The geopolitical power plays in Earth observation

Running story
The geopolitical power plays in Earth observation

As global strategic rivalries return to the fore - in Ukraine, Gaza, the Taiwan Straight and in Africa, where Russia is a force to be reckoned with - accumulating crises are influencing the spy-satellite power players: who observes what, who sets up where, who sows alliances with whom and, increasingly, who releases what data publicly.

The upshot is that the targets selected for observation, the countries being courted, and the NGOs and broadcasters being brought into the loop all provide insight into the major space players' strategies and focal points.

The geopolitical power plays in Earth observation

Spotlight | Australia, Canada, Finland
Australia's Esper banks on Kyiv's interest in hyperspectral imaging

The Australian Earth observation specialist is hoping to break into the Ukrainian defence market despite having recently lost its satellite. Like others in the field of hyperspectral imaging, the company has been developing innovative strategies as it deals with uncertain data supply capacities and a desire to move into space-based intelligence.

LogoSubscribers only Surveillance & Interception 04.10.2024

United States
Presidential race, part 4: US Air Force comes out on top for space-based intelligence

Recent US Air Force space sector announcements show that it is in the best position with a looming election that is disrupting the Space Force and intelligence agencies.

The US Air Force has managed to retain key assets in the space sector.
LogoSubscribers only Government Intelligence 24.09.2024
The US Air Force has managed to retain key assets in the space sector.

France, India
France and India's blooming military space cooperation

A delegation from the Indian Defence Space Agency, led by its director Pawan Kumar, travelled to Paris recently to meet with one of its closest partners. The aim of the trip was to negotiate a partnership on space surveillance between both countries.

LogoSubscribers only Surveillance & Interception 23.09.2024

United States
US geospatial intelligence agency shakes up service providers for economic surveillance

The recent award of the LUNO A contracts by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, expected for months, has highlighted the role of a number of discreet players. At the same time, the agency is getting rid of three long-standing service providers.

LogoSubscribers only Surveillance & Interception 18.09.2024

China, Europe, United States
Open Source investigators shake up space surveillance market

The Space Situational Awareness field, once the exclusive domain of governments and deep-pocketed private operators, is being disrupted by open source participants. This situation is not to the liking of the global space powers.

Amateur astronomers are now able to conduct professional-level observation, especially of low Earth orbit objects.
LogoSubscribers only Surveillance & Interception 04.09.2024
Amateur astronomers are now able to conduct professional-level observation, especially of low Earth orbit objects.

China, United States
Pentagon imposes information blackout after latest Chinese HG satellite launch

The blackout which followed the Chinese satellite's launch illustrated the United States' total distrust of information distributed by the Chinese authorities about their activities in space.

LogoSubscribers only Surveillance & Interception 02.09.2024

United States
Presidential race, part 3: as space becomes an electoral issue, the US Space Force restructures ahead of new administration

With the Starliner soap opera set to run for at least several more weeks, the Biden administration's space policy is increasingly coming under fire from the Republican camp. The US Space Force, created by Trump and struggling to deliver promised space defence architecture, could find itself caught in the crossfire.

General Chance Saltzman, chief of Space Operations for the US Space Force.
LogoSubscribers only Government Intelligence 29.08.2024
General Chance Saltzman, chief of Space Operations for the US Space Force.

Europe, United States
Washington draws on European expertise to acquire critical defence space technologies

As China and the US battle it out for space supremacy, Washington is counting on a handful of European nationals developing potentially game-changing technologies in two key areas: taking artificial intelligence into space and digitally modelling the Earth's surface.

Cosmic Shielding Corp. was responsible for protecting the Nvidia processor launched into space on 16 August.
LogoSubscribers only Surveillance & Interception 28.08.2024
Cosmic Shielding Corp. was responsible for protecting the Nvidia processor launched into space on 16 August.

United States
Presidential race, part 2: US geospatial intelligence agency seeks to reinvent itself ahead of possible change of administration

While the National Reconnaissance Office undergoes a cultural revolution, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency is also having to adapt to an evolving ecosystem of partners, suppliers and fellow agencies.

National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Director Vice Admiral Frank Whitworth.
LogoSubscribers only Government Intelligence 23.07.2024
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Director Vice Admiral Frank Whitworth.

United States
Presidential race, part 1: US spy satellite agency rethinks its relationship with Space Force

In the run-up to November's US presidential election, the National Reconnaissance Office is facing significant technological, commercial and political challenges.

Launch of a rocket from Cape Canaveral space station (Florida) carrying a classified spy satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), 9 April 2024.
LogoSubscribers only Government Intelligence 22.07.2024
Launch of a rocket from Cape Canaveral space station (Florida) carrying a classified spy satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), 9 April 2024.

Iran, Russia, United States
All Western eyes on Iran's space sector amid Russian tech boost

Iran's sudden progress with its space programme is causing concern in the West, and it is becoming increasingly clear that Tehran is getting massive help from Russia.

Launch of a Salman rocket on 6 December 2023.
LogoSubscribers only Government Intelligence 01.07.2024
Launch of a Salman rocket on 6 December 2023.

United States
Pentagon carefully selects what imagery from Earth observation gem Albedo is for sale

The Earth observation start-up is preparing to put the first satellite of its 10-cm imagery constellation into orbit next year. But the Pentagon and US intelligence agencies have already bagged the imagery of key strategic zones, meaning it will not be made publicly available for sale.

LogoSubscribers only Surveillance & Interception 18.06.2024

Spotlight | United States
Maxar skies clearing, but Starshield on the horizon

Maxar engineers have got its WorldView-3 Earth observation satellite working again. But the Starshield constellation developed by SpaceX for the NRO is already in view.

A satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies showing the Trident jetty on the Gaza coast, 29 May 2024.
LogoSubscribers only Surveillance & Interception 13.06.2024
A satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies showing the Trident jetty on the Gaza coast, 29 May 2024.

Spotlight | Oman, Saudi Arabia, UAE
A new chapter in the space race between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi: launch stations

Unable to fire its heavy payloads on domestic soil, Saudi Arabia is weighing up a space partnership with Oman, an ideally situated space partner. The UAE faces a similar dilemma.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets Saudi astronauts and other senior officials prior to the launch of the kingdom's scientific mission to the International Space Station in Jeddah on 16 April 2023.
LogoSubscribers only International Dealmaking 28.05.2024
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets Saudi astronauts and other senior officials prior to the launch of the kingdom's scientific mission to the International Space Station in Jeddah on 16 April 2023.

United States
Maxar takes a hit with loss of its flagship spy satellite

The global leader in commercial space observation had hoped that the successful launch on 2 May of its first two WorldView Legion satellites would mark the end of four years of struggles. But Maxar is once again experiencing setbacks:

LogoSubscribers only Surveillance & Interception 28.05.2024

China
Beijing severs last of European Earth observation ties

Following on from China's other satellite imagery leaders, 21AT has cut loose from its European partnerships and is now using exclusively Chinese technology.

A Long March-2D rocket carrying four satellites blasts off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in northern China's Shanxi Province, 19 May 2024.
LogoSubscribers only Surveillance & Interception 24.05.2024
A Long March-2D rocket carrying four satellites blasts off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in northern China's Shanxi Province, 19 May 2024.

UAE, Yemen
UAE maps highly strategic Socotra Island from space

With military operations ramping up in the Red Sea, Abu Dhabi is keeping a close watch on the archipelago located in the mouth of crucial shipping routes. The UAE armed forces even scanned the entire island from space a few weeks ago.

The Socotra archipelago in Yemen.
LogoSubscribers only Government Intelligence 01.05.2024
The Socotra archipelago in Yemen.

China, Russia, United States
Washington, Beijing and Moscow square off in space after spy satellite launches

The race for space-based intelligence has prompted an unprecedented wave of spy satellite launches. Washington and its Indo-Pacific allies are picking up the pace in the face of China's push, while Russia is completing its transition to a war economy.

LogoSubscribers only Surveillance & Interception 30.04.2024

China, United States
Spy space race: US intelligence shadowing Chinese spy satellites

Washington and Beijing are waging a top secret intelligence war high above the Indian Ocean, with a US satellite launched at the beginning of April now aligned with a Chinese device.

LogoSubscribers only Surveillance & Interception 29.04.2024

China, UAE
Chinese Uspace zooms in on Middle East to expand its Earth Observation business

China's space and earth observation industry has turned its focus towards the Gulf to find new export outlets as European markets become increasingly skittish.

LogoSubscribers only Surveillance & Interception 22.04.2024

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Running story
The geopolitical power plays in Earth observation


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