Space Matters
The Great Game for Space
French Space Command is Conducting Simulation Exercises
According to reports in international media, the French Space Command is conducting a series of 18 simulation exercises dubbed "AsterX". The drills are meant to stress-test the French armed forces' capabilities to safeguard their space assets from their operations room. According to this Deutsche Welle report, the German Space Agency and US Space Force are also taking part in the exercises.
With this exercise, France is likely affirming the perceived in-orbit threat to French assets from proximity operations. It is crucial to keep in mind past accusations by the French against Russia for snooping on their military comms satellites.
The Russian special-purpose SIGINT satellite Olymp-K is notorious for encroaching too close to other satellites, supposedly for spying on them. The fact that it is known to be operated by Russia’s Federal Security Service(FSB) is a reason for inherent suspicion.
Russia and China have Signed the Anticipated MoU for a Lunar Base
The Russian space agency ROSCOSMOS has announced the signing of a key Memorandum of Understanding with China. The agreement is the foundation of a prospective joint Lunar Research Base. In the long-term, similar agreements may serve as the arbiter for elevating geopolitical rivalries to astropolitical ones. The ultimate selling point for some other countries will be an alternate way to engage in space exploration apart from the US-led Artemis programme and Accords.
New Launches, Gear and Plans
ISRO launches Brazil’s Amazonia-1
The Indian Space Agency ISRO has successfully launched Brazil’s remote sensing satellite Amazonia-1. The satellite flew onboard India’s PSLV-C51 launch vehicle.
Source: http://www.inpe.br/noticias/noticia.php?Cod_Noticia=5663
Russia Launches Arctic Weather and AIS Satellite
Russia has successfully launched the Arktika-M weather satellite. It is part of a constellation that will provide metrological inputs and realtime Automatic Identification System(AIS) capabilities for aiding Search and Rescue over the Northern Sea Route region.
Source: ROSCOSMOS
Space in Media
Debris: The new TV Sci-Fi series is currently on its second episode. The plot is about fragments from an alien space ship that fall to Earth and start altering the laws of physics and the very fabric of reality. Even with a great concept backing it, the two aired episodes have failed to impress viewers and critics alike.
Interesting Publications and Resources:
A great repot on counter space capabilities published by CSIS
A great article explaining the logic behind Russia signing “no weapons in space” agreements with countries without space programmes
ISRO’s annual report 2020-21