> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://newsletters.qs.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # πŸš€ Space and Defense #23 - URL: https://newsletters.qs.com/space-and-defense-23/ - Published: 2025-01-06T12:30:27.000Z - Updated: 2025-01-06T12:30:26.000Z - Description: HolonIQ's Space and Defense Newsletter covers the latest developments in national defense, drones and weapon systems, space launches and propulsion, space innovation, space traffic, and looks at the top space skills and deals. - Author: QS - Tags: Advanced Manufacturing **Happy New Year! πŸŽ‰** This week in the global defense and space sector, The European Space Agency approved an $8.3B [budget](https://spaceinsider.tech/2025/01/01/esa-sets-preliminary-e7-7-billion-budget-for-2025-amid-evolving-priorities/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) for 2025, while India launched its first space [docking](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/30/india-launches-its-first-space-docking-mission?ref=newsletters.qs.com) mission. RTX secured a $946M deal for Patriot [missile systems](https://thedefensepost.com/2025/01/03/rtx-deal-romania-patriot/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) in Romania, and QinetiQ US won a $31.5M Army contract for [sensor](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/qinetiq-us-awarded-31-5-million-task-order-to-support-us-army-peo-iews-with-sensor-and-system-interoperability-with-integrated-sensor-architecture-isa-302340360.html?ref=newsletters.qs.com) integration. SpaceX is set to launch the [Thuraya](https://www.spacedaily.com/reports/SpaceX%5Fdelays%5Flaunch%5Fof%5FThuraya%5F4%5Fmission%5Ffor%5FUAE%5Fsatellite%5Fcompany%5F999.html?ref=newsletters.qs.com) 4-NGS satellite, while Blue Origin completed a key test for its New [Glenn](https://www.universetoday.com/170255/new-glenn-completes-a-hotfire-test-next-flight/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) rocket. The ESA and Telesat achieved the world’s first [5G](https://www.spacedaily.com/reports/World%5Ffirst%5F5G%5Fsatellite%5Fconnection%5Fsets%5Fnew%5Fmilestone%5Ffor%5Fmobile%5Fcommunication%5F999.html?ref=newsletters.qs.com) satellite connection. A piece of space [debris](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/02/world/africa/kenya-space-debris-rocket.html?ref=newsletters.qs.com) fell on a Kenyan village, and HELSINKI a Chinese satellite maker raised $137M in funding. **What's new?** *HolonIQ’s new* [*Green Skills Map*](https://www.greenskills.org/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) *and Workforce section reveal industry-wide sustainability skills and jobs, as well as workforce development initiatives, supporting upskilling for a sustainable economy.* *HolonIQ's new* [*skills newsletter*](https://newsletters.qs.com/tag/skills/) *is here! Get updates on emerging skills, workforce shifts, and industry insights across impact sectors.* [*Subscribe*](https://newsletters.qs.com/#) *now to stay ahead.* ## **πŸ›‘οΈ** National Defense **πŸ§‘β€πŸš€ European Space Agency Approves 2025 Budget.** The European Space Agency Council approved a preliminary [budget](https://spaceinsider.tech/2025/01/01/esa-sets-preliminary-e7-7-billion-budget-for-2025-amid-evolving-priorities/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) of $8.3B for 2025, a slight decrease from the previous year's budget. **πŸ›°οΈ India's First Space Docking Mission.** India launched its first [space docking](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/30/india-launches-its-first-space-docking-mission?ref=newsletters.qs.com) mission, aiming to become the fourth country to achieve this milestone in space exploration. **πŸ›‘οΈ RTX Awarded $946M Deal for Patriot Missile Systems in Romania.** RTX, a defense contractor, secured a $946M contract to provide [Romania with Patriot missile](https://thedefensepost.com/2025/01/03/rtx-deal-romania-patriot/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) defense systems, enhancing the country's air defense capabilities. **πŸš€ Vietnam to Purchase BrahMos Missiles from India.** India and Vietnam are close to finalizing a $700M deal for Vietnam to purchase BrahMos [supersonic](https://defence-blog.com/vietnam-set-to-buy-brahmos-missiles/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) missile systems from India. ## **🚁** Drones and Weapon Systems **πŸ›‘οΈ QinetiQ US Wins $31.5M Army Contract for Sensor Integration.** QinetiQ US, a defense technology company, secured a 5-year, $31.5M task order from the U.S. Army to support [sensor](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/qinetiq-us-awarded-31-5-million-task-order-to-support-us-army-peo-iews-with-sensor-and-system-interoperability-with-integrated-sensor-architecture-isa-302340360.html?ref=newsletters.qs.com) and system interoperability with the Integrated Sensor Architecture (ISA). **🚒 China's New Amphibious Assault Ship With Aircraft Carrier Capabilities.** China unveiled a new amphibious assault ship called the Sichuan. The vessel's [electromagnetic](https://thedefensepost.com/2025/01/02/china-amphibious-assault-ship/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) catapult system allows it to launch fighter jets and drones, essentially making it a light aircraft carrier. **πŸš€ US Navy Acquires Torpedo Kits from General Dynamics.** The US Navy strengthened its fleet by acquiring MK 54 lightweight [torpedo](https://www.armyrecognition.com/news/navy-news/2024/mk-54-lightweight-torpedo-kits-navy-strengthens-fleet-with-general-dynamics?ref=newsletters.qs.com) kits from General Dynamics, a major defense contractor. ## πŸ§‘β€πŸš€ Space Launches and Propulsion **πŸ›°οΈ SpaceX Launching Thuraya 4-NGS Satellite.** SpaceX is scheduled to launch the Thuraya 4-NGS satellite for the UAE-based mobile [satellite](https://www.spacedaily.com/reports/SpaceX%5Fdelays%5Flaunch%5Fof%5FThuraya%5F4%5Fmission%5Ffor%5FUAE%5Fsatellite%5Fcompany%5F999.html?ref=newsletters.qs.com) services operator Thuraya. **πŸš€ Blue Origin's New Glenn Rocket Passes Key Test.** Blue Origin completed a 24-second hot-fire test of its New Glenn NG-1 rocket's BE-4 engines, an important milestone before an expected [test flight](https://www.universetoday.com/170255/new-glenn-completes-a-hotfire-test-next-flight/?ref=newsletters.qs.com). **πŸŒ• China's Lijian 1 Y6 rocket launch fails.** China's Lijian 1 Y6 carrier rocket, a key part of the country's commercial space program, [failed](https://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Launch%5Fof%5FChinas%5FLijian%5F1%5FY6%5Fcommercial%5Frocket%5Fends%5Fin%5Ffailure%5F999.html?ref=newsletters.qs.com) during its launch on Friday. The mission took place at a commercial aerospace facility in northwest China. ## **πŸͺ** Space Innovation & Emerging Technologies **πŸ“‘ World's First 5G Satellite Connection Achieved.** The European Space Agency (ESA) and Telesat established the world's first [direct 5G](https://www.spacedaily.com/reports/World%5Ffirst%5F5G%5Fsatellite%5Fconnection%5Fsets%5Fnew%5Fmilestone%5Ffor%5Fmobile%5Fcommunication%5F999.html?ref=newsletters.qs.com) connection between a Low Earth Orbit satellite and the ground, marking a significant milestone in mobile communication technology. **🚁 NASA's Mars Helicopter Ingenuity Featured on Rose Parade Float.** NASA's Ingenuity Mars Helicopter, the [first aircraft](http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-010125a-rose-parade-mars-rover-rendezvous-float.html?ref=newsletters.qs.com) to fly on another planet, was featured on a float at the Rose Parade, celebrating its achievement. **πŸš€ ispace-EUROPE and ASI to Transport Laser Array to Moon.** ispace-EUROPE and the Italian Space Agency (ASI) agreed to transport a Laser Retroreflector Array (LaRA2) to the moon for accurate lunar position [measurements](https://spacewatch.global/2024/12/ispace-europe-and-asi-to-transport-retroreflector-array-to-the-moon/?ref=newsletters.qs.com). ## β˜„οΈ Space Traffic and Debris Management **πŸŒ‘ Space Debris Falls on Kenyan Village.** A large piece of space junk, believed to be part of a rocket, fell onto a village in Kenya, though no one was injured. Experts warn that such incidents are becoming more common due to the increasing amount of [debris](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/02/world/africa/kenya-space-debris-rocket.html?ref=newsletters.qs.com) orbiting Earth. ## πŸ› οΈ Skills and Workforce *With reskilling and upskilling playing a key role in closing workforce gaps, HolonIQ is now tracking these impactful initiatives shaping the space industry. Read on for this week’s insights, and discover more in HolonIQ's latest* [*Skills newsletter*](https://newsletters.qs.com/tag/skills/)*.* **πŸ‘©β€πŸš€ The Space Workforce Incubator for Texas (SWIFT), an Austin-based nonprofit, is launching an initiative to build a skilled workforce for the state’s expanding space industry.** The program aims to ensure that[ 50% of new space industry jobs](https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2024/12/26/space-workforce-incubator-for-texas-launches.html?ref=newsletters.qs.com) are filled by Texas talent, fostering collaboration between educational institutions, industry leaders, and aspiring engineers. Austin has become a key hub for space-focused companies, hosting major players like Firefly Aerospace and SpaceX. Additionally, innovative startups such as Icon Technology Inc., CesiumAstro, and Slingshot Aerospace are contributing to the 21st-century space race. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f1/d4/f1d411df-6f49-4c75-a302-f8c9e9f59495/content/images/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-25-102758-1.png)](https://www.greenskills.org/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) HolonIQ has launched the [Green Skills Map](http://greenskills.org/?ref=newsletters.qs.com), an open-source framework initiated to catalog, evaluate, and contextualize the components of the rapidly expanding field of green jobs. This comprehensive taxonomy will serve as a resource for understanding the full spectrum and complexity of green skills required across various sectors, thereby enabling a cohesive approach toward achieving net zero and decarbonizing the global economy. Green Skills Map spans 11 areas, 54 sub-areas, and 243 green skills clusters. A snippet of the map covering four areas has been included above. Explore the full map on [greenskills.org](http://greenskills.org/?ref=newsletters.qs.com). ## πŸ’°Space Deals **πŸ›°οΈ HELSINKI, a Chinese satellite manufacturer raises $137M.** HELSINKI, a Chinese satellite manufacturer for the Thousand Sails megaconstellation secured over [$137M](https://spacenews.com/satellite-manufacturer-for-chinese-megaconstellation-secures-137-million-funding/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) in Series A+ funding. **πŸš€ ION-X Raises Funding for Ion Thruster Industrialization.** ION-X, a company developing ion thrusters for small satellites, raised [$14M](https://spacewatch.global/2024/12/ion-x-raises-funding-to-accelerate-ion-thruster-industrialization/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) in funding to industrialize its ion thruster technology. --- **Like getting this newsletter?* For unlimited access to over one million charts,*[ *request a demo*](https://webforms.pipedrive.com/f/1uMbIPRqUeVuZ31jVtKWMWIuqU2ga1nKo8aotNdGihU16zgOzuTfRMb9XfIIGmcOT?ref=newsletters.qs.com)*.* --- **Thank you for reading. Have a great week ahead!** Have some feedback or suggestions? Let us know at hello@holoniq.com [ ](https://newsletters.qs.com/psychedelic-mental-health-treatments-south-asia-health-tech-100-2/)