Singapore To Be Catalyst For Space Industry In Asia

Singapore To Be Catalyst For Space Industry In Asia

(Singapore Government Monitor) January 28, 2010

Today, more than half of the global space industry’s revenues come from the purchases of commercial space products and services. In 2008, the Space Foundation estimated the global space industry to be worth US$257 billion and growing at an impressive Compounded Average Growth Rate (CAGR) of 8.4 per cent since 2006. In Asia, the space industry is poised to grow rapidly as many Asian nations set ambitious targets for their national space programs. Singapore can potentially contribute to the rapidly developing space industry in Asia in several ways.

Europe's booming spaceport and its Amazon neighbours

Europe's booming spaceport and its Amazon neighbours

(BBC) January 29, 2010

The European rocket launch site in French Guiana may have become the world's most important commercial satellite spaceport, but Sue Nelson finds that its boom is alienating the locals. No-one forgets their first rocket launch. Mine was an Ariane 4 in the Amazonian Basin. The rocket rose breathtakingly and unexpectedly slowly - and in complete silence. Sound is a tortoise compared to the speed of light and it takes time before a deep rumble accompanies the visuals. On my return to the Guiana Space Centre, the first immediate difference I notice is Cayenne's Rochambeau airport.

India, South Korea Sign Space Agreement

The Beginning of Something Big

(IT News) January 22, 2010

Continuous and remarkable economic growth has allowed India to emerge as a global power, increasing its presence in the world economy. Unlike most economies to post negative growth at the height of the global crisis, India is actually expected to achieve an impressive growth rate exceeding five percent in 2009. Korea has world class competitiveness manufacturing devices or equipment. Plus, Korea is the 12 largest economy in the world. Space technology is also a new avenue for India and Korea to develop commercial space launch, remote sensing, mapping and GPS based navigation. In addition biotechnology and green technology these are other areas of potential interest in Korea. Counselor Rajasekhar made another insightful comment by stating, “By working together sky is the limit. Seize the opportunity – now when the Korean government and Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) are additional facilitating factors.

South Korea upbeat on n-pact with India, signs IT and space pacts (Roundup)

(Thaindian) January 25th, 2010

New Delhi, Jan 25 (IANS) Keen to give their growing economic ties the shape of a strategic partnership, India and South Korea Monday agreed to create a framework for bilateral civil nuclear cooperation and also signed pacts in areas ranging from peaceful uses of outer space to cooperation in IT. The two countries set a target of nearly doubling their $16 billion bilateral trade to $30 billion by 2014 and accelerate cooperation in areas like combating maritime piracy and joint development of military hardware. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh held talks with visiting South Korean President Lee Myung-bak Monday evening on a wide range of bilateral, regional and global issues, including the intensification of economic ties, UN reforms and cooperation in civilian nuclear energy, defence and civilian space technologies. The two sides inked four accords after the talks - related to cooperation in peaceful uses of outer space, IT, science and technology for the year 2010-12 and transfer of sentenced persons.

NASA Launches Effort for Closer Cooperation with Israel

NASA Launches Effort for Closer Cooperation with Israel

(Isreal National News) January 25, 2010, By Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Administrator and former astronaut Charles F. Bolden Jr. is in Israel and on Sunday urged closer cooperation with the Jewish State, which he cited for its expertise in space technology. Bolden is guest of honor at the annual the International Ilan Ramon Space Conference, in memory of the late Israeli astronaut who fell in the Colombia space shuttle disaster. He said, “Israel is connected to NASA in many ways including the memory of the unforgettable Columbia disaster and the heroic Ilan Ramon who lost his life together with his team.

India launches rockets to study eclipse

India launches rockets to study eclipse
(CNN) January 14, 2010, By Harmeet Shah Singh
India is launching a series of rockets to study the impact of Friday's solar eclipse, a rare occurrence that will briefly reduce the sun to a blazing ring. The Indian Space Research Organization has already sent up three rockets, and at least five others are scheduled for launch during the eclipse, its spokesman, S. Satish, told CNN. Astronomers term the Friday phenomenon an annular eclipse, when the moon covers the center of the sun and not its edges. The Indian rockets will record changes the eclipse causes in the lower and middle atmosphere as it races from Africa to Asia, he said.

Iran to Unveil Military Satellite in February

Iran to unveil military satellite in February
(RIA Novosti) December 23, 2009
Iran will present a new-generation military satellite in early February, the country's defense minister said on Wednesday. Ahmad Vahidi was quoted by Press TV that the satellite, called Toloo, was designed and built by Iranian scientists and experts at Iran's Electronics Industries Co. "The great achievements made by Iran's defense ministry in the electronics field has both increased Iran's deterrent power and ended the monopoly of some countries in this complex field," he said. The minister said Iran's armed forces will now be able to identify enemy software and hardware components, and track their movement. He did not elaborate.

Vietnam to Launch Second Satellite in 2012

Vietnam PM Approves Plan To Launch Second Telecom Satellite By 2012
Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has agreed in principle to launch the country's second telecommunications satellite by 2012, the government said Monday in a statement. The government said Dung has assigned the state-run Vietnam Posts and Telecoms Group to be the sole investor of the satellite called Vinasat-2. It said the satellite will cost between $290 million and $350 million. "The new satellite is aimed at boosting the development of the country's telecom market," the government said. Vietnam launched its first satellite from a space port in South America in April 2008. The $300 million Vinasat-1, built by U.S. firm Lockheed Martin, is expected to have a lifespan of between 15 and 20 years.