For the first time, a female astronaut from Hong Kong has launched into space aboard a Shenzhou mission. The flight to China’s Tiangong space station is intended to prepare for what will be the longest stay by a Chinese crew in orbit to date.
By Jörn Petring
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced closer cooperation in space during a visit by his counterparts from Switzerland, Austria, and Luxembourg.
By Wilhelmine Stenglin
As the German government works to implement its space security strategy, its response to a parliamentary question from the Left Party shows that the details of its plans remain unclear.
By Wilhelmine Stenglin
The Department of Defense plans to rely more heavily on European launch capabilities in the future, it stated in response to a question from Ayşe Asar (the Greens). She criticized the lack of specific guidelines, noting that there are no binding criteria for achieving greater strategic autonomy.
By Nicola Kuhrt
The Space Innovation Hub is receiving EUR 50 million in funding from the Special Fund for Infrastructure and Climate Neutrality – according to a response to a parliamentary question from The Left. In contrast, no funds are being allocated from the Bundeswehr Special Fund for dual-use research.
By Ralf Nestler
For weeks, there had been no news on SatcomBw 4. Now, startup representative Max Gulde is reporting positive signals from politicians and the Bundeswehr – and potential prime contractors are also responding.
By Nicola Kuhrt and Ralf Nestler
If spacecraft are on a collision course, swift action is required. This means that their trajectories must be tracked precisely. New systems can also detect targeted approaches. One such system has been developed by Munich-based start-up Vyoma.
By Ralf Nestler
The bottleneck in the German Armed Forces’ space plans remains launch capacity. The head of the German Armed Forces Space Command does not yet consider US capabilities dispensable.
By Wilhelmine Stenglin
Spacecraft in geostationary orbit are vulnerable to espionage and, ultimately, to destruction. Low Earth orbit offers greater resilience. However, deploying large-scale systems there requires substantial funding, time and close international coordination – creating a strategic dilemma.
By Ulrich Walter
The head of the German Armed Forces Space Command says military cooperation with the US remains unchanged. At the same time, he is calling for greater strategic sovereignty.
By Wilhelmine Stenglin
