Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact News

Space.com • Leonard David

Experts Propose US–China Space Hotline to Mitigate Orbital Emergencies

Space policy specialists are urging the establishment of a bilateral US–China communication channel to coordinate rapid responses to satellite collisions, debris threats and other in-orbit crises. They argue that, despite strategic competition, an emergency hotline is essential for spaceflight safety and sustainability.

2025-05-16T06:10:47.269588-07:00

FlightGlobal

Canada moves to hand over seized An-124 to Ukraine, Volga-Dnepr blasts 'pirate hijacking'

2025-05-16T00:06:46.012219-07:00

Independent.ie

UK High Court Upholds $203M AerCap Award Against Volga-Dnepr Logistics

2025-05-15T05:54:16.013871-07:00

Reuters

ICAO Council Holds Russia Accountable for Downing of MH17, Seeks Victim Compensation

2025-05-12T15:32:01.484940-07:00

Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact News Timeline

Ars Technica

Buddhist Iconography on Chinese Spy Satellite Patches Hints at Covert Missions China’s once-generic spaceflight patches have evolved to feature vivid Buddhist deities on classified TJS and Yaogan reconnaissance satellite insignia, offering imagery analysts and intelligence experts new iconographic clues into Beijing’s expanding and increasingly sophisticated covert ISR operations in orbit.

2025-05-17T10:10:48.483144-07:00

Buddhist Iconography on Chinese Spy Satellite Patches Hints at Covert Missions

The Conversation

Geopolitical Shifts Reshape the Space Race, Opening Doors for Neutral Actors Such as New Zealand As US-China tensions intensify, states and private firms are forging partnerships beyond traditional alliances. Countries with neutral or flexible policies – notably New Zealand – are capitalizing on this pivot, attracting launch providers, satellite developers and investors seeking less politicized markets.

2025-05-17T08:09:48.613854-07:00

Geopolitical Shifts Reshape the Space Race, Opening Doors for Neutral Actors Such as New Zealand

themoscowtimes.com

Kazakhstan Denies Russia Will Abandon Baikonur Lease Before 2050 Kazakhstan rejected reports Thursday that Russia intends to terminate its lease on the Baikonur Cosmodrome ahead of its 2050 expiration, amid speculation Moscow may be preparing to ditch the historic site. Astana’s denial underscores continued strategic reliance on Baikonur and aims to dispel concerns over its long-term future.

2025-05-16T07:47:10.956695-07:00

Kazakhstan Denies Russia Will Abandon Baikonur Lease Before 2050

Space.com

Experts Propose US–China Space Hotline to Mitigate Orbital Emergencies Space policy specialists are urging the establishment of a bilateral US–China communication channel to coordinate rapid responses to satellite collisions, debris threats and other in-orbit crises. They argue that, despite strategic competition, an emergency hotline is essential for spaceflight safety and sustainability.

2025-05-16T06:10:47.269588-07:00

Experts Propose US–China Space Hotline to Mitigate Orbital Emergencies

Wall Street Journal

Lockheed Martin accelerates European defense tie-up talks amid EU local sourcing drive Lockheed Martin is fast-tracking tie-up talks with European partners to boost its production footprint and secure local supply chains across the EU, a senior executive said. The move aligns with Brussels’ broader push to ramp up homegrown defense manufacturing to enhance strategic autonomy.

2025-05-16T03:21:12.843825-07:00

Lockheed Martin accelerates European defense tie-up talks amid EU local sourcing drive

South China Morning Post

PLA Warns US ‘Orbital Carrier’ Program Could Ignite Space Arms Race China’s People’s Liberation Army has cautioned that the US Space Force’s proposed orbital transport craft could be repurposed to rapidly deploy weaponisable satellites, raising concerns over a new phase in the militarisation of space and destabilising strategic balance.

2025-05-16T03:15:03.336775-07:00

PLA Warns US ‘Orbital Carrier’ Program Could Ignite Space Arms Race

FlightGlobal

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Canada moves to hand over seized An-124 to Ukraine, Volga-Dnepr blasts 'pirate hijacking' Canada has initiated court filings to formalize the seizure of a Russian-operated Antonov An-124 heavy-lift transport jet stranded in Toronto since February 2022 under sanctions, to hand the aircraft to Ukraine for relief operations. Volga-Dnepr Airlines condemned the move as a “pirate hijacking” and illegal expropriation.

2025-05-16T00:06:46.012219-07:00

Canada moves to hand over seized An-124 to Ukraine, Volga-Dnepr blasts 'pirate hijacking'

South China Morning Post

Pakistan Launches PL-15 Air-to-Air Missiles in First Combat Test Over Kashmir Pakistan’s air force deployed Chinese-built PL-15 long-range air-to-air missiles against Indian fighters over Kashmir in the first known combat use of Beijing’s most advanced BVR weapon. The incident highlights shifting aerial deterrence in South Asia and carries implications for the global arms market and Taiwan’s air defense strategy.

2025-05-15T23:46:17.875749-07:00

Pakistan Launches PL-15 Air-to-Air Missiles in First Combat Test Over Kashmir

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