Along with historic sites in 29 countries The World Monuments Fund (WMF) has unveiled its 2025 World Monuments Watch, an advocacy programme highlighting 25 culturally significant sites worldwide facing urgent challenges. These sites span 29 countries and five continents and are confronted with
Space
Explore the universe with MENews247‘s Space news. Dive into the latest on space exploration, satellite technology, and astronomical discoveries from the Middle East. Featuring updates on UAE’s Mars missions to Saudi Arabia’s space ambitions, get your 24/7 fix of cosmic events and innovations shaping our understanding of space.
A boost for UAE’s space ambitions The Moon Village Association (MVA), an international non-governmental organisation dedicated to fostering collaboration in the development of the lunar economy, has signed an agreement to establish the Moon Village Centre in Abu Dhabi emirate in the UAE, solidifying the emirate as a new hub for space innovation. Abu Dhabi […]
Via Intuitive Machines lunar lander Nokia and Intuitive Machines, Inc. have integrated Nokia’s Lunar Surface Communication System (LSCS) into Intuitive Machines’ IM-2 lander, Athena. The collaboration marks a significant step in deploying the first-ever cellular network on the Moon as part of the upcoming IM-2 mission, which is set to launch later this year. The […]
For AI-powered SAR imagery analysis products ICEYE, a global leader in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite operations, and SATIM, a world leader in AI-based solutions for Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) on SAR imagery, have signed a partnership agreement to develop joint products. The collaboration will combine ICEYE’s advanced satellite imagery with SATIM’s
For NASA’s Lunar Gateway Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), has signed a contract with the Dubai-based Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre to design and develop the Emirates Crew and Science Airlock Module. This critical element will be docked to NASA’s Lunar Gateway cislunar space station and play a […]
For Spanish Armed Forces The first of two advanced Airbus satellites, SpainSat NG-I, has been successfully launched aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, USA. The state-of-the-art satellite, designed to enhance secure communications for the Spanish Armed Forces, will enter service in the latter half of 2025, following its initial testing and commissioning phases.
Led by Peggy Whitson NASA and its international partners have approved Axiom Space’s fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The mission will launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida no earlier than Spring 2025. The Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) crew will travel to the ISS aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. […]
For Mars exploration, rovers NASA has reached a significant milestone in its quest to explore the Red Planet. It has thoroughly tested a revolutionary new tyre technology designed for its Martian rovers. Developed by NASA’s Glenn Research Centre in Cleveland in collaboration with Goodyear Tire & Rubber, the groundbreaking shape memory alloy (SMA) spring tyres […]
In late February 2025 NASA and SpaceX are preparing for the launch of the agency’s next groundbreaking astrophysics observatory, SPHEREx, in late February 2025. The mission, short for Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer, will be carried into space aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space […]
With unique science and technology A suite of cutting-edge scientific investigations and technology demonstrations is en route to the Moon, where it will play a key role in NASA’s Artemis programme. The mission, carried by Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost lander, launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on January 15, 2025, from Kennedy Space Center […]
Aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has reached a significant milestone in its space programme. On January 14, 2025, MBZ-SAT, an Earth-imaging satellite, successfully launched from NASA’s Vandenberg Air Force Base launchpad in California aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. MBZ-SAT, named in honour of HH Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed […]
Prime time to see the Red Planet If you have been gazing at the night sky recently, you may have noticed a bright, reddish object to the left of Orion. Mars, the Red Planet, is putting on a spectacular show this January. It is an excellent time for stargazers to spot Mars and catch glimpses […]
As part of the Artemis programme NASA is set to provide the first-ever global images of Earth’s magnetic field, thanks to an innovative X-ray imager called LEXI (Lunar Environment Heliospheric X-ray Imager). As part of the US space agency’s Artemis programme, the state-of-the-art instrument is heading to the Moon, where it will provide critical insights […]
Expanding global connectivity Space42, an Abu Dhabi-based spacetech company, has launched its Thuraya 4 (T4) telecommunications satellite into orbit. Built by Airbus, the satellite was launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, on January 3, 2025. Upon deployment, the satellite activated its electrical thrusters for the
Exceptional discovery by Webb The NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope has made a groundbreaking discovery, affirming a controversial finding from the Hubble Space Telescope that dates back over 20 years. The new research challenges long-held beliefs about planet formation in the early Universe, suggesting that planet-forming discs around stars existed for significantly
To deliver 6 experiments on lunar surface NASA is progressing with its ambitious plans to explore the Moon. It has awarded Firefly Aerospace a $179 million contract to deliver six experiments to the lunar surface. The mission, part of the space agency’s broader Artemis programme, is scheduled to land in the Gruithuisen Domes near the […]
To maintain US leadership role NASA has released its final goals and objectives for low Earth orbit (LEO) as part of its ongoing efforts to expand space use. Developed through consultations with various stakeholders, NASA’s Low Earth Orbit Microgravity Strategy is designed to ensure a continuous human presence in orbit, foster economic growth, and strengthen […]
A first in astronomy An international team of researchers has made a groundbreaking discovery near the supermassive black hole at the heart of our Milky Way galaxy, Sagittarius A*. They have detected a binary star system orbiting the black hole for the first time. This finding opens new avenues for understanding how stars and other […]
In latest architecture update As part of its ongoing effort to map out the future of space exploration, NASA has released a series of updated documents outlining its plans for lunar and Martian missions. The newly released materials are part of the agency’s broader Moon to Mars strategy. This strategy aims to prepare for eventual […]
Boosting nation’s EO programme Space42, a UAE-based spacetech company, and ICEYE, a Finland-headquartered global leader in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite operations, have signed a joint venture agreement to manufacture SAR satellites in the UAE. The venture builds upon the two entities’ collaboration, which included the launch of the UAE’s first SAR