On June 18, the UN Committee for the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space held the first Sustainable Lunar Activities Conference in Vienna. The meeting underscored the importance of transparency and cooperation to unleash the Moon’s benefits – whether political of economic- for all of humanity. UNOOSA Director Aarti Holla-Maini highlighted “the need for consultation and…

A rare view of the Milky Way above Marina Bay, Singapore. Credits: Justin Ng The Asian space scene is, first and foremost, a competition between three established space powers: India, China, and Japan, with a South Korean challenger. These nations, armed with ambitious space programs, have propelled Asia to the forefront of the global space…

One of the leading scientists developing China’s first satellite, the Dongfanghong-1 (东方红一号), compared indigenous satellite development to preparing a steamed bread, necessitating many steps from reclaiming wasteland and planting seeds to harvesting and grinding wheat, before eventually baking the delicacy. This analogy illustrating the significant material costs and scientific expertise required to indigenously develop a…

Part 2 of this article pair on the space programs of ASEAN focuses on Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, and Vietnam. To read about space initiatives in Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia and Malaysia, head to Part 1.  Myanmar In contrast to some ASEAN powers and despite a considerable size, Myanmar has, until recently, not engaged…

Located at the heart of one of the world’s most geopolitically significant regions, the member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have constructed a unique political and economic union, featuring an unusual tapestry of monarchies, republics, and single party states. Placing their differences aside to focus on shared economic development objectives, the…

This story could have been fiction – the story of how a tiny island nation attempted to build a space Empire, starting as a David and Goliath tale involving the U.S., China, a mad scientist, a princess, and more recently a Supreme Court. The story of Tongasat is however true and rings as an eerily…

Looking into the vast expanse of space, it seems almost absurd to entertain the idea of running out of room. However, an alarming truth is emerging as the demand for orbital slots reaches unprecedented levels.  Why Orbital Slots Matter Satellites have become an integral part of our modern lives, enabling global communication, navigation, weather forecasting,…

How the “Space Race” splintered into “Space Races”, and why they are inseparable from international politics. Amidst escalating contemporary global tensions increasingly compared to the Cold War, new space contests are emerging. The original ‘Space Race’ between the opposing sides of the Iron Curtain has given way to a captivating array of races, each unfolding…