” he said. learn from experts from various space coordination of work and a simpler Nardin also highlighted the institution's future agencies”, says AEB's Skills and Technology relationship between the various sectors of plans, with several new projects, highlighting the Development Coordinator, Aline Veloso. the Agency. “Dialogue with decentralized miniaturization of components and the trend in units, for example, became easier, since the the market for smaller satellites, such as the The first event was attended by approximately internal procedure was established in a example of the NanoMIRAX satellite, a project in 2,000 people in 25 events, which took place in standardized way and responsibilities were which AEB has invested. “This is a daring 17 countries. Since then, it has grown correctly distributed. And the standard initiative, which emerged in the ranks of INPE's exponentially. Last year, when there was the documentation by itself clarifies most of the technologists. Added to this initiative is the fact addition of its own category for solutions in doubts that previously existed”, continued that we now have a small satellite division. The relation to Covid-19, there was a participation Fernanda. working group for platforms of 30, 50 and 100 of 40 thousand participants in all, in more than kilos is already being considered. INPE is 80 countries. The coordinator of Launch Vehicles at the attentively observing the international market AEB, Fábio Rezende, approved the new and is preparing to respond accordingly, as it has The motto of this year's edition is “The Power changes. “Although the number of always done”, he said. of Ten”, due to the commemorative date of his documents has increased, we have reduced birthday. The choice of the number of space the time to sign a Decentralized Execution The acting minister of the Ministry of Science, agencies participating in the organization of Term. So, we have additional steps and, at Technology and Innovation (MCTI), Sérgio activities was also made to suit the theme. the end, we have a checklist to check if the Freitas, commented on the importance of There are 9 agencies chosen from the most steps have been completed. If we complete researchers Fernando de Mendonça and Sinval diverse countries, such as the Australian, all the steps, it's already a guarantee that Domingos, who were present at the ceremony. “It Canadian, European, Japanese, Argentinian, TED won't be a problem and the server can was from them that the experiences were Bahraini, Paraguayan, South African Space work with peace of mind, even in terms of transmitted from one to the other until reaching Agency, in addition to the AEB. They, together transparency. There was a big difference in this moment”, he stressed. with NASA, form the 10 countries responsible the process, but it brought reassurance that “We have been working very strongly with INPE, for conducting the event. TED was done right,” he said. not only with the headquarters, but also with the Santa Maria and Natal coordinators, and the Applications started on July 15th and should The POP has been in use since November results are showing”, said the president of the go on until October 3rd. The challenges 2020 and ideas to improve it have already AEB, Carlos Moura. “Let's celebrate the life of proposed for this edition should come out on started. With the feedback regarding the this institution,” he continued. August 16th. “Brazil is already one of the implementation of POP in all sectors, some countries with the largest number of ways to make it even more efficient and INPE has taken several actions throughout the participants and we are looking forward to a practical for employees are already under year to commemorate the date. Since April, it has notable Brazilian participation in 2021”, said discussion, including the automation of the released a series of videos with the title “INPE 60 Aline. procedure. "The main action for the years in Flashes ”. The productions bring improvement of POP is its automation, testimonies and accounts of stories and through a computerized system capable of experiences of employees, servants, external SAOCOM 1B celebrates one storing, validating and concentrating TED collaborators and personalities who, in some year in space celebration information and physical, way, are related or have had a relationship with The Argentine satellite for observation of budgetary and financial monitoring in a the Institute throughout its history. The short the Earth with microwave radar SAOCOM single and integrated environment, allowing videos are posted on INPE's website and social 1B of the National Commission of Space the implementation of the validation flow of networks under the hashtag #inpe60anos . Activities (CONAE), within the scope of the

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Ministry of Science, Technology and merged two images - one in the X-band from Science, Technology and Innovation of the Innovation of the Nation, was launched on the COSMO SkyMed satellites and the other Nation, carries out joint work with national Sunday, August 30, 2020 with the Falcon 9 in the L-band of the SAOCOMs - and thus universities and CONICET to calibrate and launcher of the SpaceX company, from Cape generated a new image that enhances the validate satellite products of the SAOCOM Canaveral, Florida, United States . With its characteristics of both bands, with better constellation, recently completed, that will be arrival in orbit together with SAOCOM 1A, spatial resolution and better penetration . applied to the study of the activity of volcanoes launched in 2018, the first constellation of Dadamia indicated that “by combining the in Argentina and other countries. Argentine radar satellites, developed and built bands of the SAOCOM and COSMO satellites in the country, was completed for the benefit of we can have a greater texturing of the Current CONAE studies focused on the socio-economic activities and care for the image and that allows us to analyze the Cerro Blanco volcanic complex, located in environment. And capabilities were added to urban grid in cities or the distribution of the high plateau of the province of the Italian-Argentine Satellite System for crops in agricultural areas , for example, Catamarca , which attracts the attention of the Emergency Management (SIASGE). develop classifications, thematic maps international scientific community because its One year after this milestone, CONAE and biomass studies , among other aspects. caldera, a crater of 5000 meters in diameter professionals recalled how they worked in We have already seen different types of originated 4,200 years ago, it is still active each instance of the Mission and, landscapes, such as cities, mountainous and sinking at the rate of one centimeter per particularly, during the launch campaign, areas and crops distributed throughout year. A team of geologists and surveyors, led by which was affected by the conditions the country ” , he concluded. José G. Viramonte, senior researcher at imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The CONICET and full professor at the Faculty of t e s t i m o n i e s w e r e r e c o r d e d i n a Calibrate and combine Natural Sciences of the National University of Salta, has been making measurements with documentary short film that we are releasing CONAE is currently finalizing the high-precision GPS techniques and gravimetric to commemorate the first anniversary of calibration of the SAOCOM 1B so that it is instruments installed in the crater of the volcano the launch of SAOCOM 1B. fully operational and can offer, together since 2004, with the aim of quantifying the with its twin brother the SAOCOM 1A, magnitude, the speed of the deformation and unique products in the world . Lucas Bruno, The first steps in orbit the collapse of the caldera. In the last summer SAOCOM Mission Chief of Operations, At the beginning of November 2020, once its campaign, CONAE professionals joined this explained that to advance the calibration general condition had been checked, the group of researchers to contribute satellite work they had to take images, verify them first images taken by SAOCOM 1B from information generated with the Synthetic and adjust the sensor repeatedly until the space were released, over different regions Aperture Radar (SAR) of the SAOCOM best possible configuration was achieved . of our country . The images were surprising satellites to the Cerro Blanco studies , an active "We must bear in mind that the sensor was due to the quality and resolution obtained, instrument that It works in the L-band of the prepared on the ground, but now it works with highlighting the scenes on the Valdés electromagnetic spectrum. This toolIt will allow the extreme conditions imposed in space," he Peninsula and the Salinas Grandes Lake, the generation of a highly accurate product clarified. because they allowed to test the Synthetic to measure the deformations of the volcano , Aperture Radar (SAR) in L-band and its ability applying two satellite images generated with the A relevant aspect is that the satellite has to detect information below the surface of the radar, to produce maps showing ground around 50 different configurations to take soil and water. It was also possible to register deformations or interferograms. the advance of the agricultural frontier over the images, which can only be carried out in a specific way every 16 days, when the native forest in the province of Salta, among Luciano Romaldi, from CONAE's In Situ SAOCOM goes back to exactly the same other aspects of interest. Measurements Team Unit (EMIS), contributed place on Earth (orbital revisit period) . In his experience in developing the logistics of this this way, images can be taken in each mode The information generated is integrated into type of campaign and in the measurements specifically to advance with the calibration, the Italian Argentinean Satellite System for carried out. “The interferometric products of the although, according to Bruno, a plan was also Emergency Management (SIASGE), made up SAOCOM Mission, validated with precise implemented to acquire simultaneous of the two Argentine SAOCOM satellites, measurements in the field, will serve so that images in different modes, which speeds together with four COSMO-SkyMed X-band geologists and surveyors can measure volcano up work times . radar satellites of the Italian Space Agency deformations and be able to monitor them as (ASI) . The combination of different bands of often as possible, without the need to travel to "From now on we begin to publish the the electromagnetic spectrum in which the the field, reducing risks and costs, and products of SAOCOM 1A and together with Argentine and Italian satellites work (L and X, achieving greater temporal coverage of the those of SAOCOM 1B, which comply with all respectively) allow the creation of novel dynamics of these natural phenomena. Until quality standards," said Bruno, referring to the applications. now, the only possibility they had to advance Soil Moisture Maps and others for the “We can combine the radar information of the with their investigations was to travel to the site, agricultural sector. the management of two Argentine SAOCOM satellites with that of with multiple difficulties and risks, ”said Álvaro environmental emergencies. four Italian COSMO SkyMed satellites in Soldano, CONAE's Deputy Manager of different bands and generate unique products Applications and Earth Observation Products. It Completing the constellation in an operational in the world. There is no other constellation on happens that the study area is located in a manner, with the two SAOCOM satellites in the planet that can produce and combine the remote area of ?the Department of Antofagasta orbit, allows reducing the orbital revisit to eight type of information that we have in SIASGE de la Sierra, in the Puna of the province of days, with the possibility of having images of today, based on the cooperation of CONAE Catamarca, at 4,200 meters above sea level, the same point on the planet every 2 days, with ASI ” , stated Raúl Kulichevsky, Executive which can only be accessed with 4x4 vehicles. depending on the satellite's operating mode, and Technical Director of CONAE. The meteorological conditions of Cerro Blanco and so on. increase data collection on the also represent a strong limitation for the work of observed surface. SIASGE Products scientists due to the strong winds, with gusts of Danilo Dadamia, researcher in charge of the up to 370 km / hour (the most intense Science and Development area in the Earth SAOCOM product to measurements in Argentina) and low Observation Department of CONAE, measure the activity of temperatures, which make the tasks of field can announced that a product has already been only be done during the summer. developed that combines both bands of the volcanoes Argentine and Italian satellites . Using a In the measurements carried out during 2021, in technique called Wavelets, the engineers The National Commission for Space Activities addition to Viramonte, Ailin Pereyra, a CONAE- (CONAE), within the scope of the Ministry of CONICET fellow at the Faculty of Exact

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Sciences, Engineering and Surveying of the nursing. "I felt that I couldn't be a good mother phrases like "I love that you like your work ." I National University of Rosario participated, who is and a scientist at the same time . " Finally he like to hear that, "he concluded. carrying out her doctoral thesis on this topic, with finished his doctorate and abandoned his data from the SAOCOM satellites. Juan Manuel scientific career. Alcácer, from the Department of Geophysics and The career progressed without major The necessary change Astronomy of the Faculty of Exact, Physical and difficulties until it was time to be a mother. Mariana Horlent , CONAE's Deputy Manager Natural Sciences of the National University of San Then he went into crisis : “The doctorate for User Services , was always attracted to Juan; and Emilse Bustos, from the Geonorte required 45 hours a week; I lived in the faculty, ecology and the functioning of natural Institute of the National University of Salta. ”he recalled. The situation was complicated systems, and when choosing her career she CONAE is currently developing the calibration when she had to travel for work to the Balseiro leaned towards a profession that would allow and validation stage of the interferometric Institute, in Bariloche, and stay away from her her to apply scientific knowledge in the products of the SAOCOM satellites . “To have the baby for 20 days while she was still nursing. "I territory. She studied Forestry Engineering at necessary information to do so, SAOCOM felt that I couldn't be a good mother and a the National University of La Plata, with the satellite images were acquired and field scientist at the same time . " Finally he finished aim of intervening in the management of measurements were carried out simultaneously, his doctorate and abandoned his scientific natural resources , and then she moved to the with high-precision global positioning equipment career. town of Orán, Salta province, to work in the (GPS), to adjust the calibration of the images with Motherhood not only caused a break in area of ?forest management and certification, this information and thus improve the accuracy of Anabella's professional life . "I had doctoral which led her to take her first steps in the field terrain displacement maps, ”explained Soldano. colleagues who left their scientific careers of cartography and the use of satellite The data obtained is being processed and, until when they became mothers, despite having images. From there Its activity was oriented now, is adjusted to the precision that was the best averages," she said. towards remote sensing and geographic estimated to be obtained. This technology can information systems to work in diverse areas then be applied anywhere in the country or the For three years Ferral was dedicated to ranging from native forest management, world. private activity, until a call appeared from the forest inventories and land use planning to IG for the Master in Space Applications of urban projects . Argentine space industry, with a Early Warning and Response to Emergencies . Her son was still young and she doubted Mariana Horlent. gender perspective whether she would be able to resume her In 2007 she joined the working group led by The space sector in Argentina, recognized in the scientific career, but she decided to take a risk Sandra Torrusio at the Catholic University of region and in the world for its innovative and had the support of her family, in particular La Plata, within the framework of an technological developments, calls every year a her husband, as he required full time . “A agreement with CONAE, and in 2008 she greater number of professionals from various month after entering the master's degree, I moved with the same team to the scope of the fields of knowledge. As in other areas of science, became pregnant with my second child. Again national space agency, to dedicate herself to many training and work spaces that were the insecurities arrived, but Marcelo the analysis and processing of satellite occupied by men, today are beginning to receive Scavuzzo at that time, the director of the images, spatial data infrastructure and the arrival of women, who demand equality Master, encouraged me to continue the linkage with users . Torrusio is currently the policies to develop their careers . career ” . Manager of Technological Linkage at On International Women's Day, we interviewed “This time, the experience of what I lived CONAE. two female professionals from the National before with my first child helped me to better “ In the work areas where I worked, in general Commission for Space Activities (CONAE) , within balance family and work. I lived it differently, there was a certain horizontality in relation to the scope of the Ministry of Science, Technology knowing that I was not going to stop studying the gender issue and professional and Innovation of the Nation. Anabella Ferral and because I was a mother, "she said, adding: " I performance . However, after the entry of our Mariana Horlent work in different spaces related did the entire Master's degree with a work team (five women and one man) to to the space industry , ranging from research to fascination for getting back in touch with the CONAE, it was common for them to say education. They tell how they carried out their scientific and academic environment . For the things to us like `` How nice girls. You make careers and what they think in relation to gender thesis I evaluated with satellite information the our eyes look good. ' It was a compliment with and science. effect of an artificial aeration system of the the will to flatter us, but it was really degrading San Roque reservoir installed to combat to me , "he said. A break in professional life pollution by algae ” . “As of 2015, with the mobilization of " Ni una “I was born in the city of Córdoba. When I was a menos " , there was a very important break in child, near my house there was a pond where I In 2015 Anabella acceded to the position of the way of perceiving and making gender collected water samples to experiment with a director of the Master in Spatial Information issues visible. Many of us realized that we chemistry game that my mom and dad, both Applications (MAIE) at the Gulich Institute. He were not alone in that discomfort, in that teachers, had given me. At age 10, she had also returned to carry out research related to discomfort, in that impossibility of living our already decided to be a scientist. Later I studied water quality and in 2017 he entered the life fully, just because we were born women . Chemical Sciences at the National University of CONICET career. She is currently a professor We finish understanding that our destiny may Córdoba (UNC) and I became interested in the of the IG Geomatics and Spatial Systems PhD be other than the one imposed on us by this area of ?physical chemistry . I started to collaborate and is a CONICET researcher with a eminently macho society. “ in a laboratory and, as soon as I finished my workplace at said institute. degree, I obtained a scholarship from the UNC In these years, Ferral noticed a positive “In this sense, conditioned by the dominant and then from CONICET to do a doctorate ” , change in gender matters: “When I joined the thought, many times we exclude ourselves commented Anabella Ferral , Secretary of IG there were only four women who worked from certain aspects of professional practice Academic, Scientific and Technological Affairs of there and with the Master's degree that because they are places that are " naturally the Institute of High Space Studies“ Mario Gulich ” number began to rise. Today, for the election destined for men " where we know that (IG). of entrants to the Master in Applications of everything is going to cost us twice as much Spatial Information, a quota of 50% for and where we are going to having to show Anabella Ferral. Photo women is met, in addition to other criteria such that, "despite being women" , we are as federal participation and the variety of capable. Luckily that is beginning to change . Communication IG professions . I am also pleasantly surprised by " The career progressed without major difficulties the roles that women such as Sandra In relation to motherhood, she pointed out: “I until it was time to be a mother. Then he went into Torrusio, Laura Frulla, Carolina Tauro and think that private life is too divided from the crisis : “The doctorate required 45 hours a week; I Josefina Pérès , among others, occupy in workplace. Having children seems to be an lived in the faculty, ”he recalled. The situation was important decision-making positions at eminently private matter that interferes with complicated when she had to travel for work to the CONAE ” . work, rather than as an essential aspect of Balseiro Institute, in Bariloche, and stay away “Today my sons Francisco and Tiziano are 10 society . from her baby for 20 days while she was still and 16 years old. The oldest has told me

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