Here’s a look back at some of Via Satellite‘s most-read stories of 2024. Our top stories of the year look back at everything from the SES/Intelsat acquisition, John Deere’s deal for Starlink connectivity, advances in satellite-to-cell connectivity, leadership changes, and more. 

This round-up is part of our year-end content series. Check out the 2024 in review podcast, where Via Satellite editors analyze some of the top news of the year, and see what songs top industry executives were listening to this year with Spotify Wrapped in Space. Also, check out the essential interviews of 2024.

SES Explains the Strategy Behind its Long-Anticipated Acquisition of Intelsat

SES and Intelsat closed the chapter on the will they/won’t they story in April with news that SES will acquire Intelsat for $3.1 billion. SES CEO Adel Al-Saleh pitched the merger as bringing the companies together to create a player with a stronger multi-orbit position in the market to deliver better offerings in high-value markets like government and mobility. — April 2024

Starlink On Track to Hit $6.6B in Revenue This Year, Quilty Report Estimates

There’s a lot of curiosity into SpaceX’s financials, which are not publicly reported. Quilty Space conducted an in-depth analysis and came up with estimates about Starlink revenue and subscribers in May of this year, as well as some projections about Starlink’s prospects for growth. — May 2024

Where Does the GEO Piece Fit in Satellite’s Future?

Despite the infatuation with LEO, cutting edge technologies like 3D printing, smallsats, and software-defined satellites are reinvigorating interest in GEO. Eutelsat Group CEO Eva Berneke and Swissto12 CEO Emile de Rijk weigh in on why GEO is here to stay. — September 2024

SpaceX Launches First Direct-to-Cell Starlink Satellites for Service With T-Mobile

To kick off 2024, SpaceX launched the first Starlink satellites with direct-to-cell capabilities to power its service with T-Mobile. During the year, SpaceX completed the first shell with about 330 satellites and received FCC approval to operate the service with T-Mobile. — January 2024

Google Brings Satellite SOS Feature to Android With Pixel 9

When Google revealed the Pixel 9 in August, it came with the announcement that the Pixel 9 will be the first Android phone to include Satellite SOS, through working with Skylo and Garmin, on any carrier plan. The service will allow users to contact emergency responders and share location via satellite, without cellular service. — August 2024 

Elon Musk’s New Government Efficiency Job: Pros and Cons for the Satellite Industry

President-elect Donald Trump appointed Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to co-lead a new Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE), a new entity to advise the government on cuts to the federal budget. The role raises conflict of interest concerns about Musk, considering SpaceX’s billions in government contracts. — November 2024

Intelsat’s IS-33e Satellite is a ‘Total Loss’ 

The Intelsat-33e satellite was “total loss” after an anomaly that occurred in October when the Boeing-built satellite broke apart in orbit. Intelsat moved to restore service to impacted customers in Europe, Africa and parts of the Asia-Pacific region. — October 2024 

John Deere Execs say Starlink Solution Lays the Groundwork for the Autonomous Future of Farming 

John Deere’s work with SpaceX to equip thousands of agricultural machines with Starlink connectivity lays the groundwork for the future of autonomous farming. Later in 2024 Via Satellite spoke with John Deere about its early access plan for farmers testing the Starlink solution. — April 2024 

The New Space Spark: Retrospective of the Start of a Revolution

This magazine story offers a snapshot of how the New Space industry evolved and how it has impacted the space industry as a whole, from the perspective of the leaders who lived it, including Dan Hart, John Gedmark, and Theresa Condor. — January 2024 

Comtech Fires CEO Ken Peterman 

In a surprise move, Comtech fired its President and CEO Ken Peterman in March just days before SATELLITE, just a year and a half after he took the lead of Comtech and led the company through a transformation. In October, Comtech appointed acting CEO John Ratigan as permanent CEO. — March 2024