UN adopts Pact for the Future to address space challenges: After 9 months of negotiation, the UN has signed the Pact for Future, an agreement including 56 action points to commit the 193 Member States to collaborate on areas such as space debris removal, space traffic management and the peaceful use of space.
This aims to "protect the needs and interests of present and future generations" and restate commitment to the 1967 Outer Space Treaty. The Pact also emphasises the importance of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.
Space Norway takes over Arctic Broadband service: After the successful launch in August and completion of in-orbit testing, Space Norway has on 17 October taken handover of two highly elliptical orbit satellites from manufacturer Northrop Grumman. The mission will deliver a dedicated Arctic Broadband service to its customers, Viasat, the Norwegian Armed Forces and US Space Force, along with a NORM radiation monitor payload for the EU. Fieldfisher advised Space Norway on this unique programme.
FCC fees increase creates pressure on operators: The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued its latest Regulatory Fees Order, including significant increases in the FCC's space and earth station fee categories. Changes will impact space stations providing rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO), on-orbit servicing, and orbital transfer vehicles in the non-geostationary (NGSO) (Small Satellites) category. Concerns have been raised about the cost implications for operators, who may choose to look at other jurisdictions with more attractive licensing regimes as they grow their businesses.
D-Orbit raises further €50 million: In the second part of its Series C funding round led by the Japanese Marubeni Corporation, D-Orbit has raised €50 million. This follows investments of €100 million raised in January. The €150 million will be used by the Italian space logistics firm to expand its space-based cloud computing, orbital transportation and in-orbit serving systems as well as the development of new space vehicles which will aid space-debris removal and support satellite-life extension.
Maxar Intelligence opens new UK office to increase global presence: Maxar Intelligence has opened its international government business headquarters in a new London office. Maxar are aiming to increase their global presence by establishing local leadership in new markets but will maintain their headquarters in Colorado. Maxar have further strengthened their Anglo-connections by appointing former UK Chief of Defence Air Chief Marshal Lord Stuart Peach as a senior advisor.
Yahsat and Bayanat approve merger to form Space42: Yahsat and Bayanat, the Emirati satellite operator and Saudi geospatial AI provider respectively, have merged to form "Space42". This new company aims to build on existing capabilities and knowledge to develop hybrid connectivity and geospatial services with the intention to meet increasing demand from autonomous vehicles and other emerging areas. Space42 has been valued at approximately $3 billion on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange with shares rising to 2.38 dirhams on 1 October, the date that the merger was completed.
All.Space secures $44 million for first satellite terminal launch: Global communications provider All.Space has announced that it has raised $44 million which will fund the commercial launch of its first satellite terminal. The funding round was led by Boka Group with participation from others including AE Ventures, Promus Ventures, and Seraphim Space. All.Space's key technology is a multi-orbit, multi-beam satellite terminal that connects end users through full-performance links with multiple satellites in different orbits simultaneously.
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