Satellite and Space Projects Newsletter January 2025

Alongside this, Lexology Index have listed John as Client Choice lawyer for Transport 2025, which includes Space and Satellite - the sole law firm partner with this title in the UK. The award recognises "partners around the world that stand apart for the excellent client care they provide and the quality of their service". John comments: "It is a real honour to be recognised in this way. Enormous thanks to the many clients and colleagues who have supported me in my work over the years. I could not have done this without their help."

New EU cybersecurity regime (NIS2) – status update: As flagged in our July 2024 newsletter, the NIS2 Directive, which came into force in October 2024, brings new cybersecurity compliance requirements for the EU space sector and its suppliers. We are now seeing most EU member states tabling or adopting their local laws to implement NIS2. Perhaps inevitably, these local laws are leading to local variations, which will impact on businesses operating across several EU member states. Our team has been tracking the evolution of the member states' new laws – see the December 2024 update. 

Among the most significant changes in NIS2 are:

• Direct responsibilities on management teams for achieving compliance, plus penalties for non-compliance;
• Obligations to apply increased cybersecurity risk management procedures;
• Requirements to apply cybersecurity controls through the supply chain;
• Increased range of sanctions for non-compliance.

Hence, cybersecurity compliance is now getting higher priority on Board agendas. Our team is helping many clients to work through what the new rules mean for them and roll out their compliance programmes. Please get in touch if you would like to discuss what is needed for your business, whether you are directly covered by NIS2 or affected as a supplier.

Eutelsat orders 100 LEO satellites for OneWeb: Eutelsat has ordered 100 new broadband satellites from Airbus Defence and Space to replenish its OneWeb low Earth orbit (LEO) constellation. The new satellites will include key technology upgrades such as enhanced terrestrial 5G integration and will be compatible with the upcoming IRIS² constellation. The satellites, to be built in Toulouse, France, are due to be completed before the end of 2026.

Iceye Raises $65M in Additional Funding: Iceye has secured an additional $65 million in funding, bringing its total raised in 2024 to $158 million. This funding round extension will help Iceye to meet growing demand in global defence and ISR markets and includes contributions from Solidium Oy, BlackRock, Seraphim, Plio Limited, and Christo Georgiev. Iceye continues to grow its international presence with a number of deals signed, including a contract to build two sovereign satellites for Greece and a new joint venture in the UAE with Space42.

Europe signs contracts for IRIS² constellation: The European Commission and European Space Agency (ESA) have signed contracts with the SpaceRISE consortium, led by Eutelsat, Hispasat and SES, to develop the IRIS² constellation, a secure connectivity constellation of more than 290 satellites, expected to enter service by 2031. The project, costing €10.6 billion ($11.1 billion), aims to provide government, military, and commercial satellite services. The next step for IRIS² is a one-year design phase that will also include “consolidation” of the supply chain of contractors for the satellites.

Orbex to accelerate medium-sized launch vehicle and focus launches at SaxaVord Spaceport: Orbex is shifting its launch operations to SaxaVord Spaceport in Shetland and pausing the construction of its own spaceport in Sutherland, Scotland. This move allows Orbex to focus on developing a new medium-sized launch vehicle, Proxima, whilst retaining its lease in Sutherland to provide flexibility to increase launch capacity in the future. Orbex plans to increase its manufacturing capabilities in Forres to meet the demand for both its smaller vehicle, Prime, as well as Proxima. The first launch is expected in 2025.

Norway and Germany sign agreement on space cooperation: On 2 December 2024, Norwegian Defence Minister Bjørn Arild Gram and German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius signed a letter of intent to strengthen space cooperation and the partnership between Norway and Germany. This agreement paves the way for collaboration on space operations, defence industrial initiatives, and on satellite launches from Andøya Spaceport.

UK launches regulatory sandbox for Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO): A new consortium in the UK, comprising D-Orbit, Astroscale, and ClearSpace, has formed a regulatory sandbox to improve regulations for RPO. Funded by the UK government's Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) with almost £700,000, this initiative aims to test RPO missions and bring key stakeholders together to address the challenges of these emerging technologies.