Will maturing cubesat calls for more regulation?

VVVolVolVolVol o6 o6 66l l. .No. NoNo. No79 N N 55 oo5.. 1 January 2018 2021

AFRICA

SPECIAL EDITION The space industry in Nigeria 2021

Collaboration Cooperation AfricaInnovation Magic Channels Aand ne wthe le ariseder aofn dNollywood player in the aerospace industry

C O N T E N T S Vol.9 No. 1

The satellite industry during COVID-19 Pandemic Editor in-chief Aliyu Bello A move toward more Black representation in aerospace and defense policy Executive Manager Tonia Gerrald Ending the myths of space technology SA to the editor in-Chief Ngozi Okey How space can address Africa’s challenges Head, Application Services M. Yakubu The year of private sector players Editorial/ICT Services John Daniel Brexit and Space Usman Bello ITAR, an instrument of U.S. dominance Alozie Nwankwo Will Genesis 2 project succeed this time? Juliet Nnamdi Can OTT win the battle Against DTH? Client Relations Sunday Tache COVID-19 and the European Space Industry Lookman Bello Will maturing cubesat propulsion call Safiya Thani for more regulation? Marketing Offy Pat Small satellites, big future Tunde Nathaniel Tracking desert locusts with satellite services Wasiu Olatunde Space weaponisation Media Relations Favour Madu From collaboration, cooperation to partnership, Khadijat Yakubu the story of space exploration in 2021 Zacheous Felicia Finance Folarin Tunde China moves to assemble Space Station C Band, Satellite and 5G Space Watch Magazine is a publication of Communication Science, Inc. All correspondence should be addressed to editor, space Watch Magazine. Abuja office: Plot 2009, Awka Street, UTC Building, GF 11, Area 10, Garki, Abuja, Nigeria Tel: 234 80336471114, 07084706167, email: [email protected]

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1 Editorial

COVID-19 and the satellite industry

The COVID-19 pandemic that began in New cases are emerging in East Africa, in and SatProf are offering a 90-day payment February 2020 is not moving to the rear yet and northern and southern Africa, but the trend deferral for those who are seeking online the virus has launched a resurgence popularly in West Africa is a decline, according to the training opportunities in a transformed called second and thrid waves infection. And Africa Centres for Disease Control and employment market which has seen many for the industry players, patience is the key Prevention (Africa CDC), an arm of the people lose their jobs. GVF Training remains word as we move into 2021. The year 2020 African Union. fully operational and available 24/7 so those turned out differently than many of us could In Kenya, a second wave of the virus struck working from home or those recently have foreseen. Globally, as of 31 December in September and led to the closure of unemployed can take the online courses at a 2020, there have been 81,159,096 confirmed schools and the prolongation of a curfew. convenient time and increase their abilities. cases of COVID-19, including 1,791,246 Some health professionals say they are Eutelsat has implemented its Business deaths, reported to WHO. already waiting for a third wave. For several Continuity Plan for key workers in mission- The second wave of the pandemic, which has weeks, Africa CDC and the World Health critical posts which enables its teleports and long since reached other parts of the world, is Organization (WHO) have been pressing control centres to operate nominally and also sweeping across the African continent. African governments to up their game for an support Eutelsat's customers who are reliant From South Africa to Nigeria, Rwanda and the inevitable second wave. on Eutelsat services. Inmarsat, the leading Democratic Republic of Congo, the number of Nevertheless, the epidemic first reported in provider of VSAT and L-Band services at sea, new coronavirus infections is on the rise in Africa nine months ago has not been as has introduced a 50 per cent discount for crew many parts of Africa. The continent has destructive as experts feared, across a poor voice calling services available for up to 40,000 recorded more than 2.5 million cases since the continent severely lacking in health care ships on a 24/7 basis until the end of June. pandemic began, with some 59,770 deaths. In structures. Inmarsat's assistance recognises the unique Kenya, cases started increasing again in needs of maritime crews facing prolonged October. Africa has reported 2.4 million cases, just isolation from land-based medical assistance 3.6 percent of the world's total, according to along with the critical role cargo vessels play in The government has extended the nationwide a media report. The whole continent has the global economy. C-COM Satellite Systems curfew until January 3 and schools are largely registered more than 57,000 deaths, fewer has produced a White Paper, 'The Case for a closed until 2021. South Africa also appears to for instance than the total for France alone Global Telemedicine Vehicle Network' which have been hit by a second wave, and now (59,072). While the low level of screening sets-out a detailed proposal and business plan accounts for more than a third of the might call into question the reliability of the for the establishment of a “Global Telemedicine coronavirus cases reported across the African statistics, no African country has observed a Vehicle Network”. Recognising that millions of continent. At its peak in July, South Africa was peak in excess mortality, which would be a people live far from hospitals and basic reporting nearly 14,000 new cases per day. sign of the virus spreading under the radar. healthcare centres, the White Paper proposes This declined by October to around 1,000 new Experts are still trying to understand why establishing mobile clinics to serve such daily cases. Now, however, the number of new Africa, so far, has not been affected to the medical deserts. Such clinics can be daily infections has soared back up to 9,500. same extent as other continents. combined with broadband connectivity to South Africa's Health Minister ZweliniMkhize Explanations include Africa's youthful connect rural patients with urban hospitals via said COVID-19 positivity rate — the proportion population, cross-immunity derived from satellites to enable consultation, diagnosis, of tests that come back positive — had risen to p r e v i o u s e p i d e m i c s a n d a s t i l l and treatment. 21%. This is much higher than the "ideal" rate predominantly rural economy, which means of 10%. less density of population Lockheed Martin has donated US$2 million in Although the communications satellite personal protective equipment (PPE) and has In Uganda, every region has been affected by industry has necessarily remained focused begun producing face shields and providing the pandemic. Neighbouring Rwanda, a far on continuing to provide ultra-reliable engineering support for initiatives that smaller but densely populated country, ubiquitous communications services to fight accelerate the production of PPE. Made in registered almost as many new cases in the effects of the pandemic, the industry has Space has re-tasked its equipment to make December (722) as since the beginning of responded to the special requirements of PPE masks, and its engineers are developing a infection (797). Bars and nightclubs have been COVID-19 patients, medical personnel, and rapid response ventilator adapter to enable a shut since March. Heavily fined for breaking other essential personnel. single ventilator to safely support multiple regulations, the owner of a Kigali bar told AFP According to the Global VSAT forum, the patients in extreme situations. he had lost everything. "Clients were drinking, economic impact of the COVID-19 SES, and its SES Techcom Services but the police forced us to close.” pandemic cannot be overstated, and the subsidiary, is further developing its SATMED customers of the communications satellite platform, new medical tools, and enhanced The continent's most-hit nations are again industry have not been spared. In some support for humanitarian operations in having to contemplate stringent public health cases, customers such as the airline and the cooperation with both governmental and non- measures as they await the arrival of the cruise ship industries have been especially governmental organisations. vaccine cavalry. In South Africa, the start of battered while others such as the oil and gas summer has triggered traffic jams on roads industry are being hurt by both the COVID- Let's hope that 2021 will offer us all more leading to coastal resorts. 19 pandemic and adverse changes in perspective again. On behalf of Spacewatvh But this year, there will be no long, lazy days supplies and pricing. Many within the Africa magazine, I wish you a very good day spent on the beach. In popular tourist communications satellite industry have and happy new year, even if it may be in a destinations, the coronavirus is spreading at responded by instituting programmes smaller circle than usual, good health and a alarming speed. Authorities have ordered designed to reduce the impact of these very nice 2021. partial closures, limits on the size of gatherings forces on their customers. and an extended curfew. As the African country worst hit in the For example Arabsat has put its satellites in pandemic, with almost 900,000 documented service of the health, educational and civil cases, South Africa is tightening up health defence sectors in the Arab countries, to restrictions. But around Africa, a continent of help them broadcast educational content for more than 1.2 billion people, there are stark all students at home and deliver messages contrasts in the prevalence of the disease. to the public from its official sources. GVF 5 APPOINTMENTS

ecosystem and also establish ourselves as Directors of Wireless Telecom Group, Christine Leurquin joins the go to data centre provider,” said commented, “We are pleased to welcome RHEA Group as Senior Mohamed Abdel Bassit, Regional CEO, Jennifer to our Board. Her unique knowledge MEWA, Liquid Telecom. and expertise in both the capital markets and Advisor, European Before joining Liquid Telecom, Abu was the in communications infrastructure, especially CEO of Pan African Towers Limited (PAT), as it relates to 5G and wireless infrastructure, Institutions and before that, he served as the Vice will be an excellent addition to our Board. We President of Sales at Airtel Nigeria. He has are excited about WTT's future role in the 5G RHEA Group, a privately owned engineering also held several senior management roles rollout and ongoing network densification and and solutions company, announced the in the Human Resources, Engineering, private network deployments. I look forward to appointment of Christine Leurquin, who joins Operations, Finance, Legal, and Marketing working with Jennifer and the contributions today as Senior Advisor European Institutions. departments. she will make to the Company.” Christine brings a wealth of expertise in European regulatory matters as well as in Ms. Fritzsche currently serves as the Chief institutional lobbying and strategic AsiaSat expands Financial Officer and a director of Canopy collaborations. management team with Spectrum, LLC. Prior to Canopy Spectrum, Over the last decade, RHEA has significantly she spent 25 years as an Institutional Investor increased its employee and revenue base, and Tammy Nam named Vice ranked equity research analyst at Wells Fargo is now a leading company in space, system President, Finance. Securities covering Telecommunications / engineering and cyber solutions and services. Cable Services and Communications Christine joins RHEA to execute its strategy in Accelerates Infrastructure. Ms. Fritzsche currently serves working with international institutions, transformation to achieve as a Senior Fellow at Georgetown University leveraging the company's renowned McDonough School of Business and was competencies. She will focus on heightening long-term business recently appointed as a director at Dycom RHEA's visibility, ensuring the company's growth Industries, Inc. (NYSE: DY). She is the co- innovation and quality of services remain in line founder of the Wells Fargo Windy City with institutional markets' expectations and Asia Satellite Telecommunications Women's Networking Group, a member of the strengthening RHEA's positioning within Company Limited AsiaSat Asia's premier Chicago Economics Club, and is on the flagship European programmes. satellite solutions provider announced the Women's Auxiliary Board of Misericordia Christine previously worked at SES S.A. in expansion of the company's management Heart of Mercy. Ms. Fritzsche has a Bachelor Luxembourg as Vice-President for team with the appointment of Tammy Nam of Arts from the College of the Holy Cross and Government and Institutional Relations, as Vice President, Finance. Reporting to Master of Business Administration, with working with the European Union, African AsiaSat's Chief Financial Officer, Sue honors, from Northeastern University. Union and other international institutions. Yeung, Tammy will manage the finance team Christine has a proven track record in effective and oversee all financial planning and KebNi appoints advisor to advocacy in European public policy strategies, analysis, accounting, business operations including EU Space Strategy, Governmental and reporting activities. “I am excited about move the satellite market satellite communications programmes and EU our newly expanded leadership team to political and legislative issues. ahead position us for next phase of growth. Since KebNi has announced the appointment of We are extremely delighted to have Christine we initiated our transformation two years on board. She brings a variety of experience Ronald Van Der Breggen as special advisor to ago when we celebrated AsiaSat's 30-Year the CEO. In this role Van Der Breggen will help and knowledge in both institutional and milestone, we have taken strategic steps industry lobbying. To support RHEA's develop KebNi's winning strategy for the large towards transformation into a more opportunity that the future LEO satellite continued growth, we're looking at new ways to customer-driven and service-oriented serve the institutions with integrated services services represent. company. I am pleased to welcome Tammy R o n a l d b r i n g s o v e r 2 5 y e a r s o f in line with their expectations. Christine's deep onboard to create new synergy and develop understanding of highly regulated sectors will telecommunication and satellite experience, progressive strategy for AsiaSat's continued which includes working for several of the most be of great help to pursue that goal.” – André business growth,” said Sue Yeung, Chief Sincennes, Managing Director of RHEA Group prominent satellite operators, the last five Financial Officer of AsiaSat. years of which has been exclusively for LEO operators, most notably LeoSat, in the areas Liquid Telecom appoints Tammy is a member of the Hong Kong of strategic and commercial planning and Wole Abu as CEO for Liquid Institute of Certified Public Accountants and sales management. fellow member of the Association of Recent reports on the LEO market include Telecom and its new Africa Chartered Certified Accountants. With over Absolute Reports predicting a global market Data Centre in Nigeria 25 years of working experience in size of $5.2bn by 2024. KebNi's CEO, Carsten commercial and professional fields, her Drachmann, said: “KebNi is well positioned to profound knowledge will add new impetus to use its technology and stabilisation platforms Leading pan-African telecoms group Liquid the company's strategic transformation. Telecom has appointed Wole Abu as Chief to capture significant market share in the Prior to joining AsiaSat, she was the upcoming low earth orbit (LEO) satellite Executive Officer for Liquid Telecom Nigeria Financial Controller of the South China and its new Africa Data Centre (ADC) in market. Morning Post Publishers Limited overseeing “LEO is offering new ways of communicating Nigeria, effective January 2021. The its financial activities and planning, and organisation had recently acquired a premium via satellite, utilising a constellation of participated in the M&A exercise when satellites much closer to earth than the piece of land in Lagos to build the data centre, Alibaba Group completed its acquisition in which will be the single largest data centre in traditional geostationary satellites (GEO). Key 2016. Tammy had also worked in Deloitte as features of LEO include higher data rates and Africa outside of South Africa. an auditor involving IPO exercises. This new Data Centre in Nigeria once lower latency which, through KebNi's completed will address the growing demand technology, will offer the advantage of for cloud storage and digital services on the Wireless Telecom Group enhanced security, seamless integration and continent, and Abu will be responsible for Adds Jennifer Fritzsche to operational flexibility to end-users globally. overseeing the strategic growth of ADC's “We see a great future in IOT, 5G backhaul and operations in this new market. Board of Directors various other mission critical applications for “Abu brings over 14 years of experience in the Wireless Telecom Group Inc. (NYSE enterprise and government. With companies telecommunications industry which will be American: WTT), announced the like Amazon, OneWeb, Starlink, Iridium and integral as we continue to expand our fibre appointment of Jennifer Fritzsche to serve Telesat currently in the process of launching network reach on the African Continent. With as an independent member of its Board of thousands of low orbit satellites, it is KebNi's our East to West link going live, it is integral that Directors. The Company's Board of strategic goal to expand its product offering we start working with businesses in Nigeria to Directors approved a resolution to increase and leverage its current unique technology to develop the local telecom and technology the number of board members from seven to deliver ground equipment and terminals for eight. Alan Bazaar, Chairman of the Board of the these new LEO satellite networks. INDUSTRY REPORT

The satellite industry during COVID-19 Pandemic

As the world endures an unprecedented crisis, other social distancing initiatives. Earth fulfill customers' needs for timely, accurate s a t e l l i t e s a r e p r o v i d i n g a h o s t o f observation satellites also provide a safe and and frequent information across the decision communications, business continuity, remote method to collect global onsite cycle. The COVID-19 pandemic has broadcast, navigation, remote imaging and other information without the need to leave home or intensified this trend, as traditional surveying vital services critical to public health and safety an office to go onsite. and inspection methods are not currently and community well-being. The commercial Collectively, satellites are providing critical possible. To meet the present moment, and satellite industry is playing a broad and vital role services to governments, businesses and demonstrate our commitment to rapidly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Satellites are consumers. The United States Department of deliver more value to customers every year, providing a host of voice, data and broadcast Homeland Security (DHS) named satellite Planet is excited to unveil three new releases communications solutions along with navigation, operations as an essential part of functioning as part of our overall tasking offerings. earth observation and other unique services vital critical infrastructure that is imperative during Higher resolution 50 cm imagery: This for businesses, government customers and the response to the COVID-19 emergency for improvement enables customers to get a consumers both domestically and around the both public health and safety as well as more precise view of changing conditions on globe. In response to the pandemic, global community well-being. the ground and adds more granular context space agencies such as NASA are also to decision-making. 12x revisit capabilities: harnessing the power of satellites to illustrate the On Apr 14th, Planet posted the following. “In a While Planet leads the market with planet-wide changes resulting from COVID-19. world turned upside-down by the global guaranteed sub-daily revisit, the upcoming COVID-19 pandemic, we at Planet are launch of six new SkySats will allow Planet to Satellite communications including internet and regularly asked how daily satellite monitoring image certain locations up to 12 times per broadband services are helping keep people in of the Earth might be helpful. We'd like to share day, at a global average of 7 times per day. remote and underserved regions connected with some perspective with you about the role Tasking Dashboard: At Planet the Tasking their teachers, doctors, employers, customers, satellite imagery and analytics can play in Dashboard is a new user interface that friends and families. Communications satellites responding to disease outbreaks in general, allows customers to request SkySat are providing newly deployed field hospitals with and to the current pandemic in particular, as collections, while our new API provides critical services during the pandemic. They also well as some of what Planet will be doing to efficient, automated access. provide much needed business continuity help in the months to come. Read more at the communications to self-serve gas stations and PLANET link above. In early June, in response to the global other retailers for point of sale (POS) credit/debit “Staff members are working from home in full coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, NASA, card authorizations and inventory management. force, including the operational teams needed ESA (European Space Agency), and JAXA Broadcast communications satellites deliver to maintain stable satellite operations. All (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) entertainment but they also provide homebound spacecraft management systems are announced they had joined forces to use the Americans as well as government health care designed to be operated remotely, so our collective scientific power of their Earth- officials with critically important live pandemic ability to provide imagery products and observing satellite data to document planet- news updates from around the world. services to our customers will continue without wide changes in the environment and human GPS satellites are not only providing vital interruption. We are implementing mitigation society. The wealth of these agencies' navigation services to the thousands of truck plans for any challenges that may arise in collective information now is available at the drivers working to help maintain America's manufacturing or from delays in satellite touch of a finger.In an unprecedented critical supply chains for food, manufacturing and launches, and are fully prepared to continue collaboration, the three space agencies medical supplies – but GPS timing services also business despite economic impacts that may have created the joint COVID-19 Earth help power America's millions of cellular phones occur as a result of COVID-19. We will keep Observation Dashboard, which integrates and remote electronic financial services. our customers and partners notified of any multiple satellite data records with analytical Remote sensing and imaging satellites are changes as the situation evolves.” tools to allow user-friendly tracking of providing health care officials and other users On June 9th, PLANET announced that over changes in air and water quality, climate with comparison imagery – vital tools in helping the past year, the Company has seen change, economic activity, and agriculture. monitor the effectiveness of “stay at home” and increased demand for its SkySat imagery to INDUSTRY REPORT

drop of 85-90% of average vessel activity in the Yangluo Port area. HawkEye 360 utilized its SEAker® product to analyze changes in patterns of vessel behavior in and adjacent to Yangluo over a four-month period. Yangluo Port and the surrounding Wuhan New Port complex is located along the Yangtze River and is the primary cargo center for the Wuhan region.”

On May 20th, Hughes posted a message from PradmanKaul, President of Hughes Network Systems titled: When Staying Connected Matters Most – Supporting Public Health Needs Around the World. “As a global connectivity provider, Hughes delivers solutions that meet a range of needs – commerce, social services, entertainment, education and more. And while for decades our technology and services have been used also to support healthcare, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has amplified the many ways our services enhance public health around the This tri-agency data resource gives the public to frontline health care professionals in the world. HughesNet, our flagship satellite and policymakers a unique tool to probe the MUSC system.”Today's delivery puts essential Internet service, provides essential Internet short-term and long-term impacts of pandemic- personal protective equipment in the hands of access for nearly 1.5 million subscribers related restrictions implemented around the South Carolina's frontline health care across the Americas – many of whom live in world. The dashboard will continue to grow with professionals and helps MUSC further support rural areas. With a reliable, affordable home new observations added over the coming the community during the COVID-19 Internet connection, our customers are able months as the global economy gradually pandemic,” said Boeing President and CEO to telework and attend school from home reopens. Dave Calhoun. “I am incredibly proud of our during the pandemic. In addition, Boeing team members throughout the world for HughesNet service helps our customers On Apr 10th, the Boeing Company announced it their work to help stop the spread of COVID-19 stay abreast of the latest government had delivered the first set of 3D-printed face and thankful for our government and industry information and best practices about the shields to support healthcare professionals partners that have joined us in the pandemic coronavirus, participate in telehealth working to stop the spread of COVID-19. The response.” The MUSC Health team will use the sessions to avoid unnecessary travel, and Department of Health and Human Services PPE as they support the revitalization of the stay connected to friends and family whom (HHS) accepted the initial shipment of 2,300 economy and ramp-up COVID-19 community they cannot visit in person… We are proud face shields this morning. The Federal outreach efforts, including diagnostic testing of the many ways Hughes supports public Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will and antibody testing, across South Carolina. health around the world. As a designated deliver the shields to the Kay Bailey Hutchison MUSC Health, under the guidance of the South 'essential' business, our team is working Convention Center in Dallas, Texas, which has Carolina Legislature and in partnership with hard to keep our customers everywhere been established as an alternate care site to South Carolina Department of Health and connected. While we weather the current treat patients with COVID-19. Boeing is set to Environmental Control (DHEC), has challenge together, our team continues to produce thousands more face shields per week, established mobile screening and collection install new customers, service existing ones gradually increasing production output to meet sites in rural and underserved areas. and manage the networks that connect the growing need for Personal Protective people and enterprises to the information Equipment (PPE) in the United States. Face Hughes de Mexico extended its HughesNet and resources they need now, more than shield production and donations are part of a service promotion for a subscription free ever.” larger Boeing effort to leverage company and standard installation for its residential and employee resources to aid with COVID-19 business plans. This measure has been in place Inmarsat also announced it continues to recovery and relief efforts. To date, the company countrywide since March 31 and it is planned to ramp up its response to COVID-19, with has donated tens of thousands of units of PPE – continue until September 30. additional initiatives to improve seafarer including face masks, goggles, gloves, safety Its service distributor in Mexico (StarGo) is wellbeing. These include further glasses and protective bodysuits – to support supporting the SEP (Ministry of Public collaboration with ISWAN (International healthcare professionals battling COVID-19 in Education) in the program “Learn from Home II”. Seafarers' Welfare and Assistance some of the hardest-hit locations in the United With this program the SEP seeks to strengthen Network) and maritime charities, the launch States. the public/private media network which is of a new chatcard and the wider roll-out of a Boeing is providing airlift capabilities, including already part of its tele-education strategy. COVID-19 video telemedicine call service. the use of the Boeing Dreamlifter, one of the StarGo, along with other seven major As the pandemic has unfolded, the largest cargo carriers in the world, to help telecommunication and broadcasting providers company has worked closely with welfare transport critical and urgently needed supplies to in Mexico will be part of this program for the organisation ISWAN and the major healthcare professionals. And to date, Boeing 2020-2021 school cycle StarGO offer include maritime charities to ensure that seafarers has donated tens of thousands of masks, gloves satellite Internet, as well as open and pay TV stay connected without the burden of and other equipment to hospitals in need. The programing. additional financial anxiety. Inmarsat is now Company continues to analyze additional offering crew access to ISWAN's applications of its engineering, manufacturing On Apr 17th, Hawkeye 360 posted the following. SeafarerHelp portal and live chat function and logistics expertise to help the cause.” See “HawkEye 360's SEAker® analysis shows via its new onboard Wi-Fi portal, Fleet the Company's COVID-19 response page at the activity around Wuhan's biggest and busiest Hotspot, as well as continuing to offer free BOEING link above for more details. cargo port Yangluo Port Area has been trending voice phone calls to the service. It also ~40% of historical normal activity over the past continues to provide satellite phones to port On May 11th, Boeing announced it had two weeks and is barely unchanged since the chaplains in ports where a number of completed another set of COVID-19 airlift official reopening of the city on April 8. On seafarers are stranded and have no access missions, deploying three Dreamlifter aircraft to January 23, 2020, the Chinese government to the internet. transport more than 150,000 protective eye mandated a lockdown throughout the city of goggles and face shields from China to the Wuhan. This order was lifted on April 8, 2020. SeafarerHelp is ISWAN's free, confidential, United States. Boeing worked in partnership During this lockdown, the city and its economy, multilingual helpline, which offers support with the Medical University of South Carolina to came to a virtual standstill. HawkEye 360 and assistance to seafarers and their deliver the personal protective equipment (PPE) analysis of this time period shows a dramatic INDUSTRY REPORT

families around the world. The helpline service is needs nearly anywhere in the world. available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and OptimERA serves the city of Unalaska and seafarers can get in touch via a range of contact its surrounding towns and islands, including methods including Live Chat, email and world-famous Dutch Harbor, the largest telephone. fishing port in the United States. Located in In addition, Intelsat has taken numerous steps to the Aleutian Islands, Unalaska has the protect the health and safety of its employees and largest full-time resident population in their families, and to prevent any disruption to its Southwest Alaska as well as many seasonal customers' operations. An internal Intelsat and part-time residents due to the fishing COVID-19 Task Force, which includes company industry. OptimERA started working with medical staff, meets daily to ensure business SES Networks in 2017 to provide backbone continuity and preventative safety measures are capacity so the ISP could serve the residents in place and working effectively. With the world's and businesses of this remote location that is largest and most advanced satellite fleet and 800 miles from the nearest fibre-based connectivity infrastructure, Intelsat is helping network. customers quickly scale their existing networks hotspots, in conjunction with partners. In with temporary, no-cost capacity, or quickly On July 14th, SES announced that millions addition, Viasat is working hard to optimize its deploy entirely new networks to meet increased of households across Africa, Europe, and network for maximum uptime and speed, as end-customer demand. In addition, Intelsat is Asia-Pacific will be able to access a free-to- well as prioritized critical business and leveraging its inventory of portable, partner air TV channel via SES satellites dedicated education applications to keep customers satellite terminals to provide temporary, mobile to delivering reliable, informative content connected—now more than ever. Read more satellite-connectivity solutions to customers with about COVID-19. The channel – Fight details about Viasat's COVID-19 response at critical public health and safety needs. Intelsat's COVID-19 – broadcasts content that is the VIASAT link above. core media business is also helping the aimed at providing underserved and rural company's broadcast customers bring important communities with critical information about On Apr 28th, Viasat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT) coronavirus news and public health information how to limit the spread of the virus. The announced it would extend its commitment to to people around the world and making it easy content is provided by trusted organisations keep residential and small business and cost-effective for TV reporters to broadcast such as UNICEF and AFP as well as global customers connected to the internet during the news from their homes. EdTech social enterprise Potential.com. The COVID-19 crisis. Through June 30, Viasat will content aims to impartially inform TV viewers extend its FCC's Keep America Connected On May 5th, Intelsat posted the following blog about identifying COVID-19 symptoms, the Initiative pledge to: not terminate internet entry titled “Intelsat CEO on Connectivity Best recovery process, and how to manage the service to any residential or small business Practices during COVID-19 and Beyond. “Intelsat effects of a global pandemic and social customer because of an inability to pay their CEO Stephen Spengler recently spoke about distancing, such as managing a household, bills due to disruptions caused by the broadband connectivity best practices in the time children or mental health. SES welcomes coronavirus pandemic; waive internet late fees of Covid-19 during a virtual event hosted by the additional content providers from that any residential or small business United Nations and the International international and regional organisations to customer incurs because of their economic Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United contribute to the COVID-19 channel. circumstances related to the coronavirus Nations' specialized agency for Internet and pandemic; and keep open its business internet Communications Technology. On July 20th, SES posted the following blog Wi-Fi hotspots, in conjunction with partners, entry by Nicole Robinson, senior vice located primarily in small businesses, state On Oct 7th, Iridium announced their data shows president, global government for SES parks and campground locations. Mark consumers are indeed heading far off the grid Networks. “One of the key advantages of Dankberg, chairman and CEO of Viasat during the COVID-19 pandemic and bringing satellite is its incredible reach and ability to commented, “We're committed to do our part Iridium devices with them. For example, an deliver connectivity everywhere – even in the to support our customers during this difficult analysis of the data shows that in the month of most remote and geographically-isolated time. By extending our pledge, we can August, there was a 26% year-over-year locations. SES and its partners have alleviate customers' worries about losing increase in Iridium subscribers visiting the top 10 leveraged SES's global satellite fleet to essential services, like the internet, and most visited national parks in the United States. provide connectivity services to hospitals ensure our customers can continue to work, Iridium Connected® devices like personal across the globe in Bangladesh, Sierra learn and stay on top of daily life from home.” trackers, messengers and satellite phones are Leone, Mexico and Italy. Medical commonly used by consumers at national parks professionals have been in the limelight for On Aug 10th, Viasat announced it had and other places that lack reliable cell phone the last several months as they put their lives partnered with American Express and a coverage. These handheld devices are ideal for at risk to help care for the sick during the growing group of companies on the Stand For those who want to go off the grid, but not be out of COVID-19 pandemic. The least that Small program, an initiative to provide touch, while making safety a priority. “It's good to companies and governments can do is to meaningful support to millions of small see people escaping their work-from-home provide them with the right tools. At SES we businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. confinement and getting truly socially distanced were in a position to help through leveraging The Stand for Small initiative provides support into the wild,” said Iridium CEO Matt Desch. “So our existing partnerships and resources in and access to business-critical services, many of us really have not been able to go to support of remote hospitals.” offers, tools and expertise, among other restaurants, concerts, the gym, movie theaters benefits through a centralized, digital platform. and so many other places. It makes sense that Viasat has announced its commitment to These resources aim to help small businesses people are taking up activities that let them safely meet the FCC's “Keep Americans during the COVID-19 crisis and their recovery enjoy the summer and our nation's natural Connected” pledge. Viasat will work with its efforts, by helping business owners reduce beauty.” residential and small business customers to operating expenses, manage teams remotely, keep them connected, lessening potential enhance digital capabilities and address other Following up on these efforts, SES announced health and economic impacts associated needs. Through the program, Viasat will residents, businesses, schools, healthcare with the coronavirus. In alignment with the provide discounted satellite-enabled business clinics and other organisations in parts of Alaska FCC's request to all Internet Service internet services to new U.S. small business could access city-wide WiFi and broadband Providers (ISPs), Viasat pledges for the next customers in need during these challenging services as always despite increased network 60 days to: (1) not terminate service to any times. Currently, Viasat's business internet demand due to the recent “Stay at Home” rule residential or small business customers service covers 96% of the U.S. population, and thanks to OptimERA Inc., significantly expanding because of their inability to pay their bills due offers a variety of unlimited and metered data its network capacity with SES Networks. The to the disruptions caused by the coronavirus plans with download speeds up to 100 Mbps in Alaskan Internet Service Provider (ISP) pandemic; (2) waive any late fees that any select areas. The Company also implemented leveraged SES's NSS-9 satellite increased C- residential or small business customers a number of initiatives to help U.S. small band capacity and ramped up its networks within incur because of their economic businesses stay connected during the COVID- days, underscoring the agility of SES's satellite circumstances related to the coronavirus 19 crisis. Source: SIA services to rapidly address dynamic connectivity pandemic; and (3) open its business Wi-Fi INDUSTRY REPORT

A move toward more Black representation in aerospace and defense policy

Raytheon Technologies has partnered with the America. I thank the Congressional Black fellowship,” said Jadotte. “Fellows are Congressional Black Caucus Foundation to fund Caucus Foundation and Raytheon afforded the opportunity to work with a new fellowship for Black candidates looking to Technologies for taking action and not members of congress on consequential build their knowledge and skills in the area of allowing a void to be left.” issues. It's an ideal path to a leadership role aerospace and defense policy. Marcus Jadotte, Vice President of Federal in policymaking in D.C.” The 23-month, salaried fellowship is part of Government Relations at Raytheon Not only will candidates be starting a strong Raytheon Technologies' broader effort to support Technologies, said the company is career in policymaking, they'll be entering diversity, equity and inclusion, both within the “building a more inclusive, smarter into one of the strongest industries in the company and in communities across the United ecosystem around our business. In a economy. In fact, aerospace and defense is States. “The underrepresentation of diverse congress and country that's increasingly one of the largest export sectors in the U.S. groups in the aerospace and defense industry diverse, we're going to be a stronger With roughly 2 million jobs in the U.S., the comes at a significant cost,” said Tim McBride, industry if we have more diverse points of industry makes up about 1% of the economy. Senior Vice President of Global Government view in policymaking.” Relations at Raytheon Technologies. Who is the ideal candidate? “When we bring different viewpoints, perspectives The fellowship is for people who are early in and backgrounds into the conversation, we are About the fellowship their public policy career, or who are in the able to drive innovation. America's aerospace and There are two opportunities available for middle of their national security career. But defense policy will benefit greatly from increased the aerospace and defense fellowship, candidates don't necessarily need a diversity among our policymakers. We are proud which will focus on how defense policy is background in aerospace or defense policy. to work with the CBCF to encourage more Black developed in Congress and implemented Candidates must be Black or African staffers to help define the future of defense and in the private sector. Aerospace and American and be U.S. citizens or have aerospace.” defense fellows will strengthen their permits to work in the U.S. They must also This fellowship is particularly important as it can understanding of the policy implications hold a graduate or professional degree. The help increase representation of Black Americans facing the U.S. military and national selection process will include discussion of on the armed services committee. Currently, there defense by doing rotations in the offices of federal legislative policy, as well as several are 65 Black members of Congress, but only one the Congressional Black Caucus essays and letters of recommendation. Black member, Congressman Anthony Brown (D- Foundation, in Congressman Brown's Maryland), sits on the House Armed Services office, on the House Armed Services Committee. Committee and in an industry-specific Taking your next steps toward “As a retired U.S. Army aviator and vice chair of internship rotation. a larger career the House Armed Services Committee, I have “Public policy is about leveraging our position witnessed firsthand the underrepresentation of Setting up a successful in the marketplace to have broad societal the Black community in the defense and impact,” said Jadotte. “It's not just about aerospace industry,” said Brown. career in defense policy what's best for our employees or business. “To create and advance good policies critical to “There's no better opportunity to sharpen It's about helping society. We're investing in our national defense, we need a military and the skills needed to succeed in a career in public policy to make the country better, not defense industry that reflects the diversity of public policy than a congressional just for employees but for fellow Americans.” AFRICA AFRICA Ending the myths of space technology

Over the past five decades, space technology has and educational organizations and been regarded as either the dream and future of Space technology includes the spacecraft institutions now have the opportunity of mankind or an endeavor of the Cold War space otherwise known as satellite, space stations, providing on-demand cultural and race. Neither of these views is relevant today. The other supporting infrastructure, equipment, and educational information to Internet users. In essential role space serves today is that it is a procedures. The development of space rural areas, where there is no terrestrial critical infrastructure for the world. Space is no technology can play significant roles in the communications infrastructure, space longer the “big boys club”. Today, about 60 development of rural areas in Nigeria. The technology provides countries own and operate at least one satellite, areas of application include; education, reliable and robust way of delivering high and almost everyone benefits from the services telemedicine, agriculture, communication, data rate and voice communication services. these satellites provide. security, disaster management, and remote Very small aperture terminals (VSATs) are Space technology has become an indispensable sensing. Rural area dwellers, especially in used to connect wireless repeater stations infrastructure on which everyone relies. Space developing countries are faced with what is which in turn connect customers in coverage technology has the capabilities to provide called “digital divide” which shows the areas. Today, the world is dependent on information vital for the environment, education, inequalities between those with and those information and communication technologies food security, public health, water resource without access to developmental resources. (ICT) where rural areas get connected to the management, human rights, disaster relief and Space-based infrastructure is used to bridge information high way. Communication nuclear security. Services derived from this this gap. They increase access to resources satellites are playing vital roles by technology not only improve the efficiency and everywhere, thereby connecting the rural contributing to the global information effectiveness of many terrestrial activities but also areas. infrastructure, thereby meeting the provide much of the information and understanding communications needs of people, needed to prevent and mitigate a variety of risks. Adequate supply of infrastructure to rural areas governments and businesses. Space-based technologies are embraced in is believed to make life more meaningful to rural developing countries and some of the applications dwellers. Space technology provides Tele-education are rooted in education. This was not so in the past, infrastructure that bring development to the In 1980 the U.S. Agency for International as the technologies were considered ancillary tools people of rural areas. Satellites launched into Development initiated the AID Rural Satellite for only wealthy nations. Space technology space are infrastructures that rapidly accelerate Program (RSP) to explore the potential of includes the spacecraft otherwise known as growth and this leads to economic telecommunications as a means of extending satellite, space stations, other supporting advancement. Nowadays, the World Wide Web scarce expert resources and expanding infrastructure, equipment, and procedures. The and the Internet have come to stay as what educational opportunities to remote and rural development of space technology can play individuals in rural areas cannot do without as areas. Today, communication Satellites have significant roles in the development of rural areas in this makes information of all kinds available become an integral part of global information Nigeria. The areas of application include, when they are needed. The developments of e- infrastructure, connecting people across the education, telemedicine, agriculture, and services such as e-learning, and e- culture, are world and serving communications needs of communication, according to Dr. Spencer Onu. gradually becoming global realities. Cultural individuals, businesses and governments. AFRICA

Distance learning is healthcare for low density population areas. In addition, forecasting of drought and its early a very useful and promising application of Space technology provides such solution. detection relies on the availability of satellite satellite-based technology. With this, high- Space technologies have had tremendous imaging systems. This makes it possible for quality educational institutes can share their impact in human health. Space resources, decisions to be taken to prevent the occurrence resources with their counterparts that are such as GIS and communication satellites and mitigate the effects of drought. Monitoring of underserved and this can be used to train the make it possible to deliver remotely healthcare drought that is based on knowledge acquired an trainers. The Edusat is an example of satellites services to rural areas. from archived imagery can help profile current used for tele-education. It is a satellite owned Telemedicine provided by satellites in space, trends and occurrence so as to mitigate the by Indian and it was launched to exclusively scientific research, geographical information effects of drought and this can help avoid serve the educational sector in India. The tele- systems (GIS), and space spin-offs are drought in rural areas. education network makes it possible for data providing new ways to improve human health to be transferred from the teaching end to in rural areas. Telemedicine is the use of two- Communication remote classrooms. The data transferred way telecommunications technology, Information sharing is one of the ways people include lecture notes, presentation materials, multimedia and computer networks that is interact. This is peculiar to both the rural and exercises, courseware, and other component used to enhance and deliver healthcare. urban dwellers. Information sharing is done needed to make learning effective. It using personal computers, mobile phones and comprises of spacecraft. The spacecraft is the Space technology makes it possible for other electronic communication devices. satellite launched for educational purposes. medical researches to be conducted. The S p a c e - b a s e d t e c h n o l o g i e s e n a b l e s The satellite is used to provide virtual microgravity environment available in space is communication to be extended to rural area with classroom concept to provide education to an example of excellent laboratory. In space, the use of communications satellites, which children in rural and remote microbes and cells behave differently, hence makes global telecommunications possible by areas. This concept is also employed to offer monitoring reaction. Rural areas lack relaying signals in form of audio, video, and data quality higher education to students in areas adequate number of experienced doctors. to and from one or more locations. Space-based without access to good technical institutes, Space-based telemedicine can remove the technologies can reduce the cost of ground- and adult learning programmes and training healthcare divide between rural and urban based infrastructure requirements and even modules for teachers. The satellite could be dwellers. Connecting rural hospitals to the offer cost effective options for service delivery. equipped with Ku, Ka, C-band and other world medical centres requires the provision of For instance, installation of a large number of frequency-band transponders. In addition, the high speed internet connection Very Small signal transmitting and relaying towers to teaching end consists of an earth station and a Aperture Terminal (VSAT), fibre optics and so broadcast television programmes to distant small studio. In the studio, recorded and live on to rural hospitals. locations may not be necessary when space- lectures can be found and it is linked to the based communication is used. To achieve this, uplink earth station. The lectures, which are Agriculture one satellite dish could be installed in a rural audio signals and visual images are Agriculture is the basis for the world's food area to pick up the broadcast signal received transmitted to the spacecraft (satellite). supply. Availability of water, soil and weather from a satellite. conditions, climate change and so on can be of The satellite beams the transmitted signal great challenges to both the farmers and the Disaster Management back to the earth spanning a large entire food security to the entire populace. To geographical area. The presentation PC, Disaster is referred to as a disruption to the enhance profitability and production, space functioning of a society. Disaster causes digital camera and DVD player are all attached technology is a good asset. to a switcher which is used to select the signal material, economic, environmental, and human of interest among those from the presentation losses which exceed the ability of the society to to food manufacturers, and farmers. Important cope with its own available resources. Cases of PC, digital camera and DVD player. The PC data required for monitoring snow cover, soil, used by the presenter has a digital monitor that hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, landslides, crop development, and drought. Assessment wildfires, and other disasters have been is used as a “white board”. The teacher can of rainfall using satellites can help farmers plan use digital pen to draw pictures and write texts recorded. Disaster management is used to the timing and quantity of irrigation they would reduce the impacts of disasters, thereby on the white board and whatever the teacher need for their crops. Accurate analysis and writes at his end can be transmitted to the minimizing loss of life and property. Before the information can also help farmers to predict the occurrence of a disaster, data obtained from students end. A microphone is directly agricultural outputs of a region early enough attached to server. The mixed output that is, remote sensing can be used to predict disaster and can be critical in anticipating and and provide early warning to rural dwellers. the audio and video is sent to the modem mitigating the effects of famine and food through server. The modem then converts the When ground-based infrastructure is damaged, shortage. satellite becomes a reliable infrastructure that digital inputs to analog and sends it to antenna In Africa,desertification includes land using high quality cables. can be used to provide communication for degradation in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub- disaster management. humid areas which is as a result of factors such In the classrooms live lectures are received. as human activities such as over cultivation, We have two types of classrooms-non- over grazing. This phenomenon affects up to e-Governance interactive and interactive. At the location of one-sixth of the world's population. To solve The European Union defines e-governance as the classrooms, receiving antennas are the problem of desertification, space “the use of Information and Communication installed. The antenna installed at the non- technology can offer significant advantages in Technologies in public administrations interactive classroom has receive-only terms of homogeneity and spatial and combined with organizational change and new capability and the students can only interact temporal coverage of observations and the skills in order to improve public services and with the resource person via a telephone line, technology allows monitoring of various democratic processes.”. It is now common in the internet and mobile phones. In the case of elements of desertification processes. These world today, that Governments embrace interactive classroom, the students can elements include surface temperature Information and Communication Technologies interact with the resource person at the vegetation indices, moisture, changes in (ICT) through what is called e-governance to teaching end using voice link via the satellite vegetation cover, land surface composition, improve service delivery, wider reach, and using an audio return channel sand and wind transportation and so on. transparency. However, rural settlements Desertification is a complex, environmental lacking the required ICT infrastructure are left Satellite-Based Telemedicine problem caused by multiple factors, its behind. Communication satellite, which are Telemedicine is referred to as the delivery of monitoring therefore requires the integration of space assets are used to provide these healthcare services by healthcare both human and environment-based services. Communication Satellites have professionals employing information and variables. Since it is essential for early warning competitive advantages as they are used to communication technologies for the transfer and monitoring of desertification development complement the sparsely distributed terrestrial and exchange of relevant information required and its extent, remotely sensed information link such as fiber optics and radio link extensions for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of also assists in evaluating the effects of policies thereby contributing to rapid economic growth, injuries and diseases, and for continually to combat desertification. The Figure 6 below socio-economic growth, transparent process educating healthcare providers. Innovative shows the effect of a dry land as a result of t h r o u g h e - g o v e r n a n c e , a n d s e c u r e healthcare technology and delivery methods desertification. communications for use by security agencies. are required for the provision of high-quality

AFRICA

so. Depending on their mission, satellites have different orbits. Weather and communication satellites are placed in geostationary orbits (at an altitude of 36,000 km) above the equator, from which they have a constant view of the same hemisphere of the Earth by completing one orbit around the Earth every 24 hours. Other satellites are placed in low earth orbits, which complete one orbit around the Earth every 100 minutes on average. Because the Earth rotates in the plane of the orbit, such a satellite eventually covers the whole of Earth's surface. Such orbits are used for remote sensing, and navigation and positioning applications. Space technology contributes to meeting society's challenges by making it possible to: Communicate anywhere in the world; Observe any spot on Earth very accurately; and Locate a fixed or moving object anywhere on the surface of the How space can globe. Earth observations In countries where the failure of a harvest address Africa’s may mean the difference between bounty and starvation, satellites have helped planners manage scarce resources and head off potential disasters before insects could wipe out an entire crop. For challenges example, in agricultural regions near the fringes of the Sahara desert, scientists used satellite images to predict where locust swarms were breeding and were able to prevent the locusts from swarming, thus saving large areas of cropland. Remote sensing data helps with the management of scarce resources by Africa has an opportunity to exploit its geographic governance structure to advance a collective showing the best places to drill for water or position and natural resources to promote effort. These difficulties must be overcome oil. From space, one can easily see fires economic growth, improve the quality of life of its given the strategic value of a regional space burning in the rain forests as trees are people, and contribute to scientific knowledge. At sector in advancing the economic, political, cleared for farms and roads. Remote the same time, Africa is facing major challenges in environmental and social agenda of the sensing satellites have become a food security, rapid urbanisation, the sustainable continent. Space applications are needed to formidable tool against the destruction of use of the environment, and the need to educate a achieve over 90% of the strategic objectives the environment because they can growing population. Economic, political, across the eight departments of the African systematically monitor large areas to environmental and social reforms can make an Union Commission (AUC). The use of space- assess the spread of pollution and other impact only if there is concerted effort to build based products and services to provide critical damage. Such monitoring capabilities are indigenous skills and technological capabilities that spatial information for decision-making critical for the long-term sustainable use of provide effective solutions to the challenges. These purposes would have contributed to achieving the continent's scarce resources. challenges have long been recognised and many the Millennium Development Goals, and will be Remote sensing technology has helped policy frameworks have been developed in valuable in our efforts to achieving the map makers. With satellite imagery, they response. Active participation in the development Sustainable Development Goals. of space-related applications and services will can produce maps in a fraction of the time it would take using laborious ground enable the continent to address them, meet the Africa represents 20% of the Earth's land surveys. The use of synthetic aperture objectives of the African Union (AU) surface area, more than the USA, India, China radar (SAR) or stereoscopic imaging and Europe put together, yet these provides topographic maps of the Agenda 2063, make a significant contribution to the countries/region invested more than $50 billion landscape. This capability enables city implementation of the Science, Technology and on space activities in 2013, while Africa planners to keep up with urban sprawl and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA), take injected only under $100 million (translating to gives deployed troops the latest maps of advantage of new opportunities offered by our less than 0.2% of the global space budget) in unfamiliar terrain. The latter is vitally geographic advantages, and become a global the same period. In terms of performance in important for peacekeeping missions in space player. The successful implementation of the space sector, only one country on the Africa. these frameworks is highly dependent on space African continent, namely South Africa, ranked Because remote-sensing satellites cover technologies and applications. Access to sound, in the top thirty countries globally in 2013 – the entire globe, they are important for the secure spatial data for decision-making will require ranking 23rd in terms of its space budget ($41 study of large-scale phenomena like an indigenous space programme and local million) and 30th in terms of scientific ocean circulations, climate change, capabilities. Africa cannot afford to remain a net production in satellite technology (accounting desertification and deforestation. importer of space technologies, as in the long term for 0.87% of global publications in the domain). Satellites make it possible to monitor this will limit socioeconomic development and These comparisons highlight significant environmental change caused by human negate the African Union vision of “An integrated, under-investment and suboptimal activities in activity and natural processes. Because prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own the space sector, which limit Africa's potential data is collected in a consistent manner, citizens and representing a dynamic force in the in a fast-growing sector that can make a vital satellites can reveal subtle changes that global arena”. contribution to addressing the continent's might otherwise remain undetected. For challenges. example, the well-known Ozone Hole over Developing an adequate regional space capability Space science and technology has contributed Antarctica and the phenomena of has been hampered by the capital-intensive nature to sustainable development efforts and many atmospheric ozone depletion were of the space sector and the lack of a formal other societal benefits, and will continue to do discovered using satellites. AFRICA

Navigation and Positioning Satellite Communication education and training, in particular distance Applications Applications education and multimedia, may be instrumental in meeting the needs of The benefits from space infrastructure are Telecommunication satellites offer countries that have to train and integrate a becoming more evident in the management of telecommunication services at national, large number of workers in widely dispersed long-term challenges faced by modern society. A regional and international levels. Satellite and under-equipped areas. This allows for a case in point is the management of natural communications in Africa cover a wide range constant renewal of skills without being disasters like floods, for which navigation and o f a p p l i c a t i o n s , f r o m t r a d i t i o n a l limited by information technology positioning applications from space can provide telecommunication services to the use of infrastructure. The use of VSAT terminals data for the cycle of information for flood satellite communications to address social coupled with communication satellites prevention and mitigation, pre-flood assessment, issues on the continent. These services makes education more accessible, response (during the flood), recovery (after the include the provision of telephony and data especially in rural areas. Many countries flood) and accurate localised weather newscasts. transmission for remote areas using small have to cope with large-scale disease In addition, timely satellite imagery and dishes and advanced very small aperture outbreaks, and telemedicine may help to communication links in hard-to-reach places can terminal (VSAT) techniques, thus providing meet these challenges by improving the help stem catastrophic economic and human for specific services to a target group. organisation and management of health losses. Satellite television services are widely used care. Databases may be linked through for point-to-point television transmissions, networks to monitor the development of Navigation and positioning is the main element of as well as for direct-to-home television diseases, provide access to medical the international air traffic management system, reception and community television. The expertise through tele-consultation, and providing worldwide navigation coverage to Internet has a lower penetration rate in Africa support remote medical assistance. In this support all phases of flight. With appropriate than anywhere else in the world, and overall regard, satellite communications can augmentation systems, navigation and positioning available bandwidth coverage indicates that contribute to preparing and implementing satellites will enable gate-to-gate navigation and Africa is significantly behind in bridging the health policies. Telemedicine is a cost- all-weather capabilities for suitably equipped “digital divide”. According to 2011 estimates, effective solution for providing affordable aircraft. only about 13.5% of the African population health care in rural areas. With more precise navigation tools and accurate has Internet access. landing systems, flying not only becomes safer, National weather forecasts are based on a but also more efficient by reducing the delay, Consequently, while Africa holds 15.0% of current satellite view of Earth. At a glance diversion and cancellation of flights. These the world's population, Africa only accounts one can tell which parts of the country are interventions also assist in reducing carbon for 6.2% of the world's Internet subscribers. clear or cloudy. When satellite maps are dioxide emissions in the aviation sector. Moreover, the proportion of Africans who studied, it is easy to see the directional have access to broadband connections are movement of clouds and storms. An untold In general, mariners use the Global Positioning estimated to be 1% or lower of the global number of lives are saved every year by System (GPS) for navigation and positioning. GPS b r o a d b a n d s u b s c r i b e r s . S a t e l l i t e tracking the paths of hurricanes and other has also recently been applied to the surveillance communication can help fill this gap and deadly storms in this way. By providing of illegal shipping activities, and the monitoring of increase broadband access, particularly in farmers valuable climatic data and oil spills and the ensuing environmental damage. landlocked countries and rural areas where agricultural planners with information, this Used together with remote sensing imagery, cable penetration is non-existent or hard to technology has improved food production accurate maps of the ocean colour, temperature, reach. Integrating information and and crop management. Weather satellites currents, salinity and wind direction have been communication technologies (ICTs) into a r e i n t e g r a t e d i n t o t h e G l o b a l produced. Such rich information is vital for governance processes can greatly enhance Telecommunications System, as an protecting and extracting economic value from the delivery of public services to all African essential element of global, regional and Africa's economic exclusion zones and providing a citizens. ICT integration will not only improve national meteorological coverage. better understanding of climate change models. the performance of governance systems, it will also transform relationships among Many automotive navigation and positioning stakeholders, thereby influencing applications fit in the category of intelligent policymaking processes and regulatory transportation systems. Such systems are frameworks. intended to improve traveller safety, improve travel efficiency by reducing congestion, save energy In the developing world, however, the through the reduction of fuel requirements, and potential of ICTs for effective governance lessen the environmental impact of travel. remains largely unexplored and unexploited. Automobile navigation applications also help Such services can be delivered through drivers make the most efficient routing decisions. connectivity via satellite links in areas with This technology is also useful for fleet vehicle minimal access to the Internet. Satellite management and the tracking of valuable assets, connectivity through post offices could especially across national borders. provide Internet access to communities that currently have no access. Technologies for AFRICA

Space science and astronomy Reference Frame. This terrestrial reference responds to user needs, its positive impact on the quality of life of people on the continent, and The runaway greenhouse effect on Venus, frame is used to provide precise geographic the improvement of Africa's global economic caused by an excess of carbon dioxide in its coordinates that are used in many practical standing. The initiatives must resonate with atmosphere, has led to an understanding of the applications, such as ocean and ice level and respond to Africa's needs in a relevant way dangers of carbon dioxide build-up on Earth measurements, continental drift, and the orbits that ensures a reasonable financial and/ and the resulting global climate change. In of artificial satellites. or social return. The initiatives must also be addition, finding aerosols in the atmosphere of globally competitive in order to be positioned in Venus and observing how they interact with These reference frames, for example the the global space market, as there is a molecules has led to knowledge about what African Reference Frame currently being significant need in many developing countries happens when aerosols are introduced into the developed, are also used for modern map outside of Africa for such initiatives. Space- Earth's atmosphere. By observing and making and location-based applications, such derived-benefits must transcend all spheres of analysing the dust storms on Mars, scientists as the mapping of vegetation growth and the government, from continental level right down have been able to develop models of what demarcation of borders. Space science and to municipal level. In addition, benefits for happens to a planet's climate if massive astronomy therefore provide basic knowledge women and the youth must be factored into the amounts of dust are blown into the atmosphere, that has practical use in daily location-based outcomes of these initiatives. The development as would happen on Earth from a volcano or applications. of indigenous capacity and capabilities will from the impact of a large extra-terrestrial enable research, development and innovation object. The Earth's magnetic field protects us from in the African space sector. Given that space Astronomy is a science that reaches from charged particles and electromagnetic science and technology is still a fledgling sector planets to stars, and the universe as a whole, radiation. However, variations in the Earth's on the continent, research, development and from the first light up to the present, 14 billion magnetic field, due mainly to space weather- innovation should play a key part in industrial years later. It embraces all of physics in an related perturbations, may have adverse development. Hence, knowledge production endeavour to understand the origin and effects on technical systems in space and on (research and development) and the evolution of the universe and its constituents. Earth. For example, electrical discharges exploitation of this knowledge (innovation) will Astronomy is a way of advancing science that, inside satellites render these satellites be central in ensuring a financial and/or social until recently, has been the preserve of the inoperable, induced currents in long power and return. Knowledge production and transfer industrialised world. Increasing public interest telecommunication lines result in power should, therefore, be a strategic focus for the in astronomy and improving scientific education outages and communication blackouts, and diffusion of innovation. help to develop a more skilled workforce. These disruptions in geomagnetic surveys negatively skills, both conceptual and practical, are easily affect the commercial exploration of minerals Research, development and innovation transferred to applied fields such as and oil. Space weather monitoring provides an initiatives should provide opportunities for the meteorology, computer science and effective tool for mitigation against these scientific and engineering space workforce to information technology. Space geodesy uses disruptions to both space and ground-based internalise the current intellectual capital and astronomical techniques to determine the operational systems. excel in the development of next-generation International Celestial Reference Frame, which The primary marker of success in an African technology platforms, products and services.. is used to define the International Terrestrial space programme would be how effectively it

JAPAN 2021 The year of private sector players

In 2021, Japan plans to continuously maintain and operate rocket launch, tracking, and control functions in order to keep its independent space development and utilization capabilities. Japan continues to operate the H-IIA, which rivals any of the world's top-class liquid propellant rockets in terms of both track record and costs, and is receiving orders for the launching of foreign satellites. Japan has also succeeded at developing the Epsilon rocket, a solid-fuel rocket designed to be compact, offer high performance levels, and low cost.

The most imperative usage of space is to assure national security, social peace and weather monitoring satellites, HIMAWARI 8 Satellites made in foreign countries used to activities. In 1970, Japan launched its first was launched in October 2014, and has been dominate the Japanese market, however satellite, OOSUMI, becoming the fourth in operation since July 2015. HIMAWARI 9, a successes like the exclusive receipt by spacefaring nation to launch a domestically same satellite with HIMAWARI 8, was Japanese companies of orders for the manufactured satellite using a rocket of her launched in November 2016, as the standby TURKSAT-4A/4B and the Es'hailSat satellite own. Then in 1977, Japan successfully satellite in orbit. help to advance Japan's competitiveness in launched a geosynchronous orbit satellite. However, the importance of remote sensing the international market. The development of With technical capabilities rating among the missions such as global observation and the next-generation Engineering Test best in the world, Japan is currently receiving resource surveying is expected to become Satellite 9, aiming 2021 launch, is underway orders from overseas for satellite launches, ever more important. In the global monitoring and the purpose is to develop and verify the and is involved in the development and sector, the Advanced Land Obser ving upgranding satellite and communication production of satellite systems, onboard Satellite-2. "DAICHI-2" (ALOS-2) was missions, so as to further strengthen sensors and components. launched in May 2014. It features PALSAR-2, a Japanese international competitiveness. terrestrial visualization radar with a higher Japanese space-related projects are also resolution and wider monitoring area than the Also, positioning information is used in world-standard projects. It has successfully sensor in DAICHI. Since November 2014 it has various applications, such as vehicle developed launch vehicles such as the M-V, H- provided observation data used for mapping, navigation systems and GPS-equipped IIA/B, and Epsilon rocket, and in the satellite regional observation, disaster condition mobile phones. Usage of this information is field the agency have contributed to the assessment, resource exploration, and more. expected to continue to grow. Japan currently development of various engineering test Its observation data has been successfully uses primarily U.S. GPS, but the Quasi- satellites, marine and terrestrial observation used to confirm changes in topography before Zenith Satellite-1 "MICHIBIKI" was launched satellites, communications, broadcasting and and after the September 2014 eruption near in September 2010 for complementary and global navigation satellites, etc., including the summit of Mount Ontake, as well as ash fall augmentation services. In 2017 satellites 2 weather satellites such as the HIMAWARI 8 & conditions. The GPM satellite launched in through 4 has been launched, and in 9. Februar y 2014 contains the Japanese November 2018, precision GNSS service Japan's 1st space experiment was conducted developed Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar has started. In addition, satellites 5 through 7 in 1955 with the testing of a 20-cm pencil (DPR), which has been used to provide are scheduled to be launched in 2023, to rocket. Since then, the Asian tiger have fully observation data to the public since September create the seven-satellite structure. And applied our technical strengths, and this effort 2014. Numerous satellites, including the has allowed Japan to take its place among the SHIZUKU water circulation monitoring world's leading space-exploration nations. satellite, launched in May 2012, have been launched as part of the Global Precipitation The first satellite launched for practical use by Measurement (GPM) mission, led by the U.S. Japan was the HIMAWARI weather satellite of and Japan. These satellites are providing 1977. Following this, a total of seven weather global precipitation data every three hours to satellites were put into operation, allowing related organizations for use in weather valuable weather-related information to be forecasting, flood prediction, and other supplied domestically and throughout the individual purposes. Asian region. As a successor to these earlier The Radar Earth Observation satellite "ASUNARO-2" which was compatible with small size, light weight, low cost, high resolution by restricting lifespan, observation width and function than the conventional satellite, was launched in January 2018, and the taken image has been released in March. Development of the Greenhouse gases Obser ving SATellite-2 "GOSAT-2" was launched in October 2018, and the data has been released to the public since August 2019. In addition to launching its SAKURA series of communication satellites and its YURI series of broadcasting satellites, Japan has also developed the technologies required to make practical use of these satellites' capabilities. continuous development and operation are planned afterwards. reliability while reducing costs. Contribution to the Japan is also par ticipating in using satellites for astronomical observation and space International Space science exploration, as well as for technology Liquid propellant rockets validation. The HISAKI Spectroscopic Planet In 1975, Japan successfully launched the N-I Station Observatory for Recognition of Interaction of with the assistance of the United States. Japan has participated in the Atmosphere, launched in September 2013, is Following this, development of the N-II and H-I attempting to shed light on the universal and was advanced with the aim of improving both International Space Station particular characteristics of the Jovian performance and the level of domestic project, jointly operated by the magnetosphere by performing spectroscopic production; accordingly, 1994 saw the U.S., Russia, Japan, Canada, observation of extreme ultraviolet rays from successful launch of the H-II, a launch vehicle earth orbit. HAYABUSA 2, a successor to the that was produced completely in Japan. Using and the European Space Agency highly successful HAYABUSA (MUSES-C) liquid hydrogen as fuel and liquid oxygen as an (ESA), from its inception. We science exploration spacecraft, was launched oxidizing agent, this rocket's engine of fered in December 2014, and has reached the extremely high levels of performance. In 2001, have also supplied the KIBO Ryugu asteroid in June 2018, where to collect the Japanese H-IIA was successfully Japanese Experiment Module. the information to research the birth and the launched, and in the process, it became We are also making significant evolution of our solar system and the Japan's primary largescale launch vehicle. materials of life. In February and July 2019, This rocket was developed by the Japan contributions to the completion HAYABUSA 2 has succeed in touching down Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and and operation of the ISS project to the Ryugu, and it is also expected that the launch business was transferred to a b y s u p p l y i n g i t v i a sample were collected successfully. And in private company in 2007. The successful November 2019, HAYABUSA 2 has finished launch of H-IIA launch vehicle No. 40 in ”KOUNOTORI” H-II Transfer all missions at Ryugu and started its return trip October 2018, and the successful launch of H- Vehicle (HTV). to the earth. IIB launch vehicle No. 8 in September 2019 brought our successful launch rate to 97.9%. The H-IIA/B launch service operations were We are receiving orders for the launch of Orbital assembly of the International Space transferred to the private sector, and in 2015 foreign satellites, and we anticipate that the company performed a successful Japan will soon be active on the global commercial launch of a Canadian stage. Since 2014, development has communication satellite. This was followed by been underway of the new H3 key orders from the UAE for two satellite launches rocket, and plans are underway for the and Inmarsat communication satellite launch launch of the H3 launch vehicle No. 1 in from the UK. The H-IIB rocket, an upgraded 2020. The development of the LE-9 first model of the H-IIA, was mounted with the stage engine is critical for the H3, and unmanned H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) to the ground firing tests are proceeding as carry supplies to the International Space planned. In order to ensure the reliability Station, and all seven launches, from its first of the H3, improved versions of existing launch in 2009 to its eighth launch in engines.for the second stage rocket, the September 2019, were successful. We have LE-5B, and for the solid-fuel rocket achieved an extremely high 98% launch booster, the SRB-3) with proven track success rate for H-IIA/B launch vehicles. The records will be used for the later stage Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) rockets. It is aimed to cut costs by half has also begun development of a new key and reduce work times in order to follow rocket, the H3, to serve as the successor to the H-IIA in securing further launch orders from Station (ISS) began in 1999, and was completed the H-IIA/B. This new rocket will be highly foreign satellites. in July 2011. Japan has supplied the KIBO competitive internationally. Together with the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), the largest ISS space experiment module. KIBO was Epsilon rocket, the newest compact solid-fuel Solid propellant rockets rocket, hopes are high for the further delivered to the ISS by the space shuttle, and Japan developed the global top class M-V began full-fledged operation from July 2009. development of the Japanese rocket solid-fuel rocket, which achieved success on a launching sector. KOUNOTORI, a space station supply vehicle, global scale through the launch of scientific then began transport of experimental devices satellites, solar observation satellites, and In the satellite sector, two satellites ordered by and materials. astronomical observation satellites such as the A close approach system designed in Japan for a Turkish government-run communications HAYABUSA, but the operation of this rocket company have been successfully delivered in docking KOUNOTORI is used in the U.S. cargo was completed in 2006. The Epsilon Launch delivery spacecraft Cygnus. Many Japanese orbit. Qatar also placed an order for a Vehicle was developed as a compact, high communications satellite, and this was astronauts, such as Koichi Wakata, Soichi performance, low cost next-generation rocket Noguchi, Naoko Yamazaki, Satoshi Furukawa, launched in November 2018. Japanese which uses elements of the M-V and H-IIA. The satellite manufacturers are using their Akihiko Hoshide, Kimiya Yui, Takuya Onishi, and first Epsilon Launch Vehicle prototype was Norishige Kanai have worked on the ISS and advanced technical capabilities, high quality, launched successfully from the Uchinoura and competitive costs to open up the taken part in assembly of the KIBO and docking Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture in operations for the H-II Transfer Vehicle. overseas market. At the same time, with September 2013. regard to domestic satellite demand, there is Astronaut Koichi Wakata served The development of the Epsilon Launch as the first Japanese commander of the ISS for great promise for planned governmental Vehicle represents a new era of development, procurement, such as the shifting from the six months, starting in March 2014. It was including innovative new technologies such as announced that the service of ISS will be current four quasi-zenith satellite to a seven self-inspection and mobile operation while quasi-zenith satellite system in order to create extended to 2024. In October 2019, Japanese effectively using existing technologies for the government has announced to take part in a new Japanese global positioning system rocket motor. Expectations are high for its use (GPS) as part of the new Basic Plan on Space NASA's Lunar Gateway project which will seek as a deliver y system for small satellites, a to establish an orbital research and staging Policy, and the development of Engineering segment which is expected to see a great deal Test Satellite 9 and a successor to ALOS-2. station that NASA plans to proceed by of future growth. In December 2016, Epsilon international No.2 has launched ERG Satellite "ARASE", in People are also looking forward to the return collaboration. Japan is well experienced through Januar y 2018, Epsilon No.3 has launched the missions of ISS and we are looking forward in 2020 of HAYABUSA 2 with the results of its small high resolution radar satellite "ASNARO- survey of the Ryugu asteroid. Japanese to seeing Japanese technology will also take 2", and in Januar y 2019, Epsilon No.4 has part in this new space field. companies are developing elemental launched "RAIPS-1" (RAPid Innovative technologies and striving to increase payload EUROPE

Brexit and Space

On the 23rd of June 2016 it was announced that the British public had decided through referendum that the United Kingdom would be initiating the procedures of leaving the European Union (EU), aptly titled Brexit. However, on the 25th December, 2020, an agreement was reached between the European Union and the UK government on the contentious issues. Its still unclear if the final trade deal have clearly addressed the status of UK-European space activity for both political institutions and the private space industry.

A major component of UK-European the key aspects of Galileo, the PRS, once it The UK's Industrial Position collaboration in space ventures is facilitated becomes a third party and a foreign entity. Again, non-participation in EU funded space through the European Space Agency (ESA). While it is foreseeable that Britain can retain programmes pose risks to certain sections of the However, although ESA is an independent access to the services of Galileo, access to UK space sector. Though beyond this, leaving institution from the EU and membership of one and operation of the restricted military membership of the single market, customs union, is not a precondition of the other, and so would elements will depend entirely on and the ECJ present additional concerns in the seem disconnected from the Brexit issue, the agreements for future UK-EU security absence of a defined future relationship and EU contributes around one third of ESA's relations. trade deal with the EU. It is important to note the overall budget and acts as ESA's primary UK space sector is export orientated, with 50% of procurer. This is of significance for the UK space In response to discussions of removing the satellites entering into the single market, and sector in particular as EU-funded space UK from these components, the UK has tariff-free trade with EU Member States programmes conducted though ESA will envisaged creating its own independent advantageously keeps construction costs down. preferably be contracted to EU Member States Galileo equivalent, or even partnering with Furthermore, leaving the customs union could which are also members of ESA. For this Australia – signifying the importance of lead to some serious disruptions to space reason, and because the UK will obtain a third Britain's past and current investments in a component supply chains, with the possibility of party status to the EU and no longer be placing positioning, navigation and timing system time-consuming and bureaucratic procedures funds in the EU space budget, concerns over for military capabilities in particular. imposed at the borders. access to and participation with EU funded Ironically, after having been resistant space programmes like Galileo, Copernicus, or against the Galileo programme in its initial There is also a human aspect to these potential future potential Space Situational Awareness phase, UK is now making a clear restrictions – the space sector is heaviliy (SSA) and GovSatcom projects are in the demonstration of the high strategic value of dependent on international collaboration and the limelight. Whilst it is conceivable that an this investment for Europe. associated movement of expertise – and so agreement could be formed so that the UK can limitations on not just the transfer of equipment, contribute payments into such programmes, it is but also access to talent, can have a detrimental foremost a political issue regarding security and UK may no longer effect on the prosperity of the UK space sector. the status of third party participants. The matter of UK access to and participation benefit from the The UK has successfully managed to play a with EU funded space programmes is most prominent role and to position its industry at the apparent and encapsulated within current availability of forefront of the European space sector thanks to speculations regarding Galileo. The Galileo an active and steady participation in European programme itself is a constellation of satellites funding received programmes through both ESA or the EC. to provide Europe with an independent However, except in the field of secured space navigation system equivalent to that of the US's from EU Research telecommunications where it has deployed the GPS, costing about €10 Billion. To this point, the Skynet series of satellites, it never seemed to UK has played a large role in Galileo's and Innovation raise high am development and operation, contributing 14% of its funding and 17% of the work. So far, Britain Framework bitions in this sector on a purely national basis. has been awarded the contracts to construct the Following Brexit, the UK will need to further clarify “brains” of every Galileo satellite, hosts the Programmes during its national space policy. As discussed above, Galileo Security Monitoring Centre, and a UK continuation of R&D efforts and funding might be based company CGI is responsible for the the next MFF, which the most urgent issue, and UK continued encryption service on the Public Regulated contribution to ESA programmes is a major asset Service (PRS) – the security sensitive military could have knock- and can provide for this until further agreements grade component of Galileo. In terms of are found with the EU. However, since EU is participation, on ramifications procuring most of European public space it is highly unlikely that UK companies will infrastructures, and in particular those implying benefit from any future development contracts. which will impact the highest volumes of production, the UK space The UK has already been side-lined from the industry might be facing a difficult situation to recently approved batch of ESA procurement small and medium keep the critical mass and secure its contracts for Galileo as an agreement for competitiveness if deprived from getting access Britain's continued participation is yet to be sized space to this market. confirmed. In regards to access, the EC has stated that Britain will be excluded from one of companies” UNITED STATES UNITED STATES ITAR, an instrument of U.S. dominance

Enacted in 1976 during the Cold War, the applications on global open markets are International Traffic in Arms Regulations U.S. Space Policy Directive 2 and concerned, not one single case of denial of (ITAR), part of the U.S. arms export control export regulations export license has been opposed to any regime, aim to restrict and control the export In February 2018, the re-established U.S. E u r o p e a n S p a c e c o m p a n y s o f a r. of selected equipment, software and National Space Council adopted a second Space Nevertheless, it remains clear that the technology as a mean to promote national Policy Directive on “Streamlining Regulations on implementation of ITAR processes comes security interests and foreign policy Commercial Use of Space”. The objective of the along with heavy bureaucracy, unpredictable objectives. More specifically, ITAR sets out SPD-2 is to ensure that “(…) regulations adopted delays and a great deal of uncertainty. On the the requirements for licenses and other and enforced by the executive branch promote other hand, it allowed for a while a few authorizations for the export, and re-export, of economic growth; minimize uncertainty for European Space companies to address on a sensitive items. Interestingly ITAR provides a taxpayers, investors, and private industry; protect monopolistic basis some sensitive markets on mean to control the export not only of goods national security, public-safety, and foreign policy an “ITAR-free” offer basis. but also of information and services and interests; and encourage American leadership in allows the U.S. government to scrutinize the space commerce”. The Directive addresses five Overall, the direct economic impact remains use of ITAR-protected items. areas: 1) commercial launch and licensing, 2) unclear and all we can say for sure is that it has commercial remote sensing, 3) creation of an in no way been sufficient to trigger an effective Primarily envisioned as a non-proliferation Office of Space Commerce within the Department European initiative to get rid of such instrument, the regime also plays an active of Commerce, 4) radio frequency spectrum technological dependence in a reasonable role in U.S. economic diplomacy. With the management, and 5) export licensing. timeframe. On institutional side, the impact of ultimate objective to support a suitable In the field of export licensing, the Directive ITAR is more obvious since it directly balance between U.S. space, foreign, requests to the National Space Council to initiate conditions the availability of U.S.-built Space national security and commercial policies, a review of export licensing regulations affecting technologies for collaborations potentially ITAR and other export regulations (e.g. Export commercial space flight activity and to develop envisioned by European member States with Administration Regulations - EAR) are recommendations to revise such regulations partners considered as sensitive by the U.S. regularly revised and adjusted to consistently with the U.S. commercial space federal administration. This also applies to developments in industrial, commercial and policy. Although the final outcome of this revision governmental or Security & Defence Space geopolitical environments. U.S. export process remains to be seen, the orientations of programmes for which technologies can be regulations for satellite technologies were, for the current U.S. administration suggest a partial procured with U.S. suppliers provided that the example, seriously tightened in 1999 after the loosening of export regulations to support U.S. federal administration approves their final transfer of sensitive information by U.S. dominance on commercial markets and U.S. destination and usage. In this respect, the companies to Chinese industry following leadership in post-ISS international cooperation. intensity of the transatlantic discussions in the launch failures of Chinese rockets carrying The NASA Advisory Council Regulatory and years 2000 on Galileo was a very concrete U.S.-built telecommunication satellites. In Policy Committee already issued a set of example of such dependence. return, and under pressure from U.S. industry recommendations in this direction. The proclaiming that export controls inhibit Committee, which brings together experts and On its side, the US Space industry has commercial development, the regulatory stakeholders with various backgrounds, repeatedly and consistently stated that ITAR regime was loosened in 2014 as a result of a recommends to relieve the Lunar Gateway from limits their commercial capabilities and results major revision. export licensing restrictions, as for the ISS, and to in the end in a competitive disadvantage, loosen export restrictions for technologies, notably against their European rivals. After the services, or information already available in the Implications of ITAR for revision undertaken in 2014 by the Obama international marketplace. Europe administration in order to relax the constraints and smoothen the implementation of the The implications of ITAR for Europe have Although no final decision has been made yet, it processes, it seems that the development of never been assessed with precision. It is often makes no doubt that the intention of the current commercial space initiatives has been the put forward that it adversely affects the U.S. administration is to streamline the processes driving force behind the following major recent competitiveness of the European Space and for instance to discontinue export restrictions announcements. industry. Actually, as far as commercial whenever a technology is available from a non- U.S. commercial source of supply. MIDDLE EAST ISRAEL Will Genesis 2 project succeed this time?

SpaceIL is a non profit organisation that works to completed the maneuver to capture the which was controlled solely by the advance science and science education. In April moon, thus positioning Israel as the spacecraft's computer. 2019, SpaceIL became the first private body in seventh country to reach the moon and The landing began as planned, with history to reach the moon, thus positioning Israel SpaceIL as the first private enterprise in the Beresheet managing to snap two photos, one as the seventh country to reach the moon, thrilling world to do so. On April 11, 2019, Gensis of which was a "selfie" bearing a sign that millions around the world and ispiring future began the landing process as planned. reads "Am Yisrael Chai" (meaning "The generations of spacecraft builders in Israel. During this move, a disruption that nation of Israel lives"). Today, the association works to promote the converged to shut down the engine and After initiating landing protocol, the control Genesis 2 mission in parallel with its educational crash on the moon. room said it lost contact with one of the activities. SpaceIL's achievements have received landing detectors when the spacecraft was The journey began in 2011 as a dream of three worldwide acclaim both from space experts less than ten kilometers from the surface. entrepreneurs; Yariv Bash, kfir Damari and and from the general population. "According to all the signs, we won't be the Jonathan Weintraub, soon became a national Enthusiastic letters of support have flowed fourth country to land on the moon. We were project to which many donors, partners, to the organisation while tightening the very close on the moon. We're on the moon, employees and volunteers joined. As part of the warm international embrace that has just not how we wanted. We'll check it again association's educational aspect, SpaceIL enveloped the team. The vision of creating and try to understand what happened," the volunteers delivered thousands of lectures in an Israeli version of the Apollo Effect has control room said. Israel and around the world to students of all ages come true. But this is the beginning, not the The landing event was attended by U.S. from kindergarten to the third age, who focused end. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman and on the story of Genesis-1. From the beginning of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who the journey to reaching the moon, dreams, Genesis 1 addressed the project's key donor, Morris aspirations, coping, faith, and in general, told the Kahn, after the crash and said, "If first you Genesis 1 is the first Israel spacecraft built inspiring story of the first Israel spaxcecraft to don't succeed, try try again. We've reached by SpaceIL and in collaboration with Israel reach the moon. All of this in order to encourage the moon, but we want to land more Aerospace Industries. students and promote science education in the peacefully. Initially launched into space on 22 February country and the association is currently working In the final hours before landing, the 2019 and captured the moon and a half on a Genesis-2 spacecraft. At the same time, the spacecraft's flight engineers found a flat later on 5 APRIL. One week after capturing commitment of SpaceIL to promote the discourse surface where Beresheet could safely land at the moon, the spacecraft received an order in the field of engineering in Israel, along with the a time when the moon's surface was not from the control room in Yehid and began youth's awareness of the exciting possibilities that scorching hot from exposure to the sun. the process of landing on the moon. During STEM studies entails, stands firm. SpaceIL Temperatures on the moon are as high as the landing process, a number of failure passionately believe in inspiration from action. 130 to 150 degrees Celsius (265 to 300 F.) were discovered that led to a difficult Thus, the team continues to plan the next journey during the lunar day – the equivalent of two landing at a speed of 1 km per second on to the moon alongside the scattering of seeds for weeks on Earth. the lunar surface. the blossoming of scientists and entrepreneurs The Israeli moon lander Beresheet failed to who will crystallize in the future generation of be the first spacecraft built by the private "Everything in the project is dreams come true. sector to safely land on the moon. After historical": The dizzying entering orbit, the spacecraft lost its main On February 22, 2019, SpaceIL launched the engine and went into an uncontrolled success of Genesis Genesis spacecraft to the moon. In so doing, descent before it crashed. This is not what they expected: the "Genesis" SpaceIL became the first body in the world to The Israeli spacecraft had to tackle one of spacecraft has become a real brand. T-shirts, penetrate the field of privately funded space the biggest challenges of its lunar journey – costumes, sweatshirts, a book and even travel. On April 4, 2019, Genesis successfully the landing maneuver, the last stage of commercial brands that started producing ISRAEL MOON RACE

special editions of "Genesis". Demand for emphasized throughout the construction of grant will allow SpaceIL to recruit a team to spacecraft accessories is rising and SpaceIL is left the spacecraft, is that everyone should dare lead the "Genesis 2" promotion program in shock in the face of demand to dream. "The association will continue in Israel is known around the world for its For eight years SpaceIL has raised funds and the field of education and with the message outstanding achievements in science and dreamed of launching the spacecraft to the moon. 'Dare to dream'. I always thought I would technology, and it has tremendous Over the years the association did not gain much never go to study engineering, but it did potential for significant breakthroughs in popularity and even along the way, it ran into teach me to dare to dream and do what I space exploration," said Len Belvatnik, difficulties in raising funds for the launch of the would like," Jackson said. who heads the family foundation. "Israeli spacecraft. But it seems that the founders and In preparation for the landing of "Genesis" innovation and determination have the members of the association did not imagine that on the moon, Amobee conducted a review of ability to propel the Genesis program to "Bereishit" would become a brand and the citizens interest in the Israeli spacecraft on the new heights and make Israel a leading of Israel would show interest in the launch to the Internet and social networks around the "Israel is known around the world for its moon. More than two weeks ago, SpaceIL set up world. The company's platform analyzes outstanding achievements in science and an online trading site that allows the purchase of digital consumer behavior, floods insights technology, and it has tremendous shirts, sweatshirts in sizes for children and adults and identifies hot trends and interests potential for significant breakthroughs in and even baby leotards. "We saw a lot of demand, online. According to the company's data, the space exploration," said Len Belvatnik, thousands of requests via email and Facebook, most popular event was the launch of the who heads the family foundation. "Israeli that we were selling T-shirts and people really spacecraft followed by a malfunction that the innovation and determination have the wanted to be proud of that," said Daphne Jackson, spacecraft experienced in late February. ability to propel the Genesis program to CEO of the Kahn Foundation. After them, the selfie of the spacecraft along new heights and make Israel a leading "Just yesterday, a reporter from the United States with the Earth and the exposure of the time player in the field. called me that Morris had been interviewed several capsule prepared for the spacecraft before The Belvatnik Family Foundation actively times. He asked if I had noticed that the coverage of takeoff. Among the countries in the world, supports leading institutions in the fields of Genesis was the same as the coverage of the citizens in the United States were most education, science, culture and charity in elections in Israel. "Jackson said. "It's things me connected to the story on social media and the United States, the United Kingdom, and I did not think in our best dreams, that people then Britain, Canada, Indonesia and Israel and around the world. The will want to go with the logo with pride. We are eight Germany. foundation is headed by Len Belvatnik, an years in the project and suddenly people are American industrialist and philanthropist. terribly proud, interested it is something we are Genesis 2 Yariv Bash, one of the founders of SpaceIL, overwhelmed and proud of." Genesis 2 is the second Israel spacecraft, thanked Len Belvatnik for enlisting in the ust before the store went up, it seems that the the development of which is currently mission and said that "we have full popularity of the "Genesis" spacecraft could underway by SpaceIL. Genesis 2 is a sister confidence in Genesis 2 and our wonderful already be seen on Purim, when dozens of children to the Genesis 1 spacecraft, which was team, and we are excited for the future that dressed up for the spacecraft. "We made and launched to the moon on February 22, 2019 is still true for SpaceIL, Israeli innovation in distributed the costume, but people made the and reached its destination on April 4, 2019. space and space exploration in general.” spaceship themselves and I myself could not build. The Genesis 2 mission will incorporate a It really surprised me. There is a class that painted number of important scientific experiments. Sarid has served in development, Genesis on hats and went with it, it just indicates A call for proposals for experiments has command and management positions in that they go with SpaceIL proudly. Even during the recently been published and proposals the Air Force for 28 years, and won the launch, We received quite a few videos of classes continue to be accepted. The ideas will be Israel Security Award for his contribution to that organized to see the launch together, children tested by a professional team which will the development of a groundbreaking got up at night and watched the launch with decide which of the experiment will be system. In his most recent position in the p a j a m a s . " carried out in the framework of Gnesis 2. IDF, he served as head of the Air Force's In addition to T-shirts, the association has begun equipment division. He holds a bachelor's selling a book for children ages 3 and up. The First donor to the "Genesis 2" project: The degree in aeronautical and aerospace character of the protagonist of the story is based on Belvatnik Family Foundation has decided to engineering from the Technion and a Genesis, the spacecraft of SpaceIL (Space AI). The donate $ 1 million to SpaceIL to enable the master's degree in management science founders of the SpaceIL association are three resumption of the national mission to land an from the University of Boston and Ben- entrepreneurs with a dream - to land the first Israeli Israeli spacecraft on the moon. Gurion University. spacecraft on the moon. And in the world, dare to "Genesis 1", which was launched into space get excited about the field of space research and on February 22, 2019, almost completed its choose the subjects of science, engineering, mission but crashed at the last minute before technology and mathematics. " One of the things completing its destined orbit. Belvatnik's that the founders of the association have THE BATTLE FOR TV

Can OTT win the battle Against DTH?

Direct-to-Home (DTH) entertainment, where speeds required to service an OTT providers have the resources and existing video programming is delivered to the consumer service. Couple that with convenience of infrastructure to push back against DTH through geostationary satellites, has been a anytime-anywhere viewing options and providers, and either partner with OTT players popular choice for decades. The popular system add in the seemingly high price of DTH or create an OTT offering of their own. offered hundreds of channels to consumers, services, and you have a strong case for who could use different types of subscriber OTT services. There are currently models to get the programming that they wanted Finding the right price point hundreds of OTT players in the market, MNOs and ISPs have an advantage in their directly to the home. with dozens crowding the African market. DTH created a social culture around battle over customers. Their broadband programming. With its set schedule, viewers services are already designed to support OTT could watch shows at night and talk about them DTH response pressures viewing. DTH service providers, on the other with coworkers the following day. Season finales broadband providers hand, have to manage additional expenses and special programming became events, into the equation. As you would imagine, DTH providers For DTH providers to provision OTT services leading to social media buzz, excited have noticed the changing trends in the conversations, and debates about characters that don't suffer from latency issues, lag time, marketplace. Whereas they once may or constant interruptions as data is loaded into and plot twists. h a v e v i e w e d O T T s e r v i c e s a s Over-the-Top (OTT) programming provided the system requires high bandwidth running supplemental to the live news and sports via satellite, which has higher costs than using consumers with a different, more personal programming that they offered, today's option. These services, which include Netflix, fiber technology. These put upward pressure consumer can purchase OTT packages on DTH pricing, limiting the types of OTT AppleTV, and Amazon Prime are available on a for live programming. This new reality has subscription model. OTT subscribers quickly services they can offer while remaining pushed DTH service providers to adjust competitive. found that they were no longer tied to network their offering. schedules; they could view the shows that they However, the broadband providers, with their SAIRTEK, Azam TV, Globecast and Canal existing VSAT services, are technologically liked, at a pace they preferred. The service was + are just a few examples of DTH service much more personal than DTH, as viewers better equipped to furnish OTT to consumers, providers who have added OTT services and maintain market share. With the bi- controlled the programming on their TV, as well to their offering. In the battle to hold on to as the device they used to watch. directional access needed to fully support OTT consumers, service providers like these programming, MNO and ISP broadband believe that OTT services can help them providers are able to stave off inroads made by A growing OTT market retain their subscriber base. Their viewers DTH providers. These service providers can Over the past few years we've seen continued can watch programming on any device utilize their existing CDN networks and adapt global growth of OTT subscribership. Last and have control over their viewing their data centers to deliver OTT programming October a survey in India showed that 55% of schedule. to consumers. Indians preferred OTT over DTH. The Sub Saharan African OTT video market is MNOs and ISPs are now finding accelerating quickly, and expected to become a themselves in a battle for market share. MNOs and ISPs need to act trillion-dollar market within the next 4 years. DTHs, with the addition of OTT services to The advantage held by MNOs and ISPs won't OTT has a number of advantages over DTH. For their offering, are swaying consumers, last long. DTH providers are working tirelessly one, as the cost of data has dropped globally, frustrating these broadband providers. to create and provision OTT offerings at a price more subscribers can afford the fast internet However, MNO and ISP broadband ANALYSIS

COVID-19 and the European Space Industry

By Nicole Heins

As many countries in Europe are going during Space19+ will be dropped. He did instrument to provide guarantees to banks through the second lockdown of 2020, Andrea highlight, however, that there may be and venture capitalists who want to invest in Vena, Head of the Corporate Development consequences of the pandemic that new areas and new technologies. There will Office at ESA, said he has seen great need to be considered in future decision- also be opportunity for the space sector.” resilience in the industry: “We have had making. Key next steps for the agency Mark Boggett, CEO of Seraphim Capital business continuity in almost all areas, even include future decisions on unity of painted an optimistic future on investment in though Europe has been locked down for a action among the European Union and the space industry and how it has performed couple of months quite rigidly. Therefore, I E S A , s e c u r i n g i n t e r n a t i o n a l over the last year, despite the pandemic. “If think that we can look at the future very collaboration following the inauguration you compare the period Q2 and Q3 of 2019, positively.” of the new US administration, the against the period of Q2 and Q3 2020, what This positivity is shared by Hans Bracquené, continuous promotion of the commercial we can draw from that is the impact of COVID. Chairman of SME4Space, an industry dimension of space, and the First of all, the overall global impact of COVID association supporting around 800 small and enforcement of space as a 'cross- is that the 2020 period is up 65% on the 2019 medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). He was cutting' sector. period. From my perspective, that completely optimistic regarding the measures ESA and The European Commission is preparing blows away any suspect that hype was what the European Commission took during the the European Union's next Multiannual was driving the investment in the space tech first part of 2020 to help support businesses: Financial Framework for 2021-2027. sector for the last few years. This is not hype, “We did two surveys as SME4Space with the Aside from its flagship programmes such this is investors making a conscious decision SMEs. In the second one, which was in May, as the Ariane vehicle, Galileo and to make a long-term investment in a growth [it was] clear that the measures were known C o p e r n i c u s p r o g r a m m e s , t h e sector, which is great news.” and were implemented and used by the forthcoming financial perspective is set However, Boggett drew a more concerning agencies.” Bracquené also highlighted a to include new areas within the conclusion for the European space industry. major concern for the foreseeable future: Commission's focus for research and Looking at the six-month quarter results “the “Unfortunately, I have to speak in the past innovation including space situational US is up by 59%, Asia up by 260% while tense because the money was spent so awareness and GOVSATCOM. “There Europe is down 19%. The United Kingdom is quickly that the agency [ESA] was running out are also other new research priorities up 10%. So, Europe is the only main economy of money and they had to stop it on the first of which are coming up simply because the that is actually down, comparing those six- October. The higher amounts that were paid, technologies are developing so fast – month quarters. If you look at it by the number that specific decision had to be rolled back. one fascinating part is quantum of deals, overall, the total number of deals is We were told they need a new council technology and how you can use it in down by 9%. That means two things: there is decision which is the most important organ of space”, said Christoph Kautz, the a flight to quality, better quality companies are the space agency to be able to restart it. So, European Commission's Acting Head of being funded.” The second thing Boggett we hope that it will soon be restarted because Unit for Space Research, Innovation and highlight was “that investors who are funding the problems are still there.” Start-ups for the Directorate General companies are potentially overfunding Vena acknowledged this and said he has Defence Industry and Space. companies because of the uncertainty of the seen a lot of support from ESA's member Kautz also mentioned the prioritisation of period ahead. Rather than providing 12 states to keep the industry alive. Vena also better interlinkage with financial months of funded runway, they are providing reflected on ESA's Ministerial meeting in instruments as a focus area. “We will 18 months or even two years to make sure Seville in November 2019 and indicated that have a programme called InvestEU these businesses got the appropriate runway at this stage, none of the programmes agreed which essentially is a financial to get them out of this crisis.” REPORT Small satellites, big future

Modern life relies on satellites. Everything from using credit cards and tracking flights, to be explored,” Prof Low explained. STAR we are now working on formation flying weather apps and video calls, are only made “For a large satellite that costs a few hundred with three satellites, and we are optimistic to be possible by the complex network of man- million dollars, you cannot afford to take risks the first in the world to pioneer this ability,” he made spacecraft orbiting our planet. What's and would have to be extremely conservative stated. more, as terrestrial technology gets more in choosing any new parts. Whereas with Small satellites have proven their utility and intricate and connected via the Internet of smaller satellites we can be more daring. We revealed new applications not even possible Things, satellites will become even more can use cutting-edge components and state- with large satellites. By using small satellites, the essential in the future. of-the-art instruments to conduct really Internet will be made accessible to the world's Today, there are nearly 5,000 satellites in interesting experiments.” most remote places, a crucial connectivity need space, and according to the United Nations in this digital age. Register of Objects Launched into Outer “Another advantage of smaller satellites is Having launched six Singapore-made satellites Space, this figure is snowballing annually. mass production using commercially in his career, Prof Low is upbeat about the local However, while the number of orbiting available parts, such that dozens of satellites efforts, “With Singapore's established track satellites continues to grow, their relative size can be built and launched in fleets,” said Prof record in successful small satellite launches and and weight has been shrinking in recent Low. Networking them together opens up the the trailblazing research lab at STAR, we are years. In fact, if we were to define a small possibilities of new applications and greater certainly among the world leaders in this small satellite as weighing less than 100kg, then resilience — if one satellite malfunctions, the satellite field. In the future, as this trend towards more small satellites were launched in the rest of the fleet are still operational. miniaturised satellites increases, this will previous two years than in all of human Singapore is an up-and-coming player in the definitely play to our strengths.” history. small satellite world with To explain this rapid reduction in size of NUS research at the modern satellites, Professor Low Kay Soon forefront. Previous NUS “These micro and from the Satellite Technology and Research projects included exploring Centre (STAR) at NUS Engineering gives his quantum technologies in nanosatellites can insights on their utility in the digital age. space to develop quantum Used mainly for weather monitoring and c o m m u n i c a t i o n s , a n d be built in a much surveillance applications, satellites were launching graphene into the traditionally about the dimensions of a public stratosphere to test its quicker time frame bus and weighed several tonnes. “Satellites p r o p e r t i e s f o r f u t u r e like these cost hundreds of millions of dollars applications. for a fraction of the and take many years to build,” explained Prof Prof Low's current research Low. As such they could only be constructed is looking at coordinating cost. Universities by governments or very large aerospace multiple satellites into flying organisations. formations. This is certainly and commercial companies Now, smaller satellites have democratised the no mean feat — formation industry as they no longer require vast flying requires pinpoint- can now afford to resources to build and launch. Definitions a c c u r a t e p r o p u l s i o n vary, but a satellite in the range of 10 to 100kg systems, atomic clocks that experiment with is usually classified as a microsatellite, while stay synchronised at anything less than 10kg can be called a 26,000km per hour, and the satellite technology.” nanosatellite. ability to locate the satellites “Micro and nanosatellites can be built in a in real time down to less than Professor Low Kay much quicker time frame for a fraction of the a metre. cost. Universities and commercial companies “This has only ever been Soon can now afford to experiment with satellite achieved with pairs of technology, and exciting new applications can satellites previously. At INDUSTRY REPORT

Tracking desert locusts with satellite services

Desert locust swarms are a pestilence of biblical by finding innovative ways to use the data Meteorological Organization WMO literature proportion. Coming in waves ever since ancient already being received, at a time when all on weather and locust migration. Locusts that times, they ravage crops that supply food to members were simultaneously feeling the want to lay eggs are yellow, cannot fly very far, communities and livestock – in only one day, a impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. and are looking for moist soil to settle in. small swarm can consume the food of 35,000 Reaching a breeding site before the eggs people. One locust alone is merely a type of hatch is fantastic success enabled by all of this Forecasting locust movement data and forecasting, and mitigation grasshopper, but when climate conditions and According to Kenneth Kemucie Mwangi from other complex factors lead to a surge in procedures, including pesticides and burning, ICPAC, Thematic Assistant to the GMES and can then prevent a new swarm. population, they can swarm in groups of up to Africa initiative, the key to stopping the spread of billions. a locust swarm is to identify the areas locusts go This year has seen some of the worst swarms in to breed, and then immediately eradicate the Status of the outbreaks decades arrive in the Horn of Africa. The first eggs or newly hatched hoppers with pesticides. As of the end of August 2020, there is effective wave at the end of 2019 destroyed 70,000ha of The faster one can respond, the greater the control of the locust spread over the majority of farmland in Somalia and Ethiopia, and 2,400km chances of stopping a new generation; the focus the affected regions. In Uganda, only few of pastureland in Kenya. A second wave brought is on how best to forecast the movement of swarms remain, and in Kenya, three counties the locusts back just as fresh crops were growing breeding locusts. are still affected. and introduced swarms to Uganda and South By passing on this information to ministries in the Kenneth explains: “Those three counties were Sudan. Right now, most outbreaks are under affected regions, decision makers can arrange among those impacted by the movement control, but new swarms are coming in from interventions for high-risk areas. By presenting restrictions caused by COVID-19, during the Yemen, which has a limited capacity to control locust risk maps and information such as time that intensified control of the locusts was such outbreaks. What can we do to fight against predicted locust movement and ground data to needed most. The coronavirus hit the region these swarms? governments and partners in control every two when ICPAC and IGAD's call for action and weeks, ICPAC provided advance warning early action advisories reports reached the Fighting a plague enough to make a difference. government through the IGAD Ministers of These predictions come after considering a Agriculture. This caused a break in control and ICAPC, based in Kenya, has had a busy year. As multitude of factors. Firstly, the trackers follow all with no movement between counties possible, a Regional Climate Centre, ICPAC provide the latest literature in the scientific community, there could be no immediate response.” services such as climate forecasting, about the optimal conditions for locust surges. Internal travel restrictions weren't the only environmental monitoring and disaster risk Next, they follow the status of the existing locust issue; a slowdown of international shipping management for the Horn of Africa, using populations. Are they swarming? Are they limited the delivery of pesticides ordered from weather satellite data and other information breeding or feeding? This information is not Japan. Despite the lack of a timely response, broadcasted via EUMETSAT's dissemination easily available and mainly comes from ground- ICPAC's role was still a success, as time went system, EUMETCast.. based reports and observations. Finally, they on to show the model had correctly predicted These services are particularly crucial for a evaluate the areas of greatest risk for locust- the correct locations of the outbreak. As region prone to extreme climate events such as breeding grounds, and advise decision makers mobilisation becomes possible again, and with droughts and floods, and heavily dependent on to intervene there as soon as possible. the continued assistance of predictions and locally-sourced agriculture. The additional coordinated response plans from ICPAC, it is challenge of the locust swarm this year, the worst This risk evaluation comes from a simple hoped that it is only a matter of time before the for the region in a quarter of a century, was met mathematical model derived from the World remaining regional swarms are controlled. INDUSTRY REPORT

Will maturing cubesat propulsion call for more regulation?

Emergence of smaller and affordable affordable and effective miniaturized case of intentional or unintentional spacecraft through the cubesat concept has p r o p u l s i o n m e t h o d s t o e n h a n c e irresponsible behaviour of an operator. contributed to the NewSpace sectorial manoeuvrability. Basic steering instruments Tracking cubesats with current SSA dynamic and progressive evolution of the currently used, such as reaction wheels, offer capabilities, particularly in higher orbits, is also small satellite market, contrasting with the limited capacity to move the spacecraft. challenging and these objects are still mostly escalation of satellites size, weight and Advanced propulsion systems, comparable non-manoeuvrable and tracked as such. capabilities witnessed until the late 1990s. to those used for traditional satellites, be it Cybersecurity: With more options to move the Cubesats belong to the family of small electrical or chemical, have not yet been, spacecraft, related cyber topics, such as the satellites: they weigh between 1 and 10kg, economically and technologically speaking, necessity of encrypting TT&C channels (to they are designed and manufactured in 1 or effectively scaled down to a cubesat prevent potential hacking), gain in magnitude. more standardized units of 10x10x10cm utilization level. Ÿ In-orbit operations and space defence: and operate generally at lower orbits. Improved manoeuvrability also opens up Affordability of designing (open source), Relevance of propulsion issue is amplifying numerous prospective applications based on manufacturing, launching and operating with a range of new concepts progressing to rendezvous and proximity operations (RPOs) cubesats led many non-traditional actors to high TRLs, with some already commercially such as in-orbit servicing, inspection, pursue cubesat missions, mainly for available. European-led initiatives in this maintenance, active debris removal… Beyond education and technology demonstration domain include R&D at a number of the commercial potential, these applications purposes. This affordability, accompanied European universities, ESA funding to have implications in the field of space defence. by advances in related R&D (e.g. cubesat missions under the General Support The increased mobility of cubesats, whose c o m p o n e n t s a n d s u b - s y s t e m s Technology Programme (e.g. to GomSpace / detection and tracking pose challenges (and miniaturisation), led more (traditional and NanoSpace), EU's FP7-Space- or Horizon whose capabilities continue to expand), is non-traditional) actors to engage with 2020-funded projects, or emerging cubesat increasingly perceived as a plausible 'space cubesats, having in mind civil, military or propulsion concepts of several European control' mean if such improved capabilities are commercial interest to accomplish more private space companies, such as Enpulsion used for satellite inspection, espionage or sophisticated objectives in science, earth (AT), D-Orbit (IT), NanoAvionics (LT) or Mars hypothetically also deliberate utilization as co- observation, communication, technology Space and Clyde Space (UK). The integration orbital ASAT devices. testing or even military operations support. of propulsion sub-systems on cubesats can effectively answer three primary questions – The use of cubesats to provide commercial station keeping, orbit modification and de- What's next for policy-making? services has skyrocketed and future outlook orbiting. Beyond the opportunities that The anticipated security issues resulting from counts with number of proposed large advanced propulsion generates for new the emergence of new cubesat capabilities and cubesat constellations. Statistically, cubesat applications, it also raises a number improved manoeuvrability will presumably cubesats have been dominating the small of new issues related to cubesat operations in compel new space security policy and satellite market with regards to number of orbit. regulatory developments. Updating and objects launched (more than 800 since 2012 enforcing applicable regulations (which as of writing this paper). Despite this remains in the hands of governments) may outstanding number, cubesats represent, Emerging issues for future impact the business perspectives and weaken however, a marginal portion of the mass consideration the promising market dynamics of cubesats if launched to space. Interestingly, the Increasing private investments in space commercial aspects are not properly taken into aforementioned upward trend concerning ventures, in addition to current market account. Some public-led reflections are size and capabilities of the traditional dynamics and growing governmental interest already in progress (e.g. in the U.S.) and satellite market is now impacting cubesats. will likely mean that cubesat utilization industry auto-regulation initiatives are 1U or 2U designs, which were originally landscape continue to thrive. The growing emerging. favoured until 2014, are now surpassed by a number of these tiny spacecraft, augmented growing utilization of larger (3U, 6U, 12U…) by new capabilities and potentially advanced The evolution of cubesat utilization has thus a designs, which allow for improved manoeuvrability possibilities will have a multifaceted impact, producing novel capabilities. With such limited size and significant impact on a number of security application opportunities while bringing about weight, cubesats cannot match the issues: new issues for consideration. Hence, future capabilities of larger traditional satellites, Ÿ Access to space security: Application of policy making will need to find the appropriate but, with new system architectures (e.g. traditional propulsion methods, potentially balance between, on one hand, supporting the disaggregated constellations), they can unstable mixed liquid fuel and oxidizer, is expansion of cubesat utilization, which raises enable new applications and services. Their posing risks to other rocket payloads when clear commercial and governmental civil and affordability, simplicity and standardised cubesats are launched in piggyback or military interests, and, on the other hand, taking design also makes them increasingly ridesharing arrangements, which are being up security challenges arising from current and relevant for technology demonstration and mostly utilized by cubesat missions today. foreseen developments. In the short term, quick access to space. Ÿ Security in outer space: Growing number of nationally-led approaches seem to be manoeuvrable cubesats will have progressing faster than multilateral engagements. However, due to wide-ranging Maturing propulsion implications for space environment protection and preservation (SEPP), space relevance of the evolving cubesat utilization concepts situational awareness (SSA) and space traffic landscape, a convergence at international level One issue that the cubesat community has management (STM). On one hand, advanced will be desirable at some point to foster the been struggling to overcome to further propulsion can provide de-orbiting solutions harmonization of potentially differing national improve and extend the range of cubesat to adhere by debris mitigation guidelines, but regulations, standards and guidelines towards capabilities is the development of low-risk, may, at the same time, create new risks in a shared framework. INTERNATIONAL

Space weaponisation

As an increasing number of states are showing a readiness to test ASAT technology, the way forward is unclear. Will the Indian ASAT test foster a perception that ASAT technology is unproblematic as long as test are conducted while mitigating space debris creation? Does it signal a move towards new asymmetric threats or the challenging of existing power structures and notionsFarhad Khan, of Chief supremacy Commercial Of ficerin space?, Yahsat

On March 27th, 2019, the Indian Ministry of official space policy. The last decades in Kashmir region, the ASAT test presents an Foreign Affairs announced the successful particular have seen a shift in India's foreign as opportunity for PM Modi to showcase a tough execution of an anti-satellite (ASAT) missile well as military posture, including in space. stance on national security issues. test launched from Dr. APJ Abdul Island launch Historically, India has pursued a foreign policy complex, which destroyed an Indian satellite in doctrine of non-alignment, projected a International Reactions Low-Earth Orbit (LEO). The so-called Mission defensive posture in regional and international International reactions to the test have been Shakti was conducted by the Defence politics and has heavily emphasized the mixed and reflect the global ambiguity on this Research and Development Organisation almost exclusive use of space to address topic. Jim Bridenstine, NASA Administrator, (DRDO) and reportedly was a demonstration of infrastructure and socio-economic needs for criticized the test as irresponsible and possibly a hit-to-kill ballistic missile interceptor. its growing population. providing a precedent to other nations and considers it incompatible with the future of This ASAT test – announced by the Indian Since the turn of the century however, this human spaceflight, due to the proximity to the government and detected by the U.S. military's stance has progressively diluted – giving way ISS orbit of some debris created. DRDO early warning and surveillance network – to more prominent pursuit of military space Chairman Reddy claims deliberate steps were makes India the 4th nation to demonstrate applications and a wish to take on a stronger taken to minimize debris creation and thus such capabilities after the United States, role in the regional and international arena. risks to space assets. However, the U.S. Russia and China. Beyond their implications This policy shift can be attributed to factors Space Situational Awareness (SSA) network for possibly increased deployment of weapons including regional security tensions with tracked up to 300 pieces of debris resulting in space, ASAT weapon tests are also heavily Pakistan and China, the beginning of Prime from the Indian test, with some pieces even scrutinized due to their contribution to space Minister Narendra Modi's term as well as the crossing the ISS apogee at 410km. The exact debris creation. India claims that debris 2007 and 2010 Chinese ASAT tests. In 2010 number will likely grow in time as fragments created as a result of the test will quickly decay the DRDO Director General V.K. Saraswat spread out. and have very limited consequences for space acknowledged Indian pursuit of ASAT With regard to space defence implications, the safety. The impact, which occurred at an capabilities in order to neutralize enemy's Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs altitude of 283km should result in most of the satellites or deny access to them, announcing acknowledges India's commitment against debris fragments polluting the surrounding just one year later that the building blocks had weaponization, however advocates for a environment for around two months. been put into place to target satellites in legally binding instrument to prevent an arms altitudes of up to 1000km and beyond. race in outer space and attributes India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi hails this test, decision to test this ASAT to a degraded which was conducted with domestic Therefore, while space has indeed taken on an international security and arms control technology, as a moment of national pride and increased importance for India domestically infrastructure, supposedly undermined by the a demonstration of India's status as a space and internationally, India clearly aspires to United States. India's neighbours, China and power. While reaffirming India's commitment to leave behind the status of a limited Pakistan reacted promptly as well, the former the peaceful use of outer space, he also international space actor and a mere recipient releasing a rather subdued statement on its stressed the importance of space for India and of technology and instead seeks to reach the hope for a collaborative effort towards “peace for the World, explaining that “in such a status of an established space power. Thus, and tranquillity in outer space”, while the latter condition, defending and securing these the ASAT test has, most importantly, condemned increasing militarization of space valuable assets becomes equally important.” consequences for the perception of India by without mentioning India specifically. the international community. Satheesh Reddy, While the Indian ASAT test indeed is precisely Solely interpreting this ASAT test as a Chairman of DRDO, explained that the “best that – a test – and not the deployment of an demonstration of India's capability to way of defence is to have deterrence”. Along operational ASAT programme, it adds to the practically defend and secure its own space this statement, rather than a demonstration of increasing number of events at technical, assets may be an incomplete assessment. capability, it is the demonstration of readiness political, and security level that push the While some ASAT technologies cause damage – which India made to show it is not just a boundaries of the international legal and that could be reversible, they are – by the 'paper tiger'. diplomatic framework. The lack of consensus nature of their purpose – not defensive, but reached by the Group of Governmental rather used to disrupt, destroy or deny other Furthermore, although officially the timing of Experts on the PAROS, which convened in countries access to their own satellites. This this test was scientifically and technologically March 2019, is but one indication of this test is more a product of India's foreign and driven, in light of upcoming elections and challenge. defence policy than it is of India's (still awaited) regional tensions with Pakistan over the

12 From collaboration, cooperation to partnership, the story of space exploration in 2021

Picture source ADB

Picture source: ITU

Courtesy- SpaceX

Air Vice Marshall Tommy Udoh The US National Aeronautic and Space The Brazilian Space Agency, together with the Administration, NASA is currently seeking new focuses on proposals that include potential MCTI, intends to start, from 2021, projects partners to help the agency tell the story of innovative technologies or hardware, such as associated with the exploration of the Moon, human exploration at the Moon with the Artemis cameras or other equipment that a partner might which will serve to inspire and promote program in ways that engage, excite, and inspire fly on the mission to augment existing NASA Brazilian participation in the development of an a worldwide audience. Through the end of this imagery. international lunar spacecraft (or probe) and a decade, NASA will explore more of the lunar Examples could include hardware such as 360- rover lunar, this completely produced by surface than ever before and will establish a degree field-of-view camera systems, virtual national companies and institutions. The sustainable human presence with Artemis in reality, advanced imagery compression to initiatives will integrate international missions, preparation for future human missions to Mars. improve image quality over limited bandwidth such as the Artemis Program, and will serve to “We're looking for partners to use advanced communication links; unique storytelling and improve Brazilian skills in the space sector, in technologies, imagery applications and distribution methods, 4K and Ultra HD camera addition to the development of a space approaches that will go beyond our standard systems, robotic “third-person” views, crew education program aimed at different school coverage on NASA TV,” said NASA handheld camera systems, image stabilization, levels in Brazil. Administrator Jim Bridenstine. “We want to small portable cameras, or other concepts that capture the awe of Apollo for a new generation – provide more engaging imagery or deliver a The signing of the Joint Declaration was also the Artemis Generation. Just as people were custom viewer experience. attended by the Ambassador of Brazil to the glued to the TV 50 years ago as astronauts took the first steps on the Moon, we want to bring people along in this new era of exploration.”

On December 14, 2020, the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovations (MCTI), Astronaut Marcos Pontes, and the administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Agency of the United States of America (NASA), Jim Bridenstine, signed a Declaration of Intent Joint inserting Brazil in the list of nations that have already expressed interest in participating in the Artemis Program. This is an important milestone for Brazilian technology and scientific and spatial knowledge, marking Brazil's return to international missions to explore outer space. Spacecraft are routinely outfitted with NASA cameras for technical and operational support, such as inspecting solar arrays, and footage from these cameras typically is used to supplement mission coverage on NASA Television. The partnership proposal primarily

19 SPECIAL REPORT

USA, Nestor Forster, the US Ambassador to Polarstern, embarking on a one-month non- intended to help inform the design of a future Brazil, Todd Chappman, the Undersecretary stop voyage across the Atlantic. They are greenhouse on the Moon or Mars and determine foCourtesy-r Econom SpaceXic Growth, Energy and scheduled to reach Antarctica in late what is needed to support astronaut crews.” Environment of the US Department of State, January. Prior to that, the crew will be Keith Krach, the substitute president of the quarantined to rule out any COVID-19 At the DLR Institute of Space Systems in Brazilian Space Agency, Aluísio Camargo, and infections on board. Bremen, Bunchek learned how to operate the MCTI's secretary of Entrepreneurship and Antarctic greenhouse during the polar night, via a Innovation, Paulo Alvim. Brazil's return to International cooperation is a key element digital connection with the control centre at the international space missions for peaceful of scientific success and the development Institute. System data and plant growth are purposes was made possible thanks to the of effective solutions to global challenges digitally monitored from there, and it is also support of MCTI, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs such as climate change, according to the possible to operate the greenhouse remotely for (MRE) and the Brazilian Embassy in German Aerospace Center. a few days in the event of Antarctic storms. "With Washington, which provided the necessary Pascale Ehrenfreund, Chair of the DLR Jess Bunchek on site and the collaboration with support for various negotiations between the Executive Board, explains: “Our NASA, we now have a unique opportunity to AEB and NASA. Internationalisation Strategy 2030 will be an advance our research in the EDEN ISS Joining the Artemis Program will be a new important tool for the further growth of greenhouse and to take things to a new level. opportunity for Brazilian industry, academia international cooperation in the years This ambitious research programme is an and research institutes to contribute their ahead. At its core are four goals that focus important milestone for the creation of a knowledge in favor of the joint exploration of on scientific excellence, contributing greenhouse module inside an international lunar outer space. towards addressing societal challenges station, with a view to crewed missions to Mars," With five robotic flights to the Moon already and partnering with industry.” booked through 2023, and a sixth award # expected soon, NASA is seeking suites of new DLR has identified 30 priority countries and science investigations and technology international organisations, with which it experiments for future commercial lunar would like to increase its cooperation in the deliveries as part of the Artemis program. coming years. The internationalisation strategy emphasises the special role of its Recently, the EDEN ISS greenhouse, five longstanding partners, the United developed by the German Aerospace Center States, France, Japan, Russia and the (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; Netherlands. In addition to countries, DLR), has been in Antarctica since 2018. It cooperation partners also include was created to conduct research into food international organisation such as the EU, production in deserts and cold regions, as well the United Nations, research organisations, as exploring the possibility of growing fresh universities and space agencies. DLR has food in the hostile conditions on the Moon or an excellent global network and cooperates Mars. Plant scientist Jess Buncheck of with over 500 institutions in more than 110 NASA's Kennedy Space Center will spend a countries. Each year, DLR institutes and year on the perpetual ice as a DLR guest facilities employ over 540 guest researcher during the winter of 2021, during researchers from more than 90 countries. which time she will grow vegetables without "EDEN ISS is a unique project. There are soil and under artificial light. She will be part of few other facilities like it in the world," says the overwintering crew at the Neumayer III Bunchek, who is currently working at the Antarctic Station, which is operated by the DLR Institutte of Space Systems. "The Alfred Wegener Institute . After months of extreme climate and overwintering aspect training, the crew will set sail on 20 December make it all the more unique. This 2020, on board the AWI research vessel collaboration between DLR and NASA is 20 SPECIAL REPORT

says EDEN ISS Project Manager Daniel Schubert. As part of the joint project, some lettuces and varieties of vegetables have already been harvested in the Antarctic, and NASA has tested them for space suitability on the International Space Station (ISS).

Bunchek has also conducted extensive preparations for the extreme conditions in Antarctica with the new ten-member overwintering crew, including completing a glacier course in the Alps and undergoing fire protection training. "Preparation is everything," stresses Bunchek. "I think our period of preparation makes the Neumayer III Station particularly interesting. It has long been compared to other stations, partly because AWI wants to ensure that the overwintering team has the right balance of people. And then there is also the fact that we are going to be isolated for the whole winter, so we have to be prepared for any situation.”

Guest researcher Jess Bunchek from NASA's Kennedy Space Center will stay in Antarctica for a year from the end of January 2021 and live at the German Neumayer III Station, which is operated by the Alfred Wegener Institute. She will investigate plant cultivation for isolated, confined, and extreme (ICE) environments like space in the EDEN ISS greenhouse, which is managed by the German Aerospace Center, Institute of Space Systems and has produced fresh crops for science and the overwhelming crews since Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia and make it possible to make high-resolution early 2018. Zambia. astronomy using any of our computers or The SKA project South Africa is already host to the KAT7 portable cell phones ”, says the Minister of The international SKA project aims to telescope array and the MeerKAT telescope Science, Technology and Higher Education, construct the first stage (SKA1) of the world's array, a 64-dish system which is a precursor Manuel Heitor. largest radio telescope – around 50 times to the SKA. MeerKAT will be integrated into “ This program finally democratizes more sensitive than present instruments, by the first phase of SKA-Mid, which will access to astronomy and knowledge of the around 2025. comprise almost 200 dishes spread around Universe, stimulating scientific curiosity With 40% of the world's population involved, the Karoo. The ultimate goal is to expand and creativity of young people and adults, as the SKA Project is truly a global enterprise. further, extending into African partner well as opening new paths for researchers to Organisations from fifteen countries are countries across the continent. deepen their knowledge about the creation of currently taking part in the SKA at government In Australia, the SKA's low-frequency Ilife and the fundamental principles of the or national-coordination level – Australia, telescope should initially comprise 512 evolution of the Universe. ” Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, stations arranged in a large core with three “It is with great pleasure that we welcome the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, spiral arms, spread over a distance of 65km. Portugal as one of the founding members of South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Each station will contain 256 individual SKAO”, says Managing Director Philip and the United Kingdom. antennas, representing more than 130,000 Diamond. "Europe has a strong radio The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project is antennas in total. In South Africa, 133 dish astronomy base and that is why it is an international effort to build the world's antennas shall be added to the existing 64- magnificent to see more European largest radio telescope, with eventually over a dish MeerKAT precursor telescope, totalling involvement in SKAO". “Portugal becomes square kilometre (one million square metres) nearly 200 dishes to form the SKA's mid- the third European country to ratify the of collecting area. The scale of the SKA frequency telescope array. Most dishes will SKA convention and there are others that are represents a huge leap forward in both be concentrated in a core, with three spiral in the process of joining . The skills and engineering and research & development arms extending over 150km. This forms part specialized knowledge that Portugal has in towards building and delivering a unique of the “design baseline”, an agreed the areas of green computing and data instrument, with the detailed design and description of the attributes of the telescope. processing are particularly welcome ” . preparation now well under way. As one of the Portugal has just joined the Netherlands, Portugal also has a strong research and largest scientific endeavours in history, the Italy, South Africa and Australia as a founding engineering community. Scientists from SKA will bring together a wealth of the world's member of SKA Observatory. The Portuguese research institutions are involved finest scientists, engineers and policy makers Portuguese Space Agency, Portugal Space, in nine of SKA's 14 scientific and focus to bring the project to fruition. which acts on behalf of the Portuguese working groups, and national engineers have Government to promote the country in the worked on various aspects of project design, In Africa, the desert regions of South Africa, international space market and to strengthen including the “Telescope Manager”, “Mid- provide the perfect radio quiet backdrop for the country's presence on the main world Frequency Aperture Array”, the “Signal and the mid-frequency array that will form a critical stages, will be the national representative at Data Transport”, the “Signal and Data part of the SKA's ground-breaking continent- SKO. Transport” consortia, and the “Power Task wide telescope. South Africa is not alone in “Portugal's participation in the SKA program Force”. hosting components for the SKA in Africa. and the fact that Portugal is a founding "Portugal is taking an important step forward in Eight partner countries around the African member of the“ SKA Observatory ”opens the strategy of Astrophysics and Astronomy to continent will also have radio telescopes up new opportunities for young people, provide the scientific community not only with contributing to the network that will provide researchers, astronomy professionals greater opportunities for the development of scientists with the world's most advanced and amateurs in Portugal to be involved in science, but also for the industrial sector, radio astronomy array. These include one of the most revolutionary scientific opening up new opportunities for business Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, cooperation initiatives globally , which will and technological development ", says 21 SPECIAL REPORT

since 2008. Although APSCO is a relatively new organisation, its establishment is the final institutionalisation of an existing multilateral cooperative effort initiated by China more than 20 years ago: the Asia-Pacific Workshop on Multilateral Cooperation in Space Technology and Applications (AP-MCSTA). This workshop was conceived in 1992 to pursue regional scientific and technological exchanges between China and other developing states. Gradually, this cooperation was reinforced and eventually formalised with the Convention establishing APSCO. The official signing ceremony took place in October 2005 and the Convention entered into force on 12 October 2006, making APSCO the second largest space international organisation, after ESA. Currently nine countries are signatories of the APSCO Convention: Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Mongolia, Pakistan, Peru, Tajikistan, Thailand, and Turkey, while Kazakhstan, Malaysia and Tajikistan are expected to accede to the Convention . Compared to APRSAF, APSCO has a more formal structure, modelled on the ESA, with a permanent council and a secretariat Ricardo Conde, President of Portugal Space. increasing in importance. The growth of headquartered in Beijing. It also enjoys full "Together with Portuguese participation in other China's space capabilities may have raised international legal status. The main purpose of international organizations, this is an security concerns, but it has also acted as a this intergovernmental organisation, set out in opportunity to look at the growth of the powerful stimulus to enhance the level of Article 4 of its Convention, is “to promote and Portuguese scientific community and to cooperation. strengthen the development of collaborative attract young students to these fields of space programmes between Member States, science ". Regional Space Initiatives: to assist Member States, to promote Allied to this, Portugal is an important point of cooperation, joint development, and to share connectivity in the Atlantic, hosting a hub of APRSAF and APSCO achievements among the Member States”. The submarine cables with connections to all According to a recent report, cooperative fields of cooperation identified by article 6 of the continents, except Antarctica. This undertakings in space activities in Asia date Convention are space technology and considerably increases the national potential to back to the early 1990s. At the beginning, applications, earth observation, space science be a fundamental piece in the cutting edge Japan, the leading actor in the economic research, education and training, space law, digital fabric, supporting the scientific development and integration process of the policy and regulations. exploration of excellence of a Big Data machine region, was willing to set up a framework to like SKA. "We believe that the conditions are coordinate - under its leadership - Asian In addition, training and education activities are met for Portugal to lead the work package of the nations' space activities. To this end, at the carried out on a regular basis, contributing to 'MID Networks'", adds Ricardo Conde. Asia-Pacific International Space Year the exchange of information and the sharing of Regional space integration in Conference in 1992, it proposed the creation knowledge. Concerning space law activities, of the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency APSCO is currently promoting the Asia Forum (APRSAF), which was established the establishment of a Research Centre for Space In recent years, the shift of the geopolitical and following year. At its initiation, it was Policy and Space Law intended to benefit geo-economic barycentre to the Asia-Pacific conceived as a talking shop intended to Member States and to promote regional region and the astonishing growth of Asian coordinate Asia-Pacific activities in space and peaceful uses of outer space. In parallel to nations' space capabilities, particularly in enhance cooperation among the space these ongoing projects, the progressive military space activities, have led analysts to agencies of various nations in the region. solidification of the institutional structure of regard Asia as the world's new epicentre for a APSCO, and the fact that further activities are space race in the 21st century. China, Japan, Since 1993 APRSAF has held annual planned in the near future demonstrate that India and North and South Korea are all meetings in rotating host locations co- APSCO has the potential to become an expanding their space programmes and the organised by the Japanese Aerospace influential player in space activities. competition among them may result in higher Exploration Agency (JAXA), the Japanese tensions, eventually leading to an arms race. Ministry of Education Culture, Sports, As a response to the competition aspect Science and Technology (MEXT) and the introduced by China's emerging ambitions, the The region also witnessed an intensification of agencies of the hosting countries. Currently, Japanese Space Agency JAXA and the a regional integration process since 1989. This more than 300 institutions5 from 35 countries Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, has manifested in the establishment of take part in APRSAF, making it the largest Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) numerous institutions, including the Asia- coordination structure for space activities in initiated more ambitious programmes, Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) process the Asia-Pacific region. APRSAF activities are gradually transforming APRSAF from a talking and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations carried out in a voluntary and cooperative shop into a programme through the utilisation of (ASEAN) Plus Three - a permanent forum that manner by its parties, and are organised KIBO, the Japanese module in the ISS (KIBO- functions as a coordinator of cooperation through four different working groups: Earth ABC). While the latter aims at promoting the between ASEAN and China, Japan, and South Observation, Communication Satellite utilisation of KIBO by Asian Space Agencies, Korea. Another initiative in this respect are the Applications, Space Education and Climate Raims at making APRSAF a East Asia Summits (EAS) which aim at Awareness, and Space Environment recognised space data coordination forum in negotiating the conditions for the creation of an Utilisation. The working groups are designed support of common climate-related regional East Asia Community. The regionalisation to share information about the activities and activitiesmanagement structure. process has followed different patterns the future plans of each country and region in Finally, two other programmes were launched compared to its European counterpart and for the respective areas. at the APRSAF meeting in Singapore in 2011: this reason its potential is often dismissed by the Regional Readiness Review for Climate Western analysts. These dynamics are very Recently, the centrality of APRSAF has been Missions (Climate R3) and the 'Asian Beneficial well mirrored in the space sector, where challenged by the China-led Asia-Pacific Collaboration' alongside competitive trends there are a Space Cooperation Organisation (APSCO), number of cooperative efforts that are established in 2005 and has been operational ASIAN REPORT 2021 China moves to assemble Space Station

Nearly a month after taking off from the lunar samples were transferred and secured, 3 in 2013 and now Chang'e-4) and 3) returning Wenchang spaceport (on the night of after which the redundant return vehicle lunar samples back to Earth. This last objective November 23-24 this year), Chang'e 5 - the disconnected and then fell back to the will be achieved with Chang'e-5 and 6 sample lunar mission of the Middle Kingdom surface of the Silver Globe. return missions, which are scheduled for performed a full complex cycle of flight. The For the next few days, the orbiter remained launch as early as 2019 and 2020 respectively. culmination of the expedition took place on the on its trajectory around the Moon, waiting for evening of December 16 this year, with the a calculated convenient time to begin its The cycle began with the Chang'e 1 mission, landing of the return capsule containing the transfer towards Earth. It happened on involving the first Chinese orbiter placed on a declared 2 kg of lunar matter, in the Chinese December 13 this year. approx. 06:40 CET - trajectory around Earth's natural satellite. Its province of Inner Mongolia (or more precisely, with the launch of the Chang'e 5 orbiter drive implementation lasted from October 2007 to the administrative unit of Siziwang Qi). for the time needed to direct the machine to March 2009. After that, it was time for the In order for the valuable cargo to reach Earth at the proper flight path towards the Blue Planet Chang'e 2 expedition (October 2010 - June all, it had to be collected shortly after the (the engines were running for 22 minutes). 2011), which made a flight around the Moon, successful landing of the lander on the moon, The maneuver ran correctly, thanks to which and then in December 2012 went to the vicinity i.e. between December 1 and 3, 2020. During on December 16, before 6 p.m. Polish time, of the Toutatis asteroid. the several-hour operation, nearly 0.5 kg of the capsule broke through the Earth's A year later in December 2013, the first samples were obtained from a 2-meter atmosphere and landed safely in China. Chinese landing on the surface of the Moon borehole and a further 1.5 kg of matter from the Successful landing was confirmed after took place - it was made by the Chang'e 3 lunar surface. After the success of this part of approx. 90 minutes. lander with the Yutu rover. It was also the first the expedition was confirmed, a small escape The return capsule was quickly intercepted to safe landing on the Silver Globe in 37 years, vehicle with a secured container filled with begin its transport to the previously prepared the time of the Soviet mission Luna 24. The regolith samples separated from the Chang'e 5 laboratory. Time was set aside for the next final of the Chang'e 3 mission did not actually lander for the return flight to orbit. As it turned few days to thoroughly check and weigh the take place until 2018. Then another expedition, out later, its launch resulted in possible contents of the Chinese samples. Chang'e 4, was launched - as part of it, the damage or destruction of the lander, as contact second Chinese lunar lander (with the Yutu 2 with it was lost even before the lunar night over The successful execution of the mission was rover) was launched, but this time intended to the area of ?his mission (Mons Rümker in the hailed as a formidable feat for China from a operate on the side of the Moon invisible from vast region of Oceanus Procellarum - Ocean of geopolitical standpoint. This feat did not the Earth. With its successful landing, China Storms). It should be remembered here come as a surprise for the space community became the first country that managed to plant and marks a steady progress of Beijing's equipment in this hemisphere more distant The landing site of the Chang'e 5 mission was plans for lunar exploration. Chang'e-4 is from Earth. photographed from the Moon's orbit by NASA actually part of an ambitious decades-long Irrespective of their specific configuration and using the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter programme whose roots date back to the late implementation timeframes, Chinese lunar probe (photos from December 2 this year). 1980s. The programme, as officially plans, together with the position of the United However, on December 3 at approx. At 4:10 approved by the Chinese Communist Party in States on a renewed American leadership in PM Polish time (CET), the Chinese mission's 2003, is based on an incremental approach space, raise a number of questions for the return apparatus began its flight into the lunar that aims to successively fulfil three major international space community and, more orbit. Then, on December 5, around 10:42 PM objectives: 1) orbiting around the Moon importantly, open the way for a new era of CET, a successful mooring was made to the (Chang'e-1 in 2007 and Chang'e-2 in 2010); space exploration structured around a mix of base Chang'e 5 orbiter. Thanks to this, the 2) landing and roving on the Moon (Chang'e- cooperation and competition.

26 REPORT

C Band, Satellite and 5G

In late 2019, the ITU's quadrennial World Radio Conference (WRC-19) took place in Egypt, to adjust the rules of global coordination of spectrum utilisation and accommodate them to new global realities. The WRC-19 agenda extensively addressed the anticipated rollout of 5G mobile networks and in this sense, allocated more than 17GHz of new spectrum for cellular 5G

In late 2019, the ITU's quadrennial World C Band, satellite and 5G community. In particular, one of WRC-19 Radio Conference (WRC-19) took place in The utility of the 3.4 - 4.2 GHz C-band outcomes disturbed meteorologists, which Egypt, to adjust the rules of global spectrum in enabling the roll-out of 5G mobile expressed grave concerns with new 5G coordination of spectrum utilisation and networks, on top of other commonly spectrum allocation in the 26GHz band, accommodate them to new global realities. recognized bands for 5G, such as 700 MHz or arguing it may lead to unwished-for The WRC-19 agenda extensively addressed 26 GHz, has yielded quarrels among satellite interference to space sensors operating in the anticipated rollout of 5G mobile networks operators, mobile network operators (MNOs) an adjacent band (and hence also to and in this sense, allocated more than 17GHz and regulatory authorities. The most degradation of weather forecasting of new spectrum for cellular 5G. Additionally, prominent case has been lately playing out in precision) frequency bands were identified for High the USA. After few years of discussions and Such struggle calls for adequate processes Altitude Platforms (HAPS), which can become authorizing the 3.55 - 3.7 GHz for commercial for assessing the value of spectrum in yet another competitor for satellite in some wireless operations in 2015, in November situations requiring arbitrations, which will applications. Thanks to the intense and 2019 the Federal Communications most likely upsurge in the future. The successful work achieved by the satcom Commission (FCC) decided for clearing of i n t e r n a t i o n a l c o m m u n i t y o u g h t community, these new spectrum allocations lower 280 MHz of the 3.7 – 4.2 GHz range. simultaneously to protect both the have not come at the cost of drastic reduction Historically, the 3.7 – 4.2 GHz band has been commercial perspectives of the existing and of spectrum rights that are essential to instrumental for SATCOM business In March new concepts and the non-commercial, but commercial satellite operators. 2020, the FCC released the final decision on still highly beneficial applications. Space will repurposing the C-band spectrum. The lower probably continue to face difficulties The demand for access to spectrum is rapidly 280 MHz of the 3.7 - 4.2 GHz range shall be competing with terrestrial on commercial growing, reflecting the emergence of new cleared no later than December 5, 2025. terms, despite its essential role in spectrum-hungry connectivity concepts, such addressing some markets (e.g. connectivity as the awaited 5G mobile networks. This leads The public auction for frequencies is to air and sea or acceleration and extension to spectrum shortage and creates profound scheduled to take place in December 2020 of global 5G coverage). Similarly, space competition, despite increasing optimisation with MNOs bidding for spectrum rights systems continue to play an indispensable of the spectrum usage (frequency sharing, currently held by satellite operators. Satellite role in universal provision of public services usage of higher bands, satellite payload operators involved in the process (Intelsat, to the society (such as in science, digitalisation. The increasing demand for SES, Eutelsat, Telesat and Claro) need to meteorology, connectivity in disaster spectrum brings about new competitors (i.e. migrate their C-band services to 4.0 - 4.2 management when terrestrial networks go large tech companies, start-ups) and is GHz, for which they will be reimbursed for down or coverage of rural and less inhabited expected to squeeze various novel types of relocation costs associated with moving out of areas), although it might not be particularly services (high altitude platforms, intelligent the spectrum ($3.5 - $5.2 billion for profitable. transport systems…) into the existing procurement of new satellites, TT&C and regulation. This leads to multiple competing gateway consolidation, technology upgrades, When allocating spectrum rights, economy candidates for the same spectrum rights and and entitled to receive accelerated relocation is certainly an important factor as it fosters contributes to serious concerns of payments totalling $9.7 billion if they commit growth and prosperity. The value of the interferences, even among very different to, and succeed in, clearing the spectrum space-based services and applications is types of applications. early. very quickly increasing to a point that a Morgan Stanley study speaks of a trillion Within the space sector specifically, the USD value of space-based services by 2040 commercial deployment of new generations of The way forward (against USD 350 billion in 2019). In that satellites also impacts spectrum allocation. Potentially leaving spectrum management respect, space-based services will be as G E O n e t w o r k s a r e i n c r e a s i n g l y exposed to diverging and uncoordinated much needed as terrestrial services c o m p l e m e n t e d b y l a r g e n o n - G E O regulation by states poses risks for the space because of their social and societal constellations, some of which are already in sector. Satellite communications is by its leverage. However, arbitrating between operational phase. Interestingly, GEO satellite nature transboundary, requiring globally economy-led and societal-oriented operators are also exploring these new non- harmonised rules for spectrum usage to be applications requires political vision and GEO avenues. Some examples include, SES, efficient. It is in the vital interest of space decisions. As a common good, the spectrum which already operates and is currently actors to reaffirm the necessity of continuation will have to serve all applications, space- upgrading its O3b MEO network, or Eutelsat, of global harmonisation of spectrum usage. based and terrestrial, fixed and mobile, and which has started a nanosat LEO constellation Despite tremendous efforts, spectrum regulations will have to make it accessible. project (ELO) aiming for the IOT market. shortage might result in arbitrations that are not always consensual among the space

IN THE NEWS ASIA

CGWIC Successfully The private sector also plays an important have a wide choice of seven 5G-integrated role in developing the economy and chips with best-in-class features and Launches Four Satellites stimulating investment in the space industry. performance, whether they prefer the flagship- aboard Long March-8 This year, mu Space and Advanced class 1000+, the mid-range 800 series or Technology Public Company Limited (mu mainstream 700 series. Maiden Flight Space Corp.), a 3-year-old private satellite This year we've successfully brought the and space technologies firm, was able to benefits of 5G mobile connectivity, along with Chinese Long March-8 (LM-8) launch vehicle attract investors from several industries and key features such as Dual 5G SIM, and made its debut from Wenchang Spacecraft businesses to invest in the space industry, incredible power-efficiency through MediaTek Launch Site, successfully sending five such as TOT Public Company Limited, 5G UltraSave, to the biggest audience ever. satellites into pre-determined orbit. China executives from Dow Chemical Group, SCG, Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC), a as well as the current investors, including subsidiary of China Aerospace Science & Nice Apparel Group – a global leading athlete ZTE and China Mobile Technology Corporation (CASC), provides the apparel maker – , B.Grimm Group, Majuven complete SPN emulation launch services for four satellites aboard Fund, private business group, and a group of including HiSea-1 ,Yuanguang Satellite, TQ- other minor investors i.e. executives from the pilot on existing network 08, and SS-01A. UCLA Foundation. The value of 'mu Space' LM-8 launch vehicle is the new generation has increased to more than $100 million. ZTE Corporation (0763.HK / 000063.SZ), a cryogenic liquid medium-sized launch vehicle through a Series B fundraising. m a j o r i n t e r n a t i o n a l p r o v i d e r o f of China, which is designed and manufactured 'mu Space' CEO, VarayuthYenbamroong, on telecommunications, enterprise and consumer by China Academy of Launch Vehicle December 25th, 2020, stated during a soft technology solutions for the Mobile Internet, Technology (CALT), a subsidiary of CASC, with opening event of the first spaceship factory in and the Zhejiang branch of China Mobile, have the configuration of a core stage strapped with Thailand that “the fund recently raised will be completed the network emulation pilot on the two boosters. The total length is 50.3 meters, used on quickly build a large-scale factory to existing SPN in Huzhou, China. By simulating the lift-off mass is 356 tons, and the launch produce and assemble the first spaceship of different network environments, the two parties capacity is no less than 4.5 tons for 700 km sun Thailand, along with satellite parts and have explored network operation rules and synchronous orbit. Featured by its cost- commercial spaceships for domestic affairs, response mechanisms, performed analysis effectiveness, LM-8 is designed with the aim to communications, national security such as a n d a s s e s s m e n t b e f o r e s e r v i c e provide launch services in the commercial creating a locally made GPS (Global deployment/provisioning and network/service market. Positioning System), robotic testing, adjustment, and generated network security HiSea-1 is a synthetic aperture radar imaging autonomous system testing for unmanned plans based on the data to ensure network satellite, and Yuanguang Satellite is for vehicles to be used on the Moon mission. The security. scientific experiment, both belong to SpaceTY factory will be equipped with the 5G The Zhejiang branch of China Mobile has Co., Ltd. (Changsha); TQ-08 is a low-orbit data communication system. It will also serve as a employed ZTE's intelligent management and collection satellite of Beijing Guodian Hi-Tech platform to develop “Space IDC” control system ZENIC ONE (UME) on the Science and Technology LTD, and SS-01A is a technologies, with a plan to test the “Space existing SPN. The SPN network emulation remote sensing satellite of Beijing Smart IDC”(Space Internet Data Center) simulation module implements mirroring of the existing Satellite Space Technology Co., Ltd. in the first quarter of 2021. network data, including network resources, CGWIC is a commercial organization “Space IDC” or Space Internet Data Center services, protocols, and real-time traffic, and authorized by Chinese government to provide services is a project jointly created by 'mu simulate the impact of the events such as fiber commercial launch services, satellite systems Space' Corp. and TOT Public Company break, node upgrade, and structure adjustment and to carry out space technology cooperation, Limited, that aims at providing a data center on network services. with more than 30 years of experience and a service with a server being located in outer The module filters the massive traffic data on professional team. Under the guidance of space. the tunnels and ports when the data is entered. CACS, CGWIC can provide fast, stable and “mu Space' is planning to build 11 gateway Moreover, the emulation module simulates reliable “one-stop” quality services to both stations initially in Bangkok to operate the network node and link faults in different service international and domestic customers. Since upcoming Low Earth Orbit Satellite (LEO), models by employing the advanced algorithms, long March launch vehicle entered the while preparing to propose up to 8 projects and presents the impact of the faults on international market in 1990, CGWIC has from US National Aeronautics and Space network quality and services to users by tables completed 52 international commercial Administration (NASA) in the beginning of or graphs via the graphic interface of the launches, launched 69 international 2021. 'mu Space' has collected a lot of system. commercial satellites, and delivered 11 experience and has grown significantly from Therefore, the module changes the verification communications satellites and 4 remote submitting 7 space technology development from the “blind” mode to the “visual” mode. After sensing satellites in orbit. In addition, CGWIC projects with its Tipping Point Solicitation this function is deployed, the O&M personnel has provided 30 piggyback services to Project passing the first hearing. There is a can predict the impact on the service status in international and domestic customers, good chance that 'mu Space' will be awarded advance before performing such operations as including 17 domestic piggyback launches, with the project contract.” said Varayuth optical fiber cable cutover and node upgrade, sending 44 domestic payloads, and 20 hence service security guarantee. The module international piggyback launches, sending 27 MediaTek Becomes can increase the adjustment accuracy from international payloads.The maiden flight of LM- 60% to over 90%, thus effectively improving the 8 launch vehicle is the 356th flight of the Long Biggest Smartphone security of O&M operations. March series launch vehicle. Chipset Vendor for First ZTE has made in-depth cooperation with China Mobile in new service and function innovations, mu Space to push Thai Time in Q3 2020 such as fast SPN construction, easy service provisioning, precise service quality space industry, planning to According to the latest market insights monitoring, as well as network planning and build its first spaceship in conducted by Counterpoint Research, emulation. By December 2020, ZTE has MediaTek has become the world's biggest completed 5G SPN commercial deployments 2021 smartphone chip vendor in Q3 2020, with a and innvoation verification on the networks in market share of 31%: growing 5 points YoY. many cities of Zhejiang province. Moving 2020 was the time when the space scene was The research team estimates more than forward, ZTE will continue helping China lively again, with the Thai government pushing 100M smartphones with MediaTek chips Mobile build the most advanced and reliable 5G for space-activity-related legislation and were sold globally in Q3 2020, with strong networks. creating mechanisms to promote and support performance in mainstream phones in key Z T E i s a p r o v i d e r o f a d v a n c e d both the government and the private sector to regions such as LATAM, where market share telecommunications systems, mobile devices develop the space industry together, which is estimate grew from 19% to 41%, and India and enterprise technology solutions to one of the target industries in the new S-curve where it reached 46%. consumers, operators, companies and public that will increase Thailand's investment In 2020 MediaTek launched its Dimensity sector customers. The company has been capacity and its role in developing the space series with the aim to provide the most committed to providing customers with industry and ultimately add values to the Thai comprehensive range of 5G-integrated chips integrated end-to-end innovations to deliver economy. for smartphones. Today, smartphone users e x c e l l e n c e a n d v a l u e a s t h e 28 IN THE NEWS ASIA telecommunications and information AsiaSat adds HERMES Hainan. The 50.3-meter rocket ignited its engines technology sectors converge. Listed in the at a coastal launch pad, thundering skyward into stock exchanges of Hong Kong and Live's streaming service to thick layers of cloud. Shenzhen (H share stock code: 0763.HK / A its media solution offerings After about 15 minutes, the rocket reached a sun- share stock code: 000063.SZ), ZTE sells its synchronous orbit with an altitude of 512 products and services in more than 160 kilometers, and then deployed the New countries. Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company Technology Demonstrator 7 experimental Limited. Asia's premier satellite solutions satellite and four small private satellites. Nokia selected by provider announced further expansion of its The mission marked the 356th flight of the Long media solution offerings by partnering with March rocket family, the pillar of China's space Thailand's DTAC as its first HERMES Live to provide broadcast-grade transport system. Xiao Yun, Long March 8's 5G partner live streaming service to its global customers. project manager, said the rocket's successful This streaming service will enable AsiaSat to maiden flight is a new accomplishment in China's Nokia has announced that it has been provide complete solution that addresses efforts to upgrade its medium-lift launch vehicle selected by Thai mobile operator, dtac, customers' increasing need for distributing system and will push forward the nation's march part of Telenor Group, as its first 5G RAN content flexibly, cost effectively and for toward a world-class space power. The rocket's partner in a three-year deal covering the maximum reach as digital transformation has service will also give a strong boost to the North and North Eastern regions of reshaped the way audiences consume development and deployment of satellites Thailand. With this deal, Nokia plays a key content. HERMES Live is a live streaming operating in low- and medium-altitude orbits, he role in ensuring that dtac's network platform based on patented video said. performance is fully 5G-ready, and technologies, for broadcasters, media Designed and built by the China Academy of enabling a faster rollout of new 5G companies, event organisers, corporates and Launch Vehicle Technology, a subsidiary of China services as demand grows. enterprises to deliver live streaming content Aerospace Science and Technology Corp, the Nokia has been in Thailand for over 30 years such as live sports, concerts, conferences, Long March 8 has two core stages and two side with the deployment of 2G, 3G and 4G performances and education to audiences boosters. It has six engines propelled by liquid networks and will now provide 5G connectivity with proven broadcast quality, high oxygen, liquid hydrogen and kerosene. that will support the country's efforts to digitize availability and security. With a liftoff weight of 356 metric tons, it is as part of its 'Thailand 4.0' economic strategy. H E R M E S L i v e f a c i l i t a t e s d i g i t a l capable of sending payloads weighing 4.5 tons to The deployment is expected to begin later this transformation of business and commerce a sun-synchronous orbit 700 km above the year with completion expected in 2022. through a one-stop live video streaming ground or satellites with a combined weight of 2.8 The deal, which is an extension of Nokia's solution and live event services, seamlessly tons to a geostationary transfer orbit, according to existing partnership with dtac, will see an broadcasts to a global audience across all the academy. The Long March 8 is capable of accelerated large-scale deployment of 5G on devices and simulcasts to multiple social transporting various spacecraft to multiple types low-band spectrum (700-900Mhz) and high- media. Events delivered on HERMES Live of orbits ranging from low-Earth orbit to transfer capacity mmWave technology (26GHz), as platform have included some of the region's trajectories to other celestial bodies in the solar well as enhancements of the existing most anticipated concerts such as Eason system. However, its main task is to place networks utilizing 2300MHz, 2100MHz and Chan Charity Concert; AGM events for listed satellites in a sun-synchronous orbit to meet 1800MHz spectrum. This combination will companies, with Tricor offering Hong Kong's surging demand for launch services from provide superior coverage and faster data first and only full-function platform that commercial satellite companies at home and speeds to subscribers. enables electronic general meetings with live abroad, according to designers. Nokia will provide its AirScale Radio Access streaming; virtual conferences, interviews solutions for 4G and 5G networks that will and commercial events such as Hong Kong Pakistan's first Cubesat improve overall network performance while FinTech Week 2020, Entrepreneur Day 2020 enabling dtac to deliver 5G experience with and Sotheby's Hong Kong Sales Live iCUBE-1 successfully ultra-low latency and extreme capacity. Auction. completed one year in space AirScale Radio Access is an industry-first “It is important for us to keep pace with digital commercial 5G solution enabling operators to transformation by growing our services into capitalize early on 5G. The deal includes new areas that complement our core Pakistan's first Cubesat satellite, iCUBE-1, digital deployment for faster time to market, as competencies in providing the best-in-class launched on 23rd November 2019 on-board well as optimization services. satellite capacity and transmission solutions. Dnepr launch vehicle from Yasny launch base dtac will also deploy Nokia Software's NetAct We are delighted to have HERMES Live as in Russia has successfully complete one year in Cloud network management system, which our technology partner to offer streaming space. delivers cloud-agnostic, best-in-class tools for service as part of our end-to-end media Built by the Institute of Space Technology (IST), troubleshooting, administration, software solutions,” said Ina Lui, Senior Vice iCUBE-1 was designed and developed at a cost m a n a g e m e n t a n d c o n f i g u r a t i o n P r e s i d e n t , C o m m e r c i a l , B u s i n e s s of Rs3-3.5 million. “The world is moving towards management. Development and Strategy of AsiaSat. miniaturisation. The launch cost is significantly Nokia is a long-standing partner of dtac and “We're excited that AsiaSat has selected low for CubeSats as compared to the bigger has previously provided its first commercial HERMES Live as its technology partner to satellites. The low cost factor is very attractive for 4G TDD network in Thailand. Nokia has also complement AsiaSat's media solution researchers who can test their payloads using provided solutions from its IP/Optical portfolio portfolio with this innovative and technology these cubesats and then incorporate this to bolster its network including a software- proven platform to deliver streaming service technology in their bigger satellites,” he defined network (SDN)-ready IP/Optical based on customers' specific requirements,” commented. network. said Wilson Yuen, Chief Executive Officer of For the uninitiated, a CubeSat is a type of PrathetTankuranun, Chief Technology HERMES Live Technology Limited. miniaturized satellite for space research that Officer at dtac, said: “We never stop AsiaSat's end-to-end media and broadcast usually has a volume of exactly one liter (10 cm improving our network and delivering better solutions include transponder capacity from cube), has a mass of no more than 1.33 data experiences across a broad range of some of Asia's hotbird satellites, signal uplink, kilograms. The cubesat will open up a wide vista devices. Our current deployment leverages turnaround and downlink, MCPC distribution of future experiments that can be carried on 5G-enhanced mobile broadband and 5G- platforms, fibre connectivity, playout and cubesats in the domain of imaging, microgravity, ready Massive MIMO technology to bring broadcast facilities, equipment hosting, biology, nano technology, space dynamics, improved coverage and higher data capacity ground equipment such as bandpass filters, chemistry, space physics and various other to our customers nationwide.” in addition to this new streaming service, fields. Cubesats can also provide a test bed for TommiUitto, President of Mobile Networks available for full time and occasional use. developing satellite constellations for specific at Nokia, said: “We are delighted to extend applications. our long-standing partnership with dtac in Long March 8 rocket lifts 5 “In addition, CubeSats need to pass the standard Thailand and be the first vendor to partner with testing procedures which are same for all other the operator in the 5G era. Our AirScale satellites in debut flight satellites giving it's manufacturers the confidence portfolio offers a clear migration path to 5G The Long March 8, the latest in China's Long of building and launching bigger satellites,” he and we look forward to supporting dtac with its March launch vehicle fleet, conducted its informed. A team of around 20 faculty members efforts to deliver compelling 5G experiences debut flight at the Wenchang Space Launch and 15 students worked on the project which was to subscribers.” Center in South China's island province of initiated in 2009.

29 IN THE NEWS ASIA

ICUBE-1 is expected to be operational for a now in place to establish the SKA Observatory, number of major national, provincial and period of 2 years. It is a low earth polar orbit at the international organisation that will build and ministerial issues, and has achieved major an altitude of 600km. Sharing an interesting operate world-leading radio telescopes for achievements in high-tech 5G fronthaul, observation during the development of the generations to come.On Wednesday, the United b a c k h a u l , d a t a c e n t e r h i g h - s p e e d project, Butt said: “It was interesting that Kingdom announced its ratification of the SKA interconnection (DCI) and other emerging during launch integration, the team had Observation Convention, which finalises its legal high-end fields. The breakthrough has become interaction with developers from other preparations to join the Observatory. With four a new force in the domestic optical network countries, such as Italy, Spain, USA and Peru. other countries (the Netherlands, South Africa, field. They were excited. A number of them are Australia and Italy) having already ratified, the Being able to be selected as a national-level open to collaboration with IST on future Observatory will now be established in mid- specialization and special new “little giant” is cubesat missions.” January, and the governing Council will meet for also due to Sino-Telecom having a capable, the first time soon after. efficient and experienced technical team. We will continue to invest in research and development, continue to innovate, expand ZTE completes the SKA Observatory Council market competitiveness and provide good deployment of Mauritania's service. my country's new 5G infrastructure and big data high-speed optical network first national backbone The SKA Observatory Council will be charged interconnection applications have made the network with approving the final design of the SKA greatest contribution to the development of my telescopes and agreeing a funding schedule country's optical network. between participating partners, ahead of starting ZTE Corporation (0763.HK / 000063.SZ), a the construction phase in mid-2021. With initial m a j o r i n t e r n a t i o n a l p r o v i d e r o f procurement activities taking place in the second 5.5G, from Internet of telecommunications, enterprise and half of next year, the timeline would see work Everything to Intelligent consumer technology solutions for the Mobile happening at Australia's site at the beginning of Internet, today announced that ZTE has 2022. Internet of Everything exclusively helped Mauritania complete the The milestone is also symbolic of the SKA's A t t h e r e c e n t 2 0 2 0 I E E E G l o b a l deployment of the country's first national strength as an international collaboration. It joins Communications Conference (IEEE backbone network other international organisations such as CERN GLOBECOM), upon invitation, William Xu, and the European Southern Observatory in Huawei Director of the Board and President of As an important part of WARCIP (West pursuing world-leading scientific capability the Institute of Strategic Research, delivered a African Regional Communications through the contributions of many. It's a good club keynote speech entitled The Future of Infrastructure Program) financed by the World to be part of. Besides the fantastic scientific Intelligent Connectivity: Challenges and Bank, Mauritania's national broadband discoveries the SKA will make, its construction Directions. IEEE GLOBECOM is one of the network construction project includes and operations will generate significant major annual academic conferences national backbone network and international economic activity in Australia and in partner organized by the Institute of Electrical and network interconnection. The national countries around the world. All member countries Electronics Engineers (IEEE) to promote backbone network construction covers will share in the contracts to build the telescopes c o m p r e h e n s i v e i n n o v a t i o n o f backbone network and Metropolitan Area and associated infrastructure. While the details communications. Network (MAN) construction with a total of are still to be finalised, we know a large part of In his speech, Mr. Xu described 5.5G as “the 1760 km optical lines Australia's allocations will see Australian next step towards realizing our vision for the Leveraging ZTE's DWDM/OTN equipment, businesses involved in the infrastructure mobile industry, which is to meet the ZTE has constructed the national broadband development at Australia's site, as well as requirements for the transformation from the network, and extended the bandwidth speed aspects of the antenna station deployment. Internet of Everything to the Intelligent Internet to at least 10Gbps There will also be Australian institutions and of Everything.” He also called upon the entire In terms of international network businesses involved in the data management industry to embrace academic diversity and interconnection, Nouakchott, Mauritania's work packages. openness and expand the collaboration capital, serves as the landing point for the between industry, academia, and research cable system of Africa Coast to Europe institutes to jointly promote the development of (ACE), further enhancing the international Sino-Telecom was awarded basic theories and technologies. network interconnection between the two the title of “Little Giant” of continents Since August 2018, ZTE has been committed National Science and 5.5G Is the Next Step for the to Mauritania's national broadband network Technology Innovation Mobile Industry construction. ZTE's engineering delivery The development of 5G depends on team has overcome many difficulties, such as investment in the short term, ecosystem in the summer's high temperature of 50 degrees in Recently, Sino-Telecom Technology Co., Inc. medium term, and technology evolution in the the desert area, infectious diseases like was awarded the title of ”Little Giant of long term. During 5G's rapid commercial scale- dengue fever and the Covid-19 pandemic, Technological Innovation“ according to the up, the feedback from both within the industry and the lack of medical resources, and finally second batch of ”Little Giant“ enterprises list and from vertical industries promotes the completed the network construction on released by the Ministry of Industry and upgrade and expansion of 5G applications to schedule Information Technology. provide more diversified connections with . Technological innovation “Little Giant” enterprise improved quality and “bring the society from “The construction of Mauritania's first national is a leader among “specialized, special New” the Internet of Everything to the Intelligent backbone network has played a criticalChina role launched in small two satellite and formedium-sized its GPSsystem enterprises. (Source: China It Daily is a Internet of Everything”. the development of communications “vanguard” enterprise focusing on market “5.5G is the next step in our vision for the infrastructure throughout the country and segmentation, strong innovation ability, high mobile industry,” said Mr. Xu. It is an even in West Africa,” said Mr. Li Jianhua, market share, mastering key core technologies, enhancement and extension of the three ZTE's Managing Director of the project. and excellent quality and efficiency. standard 5G scenarios defined by the ITU — As a high-tech-led scientific and technological enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), The development objectives of WARCIP are innovation enterprise, Sino-Telecom is Massive Machine-Type Communications to increase the geographical reach of committed to the integration and development of (mMTC), and ultra-reliable low-latency broadband networks, and reduce costs of optical networks and Network security. Since its communication (URLLC). 5.5G will further communication services in the territory of the establishment in 2008, it has continued to transcend these three application scenarios recipient and between the recipient and West cultivate in the industry and continuous with three newly introduced capabilities — African countries. technological innovation, forming a wealth of Uplink Centric Broadband Communication products The product line includes ( U C B C ) , R e a l - T i m e B r o a d b a n d backbone/metropolitan area network, 5G bearer .Australian SKA project Communication (RTBC), and Harmonized network, semi-active/passive WDM, access Communication and Sensing (HCS), going reached a major milestone network and other network communication fields. beyond the original three application scenarios This SKA project has reached a major We have obtained more than 180 independent to six to meet various industry requirements. milestone, with the final piece of the puzzle intellectual property rights, has undertaken a Mr. Xu went on to highlight the three 30 IN THE NEWS ASIA technological requirements to develop 5.5G. Fujitsu Develops booster motors strapped on to the first stage to “5.5G is originated from 5G and therefore give higher thrust during the initial flight must be compatible with all 5G devices. We Technology to Discover moments. must optimize the usage patterns of sub-100 Characteristic Causal The Indian space agency has PSLV variants with GHz spectrum resources to support on- two and four strap-on motors, larger PSLV-XL demand flexible deployment across Relationships of Individual and the Core Alone variant without any strap-on frequency bands. 5.5G must also be deeply Data in Medicine, Marketing, motors. integrated with AI to improve air interfaces, The choice of the rocket to be used for a mission networks, and services while meeting the and More depends on the weight of the satellite and the requirements for diversified networks and orbit where the satellite has to be orbited. About 20 minutes into its flight, PSLV-C50 will energy consumption management.” Fujitsu Laboratories, Ltd. has successfully eject CMS-01 into geosynchronous transfer orbit developed a technology that uses AI to discover (GTO) and from there, the satellite will be taken t h e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c c a u s e - a n d - e ff e c t Collaboration between up and positioned at geosynchronous stationary relationships in various pieces of data relating to orbit. JAXA and Yamatoon people and things in a variety of fields, with The CMS-01 will be a replacement for GSAT-12 possible applications in medicine, marketing, aerodynamics of cargo that weighed 1,410 kg and was launched on July manufacturing, and more. 11, 2011 with a mission life of eight years. pod for eVTOL aerial The technology specifically addresses the need ISRO Chairman K. Sivan had earlier said the to isolate and identify characteristics from data system PSLV-C50 rocket will be followed by the launch of in different real-world scenarios. In the medical new small rocket Small Satellite Launch Vehicle field, for example, it is necessary to identify the Japan Aerospace Exploratory Agency (SSLV) carrying EOS-02 (Earth Observation characteristic genes that affect the development (JAXA), and Yamato Holdings Co., Ltd. Satellite), and Geosynchronous Satellite Launch of cancer in individual patients. In the field of (TYO: 9064) announced their collaboration Vehicle-F10 (GSLV) carrying EOS-3. marketing, sales representatives need to find on cargo pod for electric vertical take-off and The other Indian satellites that are ready for the characteristic factors that lead individual landing (eVTOL) aerial system. The two launch are GISAT and Microsat-2A. customers to make a purchase. Fujitsu has organizations have worked together in The launch of the GISAT-1 satellite slated for developed a technology to discover the designing and evaluating the aerodynamic March 5 this year was postponed due to technical characteristic causality of individual pieces of shape of the PUPA®8801 heavy-size reasons a day before the launch. data by quickly extracting all the groups of data eVTOL cargo pod concept. The GISAT-1 satellite will be carried by a GSLV that have a common correlation from an entire PUPA8801 is a 400kg- (880lbs-) payload- rocket. The GSLV rocket was dismantled after dataset, and evaluating the causality of each class variant of the PUPA (Pod Unit for the launch was called off, and is being group of data to find the characteristic causality. Parcel Air-transportation) series which refurbished. The rocket's cryogenic engine has In a recent trial demonstration, Yamato has been developing, and is been brought down and it is being readied again. transportable by either loaded onto existing The GSLV carrying GISAT-1 is expected to fly Fujitsu applied the technology to the gene g r o u n d t r a n s p o r t s t o g e t h e r w i t h after PSLV C50. conventional load units, or externally expression data of colorectal cancer patients, attached onto future eVTOL aircrafts. During estimating the characteristic causal relationship the event of ground transportation, the pod that appears in the data of each patient. Fujitsu's CGWIC Signs APSTAR-6E needs to follow existing cargo unit size researchers succeeded in rediscovering the Satellite Contract standard and be as rectangular as possible gene of interest in the colorectal cancer classification, offering a key to the development in order to maximize its containing capability. Recently, China Great Wall Industry Corporation of a treatment plan individualized for each On the other hand, the pod is required to (CGWIC), a subsidiary of China Aerospace patient. obtain high aerodynamic performance as it Science & Technology Corporation (CASC), and In addition to medical care and marketing, this is intended to be attached to the aircraft APT Satellite Company Limited (APT) signed the technology enables use cases including externally to enable rapid loading and Contract of APSTAR-6E Satellite In-orbit customer credit scoring in finance and unloading (see Figure 1). Regarding these Delivery. identification of the cause of product defects in constraints, PUPA8801 had to be designed APSTAR-6E is a geostationary orbit high- manufacturing. in an innovative approach that differs either throughput communication satellite based on from traditional aerospace or logistics DFH-3E small satellite platform and it will be equipment design methods. ISRO announces successful launched by Long March 2C launch vehicle in the launch of communication year of 2023. Compared to the traditional satellite To cope with this issue, Yamato has platform, DFH-3E platform is a highly cost- conceptualized the pod based on its know- satellite CMS-01 effective solution for regional and global satellite how on ground logistics that originates on its operators with less investment. APSTAR-6E century-old business, and from studies on Satellite will use Ku band HTS communication India Space Research Organisation ISRO have cargo eVTOL system the company has held system to provide broadband satellite announced the successful launch of so far. For this initial concept, JAXA provided telecommunication services to the Asia Pacific communication satellite CMS-01, formerly expertise in aeronautics and performed a region. named GSAT-12R, using its Polar Satellite series of computational fluid dynamics CGWIC and APT, together with China Academy Launch Vehicle (PSLV) rocket's XL variant (CFD) based analyses for improving of Space Technology and China Academy of numbered as PSLV-C50. aerodynamic efficiency, using its Launch Vehicle Technology, will establish a Joint According to the Indian Space Research overwhelmingly high speed fluid analysis Venture. It is agreed that upon the establishment Organisation (ISRO), the PSLV-C50 rocket tool FaSTAR. The organizations held an of the Joint Venture all obligations and rights of carrying CMS-01 blasted off at 3.41 p.m. from open discussion to turn the hypotheses APT under the Satellite Contract shall be the second launch pad at the rocket port in construction and evaluation loop rapidly and assigned and transferred to the Joint Venture. Sriharikota. verified its aeromechanical feasibility within The signing of APSTAR-6E Satellite contract CMS-01 is a communication satellite envisaged a period of about 4 months shows that CGWIC keeps providing diversified for providing services in Extended-C Band of the and competitive communication satellite frequency spectrum, which will include the Based on the results, Yamato will further products to the international market. Indian mainland, Andaman and Nicobar and develop necessary components for the new- Lakshadweep Islands. age eVTOL logistics service the company is The 42nd communication satellite of India, it will Australia's first mission to the intending to be introduced by early 2020s. have a mission life of seven years. JAXA will continue facilitating the use of moon The 44-metre-high four staged/engine PSLV- numerical simulation tools and other Lunar Ascent, an industry-led consortium C50 is the 22nd flight of PSLV in 'XL' aerospace technologies for broad spearheaded by Space Machines Company and configuration (with six strap-on motors hugging industries, including non-traditionally- supported by Deloitte, is inviting all companies the first stage). aerospace, to meet the evolving needs of air and related entities in the space industry to join The PSLV in normal configuration is a four mobility. this moon shot – to send the first Australian stage/engine expendable rocket powered by nanosatellites to orbit around the Moon in 2024 solid and liquid fuels alternatively with six by providing a cost-effective and innovative

31 IN THE NEWS ASIA rideshare opportunity for Australian 30.09.2020) – no other network operator advanced aero-structures commercial, scientific and educational connects more people in Germany. Under the payloads to access the moon, using Space core brand O2 as well as various second and M a c h i n e s C o m p a n y ' s i n - s p a c e partner brands, the company sells post- and COMAC subsidiary SAMC (Shanghai Aircraft transportation platform. prepaid mobile products with innovative mobile Manufacturing Company), AVIC Supply and The consortium is building fast as partners data services. The basis for this is the mobile GKN Aerospace have signed a joint venture and Lunar rideshare customers express network based on a highly resilient GSM, UMTS (JV) agreement for the manufacture of their intent to be involved in this mission, and LTE infrastructure. At the same time, the Composite and Metallic Aerostructures in including Saber Astronautics, Inovor company is building a powerful and energy- Jingjiang, Jiangsu Province, China. This Technologies and Sitael Australia. Industry efficient 5G network. Telefónica Germany also represents a significant milestone in GKN consultation and engagement will continue provides telephony and high-speed Internet Aerospace's long-stated ambition to grow until late March when the Mission will be products based on different technologies in the within the commercial aerospace market within officially launched. fixed network area. Telefónica Deutschland China. Holding AG has been listed in the Prime The state-of-the-art, 80,000m2 facility in NEC selected by Standard on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange Jingjiang will be GKN Aerospace's first (TecDAX) since 2012. In the 2019 financial year aerostructures JV in China. It will offer COMAC, Telefónica Germany as the company generated sales of 7.4 billion AVIC and Western customers the opportunity to system integrator for first euros with almost 8,500 employees. The access an important local supply of advanced company is majority-owned by the Spanish aerostructures in the country. The JV builds on Open RAN pilot in telecommunications group Telefónica S.A. with COMAC, AVIC and GKN Aerospace's proven Germany headquarters in Madrid. With business activities track record in the global commercial aviation in 14 countries and a customer base of around industry. Production is scheduled to begin in Q4 350 million lines, the group is one of the largest 2021 and, by the mid-2020s, the workforce is Telefónica Germany / O2 and NEC telecommunications providers in the world. expected to grow to 1,000 people. Corporation (NEC; TSE: 6701) announced In addition to the JV facility, GKN Aerospace is today that NEC, working with its ecosystem in final preparations to open (April 2021) a of partners, has been selected by Telefónica Hayabusa2 re-entry to separate 20,000 m2 site in Jingjiang, focusing Germany / O2 as its favored full-service improve Australia's satellite on the manufacture of transparencies for the system integrator for the first Open RAN pilot commercial market. system in Germany. The system has already positioning Both endeavours will help meet China's successfully completed a first call via Open national industrial strategy of “made in China RAN on a live O2 mobile network in the Geoscience Australia has monitored the re- 2025”. Bavarian city of Landsberg am Lech. entry of the Hayabusa2 sample capsule through John Pritchard, President Civil Aerospace at the Earth's atmosphere, providing valuable GKN Aerospace said: “The establishment of the During the pilot, NEC will help to define a information to help improve the accuracy of first aerostructures JV and the upcoming customized Open RAN architecture, GPS navigation in Australia. The Hayabusa2 opening of the transparencies facility in optimized and adapted to the requirements capsule landed at Woomera in South Australia Jingjiang, Jiangsu Province, China are exciting of the mobile network of Telefónica on 6 December 2020 after a six-year round trip milestones. We are proud to extend our Germany. As the system integrator for this to the Ryugu asteroid billions of kilometres from footprint in China by working together with our pilot, NEC coordinates the overall design of Earth. committed partners COMAC, SAMC and AVIC the Open RAN system and ensures the Branch Head of National Positioning Supply. The collaboration with the local delivery of a solid end-to-end solution. This is Infrastructure at Geoscience Australia, Dr authorities and support of the regional being carried out in collaboration with Martine Woolf, said scientists at Geoscience government has been vital. I am sure the industry leaders that include ADVA, Altiostar, Australia worked with the Nagoya University in combination of our dedicated teams, GigaTera Communications, Intel, Red Hat, Japan to deploy monitoring equipment in the technology leadership and extensive Supermicro and Xilinx Northern Territory and South Australia to aerospace experience will lead to exciting . remotely monitor the Earth's upper atmosphere. growth opportunities. We are excited to be part “Hayabusa2 not only brought samples of great of the growth of the commercial aerospace “The key to success in implementing a first scientific importance back to Earth, it created a industry in China.” Open RAN pilot lies in the knowledge of an great opportunity to measure the effects of its re- GKN Aerospace has a strong three-continent experienced system integrator,” said entry on the atmosphere above Australia, where footprint, supporting customers in the MallikRao, CTIO of Telefónica Germany. it was travelling at 40 times the speed of sound,” Americas, Europe and in Asia. In recent years, “NEC and its subsidiary Netcracker have Ms Woolf said. growth in Asia has included opening a new proven their expertise through multiple “This rare event allows us to use our network of wiring systems plant in Pune, India in Q4 2019, project engagements within the Telefónica Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) as well as unveiling a new aero-engine repair Group. We believe NEC is a reliable partner receivers to collect data on the structure and and research plant in Johor, Malaysia, in that is capable of bringing together an density of the ionosphere, a layer of atoms, October 2018. With two new sites in China, innovative network that can dramatically molecules and charged particles surrounding GKN Aerospace will be delivering improve customer experience and enable the Earth, stretching from a height of about 50 aerostructures, wiring systems and faster time to market in the future.” km to more than 1,000 km.” transparencies for the commercial aerospace Part of the Earth's upper atmosphere, the market from seven sites across China, India, “We are proud to be delivering Open RAN ionosphere grows and shrinks depending on the Malaysia and Turkey. that will bring tremendous value to our energy it absorbs from the sun. It is important to customers,” said MayukoTatewaki, General understand these effects, as they can affect Manager, Service Provider Solutions radio waves used for communication and Division, NEC Corporation. “Leveraging our navigation. IT and network domain expertise and unique “The data collected on Hayabusa2's re-entry will experiences internationally, we are help us to improve our algorithms and offer extremely excited to take part in contributing better accuracy for Australian GNSS users,” Dr to Telefónica Germany's Open RAN Woolf said. “This detailed information will initiative.” enable calibration and validation of ionosphere T e l e f ó n i c a G e r m a n y o f f e r s models that will be used for future real-time telecommunication services for private and precise positioning applications, such as business customers as well as innovative improvements to the transport sector. “It will also digital products and services in the field of have future applications in hazard modelling Internet of Things and data analysis. The such as for tsunamis.” company is one of the leading integrated telecommunications providers in Germany. In mobile communications alone, Telefónica GKN Aerospace, Chinese Germany / O2 manages more than 42.7 firms sign JV agreement for million connections without M2M (as of

32 IN THE NEWS AMERICAS

Magellan Aerospace first constellation of SAOCOM satellites partnership with China, completed a year in for Earth observation with microwave orbit. Launched on December 20, 2019 from Delivers 200th Horizontal radar . From now on, the stage of fine the Chinese base in Taiyuan, the CBERS 04A Stabilizer Shipset calibration of the radar sensor begins, the satellite is the sixth satellite of the CBERS huge 35-square-meter antenna developed Program ( China-Brazil Earth Resources for Global F-35 Aircraft in Argentina, so that it is operational Satellite ; in Portuguese, Sino-Brazilian Earth Program between February and March 2021 , and Resources Satellite). begins to provide services to our country and Throughout this first year of in-orbit operation, Magellan Aerospace Corporation (“Magellan”) export satellite images of excellence to other with a projected useful life of at least 5 years, announced today the delivery of the 200th set of nations of the world. Its main products, such the satellite has been providing daily remote F-35 Lightning II horizontal stabilizer as the Soil Moisture Map, are intended for the sensing images from the national territory assemblies under an agreement with BAE agricultural sector, the management of and other areas of the globe (using the on- Systems. Magellan and BAE Systems have environmental emergencies and numerous board recorder) . In this first year of operation, been working together to produce horizontal productive aWe are very happy because we the satellite has already distributed more than stabilizers for the global F-35 program since managed to reach the final orbit in the 300,000 images to government agencies, 2009. Both companies have since made times that were planned, without any educational institutions and the private significant investment in facilities, technologies contingency . It was an intense job that sector. and training to ensure the successful delivery of required two months of tasks, with a highly CBERS 04A is a world-class satellite, with these flight-critical assemblies to the F-35 prime coordinated team of professionals , ” reported three cameras on board, two Brazilian (MUX contractor Lockheed Martin. Lucas Bruno , Chief of Operations for the and WFI) and one Chinese (WPM). The “Achieving this significant delivery milestone in SAOCOM Mission . "Now we are going to multiplicity of sensors allows CBERS 04A to today's unprecedented and challenging acquire images in different places on produce images capable of serving different business environment speaks to the reliability of earth with each of the 54 satellite a p p l i c a t i o n s , s u c h a s m o n i t o r i n g our processes and the resiliency of the configuration sub-modes and then we will deforestation, fires, the level of reservoirs, Magellan team,” said Mr. Phillip Underwood, analyze them to advance the fine natural disasters, agricultural expansion and Magellan's President and CEO. “Magellan has calibration of the sensor, " he added. the development of cities, among others. been steadily increasing its annual deliveries for In SAOCOM 1B, it was launched about 15 Each camera has a level of resolution the global F-35 program since the first kilometers below the rest of the capable of generating images in the horizontal stabilizer shipset delivery in 2012 and Constellation to avoid collisions that necessary detail according to the application. is currently operating at full production rate.” could put the Mission at risk. To raise it to The WPM camera, with a spatial resolution of Tom Fillingham, Senior Vice President, US its final orbit, located at an approximate 2m in the panchromatic band and 8m in the Programmes, BAE Systems Air said, “At BAE height of between 620 and 622 km from multispectral bands, with a revisit of 31 days Systems, we're proud to collaborate with Earth, CONAE engineers had to perform and an imaging range of 92km, is great for Magellan and international suppliers to fulfil our maneuvers every three days coordinated urban studies that require very detailed role on such a critical programme which global between the Mission Control Center, at the information. air forces depend on. Magellan's delivery of its Teófilo Tabanera Space Center in Cordova; The MUX camera has a spatial resolution of 200th set of F-35 horizontal stabilizer the Orbit Team (CODS) of CONAE, located in 20m, a 26-day revisit, an imaging range of assemblies is a significant milestone and is the city of Buenos Aires; and Space Debris 95km, four bands in the visible and near testament to the dedication and teamwork from Office, of the European Space Agency (ESA). infrared, and produces high quality images, all involved.” In total, during the last two months, 27 comparable to those produced by the best The horizontal stabilizers produced at Magellan maneuvers were carried out, considered satellites in its class worldwide, being are major assemblies on the Conventional critical activities . indicated for water, vegetation and Takeoff and Landing (CTOL) variant of the F-35. Bruno commented that, although during the agriculture studies. Magellan is targeting to produce more than rest of the useful life of the satellite other The WFI camera, with a wide field of 684km, 1,000 ship sets of horizontal tail assemblies similar maneuvers will be carried out, has a spatial resolution of 63m, revisits for 5 over the life of the F-35 program along with these in particular stood out due to their days, has good radiometric and geometric various other metallic and composite extension : “In these two months we did quality, and is used in applications such as the components for the program. very long maneuvers, with propulsions Deforestation Detection System in Real Time that were many times over. 100 seconds . (DETER) and the Monitoring of the Magellan Aerospace Corporation is a global Once the desired height is reached, the orbit Deforestation of Brazilian Biomes by Satellite aerospace company that provides complex maintenance maneuvers will be much (PRODES), which provide support for the assemblies and systems solutions to aircraft shorter, between 5 and 10 seconds ” , he inspection and control of deforestation in the and engine manufacturers, and defence and specified. Amazon and Cerrado biomes. space agencies worldwide. Magellan designs Each of these maneuvers represented a A member of the International Charter Space a n d m a n u f a c t u r e s a e r o e n g i n e a n d challenge due to the need to locate the and Major Disasters , a consortium of space aerostructure assemblies and components for satellite at the appropriate height, in relation agencies from various countries, INPE aerospace markets, advanced proprietary to the other satellites that make up the provides CBERS images, free of charge, for products for military and space markets, and constellation. In this sense, he explained that, monitoring emergency situations caused by provides engine and component repair and as if it were a train car, SAOCOM 1B had to natural disasters worldwide. overhaul services be aligned in space with its twin brother Similar to what was already happening with SAOCOM 1A, and with the four satellites the CBERS-4 images, many CBERS 04A of the COSMO-SkyMed constellation, of images are being used by companies in the SAOCOM 1B reached its final the Italian Space Agency ( ASI) , which agricultural, forestry and mining sectors. For orbit together with the Argentines make up the Italo INPE, responsible for executing the CBERS Over two months, CONAE professionals had to Argentino Satellite System for Emergency Program in Brazil, the strong demand from carry out a total of 27 propulsion maneuvers of Management (SIASGE). " If the train passed the private sector demonstrates that satellite different durations to locate the Argentine and we did not reach orbit at the right time, images add value to business, as a source of satellite together with its twin brother, SAOCOM we would have had to wait much longer to strategic information. It is noteworthy that in 1A, some 620 km from Earth. From now on, the be able to synchronize SAOCOM 1B 2004 INPE adopted the free data policy final calibration stage of the radar sensor within the constellation, " he commented, through the CBERS program, having begins, to then enter into operational service. adding:“The satellites are in the same orbital influenced similar decisions taken by the The National Commission for Space Activities plane, one 180 ° from the other. As if it were a USGS (United States Geological Survey) and (CONAE) within the scope of the Ministry of clock, one is always six hours from the other . by ESA (European Space Agency), in 2007 Science, Technology and Innovation of the "reas. and in 2009, for the Landsat and Sentinel Nation (MINCyT), reports that the satellite programs, respectively. SAOCOM 1B this week reached its final Chinese-Brazilian satellite orbit, after the checks and reviews carried Joaquim Costa elected as out after having been released on August 30 CBERS 04A completes one last . year in orbit one of the Vice-Presidents With this new milestone, Argentina The CBERS 04A satellite, developed in of the International Panel on completed, together with SAOCOM 1A, the

36 IN THE NEWS AMERICAS

Space Climate (PSW) of use of these areas. uncontrolled which can lead, under cold Table 1 shows the distribution of the estimated conditions, to overcooling equipment inside the COSPAR deforestation rate for the year 2020 in the ALB satellite. In order to prevent these situations, In June 2020, INPE was appointed by one of its states. The states of Pará, Mato Grosso, electric heaters are used, but they consume researchers, Joaquim Costa, to compose the Amazonas and Rondônia correspond to 87.8% energy from the satellite, in addition to new International Panel on Space Climate of the deforestation estimated in the ALB. This increasing the complexity of thermal control. (PSW) of COSPAR (Space Research is spatially explicit in Figure 1, which presents VESPAR consists of two stages that are Committee, organization founded in 1958) for the heat map for occurrences of deforestation. thermally coupled to each other by exchanging the 2020- 2028. On that date, the appointed heat with radiation, using fins positioned on members of the Space Climate Panel were INPE patents new space their internal surfaces, as shown schematically approved by the COSPAR Bureau. in Figure 1. The fins must be covered with The panel consists of researchers appointed by radiator concept material of variable emissivity. The internal members of COSPAR, international stage is mounted on an external surface of the organizations and institutions. The appointment satellite, while the external stage has its A new concept of space radiator for thermal of a researcher from INPE already external surface exposed to space. demonstrates the Institution's recognition in the control had its patent granted to INPE on international scenario. The composition of the October 6, 2020. Registered with the National panel has a president and four vice-presidents. Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) under the Call to present research That year, the elections for two vice presidents number PI 1003427-7 the patent is entitled projects with SAOCOM data ended. In the election that took place last week, TWO STAGE RADIATOR WITH VARIABLE to replace these positions, Joaquim Costa from EMITANCE FOR VACUUM USE. and IDB financing INPE was elected together with NASA's Nat The radiator, called VESPAR ( Variable Emittance SPAce Radiator ), is of the variable Gopalswamy , for the period 2020-2024. The National Commission for Space emission type, that is, it automatically modifies "The objective of the Space Climate Panel is to Activities (CONAE) within the scope of the its ability to emit heat into space as needed. provide society, through COSPAR, with Ministry of Science, Technology and That is, when the thermal dissipation inside the specialized knowledge about the variability of Innovation of the Nation, calls for the satellite increases, the radiator increases the the space environment, to stimulate and enable presentation of research projects that use heat radiated into space, not allowing the the development of predictive techniques information from the Earth observation equipment's temperature to rise. In a cold capable of predicting any changes resulting, satellites SAOCOM , in four areas of interest: condition, the radiator reduces the emission of potentially harmful, from solar energy, horticulture , water quality, fire management heat into the space, maintaining the environments heliospherical, magnetospheric, and conservation of the native forest. The appropriate temperature of the equipment, ionospheric and atmospheric, on Earth and initiative is financed by the Program for the avoiding, or significantly reducing, the need to other planets. " (COSPAR's PSW Statute). Development of Satellite Technologies use heaters. VESPAR operates completely (PROSAT II) of the Inter-American passively, without moving parts and without the Development Bank (IDB) . Assembly and integration of need for temperature sensors. The SAOCOM constellation was completed in A satellite, seen from the outside, has most of NanosatC-BR2 completed August 2020 with the launch of the SAOCOM its surface covered with super-insulating The assembly and integration of NanosatC- 1B satellite. In 2018, its twin brother, SAOCOM blankets (MLI - Multi-Layer Insulation). They BR2 completed by graduate students of the 1A, had been put into orbit. Both satellites have have a yellowish visual characteristic, easily ETE / INPE Space Technology and Engineering a Synthetic Aperture Radar that increases recognized in satellite photos. MLIs prevent course in cooperation with the Federal monitoring capabilities and the identification of uncontrolled heat exchange with the orbital University of Santa Maria - UFSM, with support different phenomena that occur on the earth's environment, the effective temperature of from the Brazilian Space Agency - AEB the surface. which can vary greatly, approximately between Cubesat standard scientific nanosatellite 2U This SAOCOM 1B image of the border area -270 ° C and 230 ° C. However, any equipment follows the schedule of ambient tests at the between the provinces of Córdoba, when it works, dissipates heat. That is why it is Integration and Testing Laboratory - LIT / INPE Catamarca, La Rioja and Santiago del Estero, not possible to isolate the satellite completely, in the week of 4 to 12/12/2020 and export near Lake Salinas Grandes, shows in light covering its entire external area with MLI, which logistics for integration in the Soyuz launch tones regions of natural vegetation and land would cause the internal temperature to rise rocket, in Russia, whose launch initially use of agricultural establishments, with excessively. In order to prevent this scheduled for November 2020 was postponed characteristic circular areas of pivot irrigation overheating, the thermal project includes March 2021 due to the global complications systems. The SAOCOM radar signal radiation windows: space radiators. They throw caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. penetrated the surface layer and collected data excess heat into space and thus provide the on the water content, which can be seen in necessary cooling for the internal equipment. bluish tones. Estimated clear-cut These radiators are generally flat, rectangular deforestation in the Legal surfaces located on the outer faces of the satellite, covered with material with high Amazon for 2020 is 11,088 emissivity and high reflectivity to the incident 8th Anniversary of the Deep km² solar flux (such as white paint or OSR - solar Space 3 Malargüe Station, The National Institute for Space Research optical reflector). They can be recognized in (INPE) concluded the estimate of the satellite photos as white or mirrored areas, with new national projects deforestation rate in the Brazilian Legal Amazon usually surrounded by areas covered with MLI blankets. A characteristic of these conventional (ALB), the estimated value was 11,088 km² of In 2021, an Argentine instrument for radiators is that their emissive power is clear cut in the period from August 1, 2019 to astronomical use, developed by CONAE and uncontrolled which can lead, under cold July 31, 2020. This value represents an IAR, will be put into operation in the modern conditions, to overcooling equipment inside the increase of 9.5% in relation to the deforestation station for deep space exploration installed in satellite. In order to prevent these situations, rate calculated by PRODES 2019, which was the province of Mendoza by agreement electric heaters are used, but they consume 10,129 km² for the nine states of ALB. The rate through CONAE with the European Space energy from the satellite, in addition to estimate was calculated from the analysis of Agency. increasing the complexity of thermal control. 102 priority images, from all states of the ALB. Inaugurated on December 18, 2012, the usually surrounded by areas covered with MLI INPE releases the deforestation rate estimate Deep Space 3 Station located in Malargüe, blankets. A characteristic of these conventional for the nine states of the Brazilian Legal Amazon Mendoza province, is part of the network of radiators is that their emissive power is (ALB). This estimate is based on data stations for monitoring deep space uncontrolled which can lead, under cold generated by the Deforestation Monitoring exploration missions of the European conditions, to overcooling equipment inside the Project in the Legal Amazon by Satellite Space Agency (ESA) , together with the satellite. In order to prevent these situations, (PRODES). The mapping made used images located in Australia and Spain. The DS3 electric heaters are used, but they consume from the Landsat satellite or similar, to record Malargüe Station was built in our country energy from the satellite, in addition to and quantify the deforested areas larger than based on an agreement between Argentina, increasing the complexity of thermal control. 6 . 2 5 h e c t a r e s . P R O D E S c o n s i d e r s through the National Commission for usually surrounded by areas covered with MLI deforestation to be the removal of primary forest Space Activities (CONAE), and the blankets. A characteristic of these conventional cover by clear cutting, regardless of the future European Space Agency . radiators is that their emissive power is 37 IN THE NEWS AMERICAS

This modern 35-meter diameter antenna From now on, the stage of fine calibration of In order to map companies interested in supports deep space exploration missions, the radar sensor begins, the huge 35- providing services for commercial operations such as Gaia, Mars Express and ExoMars , square-meter antenna developed in from the Alcântara Space Center (CEA), the that travel more than 300,000 kilometers from Argentina, so that it is operational between Brazilian Space Agency (AEB), an autarchy Earth. In February 2020 it added the February and March 2021 , and begins to linked to the Ministry of Science, Technology monitoring of the Solar Orbiter mission, provide services to our country and export and Innovations (MCTI), provides today (29) developed by ESA in collaboration with satellite images of excellence to other nations to download the 1st edition of the suppliers NASA, whose objective is to study the sun of the world. Its main products, such as the Soil catalogue of the Alcantara Space Centre, and which has already managed to obtain the Moisture Map, are intended for the agricultural which consolidates information from more closest images to our star recorded to date . sector, for the management of environmental than 100 companies, divided into the emergencies and for numerous productive following sectors: Food; Consulting; As part of the agreement with ESA, Argentina areas. Engineering; Space and Defense; has 10% of the antenna's operating time for Manufacturing and Machining; Import and use by CONAE and the projects it promotes in “We are very happy because we managed to Export; Logistics; Medicine; Research and cooperation with national and international reach the final orbit in the times that were Development; Soil Segment; Safe; General partners dedicated to the development of planned, without any contingency . It was Services; Information Technology; and scientific research projects . In order to make an intense job that required two months of Maritime Transport. effective the use of the available time, in 2019 tasks, with a highly coordinated team of The objective of this catalog is to assist CONAE opened a call fr research opportunity professionals , ” informed Lucas Bruno , companies that intend to use CEA, identifying directed at the national scientific community . Chief of Operations of the SAOCOM suppliers and facilitating contact between Seven projects covering the entire time available Mission . "Now we are going to acquire them and potential contractors, contributing were presented, in which the Argentine Radio images in different places on earth with to the generation of business. The Astronomy Institute (IAR) and other institutions of each of the 54 satellite configuration sub- registrations, carried out in September, the country's astronomical community modes and then we will analyze them to exceeded the initial expectations of AEB, and participate, to begin work in the coming months. advance the fine calibration of the sensor, " many companies were unable to participate in Marcelo Colazo , CONAE expert and head of he added. the first edition. Therefore, registration will ultraterrestrial studies, announced that by 2021 In SAOCOM 1B, it was launched about 15 reopen in 2021 to give these companies the the national space agency, in collaboration kilometers below the rest of the opportunity to participate in the next editions with the IAR, plans to finish manufacturing Constellation to avoid collisions that could of the publication. and put into operation an Argentine put the Mission at risk. To raise it to its final The Supplier Catalog joins the Space Industry instrument for scientific use at the DS3 orbit, located at an approximate height of Catalog, launched in October 2020 during the station in Malargüe . Another instrument with between 620 and 622 km from Earth, 4th Brazilian Space Industry Forum. identical characteristics will be installed at the CONAE engineers had to perform For 2021, the launch of the Catalogs of the CLTC-CONAE-NEUQUÉN Station, which maneuvers every three days coordinated Research Institutes and Foundations and of operates within the framework of inter- between the Mission Control Center, at the University Courses is planned. Follow AEB on institutional agreements between China Satellite Teófilo Tabanera Space Center in Cordova; the social networks for more information. Launch and Tracking Control General (CLTC) Orbit Team (CODS) of CONAE, located in the and CONAE, the province of Neuquén and the city of Buenos Aires; and Space Debris Office, NASA Approves governments of Argentina and of the People's of the European Space Agency (ESA). In total, Republic of China. during the last two months, 27 maneuvers Heliophysics Missions to “As the DS3 Malargüe station is oriented towards were carried out, considered critical Explore Sun, Earth's telecommunications, for some years we have activities . been proposing, between CONAE and IAR, the Bruno commented that, although during the Aurora development of specialized equipment for rest of the useful life of the satellite other NASA has approved two heliophysics astronomical use . Two pieces of equipment will similar maneuvers will be carried out, these missions to explore the Sun and the system be manufactured to make the most of the in particular stood out due to their that drives space weather near Earth. antenna's capacity and to generate data in extension : “In these two months we did very Together, NASA's contribution to the Extreme standard astronomical formats, which are those long maneuvers, with propulsions that Ultraviolet High-Throughput Spectroscopic required by professionals ” , he stated. were many times over. 100 seconds . Once Telescope Epsilon Mission, or EUVST, and Colazo highlighted the experiment with 3 DS the desired height is reached, the orbit the Electrojet Zeeman Imaging Explorer, or Malargüe station on 14 December from maintenance maneuvers will be much shorter, EZIE, will help us understand the Sun and Mendoza during the solar eclipse, when the between 5 and 10 seconds ” , he specified. Earth as an interconnected system. expert observations led CONAE active areas Understanding the physics that drive the solar of the Sun . "This type of experiment is used to Each of these maneuvers represented a wind and solar explosions – including solar study the emission of electromagnetic challenge due to the need to locate the satellite flares and coronal mass ejections – could one radiation in radio waves that are generated on at the appropriate height, in relation to the day help scientists predict these events, active regions of the Sun , produced by other satellites that make up the constellation. which can impact human technology and electrons rotating in the magnetic field of the In this sense, he explained that, as if it were a explorers in space. corona. We can take advantage of the moment train car, SAOCOM 1B had to be aligned in The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency when the Moon is covering the active zones to space with its twin brother SAOCOM 1A, (JAXA) leads the Extreme Ultraviolet High- obtain more detailed information ” , he explained. and with the four satellites of the COSMO- Throughput Spectroscopic Telescope Previously, CONAE also used the station as SkyMed constellation, of the Italian Space (EUVST) Epsilon Mission along with other an emitter of radiation pulses to the Moon and Agency ( ASI) , which together with the international partners. Targeted for launch in they studied the rebounds received with Argentines make up the Italo Argentino 2026, EUVST is a solar telescope that will telescopes in Russia . Satellite System for Emergency Management study how the solar atmosphere releases (SIASGE). " If the train passed and we did solar wind and drives eruptions of solar SAOCOM 1B reached its final not reach orbit at the right time, we would material. These phenomena propagate out have had to wait much longer to be able to from the Sun and influence the space orbit synchronize SAOCOM 1B within the radiation environment throughout the solar The National Commission for Space Activities constellation, " he commented, adding:“The system. NASA's hardware contributions to (CONAE) within the scope of the Ministry of satellites are in the same orbital plane, one 180 the mission include an intensified UV detector Science, Technology and Innovation of the ° from the other. As if it were a clock, one is and support electronics, spectrograph Nation (MINCyT), reports that the satellite always six hours from the other . “ components, a guide telescope, software, SAOCOM 1B this week reached its final orbit, and a slit-jaw imaging system to provide after the checks and reviews carried out after Alcântara Space Center context for the spectrographic measurement. having been released on August 30 last . The budget for NASA contributions to EUVST With this new milestone, Argentina Supplier Catalog is is $55 million. The principal investigator for completed, together with SAOCOM 1A, the available for download the NASA contribution to EUVST is Harry first constellation of SAOCOM satellites for Warrenat the U.S. Naval Research Earth observation with microwave radar . Laboratory in Washington.

38 IN THE NEWS AMERICAS

The Electrojet Zeeman Imaging Explorer across disciplines.” astronaut Tom Marshburn, and European Space (EZIE) will study electric currents in Earth's Funding for these missions of opportunity Agency astronaut Matthias Maurer have been atmosphere linking aurora to the Earth's comes from the Heliophysics Explorers assigned to fly to the International Space Station magnetosphere – one piece of Earth's Program, managed by the Explorers Program on a SpaceX Crew Dragon spaceship in the fall of complicated space weather system, which Office at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center 2021. responds to solar activity and other factors. in Greenbelt, Maryland. A fourth crew member will be added to the mission The AuroralElectrojet (AE) index is a at a later date, following a review by NASA and its common measure of geomagnetic activity international partners, the U.S. space agency said levels, even though the details of the Airbus delivers its first U.S.- in a Dec. 14 announcement. structure of these currents is not understood. assembled A220 from Chari, Marshburn, Maurer, and the fourth crew EZIE will launch no earlier than June 2024. member will launch on the third operational flight The total budget for the EZIE mission is $53.3 Mobile, Alabama of a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule to the million. The principal investigator for the International Space Station. The mission, mission is Jeng-Hwa (Sam) Yee at the Johns Airbus has delivered its first U.S.-assembled designated Crew-3, will launch in the fall of 2021 Hopkins University Applied Physics from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on a Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland. A220 aircraft from Mobile, Alabama, underlining the aircraft manufacturer's role as a global SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and last into the spring of aircraft producer and heralding the arrival of a 2022. “We are very pleased to add these new The fourth member of the Crew-3 team might be a missions to the growing fleet of satellites that new era in Airbus aircraft production in the United States. The aircraft was delivered to Russian cosmonaut. are studying our Sun-Earth system using an The agreement, if signed, would help ensure the a m a z i n g a r r a y o f u n p r e c e d e n t e d Delta Air Lines. “The delivery of the first U.S.-built A220-300 is a Russian and U.S. segments of the space station observational tools,” said Thomas always have at least one fully-trained crew Zurbuchen, associate administrator for historic moment that highlights Airbus' growing industrial footprint in North America and makes member, even if problems ground the Soyuz, science at NASA Headquarters in Crew Dragon, or Boeing's Starliner crew capsule, Washington. “In addition to my enthusiasm at us all extremely proud,” said C. Jeffrey Knittel, Chairman & CEO Airbus Americas, Inc. “We once it begins ferry flights to the orbiting research selecting a pioneering multi-point outpost. o b s e r v a t o r y f o c u s e d o n t h e look forward to seeing passengers delighted by the experience of travelling on board this brand Lueders said last month that the agreement could auroralelectrojets, I am particularly excited to be in place for the third operational Crew Dragon follow up the success of the Yohkoh and new A220-300 proudly built in Mobile, Alabama.” rotation flight to the space station next fall, along Hinode solar science missions with another with a Russian Soyuz mission set for launch in the international collaboration with JAXA and same timeframe. other European partners on EUVST.” Several milestones led up to this historic moment. From the groundbreaking of the The third Crew Dragon rotation mission will be commanded by Raja Chari, NASA said Dec. 14. The EUVST mission addresses the Mobile A220 Final Assembly Line in January 2019, through the official start of A220 Chari, 43, is a colonel in the Air Force and will recommendations of a July 2017 final report t make his first trip to space on the Crew-3 mission. delivered by the multi-agency Next production in August 2019, and the inaugural flight of this aircraft in June, the A220 teams in He was born in Milwaukee and raised in Cedar Generation Solar Physics Mission Science Falls, Iowa, before earning a bachelor's degree in Objectives Team. EUVST will take Mirabel (Quebec) and Mobile worked closely together to make the A220 production in the aeronautical engineering from the U.S. Air Force c o m p r e h e n s i v e U V s p e c t r o s c o p y Academy and a master's degree in aeronautics measurements of the solar atmosphere at U.S. a success. “Handing over the first U.S-assembled aircraft and astronautics from the Massachusetts Institute the highest level of detail to date, which will of Technology. allow scientists to tease out how different to a U.S.-based customer is a real point of pride for the A220 programme,” said Philippe Before his selection as a NASA astronaut in 2017, magnetic and plasma processes drive Chari flew F-15E combat missions in Operation coronal heating and energy release. Balducchi, leading the A220 programme. “This delivery is the first of many to come and shows Iraqi Freedom, graduated from the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, and served as commander of “We're excited to work with our international the strong collaborative spirit between the A220 Programme teams globally.” the 461st Flight Test Squadron and director of the partners to answer some of our fundamental F-35 Integrated Test Force. questions about the Sun,” said Nicky Fox, To date, approximately 400 U.S. employees Veteran astronaut Tom Marshburn will fly as pilot Heliophysics Division director at NASA on the Crew-3 mission. Marshburn, a 60-year-old Headquarters in Washington. “EUVST's have been trained on A220 production – some in Mirabel, Quebec, Canada, where the A220 medical doctor, was born in Statesville, North observations will complement our current Carolina, and graduated from Davidson College missions to give us new insight into our star.” program and primary final assembly line are located. A year ago, the first U.S. based A220 with a bachelor's degree in physics and earned a EZIE is an investigation comprising a trio of master's degree in physics from the University of CubeSats that will study the source of and production team, comprised of experienced and new team members, began assembling A220s Virginia. changes in the auroralelectrojet, an electric Marshburn later graduated with a doctorate of current circling through Earth's atmosphere in Mobile. Delta Air Lines is currently the largest A220 medicine from Wake Forest University and around 60-90 miles above the surface and master's degree in medical science from the extending into the Earth's magnetosphere. customer, with a total of 95 A220 aircraft on order, and will be the first A220 operator in the University of Texas Medical Branch. After working The interaction of the magnetosphere and as an emergency physician, Marshburn joined the solar wind compresses the Sun-facing Americas to be operating both A220-100 and A220-300 aircraft types. NASA as a flight surgeon and supported side of the magnetosphere and drags out the astronauts flying on the Russian Mir space station, night-time side of the magnetosphere into Benefitting from the latest technologies, the multiple space shuttle missions, and crews on the w h a t i s c a l l e d a “ m a g n e t o t a i l . ” International Space Station. Auroralelectrojets are generated by changes A220 is the quietest, cleanest and most eco- friendly aircraft in its category. Featuring a 50% NASA selected Marshburn as an astronaut in in the structure of the magnetotail. The same 2004, and he flew as a mission specialist aboard space weather phenomena that power the reduced noise footprint compared to previous generation aircraft, 25% lower fuel burn per seat the space shuttle Endeavour on the STS-127 beautiful aurora can cause interference with mission in July 2009. Marshburn's second mission radio and communication signals and utility and 50% lower NOx emissions than industry standards, the A220 is a great aircraft for was a long-duration expedition on the grids on Earth's surface, and damage to International Space Station, during which he spacecraft in orbit. neighborhood airports. Being a clean-sheet design, the A220 offers unrivalled operational launched and landed on a Russian Soyuz spacecraft. “With these new missions, we're expanding efficiency and 25% lower operating costs per how we study the Sun, space, and Earth as seat compared to previous generation aircraft. an interconnected system,” said Peg Luce, Presidential transition, weak deputy director of the Heliophysics Division Three astronauts assigned funding put 2024 moon at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “EZIE's use of instrument technology proven to Crew Dragon mission in landing goal in doubt on Earth science CubeSat missions is just late 2021 one example of how science and technology Rookie NASA astronaut Raja Chari — a former The handoff from Donald Trump's administration development at NASA go hand in hand U.S. Air Force fighter pilot — veteran physician- to that of Joe Biden, and a lack of congressional

39 IN THE NEWS AMERICAS

funding, have cast doubt on NASA's goal for leadership. It's also about getting all the moving He mentioned that the first Mexican astronaut, a lunar landing by 2024 — a date that parts funded. Rodolfo Neri Vela, orbited the Earth 109 times, already had been seen as unlikely. Planning for moon missions is far enough along carried out important experiments and “We can say, really, it's impossible at this that it will happen, Foster said, but the date is extensive photography work on the Earth's point to meet that 2024 goal,” said Casey likely to slip. surface. Dreier, chief advocate for The Planetary “In the '60s, [President John F.] Kennedy “After his experience with NASA, Neri Vela Society, which says it is the largest nonprofit announced the moonshot because he needed a collaborated in 1989 and 1990, with the in the world to support space exploration. political win, and the Cold War space race made European Space Agency, in the Netherlands, “The issue is funding for NASA in general. it urgent, but it's not that urgent today,” Foster in the project of the International Space Even the Trump White House cut NASA's said. Station, which in this 2020 celebrated 20 years funding in the first couple of years,” said “I think we got to the moon less because of in orbit around the Earth.” Dreier, who also is the society's senior space Kennedy saying it and more so because he His experiences as an astronaut, writer, policy adviser. died, and Johnson said we have to preserve his lecturer, teacher and engineer made him one NASA had been aiming for a 2028 moon legacy.” of the best science communicators in the landing. But Vice President Mike Pence NASA has selected 18 astronauts, nine men country, worthy of multiple medals, awards advanced that by four years in a March 2019 and nine women, for its Artemis Team of and distinctions, as well as a great source of address to the National Space Council in potential moonwalkers. The space agency inspiration and motivation for thousands of which he cited growing competition with expects one of them to become the first woman young people of many generations. China as a key reason. to walk on the moon, while another will be the The stamp was designed by Guillermo Castro “I'd say it's unlikely that the Biden first man to return to the moon since 1972. and Josoef Canon, using the technique of Administration will stick with the goal of photography, illustration and digital 2024, given the funding issues,” Dreier said. composition, and produced with Cyan, He added: “That doesn't mean the moon will Mexico issues postage magenta, yellow, black and security ink, using fall out of favor. The Democratic Party stamp to commemorate 35th offset printing, in a size of 48 by 40 millimeters, platform endorses a moon to Mars program. in piercing suaje. The spreadsheet consists of It will just take a little longer.” Anniversary of the First 25 stamps on 100 g / m2 matte white couché In 2019, Congress cut NASA's funding Mexican Astronaut and the paper and was printed at Stamps and request for $1 billion to build a human Securities Printing Workshops (TIEV) with a landing system to $600,000 for 2020. This Morelos 2 Satellite circulation of 200 thousand; its face value is $ fiscal year, the agency sought $3.2 billion for 7.00 (seven pesos). the landing system, but the final amount in The Undersecretary of Transportation, the congressional bill is $850 million. Carlos MoránMoguel, headed the ceremony ARSAT invests over $ 500 While NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine for the Cancellation of the First Day of has expressed confidence about getting to Issuance of the Postage Stamp. These were million to build “national the moon by 2024, he frequently warned that historic events for Mexico, said the general public cloud” politics was the biggest obstacle. director of the Mexican Space Agency, Bridenstine will step down Jan. 20, the day of Salvador Landeros Ayala Biden's inauguration. No new administrator With the representation of the Secretary of Within the framework of the Connect Plan, has been named. Communications and Transportation, Jorge at ARSAT we have received more than $ 500 The return to the moon is seen as a step ArganisDíaz-Leal, the Undersecretary of million destined to purchase new toward Mars under NASA's Artemis Transportation, Carlos Alfonso MoránMoguel, equipment for our National Data Center, as program. The first mission, an uncrewed presided over the Cancellation of the First Day well as for the maintenance and updating launch on a new rocket, SLS, is scheduled of Issuance of the Postage Stamp “35th of the existing one. It seeks to sustain for November. Anniversary of the First Mexican Astronaut and s u f f i c i e n t c o m p u t i n g r e s o u r c e s , But NASA is behind schedule on testing that the Morelos Satellite 2 ”Issued by the Mexican connectivity and data storage to provide rocket's core stage, after 2020 delays that Postal Service-Correos de México. international quality cloud computing included a brief shutdown of work due to the In a virtual event, in the company of the general services. coronavirus pandemic and hurricanes director of the Mexican Space Agency (AEM), From ARSAT we are in a process of passing near the B-2 Test Stand at the Salvador Landeros Ayala, the Undersecretary investment and enhancement of our different agency's Stennis Space Center near Bay St. of Transportation recalled the moments 35 service units. That is why the necessary Louis, Miss. years ago – on November 26, 1985 – during the equipment will be acquired to strengthen the NASA had planned to ship the core stage to launch of the shuttle Atlantis, which carried to infrastructure in our National Data Center and Kennedy Space Center in Florida last month space to the first Mexican astronaut, Rodolfo thus be able to offer computing infrastructure for final assembly with boosters and a Neri Vela, and to the Morelos 2 satellite . services in a dynamic way, through the capsule, but that step was delayed by the For his part, the general director of the AEM deployment of a new national public cloud. testing. stressed that “both events were historical For this, from the telecommunications “We're getting to a point where we've got events for Mexico, since it consolidated its entry company of the National State we have very little margin left in the schedule relative into the select group of countries in the world received from the Secretariat of Public to our commitment to our delivery date,” with space activity, and its own satellite system,” Innovation headed by Micaela Sánchez John Honeycutt, NASA's program manager he said. Malcolm, and with the authorization of the on the rocket, said during a press He specified that the Morelos II , together with Chief of Cabinet, Santiago Cafiero, an item of conference Dec. 9. the Morelos I , represented a great 509,422,861 pesos. NASA had halted testing of the rocket on the technological advance to unify rural and urban This seeks to maintain sufficient resources in day of that press conference, after areas, since they covered the Mexican territory terms of computing, connectivity and data discovering a problem with loading of liquid and offered telephone, data and television storage, to make these available to our clients oxygen propellant leading to a test firing. An services. through a new self-managed and automatable investigation into the problem left the He stressed that the autonomy achieved in its public cloud based on “Open Source” upcoming schedule in limbo. control, operation and engineering, after the orchestration and virtualization technology. The second Artemis mission would be a launch, was a source of national pride. In a short This public cloud, together with the Federal crewed flight of the SLS rocket around the time, satellite technology was assimilated and it Fiber Optic Network (REFEFO), can moon, planned for 2023. was not necessary to contract support as did contribute and accompany companies and Biden talks about the benefits of space other systems similar to ours, thereby institutions belonging to the knowledge exploration for science and humanity, but demonstrating, at the national and international economy. hasn't specifically mentioned landing on the level, the capacity of Mexican engineering. This initiative is part of the Connect 2020-2023 moon as much as Trump or Pence did, said “For example, its useful life was originally nine Plan announced by the President of the Amy Foster, a professor of space history at years; however, thanks to the talent of Mexican Nation, Alberto Fernández, at our Benavídez the University of Central Florida. engineers, in 1998 it began to operate in an Earth Station and which provides, among “Political will is what is missing,” Foster said. inclined orbit, and was able to extend its other things, for the renewal of Open Digital “But it's not just about presidential durability until 2004 ”. Television (TDA) equipment, the updating of IN THE NEWS AMERICAS

equipment to multiply REFEFO's broadband years on orbit, or more than four times its five- AIAA Executive Director Dan Dumbacher made capacity by 10 and the construction of the new year design life. During that time, Northrop the following statement after the president ARSAT-SG1 satellite, which will provide Grumman has performed Chandra flight s i g n e d t h e l e g i s l a t i o n i n t o l a w : satellite Internet in more than 200 thousand operations and provided systems engineering “The U.S. aerospace and defense (A&D) homes in Argentina. expertise, enabling its customers to meet and industry is a multi-trillion-dollar enterprise that exceed their mission needs. supports millions of direct and indirect jobs Northrop Grumman team Northrop Grumman is leveraging its expertise nationally and many more globally. As with with NASA again, in creating the next great many other business sectors, A&D has felt a recognized by NASA for space telescope, the James Webb Space huge economic impact from the coronavirus successful control center Telescope. The longevity of Chandra will pandemic. While these appropriations are enable collaboration between the world's welcome, they come three months into the relocation premier X-ray telescope and Webb, which will current fiscal year. AIAA—the world's largest Designed and built by Northrop Grumman, the be the world's premier space science aerospace professional society—continues to Chandra X-ray Observatory is part of NASA's observatory when it launches in 2021. Webb call on lawmakers to return to a regular ?eet of “Great Observatories,” allowing and Chandra capture the universe in different appropriations process. AIAA also encourages scientists from around the world to explore energy ranges and together they will paint a lawmakers to take substantial action in the new very hot regions of exploded stars, clusters of more complete picture of the universe. Webb year to address the needs of the A&D industry. galaxies and matter around black holes. In an will solve mysteries in our solar system, look Stable funding will help sustain this crucial elliptical orbit over 85,000 miles from the Earth, beyond to distant worlds around other stars, industry during these difficult times and Chandra's X-ray images of some of the most and probe the mysterious structures and maintain the robust and world-leading A&D extreme phenomena are leading to origins of our universe and our place in it. sector for years to come discoveries that are furthering our Webb is an international program led by NASA understanding of the structure and evolution of with its partners, the European Space Agency AIAA applauds the decision makers' efforts to the universe. and the Canadian Space Agency. provide economic relief during the coronavirus Each of these images contains x-ray data from pandemic through the roughly $900 billion NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory combined U.S. Environmental stimulus package. Small businesses, with data in different energy ranges unemployed Americans, and most individuals (wavelengths) collected by other telescopes. Protection Agency adopts will feel direct impact. The bill also funds vital Chandra allows scientists from around the ICAO first ever aircraft CO2 vaccine distribution, food assistance, and world to explore very hot regions of exploded resources for education, childcare, and stars, clusters of galaxies and matter around standard housing. Important for the A&D industry, the black holes. Photo credit: NASA/CXC/SAO stimulus extends a reimbursement program for Federal contractors under Section 3610 of the The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency For more than 20 years, the science and data Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (EPA) adopted the International Civil Aviation driven mission was operated from the Chandra Act.” Operations Control Center (OCC) near the Organization's first ever aircraft CO2 standard campus of Harvard University, home of the with its final rule on “Control of Air Pollution Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & from Aircraft and Aircraft Engines: Proposed Study: U.S. Military Smithsonian, and the Chandra X-Ray Center. Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Communications From early 2017 through July 2019, the Standards and Test Procedures.” The rule Chandra OCC relocation team – comprised of comes after more than a decade of work by Technology and Cyber Northrop Grumman, NASA Marshall Space ICAO member countries who first pushed for Defense Challenges Remain Flight Center, Smithsonian Astrophysical the development of a standard in October Observatory, Smithsonian Institution and other 2010 before arriving at the final airplane CO2 industry partners – worked together to bring a emissions certification standard in February Despite the Department of Defense (DoD) new control center online in a new location. 2016. In response to the rule, Aerospace making strategic moves to improve its The team successfully executed the Industries Association (AIA) Vice President of communications technologies, a new study challenging and extensive control center Civil Aviation David Silver released the finds challenges still exist in fulfilling a relocation, adhering to a strict schedule while following statement: successful military communications technology maintaining the observatory operational safety strategy for the multi-domain battlefield. and science data delivery, to its new location in “With this final rule, the EPA has Concerns regarding the DoD's acquisition Burlington, Massachusetts, 20 miles from demonstrated America's commitment to process and cybersecurity were revealed in the Cambridge. global action against climate change and study, conducted by the Government Business NASA recognized the team in September 2020 ensured U.S. aircraft will meet the same Council, the research division of Government with a NASA Agency-level Honor Award for standards as our competitors across the Executive Media Group, , in partnership with outstanding site selection, design, world. Improving aircraft efficiency is a Viasat Inc, (NASDAQ: VSAT) a global development, test and verification of a new crucial part of the aviation industry's plans communications company. Chandra Operations Control Center (OCC). to reduce CO2 emissions, and we look According to the second annual State of Military “Northrop Grumman has a deep heritage of forward to working with the FAA to Communications study, respondents reported supporting science and discovery through the incorporate this standard into its aircraft t h e t o p t h r e e c a u s e s o f d e f e n s e Chandra X-Ray Observatory,” said John certification requirements.” communications technology deficiencies in Daegele, vice president and general manager, their agencies include: limited funding, strategic space systems, Northrop Grumman. Applause as US congress incompatibilities with legacy architectures and “The success and recognition of this cultural complacency. Cultural complacency collaborative effort is a testament to our approves $1.4 trillion was also reported as the number one reason established and trusted partnership with NASA funding package for the why defense agencies continue to contract with and across the Chandra team.” companies from the Traditional Defense aerospace industry Industrial Base (TDIB) over companies from the Launched July 23, 1999, the Chandra X-ray New Defense Industrial Base (NDIB). Observatory collects data about the life cycle The American Institute of Aeronautics and “As the defense landscape evolves, global of stars and the role of supermassive black Astronautics (AIAA) applauds the passage of military prowess will no longer be determined by holes in the formation of galaxies. Chandra is the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. artillery alone; command over information — managed by NASA's Marshall Space Flight The $1.4 trillion funding package includes and the digital channels that convey it — will Center for the Science Mission Directorate, approximately $627.3 billion for the DOD, determine the victor,” said Daniel Thomas, NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. $14.6 billion for the FAA, $23.3 billion for director, Research & Strategic Insights, Northrop Grumman is the prime contractor and NASA, $1 billion for NIST, $5.4 billion for Government Business Council. “This year's led an industry team in the design, NOAA, and $5.4 billion for the NSF. It also State of Military Communications survey development and building of the telescope. includes an essential coronavirus stimulus continued to highlight the need for the DoD to In July 2020, the observatory surpassed 21 p a c k a g e . increase its communications modernization

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