➀ The European Space Agency (ESA) and Constellation Technologies & Operations (CTO) are collaborating on testing 5G mmWave connectivity in low Earth orbit using a pathfinder satellite set for launch in June 2025;

➁ The experiments aim to validate interoperability between space and terrestrial networks, enabling cost-effective hybrid connectivity solutions;

➂ The initiative aligns with ESA's strategy to strengthen European sovereignty in space technology and advance 3GPP-compliant Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN).

➀ A team from Würzburg University's Satellite Technology program won first place in ESA's "Computer In A Room Challenge," excelling in operating a simulated satellite with autonomous and resource-efficient solutions;

➁ The six-month competition required managing limited satellite resources (fuel, power, storage) while completing tasks like Earth mapping and emergency beacon detection, culminating in a 72-hour final phase with restricted communication windows;

➂ The winning solution demonstrated high flexibility and autonomy, earning the team a cybersecurity training course at ESA's European Space Operations Centre.

➀ Siemens introduced Questa One software, an AI-driven suite to accelerate verification of complex ASICs and FPGAs amid rising design challenges;

➁ Future Horizons provided a pessimistic outlook on the semiconductor market, highlighting concerns over industry growth;

➂ The European Space Agency (ESA) achieved millimeter-precision formation flying with its Proba-3 spacecraft, enabling unprecedented solar corona observations.

➀ The European Space Agency's Proba-3 mission achieved millimeter-precision formation flying between two spacecraft, the Coronagraph and Occulter, maintaining a 150-meter separation autonomously for hours;

➁ The mission aims to study the Sun's corona by aligning the Occulter's 1.4m disc to cast a shadow onto the Coronagraph's instrument, enabled by laser metrology, optical sensors, and AI-driven algorithms;

➂ Key contributions came from ESA, MDA Space, Airbus Defence and Space, and Belgian institutions, with advanced technologies like the Fine Lateral and Longitudinal Sensor (FLLS) ensuring millimeter accuracy.

➀ Global government investment in space exploration is projected to grow from $27 billion (2024) to $31 billion by 2034, driven by lunar and Mars missions;

➁ Lunar exploration funding is expected to rise from $12 billion to $15 billion, while Mars exploration grows at 11% annually with sample-return missions;

➂ The U.S. will dominate spending (63%), followed by China (22%) and ESA (6%), with 330 lunar missions planned between 2025-2034.

Redwire has been awarded a contract to provide four docking mechanisms for the European Space Agency's habitation module for the Lunar Gateway, known as the Lunar I-Hab. This lunar-orbiting outpost is a replacement for the International Space Station and will support long-duration missions, potentially including a future human mission to Mars.

Redwire's Belgian subsidiary, Redwire Space NV, will deliver the International Berthing and Docking Mechanism (IBDM) for the Lunar I-Hab. The contract is with Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales and Leonardo.

The IBDM will enable safe transfers of crew and cargo within the Gateway station, using advanced automation and precision alignment. Other subsystems for the Lunar I-Hab are being provided by JAXA, including environmental control, life support, and batteries.

➀ The African Space Agency (AfSA) was officially inaugurated at its headquarters in the Egyptian Space City;

➁ Representatives from the African Union Commission, various African governments, national space agencies, and international space organisations were present;

➂ Cooperation agreements were signed with the European Space Agency, the UAE Space Agency, and Roscosmos, covering areas such as Earth observation, training, and technical consultation.

➀ The European Space Agency (ESA) has selected Tyvak to build the first CubeSat for the Rapid Apophis Mission for Space Safety (Ramses).

➁ The mission aims to rendezvous with the asteroid 99942 Apophis and study its surface and internal structure.

➂ Tyvak will develop a hybrid CubeSat, combining technologies from previous missions.

➀ The UK Space Agency (UKSA) has achieved a record six-month period for contract wins involving the European Space Agency (ESA).

➁ The agency highlights a significant increase in funds for ESA programmes, with an additional £112 million (€134 million) in contracts for the UK space sector between June 2022 and December 2024.

➂ The UK now receives 99p back in contracts for every £1 invested, after overheads, marking an improvement from the previous 93p.

➀ This week's highlights include an interview with ANDtr, TSMC's $100 billion investment in Arizona fabs, TI's claim of the 'world's smallest' MCU, and ESA's investment in the Edinburgh Astronomy Technology Centre.

➁ The Electronics Weekly team shares their picks of the week, including announcements, developments, product releases, quotes, and more from the electronics industry.

➂ The team discusses the second episode of the CHIIPS podcast, featuring insights from ANDtr's Valerie Lynch and Nicola Thorn, and the announcement of new facilities at the UK Astronomy Technology Centre.

➀ EnSilica, in partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA), is designing a key ASIC for multi-band GNSS capabilities.

➁ The project is part of the ESA NAVISP Element 2 programme, aiming to enhance European competitiveness in satellite navigation.

➂ EnSilica is known for its expertise in high-performance RF systems-on-chip.

XCAM is advancing its work on a CubeSat imaging system for Craft Prospect, shifting from the SALIENT project to the OPS-SAT VOLT mission in LEO.

The Context Imager on the satellite utilizes imagery from XCAM’s NuSCIS system for real-time decision-making in satellite operations.

The mission is supported by the Centre for Earth Observation Instrumentation (CEOI) and marks the first flight of NuSCIS with a CMV4000 CMOS image sensor, opening up possibilities for similar applications.