Space is a Network.
Constellations is Your Connection.
Europe’s largest telecom operators see significant potential in satellite direct-to-device (D2D) services but remain uncertain about market demand, profitability and which D2D providers will ultimately survive.
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Planet Labs will be outfitting one or more of its new-generation Pelican high-resolution satellites with radio-frequency inter-satellite-link terminals to communicate with geostationary- and non-geostationary-orbit satellites owned by SES and Telesat under contracts with NASA.
Sweden-based Ovzon expects Ovzon 3 to finish testing at prime contractor Maxar Technologies in time for shipment to Europe’s Guiana Space Center spaceport. Ovzon 3 is likely to be paired for the launch with Germany’s Heinrich Hertz civil/military telecommunications technology demonstration satellite for a launch to geostationary-transfer orbit.
The European Commission and the European Space Agency (ESA), both pushing for a multibillion-euro European Union constellation of broadband satellites, continue to treat today’s geostationary-orbit satellite broadband offers as if they did not exist. They have also seen fit to look past the difficult business case that any global low-orbit broadband constellation must confront.
Following a memorandum of understanding between Eutelsat and OneWeb announced July 26, and pending final government and shareholder approvals, Eutelsat will take over OneWeb sometime in early 2023, marrying OneWeb’s low-orbit constellation of broadband satellites with Eutelsat’s GEO-orbit fleet, which includes several broadband satellites.
The increased use of satellite networks for commercial and non-commercial applications may have the salutary effect of forcing the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to put teeth into its regulations. The ITU’s Radio Regulations Board has already shown signs that it can and will push back on some of the most egregious dodges its member nations use to flout the rules.
The European Commission opened its program to connect investors and customers to space startups as part of the Cassini Space Investment Fund, which starting late this year is expected to generate 1 billion euros ($1.05 billion) in investment through 2027.
Which side of the geospatial imagery industry should be more afraid of commoditization: Satellite fleet owners of providers of geospatial analytics? As multiple fleet owners move toward once-a-day coverage or better, with satellite sensors providing ever-sharper imagery, the pixel makers do appear exposed, especially as customers place higher value on the package of data provided, and not just the picture.
It’s one thing to say you don’t mind rain, it’s another to be caught in a rainstorm. Seraphim Space Investment Trust, whose initial stock offering occurred in June 2021, told investors it was targeting a portfolio net asset value appreciation of better than 20%. As of March 31, it was 6%.
Industry observers have only one question for EchoStar Corp.: What does the new chief executive, Hamid Akhavan, want to do with the Hughes Network Systems and EchoStar Satellite Services businesses and the $1.5 billion in cash on EchoStar’s balance sheet?
