SPACE SURVEILLANCE
New Cuban radar site near US military base could aid China spying, think tank says
Cuba is constructing a new radar site near Santiago de Cuba, capable of monitoring U.S. military activities at Guantanamo Bay, according to satellite imagery analyzed by a Washington think tank. The facility, set east of Santiago de Cuba and due to be operational soon, could track signals up to 8,000 miles away. The development raises concerns about China's strategic interests, despite denials from Cuban officials. This site adds to suspicions of increased Chinese surveillance capabilities in Cuba, targeting U.S. military and space operations.
NATO targets AI, robots and space tech in $1.1 billion fund
NATO allies confirm first tranche of companies awarded funding from $1.1 billion innovation fund to enhance defences, including European tech companies like Fractile and ARX Robotics.
North Korea fires missile barrage toward eastern waters days after failed satellite launch
North Korea allegedly fired a barrage of short-range ballistic missiles towards the eastern sea. The move drew condemnation from South Korea and Japan amidst heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula. The launches followed a failed attempt to launch a military reconnaissance satellite. North Korea's actions have been met with strong international criticism as they violate U.N. Security Council resolutions. The North vowed to continue developing its space reconnaissance capabilities despite setbacks.
China's 'One Person, One File': Road to digital totalitarianism
The Shanghai authorities have proposed the "One Person, One File" (OPOF) mass surveillance program, which aims to triple the deployment of facial recognition cameras and compile exhaustive personal data files on every resident. This escalation of China's efforts to create ruthless digital censorship is more than just another Benthamite panopticon, it is an attempt to construct an omniscient digital surrogate for every Chinese citizen, encoding each person's relationships, activities, behaviors, and existence into ones and zeroes for the Party's domineering oversight.
Spacetech startup GalaxEye tests SAR tech on NAL’s pseudo satellite
GalaxEye CEO Suyash Singh said that the company tested its synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technology on a subscale high altitude pseudo-satellite (HAPS) developed by the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL).
New star wars plan: US rushes to counter Chinese and Russian threats in orbit
US Defense Department is looking to acquire a new generation of ground- and space-based tools that will allow it to defend its satellite network from attack and, if necessary, to disrupt or disable enemy spacecraft in orbit, Pentagon officials have said in a series of interviews, speeches and recent statements.
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Canadian Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar murder case
Three Indian nationals were arrested by Canadian police on suspicion of being part of a hit squad allegedly sent by the Indian government to assassinate Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey the previous year. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) confirmed the arrests, emphasizing ongoing investigations into potential ties to the Indian government. The strained relations between India and Canada escalated after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Indian agents of involvement in Nijjar's killing, which India dismissed as baseless.
Easing FDI norms in space sector to attract foreign players, boost demand for high-tech jobs
Sreeram Ananthasayanam, Partner, Deloitte India, said that the recent amendment of higher FDI limits in the space sector is a significant step towards transforming India's space program, in terms of infrastructure development.
Easing FDI norms in space sector to attract foreign players, boost demand for high-tech jobs
The government's decision to ease FDI rules in the space sector is expected to attract foreign players, boost tech jobs, and foster innovation. The move enables 100% foreign investment in satellite components, supporting infrastructure development and creating new business opportunities.
CDS asks military, DRDO to work with startups to get cutting-edge space tech to reduce gap with adversaries
In an effort to boost collaboration between the Indian space and defence sectors, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan today asked the three defence forces and DRDO to engage with the Space industry and startups to develop cutting-edge technology to reduce the gap with the adversaries.
Spacetech startup Digantara unveils 25,000-sq ft facility in Bengaluru
The new facility, spanning 25,000 square feet in Hebbal, Bengaluru, serves as a satellite assembly, integration and testing (AIT) facility. The Bengaluru-based startup is currently planning to launch a constellation of space-based space surveillance satellites.
Northrop Grumman working with Elon Musk's SpaceX on US spy satellite system
Northrop Grumman and SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, work on a spy satellite project enhancing US intelligence with high-res Earth imagery, involving commercial internet satellites, optical tech, and relay satellites.
Actual Star Wars: US to carry out war exercise in outer space, satellite to target 'enemy' in orbit
The Russia-Ukraine War opened a new chapter in the space war with Moscow test-firing hypersonic missiles. But China poses the biggest threat to US space security and Beijing wants to match if not surpass its capability to hit targets in outer space.
South Korea launches its 2nd military spy satellite amid animosities with North Korea
South Korea launches its second military spy satellite following North Korea's reaffirmed plans for multiple reconnaissance satellite launches this year. The satellite, launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, aims to enhance monitoring capabilities. South Korea plans to launch five spy satellites by 2025 under a contract with SpaceX. Meanwhile, North Korea, which launched its first spy satellite in November, seeks its own space-based surveillance network to counter perceived military threats. The U.N. prohibits North Korea's satellite launches, viewing them as disguised tests of long-range missile technology, escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
Militarisation, weaponisation of space inevitable reality: IAF chief
IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari emphasized the increasing significance of space in military operations, stating that as nations rely more on space-based assets, the militarization and weaponization of space have become inevitable realities. Speaking at a seminar on "Aerospace Power in Future Conflicts," he highlighted the transformation in the military operational environment towards simultaneous and independent operations across multiple domains. He also stressed the importance of gaining and maintaining information and decision superiority, citing the need for developing critical capabilities like CMOS sensors and robust C2 networks.
Given political will, aerospace power can be effectively used beyond enemy lines: IAF chief
IAF Chief Chaudhari said that future conflicts will be characterised by a blend of simultaneous application of kinetic and non-kinetic forces, high-levels of battle space transparency, multi-domain operations, a high-degree of precision, enhanced lethality, a compressed sensor-to-shooter cycle, and of course, all under intense media scrutiny.
Elon Musk's SpaceX is building spy satellite network for US intelligence agency
The network is being built by SpaceX's Starshield business unit under a $1.8 billion contract signed in 2021 with the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), an intelligence agency that manages spy satellites, the sources said.
Nuclear space war: US-Russia recent spat raises concerns over potential space attack
A dispute between Washington and Moscow has sparked concerns about a possible space-based nuclear satellite attack, threatening critical communications systems on Earth. Russia refuted U.S. allegations of developing a space-based anti-satellite nuclear weapon, with President Putin opposing the deployment of nuclear weapons in space. The U.S. fears Moscow is creating a space nuke capable of disrupting vital U.S. infrastructure. The deployment of such a weapon could have indiscriminate effects, damaging systems essential for daily services like payments, GPS navigation, and weather forecasts.
Not a surveillance satellite: ISRO on collaborative effort with NASA
ISRO chief S Somanath clarified that the joint satellite mission with NASA, called NISAR, is not for surveillance but for studying Earth's sustainability amidst climate change. The mission aims to develop a Synthetic Aperture Radar satellite to monitor Earth's surface, focusing on various aspects like water, agriculture, and environmental changes. NISAR's data will be shared between the US and India and will be in the public domain.
If farmers are aggressive, we need not be defensive: Police officer to personnel at Singhu border
Several farmer associations, mostly from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab, had called for a protest on February 13 to demand a law guaranteeing Minimum Support Price for crops. Some of them are marching towards Delhi as [arty of their 'Dilli Chalo' agitation.
General Anil Chauhan calls on private industry to enhance defence-space capabilities
Amidst China's space advancements, General Anil Chauhan urges India to fortify its defence space capabilities. Emphasizing a need for collaboration, he advocates for private industry involvement and significant investments. Key initiatives include satellite constellations and secure networks. With evolving threats, such as anti-satellite weaponry, General Chauhan stresses the importance of counter-space capabilities. Government support and partnerships aim to bolster India's position in the space domain, fostering self-reliance and resilience against emerging challenges.
Armed forces line up Rs 25,000 crore to boost defence space capabilities: CDS Gen Chauhan
Indian armed forces allocate Rs 25,000 crore for defence space requirements including surveillance satellites and secure communications networks. Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan urges private space sector to help make India self-reliant in this sector. He emphasizes the need for developing ISR capabilities, multi-sensor satellites, launch-on-demand services, and a robust ground station network. Gen Chauhan also highlights the importance of indigenous PNT services and strengthening the NAVIC constellation.
Ocean surveillance startup PierSight raises $6 million led by Alpha Wave Global, Elevation Capital
The Ahmedabad-based firm aims to test its technology aboard ISRO's PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM) within 2024, Seth told ET.
Face-off in Britain over controversial surveillance tech
The use of live facial recognition (LFR) technology -- which creates biometric facial signatures before instantaneously running them through a watchlist of suspects -- led to 10 arrests for crimes including threats to kill, bank fraud, theft and possession of a crossbow.
Aviation watchdog DGCA carried out 5,745 surveillance activities in 2023
The number of surveillance activities rose 26 per cent last year compared to 2022. Also, the number of enforcement actions increased 77 per cent last year compared to 305 enforcement actions taken against non-compliant personnel, airlines, and other operators in 2022.
Finally, it's done: Europe agrees landmark AI regulation deal
With the political agreement, the EU moves toward becoming the first major world power to enact laws governing AI. Friday's deal between EU countries and European Parliament members came after nearly 15 hours of negotiations that followed an almost 24-hour debate the previous day.
UK to start Gaza surveillance flights to help find hostages
UK military to conduct surveillance flights over Gaza to help locate hostages held by Hamas, confirms the British defence ministry. According to Israeli authorities, around 240 Israelis and foreign hostages were seized by Hamas fighters in their attack on Israel on October 7. While approximately 110 hostages have been freed during a recent week-long truce, the resumption of combat by Israel's military on Friday has hindered the release of the remaining 130 captives believed to be held in Gaza.
Pentagon's AI initiatives accelerate hard decisions on lethal autonomous weapons
Yhe Pentagon is intent on fielding multiple thousands of relatively inexpensive, expendable AI-enabled autonomous vehicles by 2026 to keep pace with China.
North Korea says it put a military spy satellite into orbit on third try
Amidst rising tensions with the United States, North Korea claims a successful launch of a spy satellite, showcasing its persistence in creating a space-based surveillance system. Although doubts linger about the satellite's capabilities, the launch sparks condemnation from the U.S. and allies due to UN bans on such activities. North Korea asserts its right to fortify defense, planning more spy satellites. This escalates regional tensions, prompting responses from South Korea and Japan while raising concerns about Kim Jong Un's strategic military pursuits.
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