Italy Nears €1.5 Billion Deal with SpaceX for Secure Telecommunications Italy is advancing negotiations with Elon Musk’s SpaceX on a €1.5 billion ($1.55 billion) agreement to provide secure government telecommunications, according to Bloomberg News. The discussions focus on a five-year contract, which has already gained approval from Italy’s Intelligence Services and Defence Ministry. However, a final agreement is yet to be signed. SpaceX and the Italian Defence Ministry have not responded to Reuters’ requests for comments outside regular business hours. SpaceX’s Role in Italy’s Communications The deal reportedly involves SpaceX delivering encrypted telephone and internet services for the Italian government.…
Author: Arushi Pandey
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ISRO to Launch US Communication Satellite Enabling Space-Based Phone Calls The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is gearing up to launch a US communication satellite that will enable mobile phone calls directly from space. The mission, expected in February or March, represents a significant milestone, as it marks the first time a US company will send a large communication satellite into orbit via an Indian rocket. So far, India has only launched small satellites for American companies, making this a landmark collaboration. Union Minister of Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh, confirmed the mission’s timeline, noting its potential to revolutionise mobile…
China Celebrates Two Years of Tiangong Space Station Completion with Key Achievements The China Manned Space Engineering Office (CMSEO) has released its first report on the progress of the Tiangong space station’s scientific research and applications. This release marks the two-year anniversary of the station’s comprehensive completion. Subsequent reports will be published annually to detail ongoing progress. Major Milestones in Scientific Research The report provides a detailed overview of advances in space science, technology, and applications. It focuses on four primary research areas: space life and human research, microgravity physics, space astronomy and Earth science, and new space technologies. Since…
Indian Navy and NARL Collaborate on Atmospheric Science The Indian Navy, represented by its Directorate of Naval Oceanology and Meteorology (DNOM), has partnered with the National Atmospheric Research Laboratory (NARL) under the Department of Space, Government of India. This collaboration focuses on leveraging the latest advancements in atmospheric science to enhance naval capabilities. Memorandum of Understanding Signed On 23 December 2024, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed at NARL’s Gadanki facility. Commodore Abhinav Barve, representing DNOM, and Dr Amit Kumar Patra, Director of NARL, formalised the agreement. The signing took place at 1500 IST, highlighting a significant step in…
Crypto Industry Seeks Trump’s Early Action on Cryptocurrency Policy The cryptocurrency industry is urging President-elect Donald Trump to prioritise his promised crypto policy overhaul as he takes office next month. Industry insiders hope executive orders issued during Trump’s first 100 days will push cryptocurrencies into the mainstream by addressing banking access, regulation, and innovation. On the campaign trail, Trump positioned himself as a “crypto president,” drawing support from the sector. Now, industry officials expect at least one executive order to come as early as his inauguration day on January 20. Pushing for a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Trump has pledged to…
Astronauts Face Challenges During Extended Space Missions NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore are experiencing an extended stay in space, with their return to Earth delayed by nine months. While such delays can be challenging, they are seen as part of the sacrifices astronauts make to explore the final frontier. Former Astronaut Reflects on Delays in Space Travel Former astronaut Mike Massimino, an engineering professor at Columbia University, shared his thoughts on the delay. Speaking to Reuters, he praised Williams and Wilmore, calling them his “heroes.” Massimino understands the challenges of unexpected delays, having faced them during his second…
Starlink Revenue Set to Soar to $11.8 Billion in 2025 SpaceX’s satellite internet service, Starlink, is projected to generate $11.8 billion in revenue by 2025, according to a recent analysis by market research firm Quilty Space. The increase is fuelled by surging consumer demand and expanding contracts with the US military, showcasing Starlink’s dominant role in the satellite communications market. This marks a significant rise from an estimated $7.7 billion in revenue for 2024, highlighting the rapid growth of the company. A substantial portion of this revenue stems from a $537 million Pentagon contract to provide satellite services for Ukraine’s…
European Startup The Exploration Co Raises $160 Million for Reusable Space Capsule The Franco-German space startup The Exploration Co announced on Monday that it has secured $160 million in Series B funding. The investment will support the development of its reusable cargo capsule, Nyx, marking a significant milestone in European space innovation. The funding round, led by Balderton Capital and Plural, is reportedly the largest space-related investment of its kind in Europe. This comes as Europe ramps up its efforts to strengthen its private space sector, supported by the European Space Agency (ESA). Nyx: A Key to Europe’s Space Future…
Japan’s Space Industry Faces Setbacks Amid Lofty Goals Japan’s space aspirations encountered another hurdle on Wednesday when Space One’s Kairos small rocket experienced a flight termination shortly after liftoff. This marks the company’s second unsuccessful attempt in nine months to become Japan’s first private firm to deliver a satellite to orbit. The Kairos Mission: A Second Failed Attempt The Kairos rocket lifted off at 11:00 a.m. local time from Spaceport Kii in Wakayama prefecture. Live footage captured the 18-metre (59-foot) solid-propellant rocket ascending before it lost stability and deviated from its trajectory. Space One terminated the mission after determining it…
Shenzhou-19 Crew Advances Scientific Research Aboard Tiangong Space Station China’s Shenzhou-19 crew has successfully carried out numerous scientific and technological tasks during their 47-day stay aboard the Tiangong space station. The astronauts continue to make steady progress in their six-month mission, focusing on experiments and maintenance essential for long-term space operations. Fruit Fly Experiment in Space One notable experiment involves studying the biological effects and molecular mechanisms of fruit flies in a weak magnetic field. The crew, wearing soft glove covers, transferred and collected fruit flies while maintaining careful precision. They also replaced the gas purification module and managed the…