SpaceWatch Global
• Torsten Kriening
Day three of the Riyadh gathering covered satellite identification, cybersecurity threats in space, live interference in geostationary orbit and progress at the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. The recap also assessed the three days’ implications ahead of the 2027 World Radiocommunication Conference.
Space Debris & Traffic Management
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Day three of the Riyadh gathering covered satellite identification, cybersecurity threats in space, live interference in geostationary orbit and progress at the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. The recap also assessed the three days’ implications ahead of the 2027 World Radiocommunication Conference.
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The UK Space Agency selected the British unit of Luxembourg-headquartered ClearSpace as prime contractor for a mission to remove two defunct small satellites from orbit. Announced Oct. 15, the 2029 mission advances a government-backed effort to demonstrate active debris removal.
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Day two of the Riyadh discussions covered direct-to-device satellite timelines, Europe’s 2 GHz mobile-satellite-services deadline, the costs of orbital debris and preparations for WRC-27. Regulators stressed that allocating spectrum does not itself authorize its use, underscoring the distinction between international frequency decisions and national licensing.
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Day-one discussions in Riyadh offered five lessons for Europe, drawing on perspectives from France’s ANFR, the UK’s Ofcom, Ookla, the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs and Foradori. The issues included the IRIS² satellite program, direct-to-device connectivity, spectrum negotiations ahead of the 2027 World Radiocommunication Conference and space security.
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At the 77th International Astronautical Congress in Antalya, agencies and companies addressed low Earth orbit congestion and debris removal, cislunar interoperability, and lunar communications and transport. ESA also presented a study on developing a reusable two-stage heavy-lift launcher, while U.S. and Chinese space networks were in focus.
A Soviet satellite has broken apart in orbit for a second time, after a previous breakup in March 2004. The latest event adds to concerns about orbital debris, though the available reports provide no details on the amount of debris or potential effects on other spacecraft.
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SpaceX says recent close approaches involving Starlink satellites produced predicted miss distances ranging from tens to hundreds of meters, prompting the company to call for better coordination in orbit. The warning underscores the operational risks posed by increasingly crowded orbital traffic.
SpaceX’s Starlink says the greatest safety risk to its constellation and other low Earth orbit operators is satellite owners’ refusal to share ephemeris data, including satellite positions and planned maneuvers. The company has updated its debris and collision-risk mitigation measures, according to the report.
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