Defence Online

UK-built communications system to be sent to the International Space Station

Air February 20, 2020

COLKa, a UK-designed communications system, will launch from Virginia and travel to the ISS. The communications system, COLKa (Columbus Ka-band Terminal), is designed to provide astronauts with direct links to Europe at the speed of home broadband. The fridge-sized device is due to launch aboard a Cygnus supply ship from Wallops ...

ESA teams up with Airbus to study plasma density aboard ISS

Air January 28, 2020

The European Space Agency (ESA) has booked a payload slot on the Airbus Bartolomeo platform aboard the ISS to study plasma density in Earth’s atmosphere. The ESA has booked a payload slot aboard the ISS (International Space Station) to allow a Norwegian instrument to monitor plasma density in Earth’s atmosphere on ...

The impact of commercial interest in space

Air December 30, 2019

A larger number of commercial organisations have expressed an interest in space as a new and exciting sector. The private sector has long been tied to government space exploration. In recent years, more companies have embarked on their own space exploration projects as the stratosphere has become easier to explore. Companies ...

Military in space: The future battlefield?

Air December 18, 2019

Military involvement in space feels like a futuristic idea but it already plays a large role in many armed forces organisations. Space is increasingly becoming a focus for conflicts, with growing fears over anti-satellite technology becoming more accessible. It is believed by some experts that it could become a battleground ...