Science and Technology (S&T) Digest, 1-15 March 2023, Issue 9

Dr Saroj Bishoyi, Research Fellow, VIF

April 5 , 2023 Views: 1785 Comments: 0

In this Issue

V. Regional and Global Trends

Silicon Valley Bank Collapse Impacts Tech World
NASA Launches Sixth Crewed Mission of Elon Musk company SpaceX to ISS
Australian Space Industry Warns against China’s Satellite Surveillance
OneWeb Confirms Successful Deployment of 40 Satellites Launched with SpaceX
China’s Seeks to Use Its Space Power for Larger Political, Diplomatic Goals

I. DEFENCE AND SECURITY

Procurement of 70 HTT-40 Basic Trainer Aircraft and Cadet Training Ships

The Defence Ministry signed contracts with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T) for procurement of 70 HTT-40 Basic Trainer Aircraft & three Cadet Training Ships respectively in New Delhi on 7 March 2023. In a major boost to the Government’s efforts to achieve ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence, it had approved the procurement of 70 HTT-40 trainer aircraft from HAL at a cost of over Rs 6,800 croreon 1 March 2023. It had also cleared signing of contract with L&T for acquisition of three Cadet Training Ships from L&T, worth more than Rs 3,100 crore under Buy {Indian-IDDM (Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured)} category.
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DRDO Conducts Flight Tests of Very Short-Range Air Defence System Missile

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted two consecutive successful flight tests of Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) missile at the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur off the coast of Odisha on 14 March 2023. The flight tests were carried out from a ground-based man portable launcher against high speed unmanned aerial targets, mimicking approaching and receding aircraft. The targets were successfully intercepted, meeting all mission objectives.VSHORADS is a Man Portable Air Defence System (MANPAD) meant for neutralising low altitude aerial threats at short ranges. It has been designed and developed indigenously by Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories and Indian Industry Partners. For more information: Click here to read...

Flight-Test of DRDO’s Indigenous Power Take off Shaft Conducted on LCA Tejas

Maiden successful flight-test of Power Take off (PTO) Shaft was conducted on Light Combat Aircraft (LCA Tejas) Limited Series Production (LSP) - 3 aircraft in Bengaluru on 14 March 2023. The PTO shaft is indigenously designed and developed by Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (CVRDE), Chennai of DRDO.The PTO shaft, which is a critical component in the aircraft, will support the requirements of future fighter aircraft & their variants and offers competitive cost & reduced time of availability. With this successful test, the DRDO has achieved a greater technological feat by realisation of complex high-speed rotor technology which only few countries have achieved. For more information: Click here to read...

Defence Ministry Signs a contract for Procurement ofSix Dornier-228 Aircraft

The Defence Ministry signed a contract for procurement of six Dornier-228 aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF) from HAL at a cost of Rs 667 crore on 10 March 2023. The aircraft was used by IAF for Route Transport Role and communication duties. Subsequently, it has also been used for training of transport pilots of the IAF. The present lot of six aircraft will be procured with an upgraded fuel-efficient engine coupled with a five bladed composite propeller.The aircraft is ideally suited for short haul operations from semi-prepared/short runways of the North East and island chains of India. The addition of the six aircraft will further bolster the operational capability of the IAF in the remote areas.
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Indian Navy Received First Privately Manufactured Indigenised Fuze ASW Rocket

In order to provide major boost to Aatma Nirbharta in Armament and Ammunition, the Indian Navy received for the first time a fully indigenized fuze YDB-60 for underwater Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Rocket RGB-60 used from major warships, through a private manufacturer M/s Economic Explosives Limited (EEL), Nagpur, on 3 March 2023. This would be the first time the Indian Navy has placed supply order for underwater ammunition fuze on an Indian Private industry. All technical assistance to the manufacturer towards creating a vibrant ecosystem for manufacture of ammunition and fuze in India in pursuit of Aatma Nirbharta' has been provided by the Directorate General of Naval Armament (DGONA) and Directorate General of Naval Armament Inspection (DGNAI), Indian Navy.
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Keel Laying of Third 25T BP Tug, Yard 337 (Ashva)

On 3 March 2023, keel for third 25T Bollard Pull (BP) Tug, Yard 337 (Ashva) was laid by Capt VS Bawa, WPS (Kol) at M/s Titagarh Wagons Pvt Ltd, Kolkata. With all major and auxiliary equipment/systems sourced from indigenous manufacturers. Contract for construction of six 25 Ton Bollard Pull Tugs was concluded with M/s Titagarh Wagons Ltd, Kolkata, in consonance with “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiatives of the Indiangovernment. This Tug is being built with a service life of 30 years. The availability of Tugs will provide impetus to Operational commitments of IN by facilitating assistance to naval ships and submarines in berthing and un-berthing, turning and manoeuvering in confined waters. The Tugs will also provide afloat firefighting assistance to ships alongside and at anchorage and will have capability for limited Search and Rescue Operations.
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II. STI IN SPACE SECTOR

ISRO Conducts Rail Track Rocket Sled Deployment Tests of Gaganyaan Pilot

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) conducted the Rail Track Rocket Sled deployment tests of the Gaganyaan Pilot and Apex Cover Separation (ACS) parachutes in cluster configurations at the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), Chandigarh, on 1 March 2023.According to an official statement, “The Gaganyaan parachute system development has been a joint effort by VSSC, Thiruvananthapuram and Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), Agra.”
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ISRO Receives Jointly Developed NISAR Satellite

On 9 March 2023, the US Air Force C-17 aircraftlanded in Bengaluru and handed over NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) NISARto the Indian space agency which marks a milestone in theUS-India ties in space collaboration.NISAR, an Earth-observation satellite, is being jointlydeveloped by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the ISRO.NISAR was envisioned by NASA and ISROeight years ago in 2014 as a powerful demonstration of thecapability of radar as a science tool and help us study Earth’s dynamic landand ice surfaces in greater detail than ever before.It is expected to be launched in January 2024 from Satish Dhawan SpaceCentre into a near-polar orbit.The satellite will operate for a minimum ofthree years. It is a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) observatory. NISAR will map the entire globe in 12 days.
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Budget Allocation Towards Achieving the Objectives of Gaganyaan Mission

The budget of Rs. 9023 Crore is allocated towards achieving the objectives of Gaganyaan mission. In a written reply to a question to the Lok Sabha, Minister Science & Technology Dr Jitendra Singh said that the scope of Gaganyaan programme is to demonstrate human spaceflight capability to Low Earth Orbit and safe return. The Minister said that ISRO is developing indigenous technologies for Human rated launch vehicle, Habitable Crew Module, Life Support System, Crew Escape System, Ground Station Network, Crew Training and Recovery. These technologies are crucial to meet the objectives of Gaganyaan mission and to take up any further interplanetary missions.
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IN-SPACe Announces Seed Fund of Up to Rs 1 Crore for Startups

The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), created by the Centre to promote, enable, authorise and supervise private activity in the space sector has decided to rollout a new seed funding scheme which will see a grant of up to Rs 1 crore to select startups indulging in space activity. Startups recognised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) are owned 80 percent by Indians and have not availed more than Rs 50 lakh through any other Central government scheme are eligible to apply. As per the guidelines, investment by promoters and angel investors at applicant firms must at least match the grant amount. The firms must have technology at the core of their business. For more information: Click here to read...

III. EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES AND APPLICATIONS

Design and Manufacturing of Electronics System

India is emerging as trusted player in global value chain of electronics and has a target of US $300 billion for electronics manufacturing by 2025-26. In this connection, the Government has taken various strategic steps and initiatives to broaden and deepen the Electronics Manufacturing and Information Technology sector in the country. In order to boost electronics manufacturing, including semiconductors and position India as a global hub for Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) and compete globally, several steps taken by the Government for electronics manufacturing in the country including Production Linked Incentive Scheme (PLI) for Largescale Electronics Manufacturing; PLI for IT Hardware; and, Scheme for Promotion of Manufacturing of Electronic Components and Semiconductors (SPECS) under the National Policy on Electronics 2019.
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Promoting Use of Nano Fertilizers

In recent years, nano fertilizers have been introduced in the market and which has shown encouraging results in trials conducted by ICAR. States were advised to encourage the use of nano fertilizer and other innovative fertilisers such as Sulphur coated Urea, Triple Super Phosphate (TSP), Potash Derived from Molasses (PDM), Bio-fertilizers etc. ADG, ICAR emphasized that the Nano-fertilizers have shown promise for application in plant nourishment because of the size-dependent qualities, high surface-volume ratio, and unique optical properties. ICAR has conducted bio-efficacy trials in respect of nano-fertilisers in a number of crops at multi locations with different doses and is in the process of preparing Package of Practice for application of nano urea which would help farmers to make a shift to these fertilisers.
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India AI and Fintech Ecosystem Set to Catalyse Next Gen Fintech & Internet

The India AI programme along with Fintech ecosystem will catalyse the next generation of the Fintech and Internet. Addressing the Moneycontrol India FinTech Conclave in Mumbai, Minister of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) Rajeev Chandrasekhar spoke about the growth of the Fintech ecosystem in India and its role in India’s Techade. The Minister said that the emergence of India’s fintech ecosystem has helped resolve the decades’ long problem of ensuring government subsidies reach beneficiaries without leakages and intermediation. Speaking about the launch of the India AI programme, he said, “The programme will be one of the largest publicly assembled and available data sets in the world. Working with the fintech ecosystem, it will certainly catapult and catalyse the next generation of fintech and other parts of the Internet.”
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Promotion of Digital Payments in India

For promotion of digital payments, the MeitY has introduced the Incentive Scheme for promotion of RuPay Debit Cards and low-value BHIM-UPI transactions for the current financial year. Several initiatives have been taken by Government of India, RBI, NPCI and Banks, to promote digital transactions and to create awareness about digital payments in the country. Some of the initiatives are BHIM-UPI, UPI-123, Aadhar Payment Bridge, AePS etc. As a result, there has been a growth of more than 200 percent in digital payment volume during the last four years since 2018-19. Further, as per the data sourced from National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), UPI transactions registered in FY 21-22 were 45 billion, showing 8 times growth in last 3 years and 50 times growth in last 4 years.
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Technology as a Game Changer for Good Health and Happiness

During his address at the 2nd International Symposium on Health Technology Assessment (ISHTA), 2023, the Vice President of India, Jagdeep Dhankhar said “Facilities that had rarely been found within India until a few decades ago are now available in the country at the divisional level and are of the highest quality”. Describing technology as a game changer for good health and happiness, the Vice President noted that India has set an example in the world where technology is being used to provide efficient services to the people.Underlining India’s successful handling of the COVID pandemic, he drew attention to India’s Vaccine Maitri initiative. This, he said, is in spirit of India’s age-old ethos of ‘Vasudaiva Kutumbukam’, which sees the world as a family.
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Consultations with Stakeholders on the Proposed Digital India Bill (DIB)

The Meity has held consultations with stakeholders on soon-to-be introduced Digital India Bill -- a future ready legislation that aims to catalyse India’s ambition of being in the leading pack of nations that would shape the future technologies.For the first time design, architecture and goals of a Bill are being discussed with stakeholders at its pre-introduction stage. These consultations are part of the Digital India Dialogues, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's consultative approach to law and policy making. Making a presentation on the objectives and goals of the Bill, Rajeev Chandrasekhar said the proposed Bill aims to help India achieve the goal of becoming a trillion-dollar digital economy and be a significant trusted player in the Global Value Chains for digital products, devices, platforms and solutions.
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AI/ML to Analyse Data Generated Through Smart Meters to Detect the Theft Cases

Line losses in electrical networks are predominantly due to ohmic (heat) loss. Illegal electricity connections and theft of power leads to commercial loss which affects the financial health of the distribution companies with consequential effects like poor quality of power. The Aggregate Technical & Commercial (AT&C) loss is one of the key indicators of DISCOMs performance, which includes impact of power theft also.Under new schemes, advanced ICT like Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning (AI/ML) would be leveraged to analyse data generated through smart meters to detect the theft cases and to prepare actionable MIS from system generated energy accounting reports so as to enable the DISCOMs to take informed decisions on power theft along with loss reduction.
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NEP 2020 Offers Enabling Opportunities to Aspiring Start Ups

The National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) offers enabling opportunities to aspiring Start Ups. Addressing the Inaugural Session of the 5- National Seminar on “Innovation in Education Through Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) Model in Higher Education” at Cluster Innovation Centre (CIC), Delhi University, Dr Jitendra Singh said that NEP 2020 accommodates the aspirations of potential Start Ups at various stages of their growth. The new avenues of Start Up initiatives should be determined based on the requirements of the industry and the market dynamics to make them sustainable.
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IV. INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

India-Australia Reach Critical Minerals Investment Partnership

India and Australia have reached a major milestone in working towards investment in critical minerals projects to develop supply chains between the two countries.On 11 March 2023, the two countries announced the Partnership has identified five target projects (two lithium and three cobalt) on which to undertake detailed due diligence. They have also agreed to deepen cooperation and extend their existing commitments to the India-Australia Critical Minerals Investment Partnership.Investments under the Partnership will seek to build new supply chains underpinned by critical minerals processed in Australia, that will help India’s plans to lower emissions from its electricity network and become a global manufacturing hub, including for electric vehicles.Australia produces almost half of the world’s lithium, is the second-largest producer of cobalt and the fourth-largest producer of rare earths.
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Atal Innovation Mission and CSIRO to Lead IA-ITC Programme

Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australia's national science agency, have joined hands by signing a Letter of Intent to encourage joint cooperation to drive innovation activities in areas of national challenges and shared priorities of both countries.The core of the bilateral engagement is the India Australia Innovation and Technology Challenge (IA-ITC) - a programme envisioned to bring together the innovation ecosystems of India and Australia to address our shared environmental and economic challenges by supporting cohorts of start-ups and SMEs on their commercialisation pathways and bring to market innovative tech-based solutions spanning across circular economy, energy transition and food system resilience etc. The programme intends to leverage the complementary capabilities and resources of the innovation ecosystem of both the countries.
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India-Foxconn to Enhance Tech and Innovation Eco-System

Chairman of Hon Hai Technology Group (Foxconn), Mr. Young Liu met with Prime Minister, Narendra Modi in New Delhi on 1 March 2023. During the meeting, they discussed the various topics aimed at enhancing India’s tech and innovation eco-system. After the meeting, Chairman Mr. Liu tweeted that “Foxconn will continue to build an ecosystem in India allowing all our stakeholders to share, collaborate and thrive.” In response, the Prime Minister tweeted that “Had a good meeting with Mr. Young Liu. Our discussions covered various topics aimed at enhancing India’s tech and innovation eco-system.”
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India-Italy Science & Technology Cooperation

India and Italy, in the joint statement issued on 2 March 2023, expressed satisfaction on the progress made under India-Italy Science and Technology Cooperation (JSTC) and agreed, taking into account Italy’s and India’s national research priorities, to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in research areas of common interest, such as Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), Internet of Things (IoT) and smart manufacturing, and to explore new ways of cooperation in Industry 4.0, Advanced Manufacturing, Bio and RNA technologies, Sustainable and Productive Blue Economy, Energy Transitions, conservation of Biodiversity, Agri and Food technologies, involving Academia and Industries on both sides.
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India-Mexico Signed a MoU on Research, Tech and Innovation Collaborations

On 4 March 2023, India and Mexico signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on research, technology and innovation collaborations with focus on several key technology areas like Aerospace, Electronics Instrumentation & Strategic Sectors; Civil, Infrastructure & Engineering; Ecology, Environment Earth & Ocean Sciences and Water; Mining, Minerals, Metals & Materials; Chemicals (including leather) and Petrochemicals; Energy (Conventional & Non-Conventional) and Energy Devices; Agri, Nutrition & Biotech and Healthcare. Dr Jitendra Singh and Foreign Minister of Mexico Marcelo Ebrard signed this Multi-Sectoral Historic Agreement at the India Science Centre, Lodhi Road in presence of High-Level Delegations from both the sides.
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India and the US Signed MoU on Semiconductor

India and the US have signed a MoU on establishing semiconductor supply chain and innovation partnership under the framework of India – US Commercial Dialogue in New Delhi on 10 March 2023.The MoU seeks to establish a collaborative mechanism between the two governments on Semiconductor Supply chain resiliency and diversification in view of US’s CHIPS and Science Act and India’s Semiconductor Mission (ISM).It aims to leverage complementary strengths of both countries and facilitate commercial opportunities and development of semiconductor innovation ecosystems through discussions on various aspects of semiconductor value chain. The MoU envisages mutually beneficial R&D, talent and skill development.
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India-US Defence Technology Cooperation

India and the US held the 6th meeting of Joint Working Group on Aircraft Carrier Technology Co-operation (JWGACTC), under the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI), in India from 27th February to 3rd March 2023. An 11 member US delegation headed by R Adm James Downey, Programme Executive Officer (PEO), Carriers visited various defence/ industrial installations in Delhi and Kochi. During the meeting, R Adm Downey acknowledged India’s status as one of the very few countries capable of constructing Aircraft Carriers and appreciated India’s landmark achievement of operating the indigenous aircraft, LCA from the indigenous Carrier in a short span of time post commissioning of the Ship. The meeting marked yet another significant milestone in the ongoing co-operation between the two countries in the field of Aircraft Carrier technology.
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SCO’s First International Conference & Expo on Traditional Medicine

The first B2B Global Conference & Expo on Traditional Medicine under Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) was inaugurated at Guwahati, India on 2 March 2023. More than 150 delegates from 17 SCO (4 virtually) countries and partners attended the inaugural ceremony. In his inaugural address, Minister of Ayush Sarbananda Sonowal said that “India has made best use of available natural resources through Ayurveda and other traditional systems of medicine to provide healthcare to people as well as towards achieving the goal of Universal Health Coverage.” He added that the “Global Center for Traditional Medicine of World health Organisation (WHO-GCTM) being set up at Jamnagar with the support of India will help member countries in taking enabling steps in their respective countries for strengthen education and practices of Traditional Medicine.”
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V. REGIONAL AND GLOBAL TRENDS

Silicon Valley Bank Collapse Impacts Tech World

The Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), which catered to the startup and venture capital-funded tech world, effectively shut down on 10 March 2023 sending shockwaves across the tech industry. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) created a National Bank of Santa Clara to hold deposits and other assets of the failed SVB, but the abrupt closing is impacting tech firms even with immediate tasks like ensuring employees get paid. SVB’s clients included brands such as Shopify, ZipRecruiter, Pinterest and venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, among others.Even businesses that aren’t clients are getting impacted by the closure, especially with the most immediate impact on delaying payrolls. SVB was hit hard by the series of interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve. It’s the latest way the rising interest rates have hit the tech sector — following the mass layoffs at tech firms including giants such as Meta, Amazon and Google. For more information: Click here to read...

NASA Launches Sixth Crewed Mission of Elon Musk company SpaceX to ISS

On 2 March 2023, a fresh crew of astronauts was launched to the International Space Station (ISS) by Elon Musk’s company space x>SpaceX and NASA, aweek after the launch was delayed after a problem with the ground system.The crew - including two NASA astronauts, a Russian cosmonaut, and an astronaut from the United Arab Emirates- areexpected to reach the ISS outpost early 3 March to begin a six-month stay. The mission was launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Centerin Cape Canaveral, Florida. After reaching the ISS- a laboratory outpost orbiting about 420 km above Earth- the vehicle carrying theastronauts Crew Dragon separated from the rocket.It is anticipated that it would spend about a day navigating through spacebefore connecting with the space station.
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Australian Space Industry Warns against China’s Satellite Surveillance

Australia’s space industry issued warning against China’s satellite surveillance. The warning comes as Australia’s Defense SpaceCommand says it is working on a plan to acquire so-called soft-kill technology to take out enemy satellites. Australia’s year-old Defense Space Command is workingon a plan to buy so-called soft-kill technology to destroy enemy satellites without creating dangerous debris. Instead of using missiles, Australiawants to develop its own electronic warfare capability todisrupt and disable satellites but the appropriate technology is not yet commercially available. For more information: Click here to read...

One Web Confirms Successful Deployment of 40 Satellites Launched with SpaceX

Low-earth orbit satellite communications company One Web has confirmed the successful deployment and contact of 40satellites launched by SpaceX from Cape Canaveral SpaceForce Station in Florida. According to a statement from Bharti-backed One Web, its satellites separated successfully from the rocket. Signal acquisition on all 40satellites has been confirmed. This launch is One Web’s 17th to-date and the penultimate mission as the company is set to complete its first-generation LEO satelliteconstellation and enable global coverage in 2023. With 582 satellites now in orbit, One Web will complete the global footprint of its Gen1 constellation with a launch set to take place later this month with ISRO/New Space India Limited (NSIL). For more information: Click here to read...

China’s Seeks to Use Its Space Power for Larger Political, Diplomatic Goals

Channel News Asia (CNA) reported that China understands the benefits of space cooperation, but ultimately seeks to use it as a means ofsupporting Beijing’s larger political and diplomatic goalsof making China more respected and influential. As the Director General of China’s Manned Space Agency putit: “We hope to make China’s space station a platform which promotes the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.” This invoking of the “community with a shared future for mankind” rhetoric- a major foreign policy initiative under Chinese President Xi Jinping – ties Tiangong to Beijing’s broader efforts to lessen US influence and transformthe international system in ways more suited to China’s interests. By claiming that its space station is open to all UN members, China hopes to portray itself as more inclusive than the UnitedStates as China has been barred from joining the ISS. For more information: Click here to read...

In this Issue

I. Defence and Security

II. STI in Space Sector

III. Emerging Technologies and Applications

IV. International Cooperation