Opinion

Welcome to the May edition of Via Satellite. As countries around the world are practicing social distancing to contain the novel coronavirus pandemic, I assume a high number of our readers are working from home. I would like to start by wishing you, your families, loved ones, and your colleagues the best over the next...

Since its beginnings, the Chinese space industry has been largely dominated by major state-owned enterprises (SOEs), namely China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) and to a lesser extent, China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC). However, since 2014, the industry has opened to a greater degree of private investment, and in 2018, about 30...

1. Flexibility is First It was one of the leading themes at SATELLITE 2020, driving decisions in virtually every market segment. Players are seeking flexible options, either as a means of dealing with current challenges, or future ones. Manufacturers of satellites, rockets, and antennas alike discussed the need for flexible supply chain logistics, to ensure...

Fire at vast scale poses enormous challenges. More than 18 million hectares, an area the size of the Netherlands, have been affected across Australia by this season’s emergency-level wildfires. Along with the loss of life, both human and animal (estimates expect around 500 million Australian wildlife casualties this season), the fires carry huge financial impact....

With 2019 having drawn to a close, it is timely to look back to identify those developments of greatest significance for the satellite industry for past year. 2019 was an eventful year, and picking the most significant developments can be daunting. Obvious choices include the continued proliferation of Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite players, the FCC’s...

The space industry is in the midst of multiple disruptions with the evolutionary developments that have revolutionary impacts. Most activity, as of now, is focused on Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) missions covering multiple commercial players. With the LEO activity growing, it becomes imperative that we gain a perspective of what LEO has seen so far and...

The global satellite communications industry is undergoing rapid change today, with price declines, large increases in capacity volumes, and a general pivot of the satellite operator business model towards selling lots of Mbps, as opposed to relatively few MHz. According to Euroconsult’s latest report, “FSS Operators: Benchmarks & Performance Review,’’ Geostationary Orbit (GEO) operators are...