1 | Introduction and Overview The Aqualunar Challenge, a collaborative initiative between the UK Space Agency and the Canadian Space Agency, aims to develop innovative technologies for extracting and purifying water from the Moon's surface. It comprises two tracks, the UK track with a total of £1.2 million prize and the Canadian track with a total of $1M CAD that will be awarded in grant funding to UK and Canadian space tech companies respectively. The joint initiative aims to find solutions t…
This article provides an outlook of the anticipated EU Space Act, delving into its origins, objectives, and the potential measures under its three core pillars: safety, security, and sustainability. The EU Space Act is expected to impact space tech companies both within and outside the European Union. The formal proposal for the EU Space Act is expected in Q2/2025, likely taking the form of a regulation, as opposed to a directive. This would result in the EU Space Act being directly applicable…
In terrestrial affairs, time is a well-understood construct: it structures our daily routines, underpins global financial systems, and governs legal deadlines and obligations. However, once we leave the Earth, the concept of time becomes far more complex — both scientifically and legally. As space activities increase, the question “What time is it in space?” is no longer merely philosophical. It is a growing operational, legal, and regulatory challenge. This article examines the multifaceted na…
In this blog post, I am looking at Europe's future in space by analyzing three different key documents published recently: ESA's Strategy 2040, the Draghi report on EU competitiveness, and the proposed EU Space Act. The European Space Agency (ESA) has unveiled its Strategy 2040, a comprehensive vision that sets the course for Europe’s role in space over the next 15 years. The strategy is structured around five overarching goals, each with specific objectives aimed at ensuring Europe’s leadershi…
[German version below] Germany’s New Space Strategy: Opportunities for Economy, Security, and Research Yesterday, the CDU won the German parliamentary election, marking a significant political shift that will also impact the future of German space policy. The position paper by the CDU/CSU parliamentary group published end of January 2025, titled “Space as an Opportunity”, provides insight into the plans of the CDU. It outlines how Germany can strengthen its position in global space activities…