Constellations, a New Space and Satellite Innovation Podcast: Recent Episodes
Kratos
Constellations from Kratos is your connection to the innovators, business leaders, entrepreneurs and policy makers who are making ... and remaking ... today's satellite and space industries. The current explosion in innovation is revolutionizing communications, imagery, defense and research and has caused a culture shift within the traditional satellite and space industry landscapes. New Space versus Old Space, GEO versus LEO Satellites, Narrowband versus Wideband, High-Throughput Satellites (HTS) versus Fixed-Service Satellites (FSS). Who will be the winners and losers? Constellations is the bridge that connects you to new ideas and experts shaping the industry. Whether you’re in the industry or just have a desire to learn... then this podcast is for you. For more information and to subscribe go to: http://www.kratosdefense.com/constellations-podcast - Podcast use is subject to the terms located at http://www.kratosdefense.com/constellations-podcast/disclaimer?r=comms
Financing in the space industry is often overlooked, yet a critical aspect to growth within the industry. Joining Constellations is Phaedra Chrousos and Max Yergan of SLI Aerospace, pioneering aerospace asset leasing to help manufacturers and operators finance the satellites, ground infrastructure and other space assets they need without the burden of large upfront investments. In this episode, Phaedra and Max will discuss how innovative financing models could accelerate the commercialization of space and reshape the economics of the industry for years to come.
As humanity pushes toward sustained activity beyond Earth, legal and operational questions around resource extraction, safety, and behavior in shared environments are coming to the forefront. Hon. Peter Beshar, former Air Force and Space Force General Counsel, joins Constellations to unpack how long‑standing treaties intersect with modern lunar ambitions, what safeguards can prevent gray‑zone behavior and how nations can build trust as more actors crowd the space domain.
Earth observation is evolving as users demand faster decisions, tighter workflows and more dependable data. Satellogic VP of Space Systems Luciano Giesso shares how these rising expectations are reshaping EO missions, influencing everything from how organizations approach responsiveness to how they define truly trusted insights.
Nations are rethinking how much control they need over their space infrastructure and what real sovereignty looks like in practice. Boston Consulting Group's Alessio Bonucci explores the industrial limits, geopolitical pressures and shifting partnerships shaping space sovereignty in Europe and beyond.
Live at the Space Symposium, Constellations spoke with Colonel Eddie Gutierrez who discussed rapid capability delivery, near peer readiness and the importance of integrating operators, acquirers and industry partners to shorten development cycles. He highlights the need for adaptable Guardians, improved targeting and resilient global EW operations, emphasizing that owning the spectrum is critical for joint force success. The conversation underscores how unified vision, reduced process barriers and mission-focused collaboration enable the Space Force to field effective EW systems faster than ever.
Heather Pringle of Space Foundation examines how organizations across government, industry and the international community are preparing for a new phase of operations beyond low Earth orbit. She breaks down how technology shifts, evolving partnerships and changes in mission architecture are influencing long-term capability and strategic positioning. Pringle also highlights the decision-making habits leaders need as technical complexity and competitive pressure accelerate.
Live at SATshow 2026, Constellations is joined by Blane Boynton, SVP of Product Management and Development at SES, Andrew Cavalier, Senior Analyst at ABI Research and Greg Quiggle, SVP of Product Management at Kratos to unpack how satellite industry players are weaving 5G NTN into their long-term strategies. Listen to find out how competitive pressure is accelerating ground system transformation and how early implementations point towards commercial readiness.
Nathan de Ruiter, Partner and Managing Director at Novaspace, joins the show to unpack the shifting supply and demand dynamics shaping satellite capacity across Asia. De Ruiter discusses how pricing pressures, national space programs, government connectivity initiatives and network modernization efforts are influencing operator decisions across the region. He also outlines how these trends are redefining competition and informing long term fleet planning and partnerships. Listen as he breaks down the key forces reshaping Asia's satellite market.
Grace Khanuja of Novaspace investigates how satellite operators embracing virtual ground systems aren't simply trying to reduce their hardware footprints but also to integrate with telecom networks, maximize capacity and move customers to an OpEx model to compete with megaconstellations such as Starlink. Novaspace laid out the business case for virtual ground in a February white paper, even comparing the financial models for a virtualized versus traditional hardware-based systems over five years.
Colonel Tim Trimailo is the Director of the Commercial Space Office (COMSO), the Space Force's front door to industry. He leads efforts to integrate commercial capabilities directly into operational missions. Colonel Trimailo has played a key role in bringing commercial systems into military operations, strengthening resilience across constellations, and rethinking how the U.S. and its allies operate in increasingly contested domains. Listen to Colonel Trimailo as he explores how the commercial industry is accelerating the future of military space operations.
Melanie Stricklan, Executive Director, SWFT & Chief Innovation & Advancement Officer at Space Foundation discusses the hidden complexity of modern space operations—why success isn't just about satellites, but about orchestrating entire ecosystems across space, ground, and cloud. Listen to Melanie as she unpacks the unseen challenges like semantic misalignments, operational debt, and AI-driven autonomy that shape the future of space missions.
Paul Lasserre of Loft Orbital discusses how AI is quietly expanding its role in determining what satellites notice, flag and send home. He weighs how this progression could reshape long‑standing assumptions about who — or what — directs outcomes in orbit.
Earth's orbit is full of space junk like out-of-service satellites that completed their mission long ago. One study even estimated that 100 trillion pieces of space debris are floating outside the planet. Joel Sercel, CEO and Founder of TransAstra, shares insights on space debris capture technology that has the potential to make space more accessible and sustainable for future generations.
ABI Research's newest report "Can Satellite IoT Take on the Terrestrial IoT Market and Succeed?" predicts that the satellite IoT market will reach $3.1 billion in revenue by 2030. In this episode, Jake Saunders, Vice President at ABI Research, walks us through some of the key report data on the state of satellite IoT including the biggest untapped commercial opportunities, the competitive landscape and the evolving relationship between satellite and terrestrial.
This episode focuses on satellite IoT, the challenges of integrating with telcos, and just how far we have come from the satellite phones of the past! Listen to Omar Qaise, Founder and CEO of OQ Technology, a global satellite IoT firm that aims to connect the next unconnected 50 billion IoT devices and machines. Omar explains how a recent breakthrough in satellite IoT demonstrates that a widely adopted cellular IoT module can operate seamlessly over a 5G NTN satellite network.
The Middle East is one of the most dynamic and fast-evolving regions in the global space economy. As nations in the area turn space ambition into action through satellite programs and partnerships, the region is fast becoming a global space and connectivity hub. Steve Bochinger, Affiliate Executive Advisor at Novaspace discusses the space sector development in the region including the vision for space, investment opportunities, strategic partnerships and drive for sovereignty.
In this episode, we'll talk about the evolving role of GPS and global navigation systems in an increasingly complex and contested environment. Hear from Lisa Dyer, Executive Director of the GPS Alliance, who will talk about why resilience, interoperability and innovation across multiple GNSS constellations are becoming essential for both national security and commerce. Hear Lisa discuss the future of GPS and GNSS for policymakers, industry, and operators working to ensure trusted positioning, navigation, and timing.
As we near the close of 2025, it's a pivotal moment to reflect on this past year and the advances and changes that have impacted the industry.
From the introduction of Golden Dome, expansion of Starlink's dominance, growth in Direct-to-Device (D2D) to sovereignty becoming a driving force for nation states—2025 has been a whirlwind. How will these trends shape 2026 and beyond?
To help us break down the most significant happenings and provide expert insight into what it all means for our industry, we are joined by Chris Quilty, Co-CEO & President and Caleb Henry, Director of Research for Quilty Space, a global leader in space sector business intelligence.
Space is getting crowded, how do we avoid conjunctions? In this episode of Constellations, Kayhan Space CEO, Dr. Siamak Hesar, joins to discuss how operators can stay ahead of risk as the orbital environment grows more crowded and complex. He shares practical insights on collision avoidance, real time data integration and the value of AI tools that help fleets make faster, smarter operational decisions. It is a forward-looking conversation about how the industry can work together to keep space safe, sustainable and mission ready.
As the lines between commercial innovation and national defense blur, America's space industrial base is transforming. In this episode of Constellations, Peter Krauss, President and CEO of Terran Orbital, emphasizes the importance of rapid iteration and accelerated development to build and deploy on-orbit assets more efficiently. Speed is the primary transformation reshaping the industry, driven largely by the realities of contested space. Hear Peter talk about this and what keeps him up at night.
With more than 50% of the Earth covered in clouds on any given day, the ability to provide real-time insights about what is happening on the ground becomes complicated and nearly impossible. Listen in as Aubrey Dunne – co-founder and CTO at Ubotica - shares his knowledge on AI-based intelligence, cloud detection and removal for Earth observation satellites that deliver insights about what's happening on Earth now.
In today's satellite industry, the ability to refuel satellites in orbit is key to building a dynamic space operation. As space mobility and logistics become more advanced, refueling in GEO will give a significant advantage to military customers and commercial operators. Will Armijo, VP of Space Systems at Orion Space Solutions, breaks down the path to robust refueling technology.
In today’s rapidly changing world there are threats, natural disasters and environmental changes that can occur without notice that can negatively impact business and government operations. Delivering persistent, high-resolution insights anytime and anywhere using remote sensing is critical. Listen to this episode to better understand the powerful capabilities of high-resolution SAR imaging.
As satellites become more maneuverable and denial strategies evolve, orbit selection and agility are shaping the future of space advantage. In this episode, Tom Campbell, President of Space Missions at Redwire joins us to discuss the benefits of various orbital regimes, the role of maneuverability in maintaining resilience and how technology is enabling new strategies for contested space.
SpaceX has an outsized influence on the satellite industry as the preeminent launch provider. But in 2024, revenue from Starlink outstripped launch for the first time. Grace Khanuja, Manager at Novaspace, discusses Novaspace’s biannual report on SpaceX, the growing verticals that SpaceX will likely target in the next few years, and what it will take for satcom to compete with fiber.
Did you know that a graphing calculator has more processing power than most satellites? In this episode, hear how Edward Ge, Co-Founder and CEO of Aethero, is working to change all of that by building the next generation of space-grade computers for computationally heavy space missions. Listen as he shared the details on what it takes to build powerful compute for space, how it benefits the industry and some of the challenges still ahead.
Advancing the security and resilience of the space industry is the goal of the Space ISAC, requiring universally adopted standards with extensive testing and information sharing. Join Erin Miller, Executive Director of the Space Information Sharing and Analysis Center, and Lori Gordon, Systems Director for Space Enterprise Evolution at The Aerospace Corporation, as they discuss a new cybersecurity standard setting the foundation for trusted interoperable space systems.
Ahead of the upcoming World Space Business Week, Constellations and Novaspace bring you a limited podcast series where 5 space leaders answer 3 questions about the state of the industry, what drives them and the challenges ahead.
Listen now to John Serafini, CEO of Hawkeye 360. Hawkeye 360’s rapidly expanding RF constellation and next-generation analytics are fueling defense innovation, leveraging recent regulatory streamlining, and providing trusted, profitable geospatial intelligence across every continent and ocean.
Other guests are: Jason Kim, CEO of Firefly, Jean-François Fallacher, CEO of Eutelsat Group, Phil Carrai, President, Kratos Space and Even Rogers, CEO and Co-Founder of True Anomaly.
Ahead of the upcoming World Space Business Week, Constellations and Novaspace bring you a limited podcast series where 5 space leaders answer 3 questions about the state of the industry, what drives them and the challenges ahead.
Listen now to Even Rogers, CEO and Co-Founder of True Anomaly. True Anomaly details a $260M Series C, lessons from Mission X toward MX-3 while building a small-form-factor “fighter-interceptor” for space superiority, and sees strong investor appetite for space and defense ahead.
Other guests are: Jason Kim, CEO of Firefly Aerospace, John Serafini, CEO of Hawkeye 360, Jean-François Fallacher, CEO of Eutelsat Group and Phil Carrai, President, Kratos Space.
Ahead of the upcoming World Space Business Week, Constellations and Novaspace bring you a limited podcast series where 5 space leaders answer 3 questions about the state of the industry, what drives them and the challenges ahead.
Listen now to Phil Carrai, President, Kratos Space. Kratos highlights a 5G NTN over GEO demonstration and argues the winners will deliver working products, match customer spend patterns, and fit into real operational workflows.
Other guests are: Jason Kim, CEO of Firefly Aerospace, John Serafini, CEO of Hawkeye 360, Jean-François Fallacher, CEO of Eutelsat Group and Even Rogers, CEO and Co-Founder of True Anomaly.
Ahead of the upcoming World Space Business Week, Constellations and Novaspace bring you a limited podcast series where 5 space leaders answer 3 questions about the state of the industry, what drives them and the challenges ahead.
Listen now to Jean-François Fallacher, CEO of Eutelsat Group. Eutelsat’s GEO+LEO push aligns with rising demand for sovereign constellations and a new state-backed capital raise.
Other guests are: Jason Kim, CEO of Firefly Aerospace, John Serafini, CEO of Hawkeye 360, Phil Carrai, President, Kratos Space and Even Rogers, CEO and Co-Founder of True Anomaly.
Ahead of the upcoming World Space Business Week, Constellations and Novaspace bring you a limited podcast series where 5 space leaders answer 3 questions about the state of the industry, what drives them and the challenges ahead.
Listen now to Jason Kim, CEO of Firefly. Explore Firefly Aerospace’s recent lunar landing success, upcoming Blue Ghost missions, and the launch of its high‑resolution Ocula Lunar Imaging Service set to transform cislunar exploration.
Other guests are: John Serafini, CEO of Hawkeye 360, Jean-François Fallacher, CEO of Eutelsat Group, Phil Carrai, President, Kratos Space and Even Rogers, CEO and Co-Founder of True Anomaly.
Cislunar space may be the ultimate high ground, but its vast distance poses challenges in infrastructure, timing and tracking. Join Elvis Silva, Executive Director of Business Development and Strategy at Blue Canyon Technologies, RTX’s smallsat manufacturer, as he explores how advances in sensing, timing synchronization and spacecraft autonomy are reshaping our ability to operate and secure this critical domain.
The promise of seamlessly roaming across satellite networks in different bands and different orbits is that much closer to reality. A new breakthrough in multi-band antenna technology holds the potential to make communications as seamless and automated as the cellular networks used today. Listen to Ryan Stevenson, Chief Scientist at Kymeta talks about the capabilities of the new multi-band antenna technology and discuss the potential it offers to re-define satcom connectivity for a range of applications from military to aero.
Jiral Shah from Gravitics discusses next-generation space structures and modular space station platforms. Hear Jiral Shal emphasizes the ability to work within a timeline that aligns with operational tempos, measured in hours, not days. He discusses how logistics and mobility are key to moving faster, supported by pre-positioned assets in orbit, rather than a dependence on terrestrial launch for a next layer of resiliency. He also mentions power being a commodity in space, and how access to large amounts of power, specifically nuclear power, will unlock many applications and fundamentally change everything.
Matt Magaña from Voyager Technologies discusses how partnerships can accelerate space innovation. Matt will explain why these collaborations are more crucial than ever, particularly in overcoming the "valley of death" through shared technology. He'll also touch on the challenges of government funding with OTAs and mission-based awards, and why building a robust space industrial base requires more conversation and investment.
From agriculture to collision avoidance, space data is becoming continuously more important in decision-making and predictive analytics for many industries in going about their day-to-day tasks. In this podcast, hear Yudhajeet Dasgupta, Head of Solutions Architecture Aerospace and Satellite at AWS, share his knowledge on cloud computing for space and all the ways generative AI can help make life on earth more efficient for humanity.
On the Constellations podcast, the critical role of timing in both commercial and military applications is explored. Hear from David Mitlyng, CEO of Xairos as he discusses quantum communications as a next-gen timing solution. He explains how quantum hardware is more mature and practical than quantum computing and highlights quantum time transfer – the secure, precise delivery of time using entangled photons. David shares how this technology can be rapidly deployed at scale, integrated into satellites and ground systems. He also covers efforts around grandmaster clocks, the role of AI and the challenge of moving beyond GPS, which remains deeply embedded in today’s infrastructure.
In this episode, Awais Ahmed, founder and CEO of Pixxel, talks about building a constellation called Firefly, otherwise known as the “health monitor for the Earth.” Join us to learn about hyperspectral imagery, how access to it can support faster responses to environmental issues, and how its data can be used to provide insights on terrestrial changes that haven’t even happened yet.
The number of satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) is poised to explode over the coming years as more mega-constellations come online. This has the potential to bring rise to new potential threats in space. The massive scale of deployments is driving the need to leverage artificial intelligence to make better sense of the exponentially growing space domain. Listen to Slingshot Aerospace’s VP of Strategy and Policy, Audrey Schaffer as she discusses the role of AI for space domain awareness. Audrey shares insights on the new capabilities AI enables and how it is addressing some of the key challenges in space.
5G technology holds the promise of the seamless integration of satellite and telco networks – a critical development as the demand for global connectivity grows. Listen to a panel of experts discuss the convergence of satellite and telecommunications infrastructure from both a technology and a business case perspective.
Mega-constellations like Starlink are reshaping the satellite industry—and traditional operators are looking to gain competitive advantage. In this episode, Lluc Palerm, Research Director at Analysys Mason, shares key insights from a recent white paper on how software-ground systems can help legacy players compete. He will discuss what strategies can help operators thrive in the era of space disruption.
Register for the upcoming webinar here.
Get the white paper here.
In this episode, Colonel Richard Kniseley from the Space Systems Command's Commercial Space Office (COMSO) delves into the U.S. military’s strategy for incorporating commercial space capabilities to strengthen national defense. Col. Kniseley outlines the "buy before build" approach, discusses the benefits of commercial services like satellite communications and tactical surveillance for military readiness, and highlights the growing role of industry partnerships in space domain awareness. Learn about the Commercial Augmentation Space Reserve (CASR) program and its tailored frameworks for commercial space providers, offering insights into how the U.S. Department of Defense is adapting its acquisition processes and funding models to accelerate innovation and meet evolving warfighter needs.
Industry leaders dive deep into the revolutionary potential of software-defined satellites and how these satellites are transforming the way operators can dynamically adjust capacity and coverage in orbit to meet customer demand, opening doors to new revenue streams and innovative services. Hear from experts on how a more dynamic ground system plays a key role in unlocking these possibilities and providing a competitive edge. Don't miss this inside look at the future of satellite technology!
On the Constellations Podcast, the overall importance of GPS by commercial and military will be discussed. Hear from Ian Canning, President and CEO of the Eutelsat America Corporation and OneWeb Technologies Inc. (EACOWT) as he discusses reasons and strategies to support position, navigation and timing. He will also describe the capabilities of operators in LEO to enhance resiliency for government communications, especially in regards to GPS/GNSS challenged environments. Hear Ian talk about the role LEO is playing in the evolution of U.S. military satellite communication, driven by the need for faster decisions which require faster connectivity. Mr. Canning emphasizes that LEO constellations have specific advantages when it comes to resiliency, such as the difficulty to target and take out an entire LEO system versus one GEO satellite.
Direct-to-Device satellite connectivity is being touted as a way to bridge terrestrial connectivity gaps, and the past year has seen major developments in the D2D space. Jacques Leduc, CEO of Terrestar Solutions and a founding member of the Mobile Satellite Services Association discusses how 3GPP 5G standards, access to spectrum and partnerships will drive the D2D market going forward.
The satellite industry is transforming with software-defined networking, unlocking global connectivity anywhere, anytime. Software-defined satellites, which can shift capacity on-demand, are key to this change, enabling flexible business models to meet evolving needs. Carmel Ortiz, Senior VP of Technology and Innovation at Intelsat, joins us to discuss how these satellites are revolutionizing the industry and addressing market challenges. Tune in to learn about the future of connectivity.
As a complement to this podcast and to get the full ground and satellite story, check out the Satellite World podcast that focuses on how software-defined ground supports these new flexible payloads.
In a disrupted industry, new innovations and unique ways of thinking are more important than ever. In this podcast, hear from John Gedmark – CEO and Co-Founder at Astranis Space Technologies – about his knowledge on changing small GEO satellite technology, new military applications, and the shift toward scaled GEO deployments.
Communications networks underpin the services and applications that are critical to consumer well-being and business growth, which has amplified the impact of network outages. In this episode, Sergy Mummert, SVP, Sales Global Cloud & Strategic Partnerships at SES Networks, joins us to discuss how advances in satellite technology are enabling a more resilient network fabric.
While LEOs may be receiving most of the attention, an emerging technology is rising to the stratosphere in the form of High Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS). HAPS have the potential to unlock the Earth's stratosphere and enhance global connectivity, offering significant opportunities across various industries, including telecommunications, high-resolution Earth observation, weather prediction, and modeling. Though both LEOs and HAPS are used for communication, surveillance, and data collection, they differ greatly in design, functionality, and use cases. To share insights into the similarities and differences between LEOs and HAPS, we are joined by Russ Van Der Werff, Vice President of the HAPS Alliance and VP of Stratospheric Solutions at Aerostar.
In this episode, we dive into the rapidly evolving space and satellite industry, covering both military and commercial sectors. Our guest, a space industry veteran with over 40 years of experience in the U.S. Air Force as a senior space researcher and leader, shares insights on the challenges of building large, custom satellites in the past. Highlighting the need for rapid satellite configuration and launch capabilities, he explains that commercial space has many advantages, as it tends to innovate faster than the military and emphasizes the critical role of space in modern warfare, where conflicts are measured in hours, not days or months.
On this Constellations Podcast, we discuss the Space RCO and the challenges of delivering timely, combat-capable space and ground systems. This episode covers key priorities, including programs like Satellite Communication Augmentation Resource (SCAR) and Rapid Resilient Command and Control (R2C2). Hear about the importance of leveraging commercial products, collaborating with international partners, and enhancing space operations through better synchronization of assets.
There have been many predictions about the consolidation of the GSaaS players, but it doesn’t seem to be as quickly as expected. In this podcast, we discuss what might be the why behind GSaaS providers continuing to hold steadfast for the most part. Listen to Brad Bode, CTO at ATLAS Space Operations, as for his take on the market, the changing applications for GSaaS beyond EO and why software is critical in ground systems.
An estimated 26,104 smallsats will be launched between 2023-2032 according to Novaspace. With so much growth on the horizon, how will regulatory efforts keep pace? What role will regulations play in terms of protecting the spectrum? How can interference be avoided to ensure a level playing field for new and incumbent players? Constellations discussed the role of regulation in the rapidly growing and evolving small satellite world with the ITU.
In this episode, we focus on how the ground segment is evolving to support the emergence of small satellites in orbit. Join our guest, Ron Faith, CEO and President of RBC Signals, as he talks all things GSaaS and smallsats and explains why satellite operators and service providers need to start thinking of the ground segment first rather than last.
In this episode, Al Tadros, Chief Technology Officer at Redwire discusses artificial intelligence (AI) and how it enhances Space Domain Awareness (SDA). Artificial intelligence promises to extend the performance and capability of control systems, machine vision and robotics across the domains. Al describes one of the promises for space domain awareness as being the ability to put machine vision in orbit using AI algorithms. Hear him describe datasets and simulations to train on so that characterization and intent can be determined. Learn about AI promising to advance autonomous maneuvering and navigation, even deciding whether to maneuver or not based on the incoming object.
On today’s podcast, hear from Erin Miller, Executive Director, Space ISAC, and Ernest Campos, Co-chair of the Space Innovations Test Bed (SITB) for Space ISAC and Senior Account Executive for Space Programs at AMERICAN SYSTEMS Corporation. They will talk about the commercial industry facing an onslaught of cyber-attacks and other threats and ways that the Space ISAC is enabling a resource that can help. Learn about examples of how you test vulnerabilities as they walk through specific scenarios. Hear about the responsibilities of public disclosure and why it is important, especially with the rise of threats and sophisticated attacks.
On the Constellations Podcast, we’ll discuss data, data visualization, and processing data for better understanding. In this episode, Paul Graziani, CEO of COMSPOC, talks about Space Situational Awareness (SSA) and the value of data fusion in enhancing SSA. Paul describes the various data sources for SSA, such as optical data from telescopes, RF data from sensors, and radar data from ground-based or transmitter sources. He also explains how these sources differ. David discusses observing data and determining its integrity using a Kalman filter. He highlights the vast number of live and dead objects in space, as well as suspiciously maneuvering spacecraft. Mr. Graziani emphasizes data fusion as a key solution to this problem. He describes the ecosystem of companies, governments, labs, and academics that collectively serve the mission of SSA more effectively.
In this episode, Novaspace consultant Gabriel Deville will cover the current state and outlook of Space Situational Awareness. SSA is a rapidly growing field, with over 80% of data collected by government agencies, making it predominantly government-focused. Gabriel will address the different SSA needs of defense, civil, and commercial sectors, and the shift from geostationary to low Earth orbit as investments in in-orbit services increase. He will also discuss the $3 billion government investment in in-orbit services, crucial for space operations' flexibility, sustainability, and safety, and the market’s need for a substantial customer base before it becomes a true buyer's market.
Game Changers is a limited series of short podcasts focused on pivotal new technologies or trends. In this episode, Alexandre Tisserant of Kinéis explains satellite IoT and the multiple applications and benefits that come from it. This limited series is brought to you by Constellations and Novaspace and highlights some of the key innovative topics that will be addressed at the upcoming World Space Business Week.
Game Changers is a limited series of short podcasts focused on pivotal new technologies or trends. In this episode, Phil Carrai of Kratos Space walks us through the impact of virtual ground systems on the satellite and space industries. This limited series is brought to you by Constellations and Novaspace and highlights some of the key innovative topics that will be addressed at the upcoming World Space Business Week.
In this episode, Igor Alonso Portillo and Eliot Nelson from KSAT explore the dynamic landscape of satellite constellations, the impact of recent market consolidation, and spectrum allocation. Hear how advancements like onboard propulsion and edge computing are shaping the future of space technology while considering the implications of increased private sector involvement and the global dependence on satellite data.
Game Changers is a limited series of short podcasts focused on pivotal new technologies or trends. In this episode, Scott Wisniewski of AST SpaceMobile gives us an update on the direct-to-device market, what makes it so important and what to expect next. This limited series is brought to you by Constellations and Novaspace and highlights some of the key innovative topics that will be addressed at the upcoming World Space Business Week.
The need for operational flexibility for satellites in orbit has only grown. Tens of thousands of satellites means tens of thousands of opportunities for disaster. Our guest Kevin Lausten, President of Morpheus Space, is joining us today to talk about the technology behind satellite mobility, how it is evolving with smallsat designs and how its applications are growing beyond collision avoidance to support an emerging need for understanding what satellites are doing in space.
Game Changers is a limited series of short podcasts focused on pivotal new technologies or trends. In this episode, Melissa Quinn of Slingshot Aerospace walks us through the impact of artificial intelligence on the satellite and space industries. This limited series is brought to you by Constellations and Novaspace and highlights some of the key innovative topics that will be addressed at the upcoming World Space Business Week.
In this episode, SES Space and Defense Vice President of Product Management Michael Geist discusses the evolving landscape of multi-orbit satellite capabilities. The integration of LEO, MEO and GEO orbits is poised to enhance connectivity and operational resilience. As governments and commercial entities increasingly embrace multi-orbit strategies, the industry builds a stronger foundation for a more adaptable and resilient future in satcom.
- An increase in demand for MEO and LEO services has not resulted in a drop in demand for GEO.
- CASR, or the Commercial Augmented Space Reserve, is a new way for commercial companies to support military satellites in orbit.
- Geist predicts that the largest disruptor in MILSATCOM will be digitization, which will act as a gateway technology to automating many satellite networking functions.
Chapters:
0:26 – Introducing Michael Geist, SES Space and Defense
0:58 – the unique abilities of LEO, MEO and GEO
3:44 – multi-orbit capabilities and resilience through diversity
5:49 – shifts in popularity between orbits
7:07 – military satellites in orbit via CASR (Commercial Augmented Space Reserve)
8:57 – hybrid SATCOM architecture
11:05 – challenges in making CASR successful
13:33 – space data relay services
15:03 – Prediction: what will be the biggest technology disruptors in MILSATCOM?
About Constellations: Constellations is a podcast and publication by Kratos covering the new generation of space network technologies. Our core interests are space networks, softwarization, terrestrial-space interoperability, the ground segment, security—and, of course, the growing space economy.
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The podcast publishes biweekly on Wednesday mornings.
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The podcast has featured leading CEOs, analysts, and government guests from Space Force, AFRL, the White House, and more.
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By size, our audience is space industry leaders, engineers, military/civil space, and academia.
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We publish article contributions from outside organizations and have ongoing content partnerships with DIFI, Space ISAC, Space Intel Report, and Analysys Mason.
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Sign up to receive our newsletter: www.kratosdefense.com/constellations/newsletters
Game Changers is a limited podcast series about the game-changing technologies that will be discussed at the upcoming World Space Business Week. Tune in every Tuesday leading up to the event to hear experts answer 3 quick, hard-hitting questions to explain how they are changing the game.
In this episode, Robert Carlisle of Argo Space walks us through the impact of in-space transportation on the satellite and space industries.
Globally recognized organizations are exploring different advanced communication technologies from RF to laser links. Hear Jean Francois Morizur, Founder and CEO of Cailabs, share insights on the market for laser communications and how lasers complement the role of RF signals in satellite connectivity.
- Lasers require no spectrum access enhancing their ability global satellite connectivity.
- Novaspace predicts that launches of satellites with laser communication terminals on board will double year over year.
- Lasers provide an additional layer of security as they qualify as LPD/LPI (low probability of detection or intercept).
Chapters:
0:19 – Introducing Jean-Francois (JF) Morizur, CEO of Cailabs
1:06 – Satellites communicating via radio frequency
3:51 – main differences between RF and laser
6:20 – optical ground stations
9:03 – adding laser to traditional ground stations
11:29 – intersatellite laser links
13:22 – are laser links secure?
14:43 – government push for laser
15:28 – downlink to earth (DTE) applications
17:23 – best use cases for laser and satellite networks
20:04 – multi-orbit links
21:52 – Prediction: will laser completely replace RF?
About Constellations: Constellations is a podcast and publication by Kratos covering the new generation of space network technologies. Our core interests are space networks, softwarization, terrestrial-space interoperability, the ground segment, security—and, of course, the growing space economy.
-
The podcast publishes biweekly on Wednesday mornings.
-
The podcast has featured leading CEOs, analysts, and government guests from Space Force, AFRL, the White House, and more.
-
By size, our audience is space industry leaders, engineers, military/civil space, and academia.
-
We publish article contributions from outside organizations and have ongoing content partnerships with DIFI, Space ISAC, Space Intel Report, and Analysys Mason.
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Sign up to receive our newsletter: www.kratosdefense.com/constellations/newsletters
Highly-anticipated WILD WILD SPACE brings the space industry into your home! Constellations spoke with Ross Kauffman and Ashlee Vance, the team behind the upcoming HBO original documentary WILD WILD SPACE. The original HBO documentary follows three rocket and satellite companies – Astra, Rocket Lab, and Planet – and the quests of their idiosyncratic founders to conquer the burgeoning space industry.
New business models for software-defined satellites: this episode features Florian Thirion, Senior Product and Portfolio Marketing Manager at Airbus Defence and Space. New software-defined satellites give operators the capability to scale their business models and diversify the services they deliver to customers.
- Over 27,000 satellites with flexible architectures are forecasted to be manufactured and launched between 2021 and 2031.
- Software-defined satellites enables lower and progressive CapEx, can share capacity between operators, and have lower overall operation costs.
- In coming years, high throughput laser links between GEO and ground architecture will allow from 10-100 gigabits of massive data transfer.
Chapters:
0:00 – introducing Florian Thirion, Airbus Defence and Space
1:25 – current state of the satellite market
2:42 – why the industry is moving towards software-defined satellites
4:10 – bent-pipe satellites vs. software-defined satellites
6:55 – new capabilities made possible
8:25 – best applications for software-defined satellites
10:11 – increasing revenue and lowering CapEx
11:50 – working with ground systems
14:17 – multi-orbit orchestration
14:50 – prediction: software-defined satellites in five years
17:44 – building cloud connectivity in satellite
19:36 – long-term sustainability in space
About Constellations: Constellations is a podcast and publication by Kratos covering the new generation of space network technologies. Our core interests are space networks, softwarization, terrestrial-space interoperability, the ground segment, security—and, of course, the growing space economy.
- The podcast publishes biweekly on Wednesday mornings.
- The podcast has featured leading CEOs, analysts, and government guests from Space Force, AFRL, the White House, and more.
- By size, our audience is space industry leaders, engineers, military/civil space, and academia.
- We publish article contributions from outside organizations and have ongoing content partnerships with DIFI, Space ISAC, Space Intel Report, and Analysys Mason.
- \Sign up to receive our newsletter: www.kratosdefense.com/constellations/newsletters
5G from space holds the promise to make mobile connectivity accessible to everyone and everywhere. Past efforts to mainstream satellite communications did not have the advantage that 5G brings - a single technology standard that enables Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and satellite service providers to complement each other’s networks to deliver nearly ubiquitous, instantaneous, connectivity for large numbers of devices globally. With us today on Constellations Podcast is Lucas Hansen, Vice President and General Manager of Wireless and Satellite Direct-to-Device Communications at Keysight Technologies to discuss the opportunities, challenges, use cases and future of 5G from space.
On the Constellations Podcast we’ll discuss the Space Development Agency (SDA) looking at taking capabilities and technologies that are already mature and integrating them into a solution for the military. During this episode, Colonel Kalliroi Landry, Space Development Agency, will discuss why the commercial model is attractive to the SDA, the challenges of DoD acquisition methods and the shift towards information services. Hear Colonel Landry describe getting capability to the warfighter on a relevant timeline and new technology coming out of the commercial industry that hasn't readily been available to the DoD before. Colonel Landry provides examples such as establishing ground entry points worldwide and the advancement of phased array antennas, which allow multiple satellite contacts per ground terminal.
As more than 80 percent of global trade volume is shipped by sea, countries’ participation in the international supply chains depends on reliable maritime connectivity. In this podcast, Pacôme Revillon, CEO of Novaspace, joins us to explain the role of satellite in solving this challenge including the ROI of maritime connectivity, the outlook on autonomous vessels and the impact of Starlink on the market.
On this Constellations Podcast, we explore the evolution of the satellite terminals. Join our panel of experts to understand how the digital transformation of satellite networks has opened the door to orchestrated and automated operations across multiple orbits.
As space becomes increasingly dynamic, the industry is turning to software to move faster, become more automated, and agile. This is evident in how satellites and ground systems are becoming much more software defined, integrated, and orchestrated to enable new and more flexible business models. In this Constellations Podcast, we have with us an outstanding panel of experts that will discuss the “softwarization” of satellites and ground systems and the increasing integration between the two.
Listen to Colonel Michael Christensen, currently stationed at the Pentagon and serving as the director of test and evaluation for the US Space Force. Discover why it's imperative to transform our testing approach to meet the unique challenges of space. Learn about the significance of integrated testing and why involving real operators in test teams is crucial to ensure testing meets the demands of end operators. Colonel Christensen discusses the importance of modeling and simulation in stress-testing systems before construction begins. He underscores the necessity of collaboration with mission partners to fulfill the critical roles and functions of the Space Force. Additionally, he addresses the difficulty of shifting mindsets to effectively operate in contested environments.
Last year Space Foundation valued the space economy at $546 billion, a number they expect to reach $772 billion by 2027. Through technological advancements and decreased barriers to entry companies across the globe have entered the space ecosystem in hopes off growing their businesses portfolios and revenue streams. Hear Kelli Kedis Ogborn, Vice President of Space Commerce and Entrepreneurship, Space Foundation share key market drivers, growing international interest in space, and switching from the Apollo era to the era of Artemis.
On this Constellations Podcast hear about a communications network that does not have to touch the Internet. Declan Ganley, CEO of Rivada and Konrad Nieradka, Vice President of Product Management of Rivada discuss connected communications with a laser mesh network in space and how standards like Carrier Ethernet are shaping the future of enterprise communications.
In the history of space, satellite terminal designs have expanded and changed with the needs of end use cases and at the mercy of demanding applications…but not more so than the past 10 years. Hear John Finney, CEO of ALL.SPACE, explain the details and drivers advancing terminal technology for true high performance multi-orbit connectivity on the move.
In the past, “mission-adaptable” was not a phrase used to describe a satellite. Hear Sethu Saveda Suvanam, CEO and Found of ReOrbit, explain how on-board computing is fundamentally changing the way data moves in space – and how it can maximize data access security and speed.
Satellite has often been viewed as a transport of last resort, however that is rapidly changing as satellite networks digitally transform and adopt standards to become like today’s mainstream telecom networks. In this podcast episode, find out how standards such as Carrier Ethernet are playing a critical role in enabling satellite and telecommunications networks to converge to deliver services such as enterprise network extension, SD-WAN and IP services to hard-to-reach areas. Here to discuss the critical role of standards is Daniel Bar Lev, the VP of Strategic Programs at MEF. Daniel is responsible for the development and implementation of a range of strategic MEF programs that enable MEF’s 200+ members to accelerate the transformation of their networks and operations.
Take a deep dive with John Taylor, Chief Engineer for Swedish Space Corporation, into the technology behind advancing satellite ground systems in flexibility, scalability, and standardization. Many satellite industry players are embracing the “as-a-service” model for satellite service delivery especially in earth observation. Find out how today’s ground systems are supporting missions that are over a gigabit per second.
The space sector in the Middle East is highly dynamic, growing and being driven by evolving national ambitions and strategies. Leveraging their vast financial resources and strategic geographic location, the Middle East nations have increasingly gained prominence in the global space industry. Here to discuss the space sector development in the Middle East including the opportunities, challenges and the future is Steve Bochinger, the Affiliate Executive Advisor of Euroconsult. Steve has over 20 years of experience in the space sector and has vast knowledge across the space value chain from a commercial and government perspective.
2021 saw a record amount of private investment in space, followed by a significant downturn in 2022. Investments in the space sector once again fell in 2023, but many venture capitalists expect significant growth looking forward to the next few years. Space can be a tricky investment, requiring a long term view, but companies like Blue Origin and SpaceX show that massive innovation is still possible and likely. Our guest for today's episode is Justus Parmar, CEO of Fortuna Investments, here to discuss venture capital and finding profitability in the space sector, as well as highlights looking back on 2023 and the most exciting things to look forward to in 2024.
On the Constellations Podcast, we’ll discuss the DoD using commercial space capabilities, from launch to ISR data. During this episode, Dave Gauthier, Chief Strategy Officer, GXO, Inc., will discuss the challenges of DoD acquisition methods, the shift towards information services and leaning on the commercial industry for the critical advantage. The Space Force Commercial Services Office looking at bringing capabilities in as fast as their ready and incentivizing industry to work with the government to address the risks and options companies face. In this episode, David explains the power of electro-optical, including innovative solutions going beyond what the human eye can see, and provides example applications such as aggregating optical imagery with other forms of data such as remote sensing to gain better insight.
A digital transformation has begun in the modelling and simulation of spacecrafts. Today complete complex simulations can occur within minutes as opposed to days. Legacy desktop software solutions and costly in-house machines are being replaced by high-performance and scalable simulation in the cloud. Bridging the virtual and physical world has the potential to offer organizations substantial costs savings, cut-time-to-orbit and improve the entire process for developing spacecrafts. Here to discuss the massive potential of digital twins technology is Robbie Robertson, CEO and Co-founder of Sedaro, a start up that is revolutionizing engineering simulation and virtualization with digital twins in the cloud.
On the Constellations podcast, hear how the White House wants to impact the next generation of space exploration. During this episode, Dr. Ezinne Uzo-Okoro, Assistant Director for Space Policy at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) talks about space weather, Earth observation, and space data. There are several areas that require attention from the White House, either in providing a presidential vision or an executable strategy that the entire Federal Government can implement. Hear Dr. Uzo-Okoro discuss the White House’s mission to create and leverage innovation to advance America’s goals.
The idea of High Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS) is not new…it has been around since 1945, but over the years the technology has been evolving and maturing to be able to effectively support the needs of the market. This is in large part because of a growing number of new players and approaches in the HAPS market moving beyond technology demonstrations to viable commercial solutions. Here to discuss their breakthrough HAPS technology and the opportunities and challenges of bringing the innovative solution to market is Samer Halawi, the CEO of AALTO.
On this Constellations Podcast, we explore taking advantage of high-speed bandwidth that coherent light free space optics can provide and driving that capacity into space. During this episode, Chris Taylor, CEO of Aalyria talks about connecting everything we touch through sea, air and space. He discusses spectrum being finite and explains that by using light, free space optics, you are broadening choices and opening up capability where it did not exist. In addition, he addresses the demands of connectivity for humanity and that free space optics is a solution that may help get more people connected.
On the Constellations Podcast, we’ll discuss the Watch Center at the Space Information Sharing and Analysis Center or Space ISAC. During this episode, guests Joel Francis, Watch Center lead at Space ISAC, and Kevin Coggins, Senior Advisor to Space ISAC will discuss the purpose of the Watch Center and the types of data brought into the Watch Center for analysis. The Watch Center looks to monitor, analyze, and report information for its members, for example, the recent cyberattacks targeting ground segments and enterprise networks. Hear about the four primary data sources and the Space ISAC's role in facilitating the exchange of knowledge from all sources so that people can provide and benefit from the Watch Center.
According to a recent Bloomberg Intelligence report, “The world is poised to see an explosion of growth in the generative AI sector over the next ten years that promises to fundamentally change the way the technology sector operates.” To learn more about the potential of this transformational technology for the space industry, we have with us, Buffy Wajvoda, Head of Solutions Architects, AWS Space & Satellite. She will provide her perspective on the opportunities, risks and future of the technology for the space industry. Buffy is an experienced leader with a demonstrated history of working in public cloud and big data in a range of industries from aerospace and satellite to the U.S. government.
Join Steve Good, Chief Business Officer at Ramon.Space, to learn how space resilient computing infrastructure is transforming fixed satellites into flexible ones, the applications for “earth-like” computing on orbit, and how a smart satellite can leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning to contribute to humankind’s knowledge of space and space operations.
On the Constellations Podcast, we’ll discuss the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP), Colorado University's oldest research institute. LASP has a rich history, going back to World War II, launching science payloads on captured German B2s in the White Sand Missile Range. It is now an international organization, reaching universities across the world engaged in research leveraging Cubesats. During this episode, Spencer Boyajian, Professional Research Assistant, Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) talks about the work and INSPIRE, an international program to train students to participate in internationally collaborative missions, and elaborates on the INSPIRE spacecraft bus being built as an open domain hardware architecture developed jointly by partner universities. He talks about tracking several of the space missions LASP has been a part of as many are still being studied and tracked using university-owned ground station equipment and data from services such as AWS and KSAT.
In this episode, join Nathan de Ruiter, Managing Director of Euroconsult Canada, as he covers the state of play and prospects for the satellite communication sector, the shifting tides of revenue opportunities, and potential changes that will disrupt the SATCOM market.
On the Constellations Podcast, we’ll discuss the changing face of space sustainability, autonomously tracking objects with radar and leveraging artificial intelligence to manage large quantities of dynamic data. During this episode, Dr. Rachit Bhatia, Space Safety Analytics and Research Lead, LeoLabs, talks about surveillance of low Earth orbit (LEO) with ground-based radar and why radar is best suited for LEO monitoring and tracking. Hear Dr. Bhatia elaborate on the difference between conjunction and collision, address the significant amount of objects in space just from the Cold War era, and posit that global cooperation and continuous communication will be required for complete space domain awareness.
Over 20,000 smallsats are being launched over the next decade driven by the growing demand for data and services across the globe. All these new constellations need scalable, flexible, and on-demand ground services. This is driving the growth of the Ground Station as a Service (GSaaS) market. The market grew at 8.5% CAGR over the last five years and will continue to grow at a slightly slower pace over the next five years according to Euroconsult. To delve deeper into the GSaaS market and its future, we have with us today, Giovanni Pandolfi Bortoletto, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Office of Leaf Space – a GSaaS provider that operates a fully owned, globally distributed network of ground stations.
On the Constellations Podcast, we’ll discuss geo-registration incorporating artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve accuracy greatly. During this episode, Ken Campbell, President of Edgybees Incorporated, will talk about how geo-registration is aligning or matching digital maps and images to real-world locations on the Earth's surface. Ken talks about how crucial it is for navigation, remote sensing, and many other fields where precise location is essential. He describes ground control points and spatially referencing an image with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In addition, Ken addresses the ability to geo-registrate data into digitized maps or images for an accurate picture and location of where things are.
On the Constellations Podcast, we’ll discuss how future satellite, cellular, and Wi-Fi communication technology might evolve. During this episode, David Witkowski will talk about the evolving communication ecosystem. Hear David describe how the IEEE is considering satellite in the development of future releases of the 3GPP standard and how satellite broadband is already helping to close the digital divide. LEO broadband has already begun serving ground networks and David raises concerns about the network's capacity, and whether or not the LEO network can handle that amount of traffic.
The past two years have been rocky for space investors. Matt O’Connell, operating partner at Data Collective Venture Capital, explains what caused this pause in space investment, and more importantly, what we should expect going forward. Matt will also discuss what space investors are looking for, and how those seeking investment can improve their investment pitches. He’ll also discuss the applications that will drive the market in 2023 and beyond, ChatGPT, AI, and the impact of government spending on the health of the space industry.
The smallsat industry is growing by leaps and bounds. Euroconsult estimates that one ton per day of smallsats will be launched on average over the next ten years. With this insatiable demand in the market, how is the manufacturing of smallsats keeping pace? To shed some light on this question, we have with us today, Mike Kaplan, the Vice President of Business Development for LeoStella, a specialized satellite constellation design and manufacturing company. Mike is an expert across multiple space domains with extensive experience in both government and commercial industries, previously holding senior leadership positions at NASA, Boeing, Raytheon Technologies, Ball Aerospace, and Space Systems Loral.
Until 2020, there were millions of people in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region with little or no access to the Internet. In this podcast, discover the technology it takes to connect the unconnected across the unique landscape and communities within APAC.
On this Constellations Podcast we’ll discuss space sustainability, what it means and how it is changing. During this episode, Dr. Brian Weeden, Director of Program Planning, Secure World Foundation will discuss working with governments, industry, international organization and others to hopefully avoid conflicts in space, supporting a safer, more sustainable space environment. Hear Dr. Weeden talk about the number of constellations currently in space and the role commercial industry has played in managing over 7,000 payloads. He raises concerns regarding how different constellations will operate close to each other and how they will interface - especially if they each have their own autonomous maneuvering systems. Dr. Weeden discusses the commercial industry offering more diversified sources of data collection and more information into how space awareness data is generated. With different objectives than the military, there is more transparency in the commercial industry.
We know that we can use satellite earth observation technology to better understand our world – but now it seems possible to leverage satellites to maximize operational efficiency across multiple industries. In this Constellations Podcast, we are joined by Sateliot CEO Jaume Sanpera to discuss nanosatellites, the evolution of IoT over satellite, and how 5G IoT can solve big problems in the agriculture, transportation, energy industries and more all over the world.
In the past satellites have often been viewed by telecom service providers as a last resort of transport. As satellite looks to move from being a niche application that holds 1% of the telecom market to becoming a mainstream part of the global telecom eco-system where there is a growing move towards convergence. In this Constellations podcast, a panel of experts will discuss the opportunities, challenges and new business approaches taken by satellite and teleport operators to deepen integration with terrestrial telecommunications providers.
With billions of new devices coming online, satellite and network connectivity will become increasingly more complex and our expectations more demanding. In this episode of Constellations, we will look at what it will take to enable the new connectivity of the future. Our guests today are Rivada Space Network's Chief Program Officer, Clemens Kaiser and Chief Commercial Officer, Ronald van der Breggen. Rivada is in the process of building a space network comprised of satellites linked by optical satellite technology. Our guests discuss the growth of optical technology and what it means for satellite data networks, the role of optical intra-satellite links in creating a space network, the trade-off between optical and RF technology and the implications of optical communications on satellite ground stations.
Digitally transformative technologies have been making their way across the satellite industry. From the core to gateways, in orbit and on the ground – there’s no denying that space communications is starting to become more like space IT. Hear a panel of experts from XipLink, Kratos, and NSR, an Analysys Mason company, discuss how digital transformation is changing satellite communications at the remote terminal also known as “the edge.”
On the Constellations Podcast, we’ll discuss how the government can pivot and adjust in the way it procures defense technology. During this episode, Colonel Michelle Idle, the Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, Space Systems Command, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California will discuss SSC’s Front Door Initiative to help improve their outreach into the commercial sector. Space Systems Command (SSC) is looking to capture the vast amounts of commercial space industry expertise as quickly as possible. The SSC is working on changing how they do business, both from how a requisition is received, how systems are acquired, and how they're delivered. Hear Colonel Idle explain how ongoing Industry Days help the government learn more about existing commercial expertise that can be leveraged, rather than reinventing the wheel.
On today’s Constellations Podcast, we’ll discuss emerging business and technology trends in Earth observation. With us today is Aravind Ravichandran, founder of TerraWatch Space, a company devoted to providing insight to satellite Earth observation. In this episode, Aravind will discuss emerging business models and technical advances being employed by EO, such as “space-as-a-service” and “satellite-as-a-service”, data fusion and onboard computing. He will also discuss the difference between space strategy and data strategy and how they impact the EO industry. Listen as he discusses “sovereign earth observation”, essentially an EO strategy for national governments.
When satellites are 500 miles from their antennas, and aircraft are traveling at over 500 miles per hour, it is difficult to fathom ways to provide faster speeds and more reliable connectivity for passengers and crew. Listen to John Peterson, Iridium’s Executive Director of Aviation, as he helps us understand new technologies in the aero market that make it possible. Hear Mr. Peterson discuss how these technologies can improve performance and end-user experience and overcome the challenging physics of in-flight connectivity.
Guillaume Tanier, CEO and Co-founder of Leanspace, joined Constellations to discuss the benefits of software for space and satellite operations. Hear Mr. Tanier discuss the digitalization of the satellite ground segment including an explanation of the concept of digital continuity, the challenges of interfaces between providers, and how it is possible for developers to build their own ground segment in weeks, rather than years.
On this Constellations Podcast, we’ll cover a lot of territory... from space to the ground. Our guest today is Sita Sonty, Partner and Associate Director at Boston Consulting Group and their global lead for commercial space. In this episode, Sita will discuss the satellite revolution taking place in both space and on the ground Including the future of satellite connectivity, the growth of non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellites, the demand for multi-orbit antennas, and the virtualization of satellite ground systems.
5G is the fifth-generation technology standard for broadband cellular networks predicted to have more than 1.2 billion connections and cover one-third of the world’s population by 2025. The impact on the mobile industry and its customers will be profound, especially with the recent inclusion of satellites into the standard. This offers new opportunities for satellites to integrate with terrestrial networks to manage connectivity to cars, ships, planes and other IoT devices in remote and rural areas. Will this satellite and telco industry convergence be a revolution or an evolution? To share some research and insights on this question, we have with us today Yesmean Luk, a Senior Consultant at STL Partners. She has led and managed client projects with both operators and technology companies across a number of domains, including private networks, telco cloud, network slicing, edge computing and IoT.
On this episode of the Constellations Podcast, we’ll learn about the differences between OneWeb and OneWeb Technologies. Kevin Steen, CEO of OneWeb Technologies, will discuss how demand for broadband connectivity continues unabated with many government agencies requiring services. This includes not only the military but border protection, prison bureaus, policemen and first responders. IoT itself is not the reason for a LEO constellation, it is about mission-critical connectivity with low latency and resiliency. Kevin describes the need for time-sensitive, critical decision-making capabilities, with bandwidth and latency being key for relevant data availability. Additionally, Kevin talks about connectivity in places that currently do not have broadband, such as polar regions or UAV applications – any place where decisions are based on information coming from the edge.
The satellite industry has gone through tremendous innovation over the last few years with the emergence of software-defined payloads and LEO and MEO constellations. These new satellite architectures bring much more capacity and the ability to reconfigure and adjust payloads to changing missions on demand. Ground segment providers are embracing approaches proven in telecom and IT to overcome the scale and automation challenges being faced in the satellite industry. This has led to discussions focused on how virtualization, software-defined networking, and orchestration can enable ground networks to become much more agile to meet the new capabilities in space. To shed some light on these IT/Telecom concepts and how they can be applied to the satellite industry, we have with us Luc-Yves Pagal Vinette, an expert in networking concepts such as SDN/NFV, the edge and disaggregated networks. He is also the Product Marketing Director for 5G Service Orchestration, Network Slicing and Service Assurance at Amdocs.
In this Constellations Podcast, we’ll discuss the need for more terminals to be interoperable, including working on different frequency bands, different orbits, and different types of constellations. How the need is handled is less of a technology decision than a business discussion. During this episode of Constellations, Bill Milroy, Chairman and CTO, of ThinKom Solutions, discusses the business case for the types of capabilities needed in an antenna. He addresses the challenges of creating antennas for deployment in space vehicles, especially in the unique environment of space. He touches upon the idea of a software-defined antenna, which in the case of antennas would mean reconfigurable hardware that can work using different software on different systems. However, he also gave a different example of a software-defined antenna that included a phased array antenna mimicking a parabolic dish for one application while creating multiple beams to service a large number of satellites when the need for the parabolic dish passed. Bill thinks the market is moving towards a fusion of GEO and LEO to help shape IP traffic and giving solutions that are the best of both worlds.
On the Constellations Podcast, we’ll discuss emerging direct satellite-to-cell phone technology and how it could dramatically alter the relationship between satellite and terrestrial networks. With us today is Chris Quilty, Partner in Quilty Analytics, who will discuss the financial, technical and regulatory implications of direct satellite to cell phone connectivity now being explored, and in some cases deployed, by SpaceX and T-Mobile, Globalstar and Apple, and Iridium among others. Chris will discuss the different business models: using a mobile network operator’s (MNO) existing spectrum or using spectrum assigned to Mobile Satellite Services (MSS). Listen as he explains how this technology could impact cellular backhaul revenues and conclude with his thoughts on the challenges ahead for direct satellite to cell phone connectivity.
Imagine being able to download a full-length high-definition movie to your phone in seconds even when you’re in a car, ship or plane in remote and rural areas. That is the potential that 5G brings. High bandwidth and seamless connectivity to end users across a range of networks from terrestrial to satellite. 5G is about connecting things everywhere – reliably, without lag – and delivering a high-quality user experience. During this episode, Tom Stroup the President of the Satellite Industry Association (SIA) discusses the market drivers, opportunities, and challenges that 5G presents for the satellite industry. Tom is uniquely qualified to discuss this topic. He is well versed in the regulatory and policy issues of critical importance to the satellite industry, including spectrum and licensing issues, defense and public safety matters, and export control and international trade issues.
Imagine being able to download a full-length high-definition movie to your phone in seconds even when you’re in a car, ship or plane in remote and rural areas. That is the potential that 5G brings. High bandwidth and seamless connectivity to end users across a range of networks from terrestrial to satellite. 5G is about connecting things everywhere – reliably, without lag – and delivering a high-quality user experience. During this episode, Tom Stroup the President of the Satellite Industry Association (SIA) discusses the market drivers, opportunities, and challenges that 5G presents for the satellite industry. Tom is uniquely qualified to discuss this topic. He is well versed in the regulatory and policy issues of critical importance to the satellite industry, including spectrum and licensing issues, defense and public safety matters, and export control and international trade issues.
On the Constellations Podcast, we’ll discuss the most recent development in the integration of satellite and terrestrial networks – direct satellite to smart phone communications! Soon, someone with no cellular connectivity in a remote part of the country, or merely in a dead zone on the way to work, will have a new option — satellite connectivity without the need of a satellite phone. Charles Miller, co-founder and CEO of Lynk, a company developing a satellite-to-mobile phone satellite constellation that aims to provide a cell tower and space capability for global coverage. Charles will explain how it works, the difference between using a satellite for GPS and for communication, cell tower economics and the impact cell-to-satellite connectivity will have on markets as diverse as mining and commercial fishing.
On this Constellations Podcast, we’ll discuss the impact a growing number of lunar missions, like NASA’s Artemis lunar exploration program, will have on the satellite and space sector, especially the ground segment. We’ll discuss the differences between NHRO and GEO orbits and the CAPSTONE program from Advanced Space. Our guest today is Thomas Gardner, Director of Engineering/Mission Systems at Advanced Space, a Colorado space technology company now working with NASA on cislunar programs. Tom will discuss NASA’s space exploration program and Advanced Space’s role in it, advances in lunar navigation and communications, and NASA’s plan to land the first woman on the moon by 2024.
There are a number of companies introducing quantum key distribution for secure communications across optical fiber networks but the technology has yet to be applied across a constellation of small satellites in Low Earth Orbit to produce secure global coverage. Until now. On this Constellations Podcast, we welcome Dr. Mark Adams, Associate Professor, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Auburn University to discuss the basics of quantum information processing, how quantum key distribution (QKD) ups the game in data transmission security and moving from the BB84 scheme to fully entangled microwave sources for SmallSats.
On this Constellations Podcast, we’ll discuss the growing interest and investments surrounding today’s space efforts, particularly cislunar space. NASA is leading the forefront of this initiative and will soon launch Artemis I, an uncrewed moon-orbiting mission that includes different technology solutions offered by multiple commercial players. During this episode, we are joined by Al Tadros, CTO of Redwire, who walks us through the importance of sustainable space exploration and how Redwire is supporting the goal of a “sustainable presence” on the moon.
On this Constellations Podcast, we’ll discuss the growing interest and investments surrounding today’s space efforts, particularly cislunar space. NASA is leading the forefront of this initiative and will soon launch Artemis I, an uncrewed moon-orbiting mission that includes different technology solutions offered by multiple commercial players. During this episode, we are joined by Al Tadros, CTO of Redwire, who walks us through the importance of sustainable space exploration and how Redwire is supporting the goal of a “sustainable presence” on the moon.
On this Constellations Podcast, we’ll discuss the first anniversary of STARCOM. Hear Major General Shawn Bratton, Commander, Space Training and Readiness Command of the United States Space Force explain STARCOM and how it is training the Space Force for competition and conflict in the Space domain. What are Major General Bratton’s priorities as the first commander of STARCOM? The first answer is an independent professional military education for the Space Force. What will it will take to prepare Guardians training for space missions? How do you weigh the value of live training versus training in a simulator? STARCOM is relying on experts such as astronauts from NASA that do an incredible amount of training with simulators and advice from other parts of the Space Force such as the Space Warfighting Analysis Center. Listen as Major General Bratton explains a new series of complex training exercises called the Sky Series.
On the Constellations Podcast, we’ll discuss how the Space Development Agency (SDA) is accelerating the development of space-based capabilities for the warfighter. The SDA is focused on enabling data to get to the tactical edge on relevant timelines, i.e. lowering data latency. They are accelerating capabilities with spiral development, working with the idea that getting to a solution that is 80% complete and viable in two years is better than an exquisite solution that will take five years. During this episode of Constellations, Dr. Frank Turner, Technical Director of the Space Development Agency, explains spiral development, how it is used and why it is helping to get data to the warfighter quicker. He discusses the difference between the SDA’s tracking and transport layer and Tranches, what they are and how part of their goal is to set a level playing field for each company that wants to participate. Dr. Turner also talked about optical inter-satellite links and building a mesh network in space. Hear Dr. Turner explain how the SDA is trying to help both industry and DoD understand how to support the warfighter communicate.
Real-time video collaboration is a given in our day-to-day lives here on Earth, but how about in deep space? On this Constellations Podcast, we’ll talk about how deep space video collaboration differs from video collaboration here on Earth. Deep space communication is becoming an important topic with the upcoming launch of NASA’s Artemis 1 mission around the Moon. The mission will be the first test of video collaboration technology off planet. During this episode, Jono Luk, VP of Product Management at Webex will discuss the difficulties of video communications in deep space and explain how these issues can be overcome to support NASA’s Artemis Program.
On this Constellations Podcast, we’ll discuss the emerging dual-use technologies coming from the commercial space market and what to consider when making investments in these technologies. Joining us today is Jordan Noone, Co-founder of Embedded Ventures, a next-generation venture capital firm investing in dual-use space startups beyond launch. During this episode, Jordan walks us through the first-of-its-kind partnership between Embedded Ventures and the United States Space Force, the ‘beyond launch’ technologies the venture capital firm invests in, and the growth seen within the industry over the last quarter century.
There are still many places in the world that have little to no access to the Internet. In Alaska, an estimated 40,000 rural households are disadvantaged in access to healthcare, education, timely emergency services, and basic communication because there is little to no reliable Internet connectivity. Advances in technology, such as software-defined smallsats, have aided in developing a business case for delivering service in the most remote places. On this Constellations Podcast, Shawn Williams, VP of Government Affairs and Strategy for Pacific Dataport, walks through the process of building a network that overcomes the challenges of Alaska while providing the performance we enjoy in the cities.
On the Constellations Podcast, we’ll discuss the growth of LEO and how it is supporting a void 5G was meant to fill. You will learn about the surprising ways having reliable connectivity, even if it is really low bandwidth, can bring high rewards. During this episode, Bill Ray, VP Analyst for Gartner Research and part of Gartner's emerging technologies and trends office, will discuss topics his company has been following within the satellite market. Launch capacity has increased, not just in the United States, but globally and has brought with it value even in areas like sub-Saharan Africa. Phased array antennas are complicated, yet are considered an inexpensive innovation critical to this market. Hear Bill explain how several companies are starting to invest in the vertical markets rather than satellites, concentrating on the services available such as data and data analytics. Finally, a short discussion on asset tracking – a capability offering greater efficiencies for many businesses around the globe.
On the Constellations Podcast, we’ll discuss how satellite communications are being impacted by the introduction of laser terminals for ground, air, and space. Radio frequency (RF)-based communications have been the constant for transmitting reasonable amounts of data in space, but the movement from analog to digital signals has opened the door for some new methods of data transmission. While RF may be here to stay for wide area coverage situations, optical communication lasers have emerged into the market for high bandwidth, high-security point-to-point communications on earth and in space. During this episode, Bulent Altan, CEO of Mynaric, will examine why laser terminal technology is one of the more prominent disruptors entering the global communications market. Hear Bulent outline the adoption of laser across the global space network and how its implementation will impact the future of space communications.
On this Constellations Podcast, we’ll discuss the business of being an end-to-end spacecraft company. The economies of scale and price points available are changing the model in a positive way, supporting a new space ecosystem that benefits many players. A lot of the actual hardware being deployed in smallsats, had its start in ground-based IT, with smallsats beginning to adopt hardware that's very similar – which is not traditional. During this episode, Josh Duncan, Business Development Lead from Blue Canyon Technologies will discuss the benefits of virtualization and how it is accelerating into the space domain. He will talk about the unique opportunities in smallsat, including the ability to rideshare. Hear Josh explain how the whole ecosystem has to fit together, including all the parts in architecture, launch, and comm in order to get an end product out to the user in a responsive timeframe
On this Constellations Podcast, we’ll discuss the entire ecosystem of capabilities in space and envisioning how one might use those capabilities in new and novel ways. Dr. Costa describes the challenge of commercial companies designing an asset to do different things that were not necessarily envisioned for that asset, a key architectural component for putting hardware into space to create resiliency and redundancy. The more innovative industry can be, the more the Space Force can partner with them, and take advantage of their skills, their assets, and their on-orbit capabilities. Dr. Costa’s office is focused on disruptive and asymmetric capabilities that ensure the U.S. and its allies have the necessary space capabilities needed every day. When it comes to outpacing our adversaries, Dr. Costa is a big believer in not just catching up, but leapfrogging ahead.
On the Constellations Podcast, we’ll discuss the vast amount of debris now in space and how space companies are mitigating this problem through autonomous avoidance services. Dual-use technologies are becoming more prevalent for military and commercial applications, how do companies differentiate between users and their applications? The proliferation of constellations and taking advantage of different orbital regimes means there are consequences from an orbit phenomenology standpoint. There must be an understanding of those consequences which may also include emissions and RF interference with gateways and co-orbital objects. Learn about sharing data and the different levels of access permissions that should be addressed so that the right data is always with the right people.
In this Constellations Podcast, we'll examine the growing impact Artificial Intelligence (AI) is having on LEO constellations and how they can help satellites understand what they can and cannot do during a mission. Listen as Nathan De Ruiter, Managing Director of Euroconsult Canada and Scott Herman, CEO of Cognitive Space discuss how a projected 50,000 satellite constellation will turn to AI to manage and enhance constellation management, security and utilization.
The satellite industry makes up 1% of the much larger global telecommunications market. There is a huge growth opportunity for satellite service providers to gain a larger share of the market if they adopt key technology enablers to seamlessly integrate with telecom carriers. In this Constellations Podcast hear Lluc Palerm, Consultant at NSR and Chris Boyd, Vice-President of Product Management at Kratos discuss new market opportunities where satellite can extend today’s global communication networks. The conversation will also focus on how satellite service providers can seamlessly integrate with telecom carriers to deliver these new services. This conversation builds on a recently released NSR report entitled “Telecom-Satellite Digital Network Integration: The Keys to New Market Opportunities. “
The concept of intellectual property is complex but critical to foster innovation in all industries. But how does it work in space? In such a booming industry, how is new technology protected? While the number of countries and commercial players involved keeps increasing, it is important to understand how innovation is regulated and most importantly protected. In this case, we do not only cross borders, we go to space! Is a patent granted in the United States still valid in outer space? That’s what we will find out in this Constellations podcast with guest Kevin Myhre, patent attorney with a focus on space-related innovations.
On the Constellations Podcast, we’ll discuss the concept of space as a service, the technology of 3D printed satellites, and the process and challenges of spectrum licensing. Similar to “software-as-a-service” and “satellite-as-a-service,” businesses are beginning to offer the entire gamut as “space-as-a-service.” What does that really mean for space businesses and customers? Some processes for space startups are advertised as too difficult to handle alone. Some companies are proving that this is not necessarily the case for everyone. During this episode, Carol Craig, Founder and CEO of Sidus Space, will discuss her definition of “space-as-a-service” and all that it includes. She’ll cover the complicated yet achievable process and timeline of spectrum licensing for a 100-satellite constellation as well as the key points that drove her decision to bypass SPACs and instead go IPO.
On this Constellations Podcast, we’ll discuss how NASA is looking to work with industry and adopt commercial solutions that support their infrastructure for near-earth operations. We will learn about the goals of NASA’s Communications Services Project (CSP) and why it is needed. CSP is looking to demonstrate to NASA Missions, as well as to industry, that reliable and robust space communications and navigation can be provided commercially, as opposed to NASA’s traditional legacy networks. Learn how CSP is helping NASA to free up resources so they can really focus on exploration and science.
On this Constellations Podcast, we're going to talk about being an entrepreneur and what tools are available for those unique individuals who want to develop a business relationship with the Department of the Air Force. Today, we have two guests, Dr. Kate Gilpin is the Director of Discovery and Engagement at Parallax Advanced Research and Chris Mather, Senior Consultant. Both guests support the department of the Air Force partnership intermediary agreement called the Academic Partnership Engagement Experiment or APEX. Hear them explain APEX, a program providing free resources to academic researchers and innovators who are interested in successfully pitching new ideas to the department of Air Force.
On today’s podcast, we'll go beyond the world of satellites and explore the potential of High Altitude Platforms or HAPs, uncrewed stratospheric, long duration telecommunications platforms designed to provide mobile telephony and broadband communications, among other applications. Do they represent an alternative or complementary service to satellites? To explain HAPs, we have with us today on Constellations Walt Andersen, Founder and CEO of Avealto, LTD., whose mission is to finance, build, and operate a fleet of High Altitude Platforms (HAPs). Among today’s topics, our guest will describe the three types of HAPS, how they will integrate into existing terrestrial and satellite infrastructure to provide low-cost connectivity throughout the world and why earlier versions of HAPs failed and why Avealto’s won’t.
On today’s podcast, we'll go beyond our solar system and discuss how newer mini satellites and alternative business models can bring exoplanets scientific research to a much broader audience at a significantly lower cost than is available. We are joined by Ian Stotesbury, Lead Systems Engineer and Dr. Billy Edwards, Project Scientist, both of Blue Skies Space. Among today’s topics, our guests will explain what exoplanets are, how they differ from the planets in our solar system and why exoplanet research is so important. We will learn all about Twinkle, Blue Skies Space’s first satellite, designed to create new opportunities for transformative scientific research and how it will differ from those currently being used by other exoplanet research missions.
In this Constellations Podcast, we’ll talk about the emergence of software-defined-satellites and the massive growth opportunity being driven by the need for more flexibility in the market. Software-defined satellites are projected to be an $86.9 Billion cumulative revenue opportunity by the decade’s end according to Northern Sky Research’s recently released report on the topic. During this episode, we welcome Dallas Kasaboski, a consultant from NSR to discuss the global demand for software-defined-satellites, the applications that will benefit the most from this capability, the implications for the ground segment, the key players in the industry, and the outlook for the future.
In the Constellations Podcast, we’ll discuss the global space economy and how it is affecting investments in the space industry. Access to space is starting to move beyond traditional use cases, such as satellite television, Internet, and communication to remote locations. Right now, innovative companies and organizations are developing technology and methods for in-space experimentation and manufacturing as well as space stations for commercial use and space planes to deliver customers there, and more. With the expansion of use cases comes growth in investment opportunities and space venture capitalists are looking for the new market segment with the highest possibility of return. During this episode, Raphael Roettgen, professional space investor and founder of E2MC, will explore the potential in these emerging space market segments including the one he refers to as “the kitchen sink.” Listen as he shares his experience in diversification, how proposals he’s receiving are different now than in the past, and how he weighs the risk and reward of potential investment opportunities.
On this Constellations Podcast, we’ll discuss the benefits of open standards. During this episode, Constellations has brought together a panel of three to discuss standards and how they will improve delivery of SATCOM services. Lt. Col. Gary Thompson from the U.S. Space Force, Ben Hilburn from Azure Spectrum Technologies at Microsoft and Stuart Daughtridge, Chairman of the Digital Intermediate Frequency Interoperability Consortium (DIFI) are all actively taking part in the digital transformation of the satellite ground architecture and have insight to where standards can play a role. Lt. Col. Thompson speaks about the necessity to transition between military and commercial space and ground systems independently at the speed of need, which is underpinned by standards. Hilburn and Daughtridge discuss the challenges of VITA 49, a packet-based protocol to convey digitized signal data and metadata that plays an essential part in standardizing the underlying plumbing for interoperability at the IF transport layer. DIFI, a consortium created under the auspices of The IEEE Industry Standards and Technology Organization (ISTO), is also addressed as it is was formed to help enable the digital transformation of the entire spectrum of the satellite industry.
In this Constellations Podcast, we’ll discuss the evolution of internet in space as it moves from utilizing government infrastructure to utilizing modern commercial infrastructure. Increased commercial technology has made space more accessible than ever. More accessibility in space drives the demand for faster, more modern communication onboard spacecraft. During this episode, Brian Barnett, Co-Founder and CEO of Solstar Space Company, will discuss the evolution of space communication and how NASA has accomplished it with their deep space network, tracking and data relay satellites, and fly-over ground stations. Hear Brian explain how Solstar’s Schmitt Communicator, now at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, enabled the first commercial tweet from space and how it currently enables secure communication for the military with Critical Data Relay technology.
In this Constellations Podcast, we’ll discuss how earth orbits are becoming more crowded due to greater accessibility for all. As more rockets, more satellites, more ground stations and more components are helping to grow space capabilities, they inadvertently grow the risks of collision with uncontrolled space debris and coverage gaps with other nations, providers and schemas. During this episode, Melanie Stricklan, co-founder and CEO of Slingshot Aerospace, will talk through the state of our orbits and space situational awareness, how massive growth in space affects sustainability, and how space data can be curated and combined to create a more holistic view of what is going on in orbit. Hear Melanie explain how Slingshot’s Beacon platform fosters collaboration between space players to support timely threat detection and enable confident decision-making that can protect space assets and infrastructure.
In this Constellations Podcast, we are joined by Bill Joo, Special Projects Engineer at the U.S. Navy. Mr. Joo has over 25 years of experience in software-defined radios, and was one of the principal developers of the widely deployed joint tactical radio systems. In this episode, Mr. Joo discusses JADC2, project OVERMATCH and aligning programs to deliver a focused capability. Mr. Joo shares the changing and dynamic battlefield for warfighters and the importance military SATCOM will have in helping the warfighters. Finally, Mr. Joo speaks on the current challenges of interoperability and open standards as well as a non-profit industry group, Digital IF Interoperability (DIFI) Consortium, that is collectively influencing this commercial standard.
In this Constellations Podcast we are joined by Carissa Christensen, CEO and Founder of Bryce Tech, a leading aerospace and emerging markets consultancy and the publisher of multiple space tech-related reports including the most recent annual State of the Satellite Industry Report. Among today’s topics, Carissa will discuss the impact of advances in satellite manufacturing, including software-defined payloads, miniaturization, and virtualization. She discusses the evolution of ground systems given the advent of software-defined satellite networks and virtualization. We will also learn more about on-orbit services including repair, life extension and deorbiting and how they will change the industry dynamic. And, last but not least, Carissa discusses some of the dramatic changes to the launch industry, including rideshare, reusable launch vehicles and increased affordability. For more information on all these topics and more, get a copy of “The State of the Satellite Industry Report”, published by Bryce Tech.
On this Constellations Podcast, we’ll talk about the exponential growth of Non-Geostationary-Orbit (NGSO) satellite constellations, their commercial and go-to-market plans, and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in realizing a bandwidth filled future. Well over 50,000 NGSO communications smallsats are planned for launch over the next decade. SpaceX, Amazon Project Kuiper, SES, Telesat, OneWeb and many other constellation providers are promising to transform the space industry with thousands of NGSOs beaming tens of Terabits per second to the ground to satisfy a seemingly endless demand for bandwidth. During this episode, Nathan de Ruiter, the Managing Director of Euroconsult Canada will share insights into the go-to-market plans and commercial strategy for these NGSO constellations and the implications from a business model, cost, funding and ground segment perspective.
On this Constellations Podcast learn how a Hollywood visual effects company is now helping satellite operations to visualize data. Listen to Tim McBride, President of Zoic Labs, describe how his company is using their experience in visual effects to bring sense to the complex and massive amounts of data coming from satellites. Mr. McBride shares how Zoic Labs has grown from their first project of mapping the world with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency to helping the U.S. Space Force and Air Force Research Laboratory see things in a different light.
In previous episodes of Constellations Podcast, we’ve discussed a broad range of topics, among them space law, space sustainability, and on-orbit servicing. Today we’re going to see how these are not independent issues but an integrated framework of space concerns. And to take us through it all we have with us Carolyn Belle, Director of Advanced Systems at Astroscale U.S., a company focused on space sustainability. On today’s Constellations Podcast we’ll discuss how climate change and the Kesler effect can lead to a dramatic increase in space debris. We will also learn more about on-orbit satellite servicing, especially end-of-life and life extension services. Carolyn will also describe the growing integration of the space economy with the terrestrial economy and its resulting economic impact. As a big proponent of a more diverse space community…making it more accessible to others, Carolyn talks about STEM education, mentorship programs, and building a welcoming community for underrepresented groups in the space industry.
Navigating the divide between military requirements and commercial resources is a challenging hurdle in the space industry. The demand for greater space accessibility as a whole and the drivers influencing that pressure compound the problem. Mandy Vaughn, CEO and Founder of GXO, Inc., transitioned from a military tech leader to a facilitator in working to bridge that divide. Hear Mandy's insights on the expanding role of commercial entities in space and the SmallSat revolution, the obstacles of meeting current needs and association support, and growing America’s tech workforce which is the foundation for continued momentum and success.
Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs) have been an established strategy to take companies public without going the traditional IPO route. Yet recently, this strategy has been increasingly popular in the space industry. On this episode of Constellations Podcast, John Gilroy sits down with Quilty Analytics Partner Chris Quilty about SPACs, why they’re hot in the space industry, which companies are going this route, and whether this will be a passing trend or a continued investment move.
In this Constellations Podcast episode, we’ll discuss what the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification, otherwise known as CMMC, is and how it will change the requirements for contracting with the DoD. The recent spate of data breaches affecting both government and commercial organizations underscores the need for more robust security measures to protect critical information. For DoD, this means increased protection of FCI and CUI data. CMMC will be a critical component of heightened security as all companies will need to pass strict CMMC security assessments before being awarded DoD contracts. During this episode, Justin Padilla, Director, Cybersecurity Services, Kratos will explain what CUI, FCI mean and how they will all be affected by CMMC. He’ll discuss how companies will need to be assessed by a Third-Party Assessment Organization – a C3PAO.
Listen to Captain Jake Singleton from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) describe an exchange program with the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence (UK MOD). The U.S. has exchange agreements with 16 different countries around the world. Captain Singleton discusses the gap that exists between emerging commercial space technologies and government requirements and activities the AFRL is pursuing to close that gap. He defined the term “dual technologies” and how they can bring value to both commercial and military markets, especially those in support of space capabilities. Huge changes have been made to better engage with new companies developing technologies for the Air Force and Space Force. Captain Singleton discusses those changes and programs going forward to enable even more collaboration between the U.S. and commercial vendors both domestic and abroad.
On the Constellations Podcast we’ll discuss how satellite services and business models are becoming much more dynamic. The age of the simple "bent-pipe" satellite is coming to an end. A new era of software-defined satellites is being ushered in to satisfy customer demand that can evolve minute to minute.
During this episode, Jeff Freedman, CEO of Kythera Space Solutions, will discuss how satellite operations are evolving with satellites that can change frequency bands, coverage areas, power allocation, and architecture on-demand. He’ll discuss how these increasingly capable, but also complex software-defined satellites can be managed effectively with powerful satellite network management systems. Hear Jeff explain how SES's new O3b mPOWER MEO and SES-17 GEO satellites will take advantage of advanced satellite operating systems to enable the dynamic provisioning of services on the fly to meet customer demand.
Jeff has more than 30 years of telecommunication engineering and software development experience. He holds dozens of patents in satellite payload design, satellite resource management software, and telecommunication architectures.
In this episode of Constellations, we talk about the implications of the increasing amount of connected devices in a rapidly digitizing world. These devices are part of the Internet of Things, otherwise known as IoT, which relies on a network of physical devices equipped with sensors to connect and exchange data with other systems and devices. Kepler Co-Founder and CEO Mina Mitry joins John Gilroy to talk about using small satellites to deliver IoT connectivity, getting Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSATs) to work with LEO, the different subsets of IoT including Industrial IoT, and how this all affects the rollout of 5G.
Listen to Nicolas Chaillan, U.S. Air Force Chief Software Officer describe the importance of the U.S. DoD to bring relevant software features to the warfighter in a timely manner. Mr. Chaillan talked about zero trust being foundational to enable connectivity across systems while ensuring people only have access to what is appropriate to their needs. He described how Cloud One and Platform One will bring about interoperability to the warfighter; Cloud One providing access to the cloud and Platform One bringing DevSecOps. Mr. Chaillan talked about increasing the cyber posture of the department by having more eyes on code and more people to bring back value. Timeliness will be essential to instantiating a DevSecOps environment at the edge - whether on a jet, on a bomber, anywhere required in the space system.
Listen to Stacy Kubicek, Vice President and General Manager for Mission Solutions at Lockheed Martin talk about mission critical solutions that benefit the warfighter and support national defense. She will discuss getting data to the warfighter much faster with transformational technology that includes 5G. Ms. Kubicek discusses interoperability and battle space connectivity being critical to staying ahead of our adversaries, as well as an explanation of the types of assets that would support this kind of capability. Learn about the adoption of agile software development methods that accelerate delivery of software to address threats – hint, it is not the waterfall model. Finally, hear about the need to take a team approach to provide the best solutions for the military and the warfighter, which is essentially what matters at the end of the day.
In this episode of Constellations, we talk about the proliferation of LEO mega-constellations, and what this means for the market. These constellations have created a new paradigm, which stretches the scope of what satellite can accomplish – like offering lower latency with more ubiquitous coverage around the globe. Telesat Vice President of LEO Erwin Hudson joins the podcast to talk about these LEO mega-constellations’ role in a historically GEO-dominated market, opportunities for the future, and Telesat’s advanced LEO constellation, Telesat Lightspeed.
On the Constellations podcast we’ll talk about the growing adoption of virtualization in the satellite industry. Virtualization holds the promise of enabling significant benefits for the teleport including scalability, cost savings and better integration with customers, vendors, and partners.
During this episode Robert Bell the Executive Director of the World Teleport Association (WTA) shares the findings from the recent report entitled “The Virtual Teleport”. Robert discusses the extent to which teleport operators have embraced virtualization, its benefits, the barriers and challenges it presents and what the future might hold. He shares insights based on interviews from thought leaders from the satellite, teleport, and ground technology segment.
Robert is uniquely qualified to discuss this topic based on his 30 years of experience in the industry advocating for the interests of teleport operators. He is a sought-after speaker, has authored numerous articles and WTA research reports.
In this episode of Constellations, we first get a primer about quantum physics and quantum technology, then a discussion about the growing field of quantum communications, and how it applies to the space industry. There are only a handful of companies specializing in this technology, including SQT, a company that claims to transform the world’s networks for the quantum revolution. SQT CEO David Mitlyng joins us to explain the ins and outs of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), applications in Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT), and quantum communications’ defense implications.
Earth Observation, Space Situational Awareness and Contested/Congested Space are terms increasingly heard in satellite and space media, brought about, in part, by the growing accessibility and democratization of the space industry. Our guest, Gino Bucciol - Co-founder and Chief Development Officer at Officina Stellare, a company based in Italy active in the design and production of telescopes, optomechanical, and aerospace instrumentation for ground and space-based applications will touch on each of these.
Listen as Gino discusses the difference between ground-based and space-based telescopes; the former best suited for research, astronomy and defense applications like weapon tracking; while the latter is most often used for debris tracking, satellite collision avoidance, or laser communication. Gino further discusses why telescopes are perfect to provide information on an object’s angular position, thanks to their extremely high resolution, while radar is perfect to obtain a precise measurement of the object's distance.
Gino attributes launch reduction costs and availability of space compliant technologies as key contributors to the creation of the “New Space Economy” where private companies can now do business in space.
In this episode of Constellations we discuss the growing push into Low Earth Orbit with new non-GEO satellite mega constellations that are bringing flat panel antennas to the forefront. Not a new technology, these fast-switching antennas historically have been only used by the military due to their complexity and cost. Through his favorite Lego analogy and valuable insights Carl Novello, Chief Technology Officer at NXTCOMM shows us a different approach to the flat panel antenna market, opportunities and challenges.
Listen to Brian O’Toole, CEO of BlackSky, a company using the economics of small satellites to monitor the Earth and bring data down in real-time. Mr. O’Toole discusses cloud computing, high-performance computing, advancements in AI and machine learning algorithms as key enablers to using this data. The CEO describes a recent launch where BlackSky went from lift-off to delivering imagery in 58 hours, an impressive feat. He extols the virtue of AI and machine learning to monitor activities and automatically transport relevant data to customers through a real-time feed. This kind of data will cause an explosion of commercial applications not yet considered or developed, like what happened with GPS when it became available on a phone. Mr. O’Toole conjectures about a next level of convergence around data that is collected and combined from a multitude of source, which in turn leads to better predictive analytics. In addition, he discusses finding the ability to detect emerging events and what their impact can be to our planet, with COVID being a prime example.
Listen to Brigadier General Leonard, principal advisor to the USSPACECOM Commander and Deputy Commander discuss U.S. Space Command and the importance of innovation in a warfighting environment. Space is a booming business, not only for the American people but booming for the U.S. adversaries. To stay ahead, the U.S. military needs to be innovative in how they think, the technology they use and how they are organized. Brigadier General Leonard talked about innovation being the new competitive advantage and that they must equip and enable their people with an environment where they feel their ideas are valued. Enemies understand that innovation and technology and space capabilities are central to fighting in space and across the joint force, so his team must accelerate their capabilities in those areas. USSPACECOM is not interested in small evolutionary technology, but something that’s really going to be a game changer.
For the last episode of 2020, we sit down with Jeff Rowlison to go over major events of 2020 including the impact of COVID on the space industry, the success of SpaceX, big tech entering our industry, and C-band relocation. Jeff also takes a look back at Space Force and its vision for enterprise satellite communications and how the Guardians will operate within the SATCOM environment. He briefly goes over what it has accomplished since its establishment a year ago. Finally we ask Jeff to get his crystal ball out and share his predictions for 2021: what technology will arise and is there a particular company or individual we should keep our eyes on?
Listen to Jeff Guido talk about Planet, a company founded by three NASA scientists in a garage. Learn about a “flock” of small satellites imaging the entire Earth’s land mass every day, delivering data images almost instantaneously over the Internet. How is that possible? Jeff discusses vertically integrating a cloud-based imaging platform and the digital transformation of the industry. They are both key to getting remote sensing data immediately out to the market, helping everyone from small farmers to governments optimize their resources. Jeff talks about managing large numbers of satellites by getting them to work in concert through automation and interoperability. Learn about the difference between CMOS and push broom cameras and how the imagery obtained from those cameras can be analyzed to detect change. Finally, what is a virtual constellation and why is it important?
This episode marks a departure from our normal content, which typically includes topics such as the impact of SDN on ground systems, space exploration, rocket launches and so much more. Instead we will discuss space law and its impact on such issues as orbital debris, geospatial analytics and space tourism among others. To guide us through this discussion our guest today is Randy Segal, a partner in Hogan Lovells. We talk about the nuances of the Outer Space Act, a 50-year-old agreement recently updated with the Artemis Accords and Randy explains the impact of Space Law on public-private space partnerships as well as its impact on the weaponization of space. Randy concludes with a consensus on procedures and platforms for everything space; situational awareness, traffic management, debris mitigation, space sustainability.
Listen to Colonel Eric Felt talk about what the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) is doing to keep the U.S. competitive edge in space. Building a strong team is important and he believes that is part of the secret sauce that makes the AFRL so successful. Learn about cislunar and XGEO and why these are exciting areas to be studying. Col Felt reflects that the growing interest in cislunar and XGEO comes down to commercial activity, resources and political advantages. He said there are cost and performance advantages coming from proliferated LEO and that every mission in the future that can be done from LEO will be done from LEO. With so many thousands of satellites going up, a high level of automation will be essential for their management; however, there will be limits to this kind of autonomy – especially in a war fighting scenario.
Start-up companies are increasingly prevalent in the satellite industry. Many of these companies provide fresh new solutions to problems we face on a daily basis. In today’s Constellations episode we focus on how MicroGEO satellites improve communication in remote areas of the world. We have invited John Gedmark, CEO and Co-Founder of Astranis to guide us through this very exciting topic. Listen to John break down the advantages of MicroGEOs and how they will help us unlock new possibilities in communication.
Listen to Michael Martinez talk about software-defined technology allowing Maxar to scale for capacity when needed and only when needed – which is significant when considering costs. He discusses AI machine learning being a big part of their ground system process, leveraging their capability to do operations around multiple satellites without growing teams or infrastructure. Mr. Martinez also talks about Earth observation as a critical component to the U.S. government, along with the ability to get accurate information quickly for faster decision making. What do future challenges hold? The answer is even more reduction in latency, saving time and money for everyone.
There have been a lot of exciting innovations in space from multi-orbit satellites, mega constellations to software-defined payloads. Today on Constellations, we discuss how this space innovation is driving the ground system to become much more dynamic. According to Northern Sky Research “ground network technology must shift from purpose-built, proprietary hardware architectures to software-defined, flexible, and extensible virtual platforms.” Addressing this challenge, Kratos has developed the first fully digital, virtualized, software-defined and orchestrated platform in the satellite industry named OpenSpace. OpenSpace enables a more dynamic environment by automating and scaling ground station operations to support multi-satellite and multi-orbit operations. With us today to discuss the way forward to a more dynamic ground system with OpenSpace is Greg Quiggle, Vice President of Product Management for Kratos.
Constellations is grateful that Major General John E. Shaw took the time recently to speak about Space Domain Awareness (SDA) and the Battlespace on the podcast. Listen to Major General Shaw discuss the purpose of the U.S. Space Force and why it was stood up last year (hint… you can’t do modern warfare today without space capabilities). Major General Shaw talks about the need to be able to defend capabilities in space and to prepare for a war that extends into space. Space never sleeps and with the Major General overseeing operations around the world, he has been staying busy ensuring space capabilities are where they are needed at all times. Learn about the value of working hand in hand with allies and commercial partners and how Major General Shaw envisions leveraging commercial capabilities for global space operations.
On this Constellations podcast, the focus will be on Microsoft’s recent announcement of their Ground Station as a Service (GSaaS) offering “Azure Orbital” and what it means for the satellite industry.
Azure Orbital is Microsoft’s managed service that is designed to deal with the growing flood of data for Earth Observation and Internet of Things applications. The managed service lets users communicate to, control their satellite, process data and scale operations directly in Microsoft Azure.
Microsoft’s GSaaS takes a very different approach compared to traditional ground systems. Azure Orbital leverages key technologies such as virtualization, Software-Defined Networking (SDN), and cloud computing to enable customers to automate and scale operations across the globe.
On this podcast Nora Zhan, Product Manager for Microsoft discusses Azure Orbital. She is involved in Azure Space, Satellites and Ground Stations and in bringing this new platform to market to provide satellite connectivity.
Listen to Doug Lamborn, U.S. Congressman, talk about partnering with commercial providers. With the government relying more on commercial to take some of the risks of Space off the shoulders of the taxpayer, it makes it a win-win situation. He describes commercial companies bringing a lot of capability, including intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance. Congressman Lamborn discusses a common digital ground infrastructure being important to unify commercial and military satellite communications capabilities. In addition, commercial industry is developing digital ground capabilities that can be further leveraged by the government, avoiding parallel investment in terminals, hardware and satellites. Finally, learn about the difference between the Space Development Agency (SDA) creating a large constellation of satellites to track missiles versus the Missile Defense Agency’s (MDA) program providing global sensor coverage to detect, track and target ballistic and hypersonic missiles.
This episode of Constellations podcast walks us through the different aspects of space investments: what is a holding company? What’s the connection to venture capitalists? How to analyze risk and deal with failure? Join our conversation with Dylan Taylor, CEO and Chairman of Voyager Space Holdings, a privately held global holding company acquiring and operating companies in the space exploration industry. With his extensive background in space investment, Dylan tells us what new exciting technologies are coming and what it takes to be successful as a space entrepreneur.
Today on the Constellations podcast we will discuss the accelerated roll-out of 5G and the role of satellites in the C-band relocation effort. 5G cellular services hold the promise of connecting everything, everyone and unleashing massive amounts of bandwidth for new and innovative applications. To drive America’s leadership in 5G, the FCC is accelerating the roll-out by repurposing the C-band spectrum, which is thought to be optimal for 5G services.
Intelsat is one of the satellite operators that has used the entire band and now has agreed to mobilize its operations to promptly relocate to a different portion of the band in support of the 5G roll-out. To tackle this unprecedented and challenging transition plan, Intelsat has put together a team of more than 50 employees focused on this complex clearing initiative. The team is working to successfully and quickly transition current users, while maintaining high-quality, uninterrupted broadcast to more than 100 million American homes and businesses. Intelsat also plans to build and launch multiple new satellites to replace C-band capacity being transitioned to 5G cellular network services.
With us today to shed some light on their C-band relocation plan is Tom McNamara, Vice President of C-Band Transition Management for Intelsat. Tom has over 20 years of experience as an operations executive.
On this episode of the Constellations podcast we will discuss harnessing the power of geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) by moving beyond data silos and integrating, fusing and analyzing data horizontally to deliver new insights. The podcast reviews GEOINTs historical roots, the evolution today across industries and looks to the future. With more remote sensing satellites, more rapid revisits and global coverage – an enormous volume of data is being created today. There is a daunting challenge in terms of archiving, processing and analyzing all that data and turning it into insights.
As the founder and early adopter of the concept of GEOINT, the government has been on the front lines for over a decade. What lessons can be learned from the government’s efforts that can be applied to today’s new technologies and providers in the commercial sector to maximize the full value of geospatial intelligence? Keith Masback, a leading international authority on geospatial intelligence with over 30 years of experience will shed some light on this topic. Keith is the Owner and Principal Consultant at Plum Run and provides advisory and consulting services to leading-edge companies working in geospatial intelligence and related fields. Prior to founding Plum Run, he spent over a decade as the President / Chief Executive Officer of the United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation.
We speak with Daniel Ceperley, CEO and Co-Founder of LeoLabs Space about the growing issue of space debris. Orbital debris is a serious issue that will only get worse, but dealing with it is as much an opportunity as a challenge. Daniel explains his goal to track the 12,000 known debris objects low earth orbit by building set of advanced radars and we discuss the possibility of long-term solutions to collision avoidance. Is there a future where satellites use radar to detect other objects and avoid collision? Listen to this episode of Constellations to learn how today’s visionaries, such as Daniel Ceperley of LeoLabs, are making space safer for the rest of us.
This Constellations podcast takes a different look at satellites and technology and sees how they are impacting agribusiness. With us today is Wade Barns, Co-Founder and CEO of Farmers Edge, a company focused on precision agriculture. Wade explains why the titans of agriculture that you see today may not be the titans of agriculture you see the tomorrow as the agribusiness transitions to the digital world. And as satellite data increasingly enhances crop yield and productivity while lowering operating costs.
Barnes believes that the industry will better understand that satellite data, coupled with AI and robotics can create a significant amount of value. Listen as Barnes discusses how satellites, AI and robotics will enable agribusiness to feed the estimated nine billion people estimated to populate the globe by 2050.
On this episode of Constellations, we discuss how Satellite Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites are changing the space industry and how this new technology is impacting markets across the globe. Adam Maher is the CEO of Ursa Space Systems, a start-up company that uses SAR satellite to provide insights into many industries such as energy, oil and gas. Listen as we discuss how Ursa bridges the gap between information-rich data and those companies that are breaking new ground in global intelligence with their vision to “turn data into impact”.
Listen to Dan White discuss the demand for data and what it takes to address that demand, starting with flexibility, agility and costs. There are higher data requirements everywhere we look and a need to get information to the ground as quickly and as economically as possible. How to do both at the same time? How do you get more data down on a given satellite pass? The future will see a need for both RF and optical capabilities, but why? Hear the answer to these questions and more and where Dan sees the future of satellite systems.
Listen to Dr. William Conley talk about the RF spectrum (part of the electromagnetic spectrum or EMS). Learn why domains are really about joint command relationships and not fundamental physics. Dr. Conley will discuss why every service has to have some core capability in this part of EMS because all multi-domain operations, including space, depend on the spectrum to coordinate capabilities. Electromagnetic battle management tools can impact spectrum management because they have the ability to dynamically shift what we are doing in the spectrum. The advent of software defined radio technology is giving even greater ability to manage these devices so that they operate in coordination with each other. Learn how the convergence of electronic warfare and cyber capabilities are presenting new challenges and opportunities. Our way of war assumes a level of spectrum access allowing us to fight in the way we want; however, that ability may be changing.
Learn about the unique opportunities and challenges in the ground station-as-a-service business model. Find out about the drivers behind the growth in this segment, such as the greater demand for data. Discover the difference between traditional ground system operations and new business models which make space more accessible and affordable. In this episode, you will also hear about the growing interest that venture capitalist have in small satellites and the valuable data they produce.
Listen to Brad Brode, CTO/CIO and Founder of Atlas Space Operations describe how his company is changing the landscape of the traditional ground station. Learn how the Atlas’ ground station-as a service manages risk and security in the cloud and how they stream the data through patent pending software-as-a-service solution. He also talks about the need for quicker access to data in the Earth Observation (EO) market and how they solve the problem of latency by integrating as many third party antennas as possible.
With us today is Robert Cardillo, former director of the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, current Distinguished fellow at Georgetown University's Center for Security and Emerging Technology and Founding member of Orbital Insights Federal Advisory Board. During this episode we'll be talking about new developments, both good and bad, concerning artificial intelligence and machine learning and we're recording this interview from the floor of SATELLITE 2020.
Robert discusses Sentient, a process that uses AI to analyze research that's being tested and evaluated, and how that technology can be applied to government challenges. These include the balance between security and privacy… what are the implications and consequences? As an example, Robert discusses being in most any urban center and being imaged almost continually by local government-police, rescue, local law enforcement. That's our reality today and there's no reverse switch on this. But, as Robert explains, there are numerous forms of surveillance, facial recognition, satellite triangulation to identify your position geographically. The conversation continues, touching on legal, security and ethical issues surrounding the aforementioned balance between security and privacy.
As the space industry experiences a revolution in technology, new, high growth startups are discovering visionary ways to tackle the challenges faced in the market. Listen to Rick Tumlison, the Founding Partner of SpaceFund Venture Capital and a space activist, describe his fund’s investment philosophy and his advice to start-ups in the industry. Some of the exciting topics we will cover in this episode of Constellations are settlements in space and creating commercial opportunities at the Russian Mir space station and at the international space station. Learn about pioneers in the industry and how they influenced and shaped the way we approach the space industry today. Find out how space transport is the first step in building an ecosystem of sustainable companies that work in space and help the planet as a whole, including the importance of terrestrial revenue streams and how they are influencing this new frontier.
The space industry has experienced massive growth and innovation in capacity and capabilities from High Throughput Satellites (HTS) to small satellite constellations. With so many advancements in the sky how is the ground segment evolving to keep pace?
On the Constellations podcast hear from Shivaprakash Muruganandham, an analyst from Northern Sky Research, a leading global market research and consulting firm focused on the satellite and space sectors.
He will discuss how the satellite ground segment is on the cusp of a fundamental change. Shivaprakah will share insights from a recent NSR report entitled “Satellite Ground Network Virtualization” that outlines how the ground segment is becoming more virtual, software defined and cloud centric to meet the needs of the newer satellites.
More than 8,500 satellites are projected to be launched between 2019 and 2028 according to Euroconsult. With such so much growth on the horizon, regulatory efforts could become challenged to keep pace with these technological developments.
Listen to Alexandre Vallet, Chief of the Space Services Department in the Radiocommunication Bureau of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), as he shares insights into the role of regulations and the ITU in this new environment. Find out how the spectrum can be protected, interference can be avoided and how a level playing field for new and incumbent players can be ensured in this evolving new space world.
Learn how new space innovation is changing the national security landscape. Find out how the industry’s changes in the last five years, such as lower cost infrastructure, multi-constellations and more capable satellites, have opened up the market to a new breed of start-ups. Also, discover how In-Q-Tel (IQT), a venture capital and technology accelerator group, was able to build a cohesive investment strategy that ranges from access to launch vehicles, all the way to the top at the application level.
Listen to Ryan Lewis, Senior Vice President and Lab Director at IQT, discuss how AI and open source applied research are transforming the market today. Ryan works to help the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC) understand and leverage emerging commercial space capabilities against mission problems. He also co-founded and leads CosmiQ Works, an applied research lab within IQT developing machine learning algorithms, open source tools and curated remote sensing data sets for geospatial applications such as foundational mapping.
Satellite communications traditionally has been very conservative and resistant to change. Why should they now transition or trust the security offered in a cloud environment? Listen to Mark McIntyre talk about the type of security risks that may come with cloud adoption. More and more enterprises are migrating to the cloud and taking their data and applications with them. Ultimately, it is still your job to run your security, but there are a variety of recommended best practices out there and steps you can take right now to improve the security of your environment without breaking the budget. Mark talks about the fact that avoiding adoption of the cloud might provide a sense of assurance and relief but it won't necessarily make you any more secure. He believes that going to a cloud provider may put you in a better position to address security.
During this episode we’ll talk about the increasingly contested space environment and the role small satellite constellations might play in the identification and mitigation of threats to our space assets with Robert Zitz, a national security consultant. He has held senior executive positions in the industry as well as multiple leadership roles in Army intelligence, the Central Intelligence Agency, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, among others.
On this episode of Constellations, the podcast from Kratos, we will discuss how the increased accessibility to space is changing the industry. Learn about what it takes to serve the emerging commercial market and why quick access to space is becoming more and more popular with these companies.
Listen to Alex Greenberg, Co-Founder and COO of Loft Orbital discuss the complexity of space missions, the evolving space value chain and how policymakers can leverage this increased access to space. In addition, learn about the opportunities and challenges of startups in the space industry and the new business models that are being introduced.
What does the future in space hold? Listen to Seamus Tuohy from Draper Labs talk about everything from what it will take to turn a wrench in space to servicing the upcoming space tourist industry. Fiber optic gyros and sensors will help astronauts to make better decisions and enable the ability to land autonomously. He talks about a reusable spaceplane called Dream Chaser that will launch from a rocket, but come back on an airport runway. This kind of transport will support hotels in space that will be resupplied through a spacecraft that can repeat and keep flying the same route. Listen to Mr. Tuohy discuss autonomous systems, machine learning, and other technologies that will make travel to the moon and work on the moon safe and routine.
On this episode of Constellations, the podcast from Kratos, we will discuss how the advancements in earth observation satellites have impacted the geospatial industry. We will talk about temporal resolution and cadence and explore the exciting new and unique technologies that the new generation of companies is developing. Plus, learn how very high resolution satellites have changed over the years.
Listen to Chris Tucker, Principal of Yale House Ventures talk about his experience in the geospatial industry, advancements in remote sensor systems and his experience as a member of the board of directors of the Open Geospatial Consortium and the US Geospatial Intelligence Foundation.
Erin Miller, Director of Business Development at The National Cybersecurity Center in Colorado Springs, explains what the Space Information Sharing and Analysis Center (ISAC) is and why we need it. As Erin explains, a 1998 presidential directive requires the development of ISACs to protect our critical infrastructures from threats and vulnerabilities. There are about 25 different ISACs to support major industry sectors such as financial services, information technology, natural gas and others. As space transcends virtually all these sectors it was only natural that there be a Space ISAC. In this episode of Constellations, Erin will also discuss new developments and strategies to combat increasing cybersecurity and other threats to our space assets.
Small companies may have more opportunity to be flexible in working out problems and addressing solutions. They can bring a lot of innovation to the table, especially when there is a need for speed. But it requires a staff to be more interdisciplinary and take on many roles. Listen to Dan Hegel talk about the challenges of innovation in a small satellite business. Learn about precision attitude control for CubeSats and how Blue Canyon’s capability has been leveraged to support NASA programs all the way to Mars. Dan discusses technologies for improving weather forecasting, including the capability to peer through clouds to assess moisture. He also talks about some of the communication techniques small satellites are applying, such as the sharing of information between crosslinking satellites.
On this episode of the Constellations podcast, we will talk about the emergence of the ground segment-as-a-service. We will also discuss how the space industry is shifting away from GEO satellites to LEO and MEO satellites and how that is affecting the ground segment. Find out the importance of having increased coverage in the southern hemisphere for the growing LEO and MEO satellites. Additionally, learn about the advantages of rapidly being able to have access to teleport capabilities on demand and the types of companies that benefit the most from this new business model.
Listen to Mark Thompson, CEO of Capricorn Space, talk about his company’s role in the emerging ground segment-as-a-service industry. We caught up with Mark at the Small Sat Conference where we also discussed the importance of Australia in the space industry, including the country’s role in tracking the Apollo missions. He also discusses the newly formed Australian Space Agency and its role in increasing the level of profile of space activities in Australia.
On the Constellations podcast we’ll talk about how the explosion in satellite capacity and new technology capabilities are dramatically impacting the ground segment. The space segment with High Throughput Satellites and new mega-constellations are often the focus of the industry, but the ground segment is critical to the success of this end-to-end system. The space and ground segment need to work in tandem to deliver on the promise of satcom and earth observation applications. In this episode find out how the ground segment is evolving and the forecast for the future.
Today, we have someone uniquely qualified to discuss how the ground segment is rapidly evolving to meet the new demands of the advanced satellites in space. Pacôme Révillon is the Chief Executive Officer of Euroconsult, a leading global consulting firm specializing in space markets. He has 15 years of experience working in the space sector and consults with high-level clients, particularly in satellite broadcasting, communications and finance. In this podcast, Pacôme will share some insights from Euroconsult’s executive report on the “Ground Segment Market Prospects – Forecasts for 2028”.
Joining the Constellations Podcast at the recent Small Sat Conference, Leena Pivovarova, NSR Analyst, covered a range of topics that will have significant impact on the persona of the small sat industry. With respect to the role of governments, Leena states that in addition to their regulatory oversight, they are also participants, customers, enablers, facilitators. Because of this, there really must be alignment and government support, which includes having supporting regulations that enable, instead of kind of stifle innovation.
On the little discussed topic of sea launches, Leena points out their many advantages including a broader range of orbits one can launch to, lack of geographic confinement, and for governments, the ability to launch more stealthily than before.
Once launched, new propulsion technology will unlock a lot of new capabilities for smallsats, including easier and more flexible maneuverability, faster reaction times and better utilization of payload space.
Leena sees an exciting future with the emergence of software defined capabilities, intersatellite links, more efficient use of spectrum and so much more.
People have always needed timely access to information and the ability to understand what's going on around them, but now they have to contend with the added domain of space. Listen to Nick Merski from Black Sky Global talk about how his company delivers unique space based data insights to their customers by utilizing the cloud. In addition, learn how their cloud based ground architecture allows them to leverage commercial ground station providers to spin up antenna assets on demand. Black Sky’s user platform, C2 systems and image processing pipeline are all in the cloud and have been from the start, giving access to space based data with exceptionally fast delivery. Nick discusses the different ways that people consume data and suggests a standard or common language to communicate the attributes of data, especially as it relates to time.
Today on the Constellations podcast we will discuss how smallsat technology is being used in innovative ways to solve technical challenges faced by the military, science community, and industry. Find out how custom sensor, software, hardware, and thermal management solutions are making significant contributions to national defense and scientific discoveries. Hear about the programs where this technology is being applied to better understand global temperature changes in the thermosphere, identify the population of potentially hazardous near-Earth objects (NEOs) and mitigate the adverse effects of space weather. Our guest today is Jim Marshall, Director of the Space Dynamics Laboratory. Jim provides oversight and integration of business development operations for both the Space Dynamics Laboratory and Energy Dynamics Laboratory. He has broad government and industry expertise and is on the frontlines of helping to solve complex issues in space, in air, on ground, and at sea for the government.
With us today is Vint Cerf, considered to be one of the founding fathers of the internet, today he is Google’s Chief Internet Evangelist. Vint is still promoting the internet…only this time it’s an interplanetary internet. On Constellations, he discusses the potential impact an interplanetary internet capable of communicating with space stations and satellites, and open the internet to the millions of currently underserved users, would have on privacy, security and the need for an entirely new set of regulations. Vint also discusses cloud computing, specifically the emergence of multiple clouds and the ability to move the data easily from one to another. Listen to this podcast to learn about the inner cloud and cloudlets.
“One small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind.” In July 1969, millions of people in the world were in front of their TV screen or stuck to their radio to witness the first step of mankind on the moon. Today we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the moon landing by learning more about it and the men and women who made it possible. Our guest is Hugh Blair-Smith, who was one of the “Apollonauts”, those engineers who worked on the Apollo missions. What challenges did he face then, how did he experience the Space Race, what does he think of today’s objectives of returning to the moon and colonizing Mars? Join us for this special episode as we relive this memorable event through the eyes of an engineer who participated in making it all happen.
How about a network with more speed, bandwidth and security than terrestrial fiber? That is the promise of laser communications from space. This is the path that Bridgecomm is trailblazing – enabling future space missions using optical communications solutions through a global network of ground stations and complimentary satellite terminals. The company is building up a global network of optical ground terminals with stations in Alaska, Hawaii, the Southwest United States, South America, South Africa, Western Australia, Qatar and Sweden. Hear from Barry Matsumori, CEO of Bridgecomm, on how they plan to revolutionize communications while complementing existing RF communication systems. Barry has an extensive background in the mobile wireless and Space 2.0 sectors. His leadership roles include Senior VP of business development and advanced concepts at Virgin Orbit, Senior VP of sales and business development at SpaceX, and nearly two decades at Qualcomm, where he was VP of Wireless Connectivity.
Everyone wants broadband connectivity on the move where ever they are – whether that is on a plane, train or automobile. Find out how flat panel and Electronically Steerable Antennas (ESAs) are bringing digital innovation to previously analog antenna technology to make mobile broadband connectivity a reality. This unique antenna technology is well suited for land-mobile, aeronautical and maritime satellite communication applications. Hear from Dave Helfgott, Chief Executive Officer of Phasor, a leading developer of high throughput, enterprise-grade, modular phased array antennas. Dave is a 20 year industry veteran with extensive experience in satellite broadband, mobile telecommunications as well as commercial and government SATCOM networking services. He will discuss how this advanced technology is ready to transform mobile connectivity.
When it comes to space debris, regulations may help with prevention but not the cure. Yet, how do you attempt to regulate something that nobody really owns? Listen to Chris Blackerby discuss how Astroscale has been leading the conversation in terms of policy, technology and who should pay for prevention. Chris talks about regulations that would give the ability to go up and de-orbit debris that has been rotating for years. He describes building capabilities into satellite design that would enable easy removal out of orbit. Although the probability is low, an exploration of how services throughout the world might be affected by a high impact collision is also discussed.
Much in the news of late about a proposed U.S. Space Force and the fits and starts of commercial and military cooperation in space. With us today to put it all in perspective is Brigadier General Pete F. Hoene, United States Air Force Retired, President and CEO of SES Government Solutions. Listen as he discusses the challenges and opportunities of commercial and military satellite cooperation including hosted payloads, the innovative acquisition processes to streamline the acquisition of commercial bandwidth and the role for commercial satellites in the defense of space.
The innovations in space…. increased satellite capacity and enhanced capabilities are driving teleport operations on the ground to become much more dynamic and agile. Teleport operators are adopting new technologies from cloud to Software Defined Networking (SDN) and exploring a range of business models to meet the changing requirements of a new space world. Ian Jones, the founder, Chief Executive and owner of Goonhilly Earth Station is a highly experienced entrepreneur and innovator in the field of satellite communication systems engineering. He will discuss how he helped transform the world’s most famous teleport on the verge of demolition into a modern operation with a vision of becoming a multi-faceted space hub. Goonhilly today is a highly innovative teleport operation addressing today’s new space environment by forging ahead in a number of commercial and scientific endeavors.
Listen to Stewart Sanders discuss a satellite constellation debuting in MEO based on a fully digitized payload that can give lots of flexibility, especially for manipulating beam-forming phased arrays. Stewart talks about why operating in MEO versus GEO makes sense (hint, for data services where low latency is a major factor, MEO is a better choice.) Stewart also discusses the nature of phased array technology to generate anywhere from one to a very large number of individual beams, as well as a description of how each beam can be weighted, or shaped to any configuration. Satellite networks are becoming more sophisticated with inherent intelligence allowing them to orchestrate solutions based on data needs and the use of flexible gateways. With the added assistance of a system dynamic resource manager (SDRM), the next generation of satellite networking capabilities is on their way to a market near you.
The satellite industry is becoming more software defined, getting a lot closer to the typical software company one would expect to see in Silicon Valley. Jeff Hill, Conference Chair of Satellite 2019 discusses how the industry is going through significant change, integrating software technologies to improve efficiencies in our industry like machine learning, making satellites cheaper, faster and creating multiple launch options. The satellite industry is becoming as quick and agile as the software industry. Hill discusses how the changes are being driven by people, the inquisitive, millennials, the changing geographic contribution to the industry with the rise of strong satellite industries in Europe and Asia. Last, but not least is the explosion in satellite based applications where, in terms of verticals we're also seeing a lot more diverse end users. Smart agriculture, mining, exploration and insurance are just a few of the industries that are recognizing how important satellite based applications are their growth and success.
Investment in the satellite and space industry has evolved from traditional government sources to backing by a couple of billionaire Unicorn investors, and now to an explosion in venture capital and angel investors driving the industry. This new wave of funding has taken the industry from a dozen or so privately funded space companies globally in 2009 to 435 today, that have received over $20 billion in investment. Chad Anderson, CEO of Space Angels discusses many of the exciting trends occurring in the space industry including where investment funding is going, and more importantly why. He talks about his prediction that 2018 would be the year of Small Launch and that 2019 will be the year of Commercial Space Travel. Chad also discusses the potential for earth observation to follow the path of GPS and become tightly intertwined in our everyday lives.
In this podcast, Robert Bell the Executive Director of the World Teleport Association (WTA) talks about how the explosion in satellite capacity is dramatically changing the dynamics on the ground. The teleport which sits in between the terrestrial and space segment is being driven to become more automated and operationally efficient to meet these new bandwidth demands. In this episode find out how automation is playing a critical role in transforming the teleport from traditional antenna farms that provide satellite access to data centers with dishes that layer on value-added capabilities and services.
Listen to Jeff Rowlison discuss the effort to leverage innovations coming out of the commercial satellite communications industry to support the Warfighter. Hear him discuss the Air Force envisioning the Warfighter roaming from MILSATCOM to COMSATCOM seamlessly, taking advantage of commercial options to accomplish Warfighter missions. Influencing the pace of innovation, the pace of contracting and acquisition are leaders such as General Hyten, the Commander of U.S. Strategic Command and General Raymond, the Commander of U.S. Air Force Space Command. Jeff believes that going forward, companies with the capability to adapt their innovative services to fielded technology will be very important, however nothing happens quickly without funding.
Satellite propulsion has been receiving much deserved attention. Not to be confused with chemical launch propulsion, satellite propulsion is primarily electrical propulsion that optimizes the satellite’s orbit once launched, maintains that orbit despite gravitational pulls and, finally, helps to assure a safe de-orbit. Electric propulsion uses an electric or a magnetic reaction or magnetic fields to heat or electrify a gas and turn that into a plasma, which, when forced out of the satellite, creates thrust.
Beau Jarvis, CEO at Phase Four (plasma is the 4th state of matter) explains that while electric systems today typically use aerospace grade xenon because of its efficiency, it is also very expensive. With the anticipated growth in small satellites the cost of xenon will only increase. Phase Four, Jarvis explains, can use actually any neutral gas as fuel. The implication? Rather than transporting propulsion fuel from Earth, something as simple as water vapor, atmospheric nitrogen or methane, all available in space, could work as a propellant for Phase Four propulsion systems, thereby extending the satellite’s useful life.
Satellite operators are facing a real problem concerning how they establish and maintain real-time connectivity for commercial spacecraft. As more and more commercial satellites are set to launch this problem is becoming increasingly important. Ralph Ewig, CEO of Audacy Space shares his expertise about how real-time connectivity, addressing the spectrum crunch and building a communications backbone are all critical elements needed to support the new space economy.
Listen to Michal Anne Rogondino discuss user experience design for the Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC). Michal Anne explains design thinking and how it is being utilized to create a user experience for DoD space applications. The CEO of Rocket Communications talks about the workarounds of designing for a secret environment without having a secret clearance (it is possible) and working for the government in general. The stakes are high as there cannot be any ambiguity around an icon or a simple alarm. Bringing the user experience to the space domain is different and there are challenges with automation and autonomy that demand the creation of new rules and guidelines. In parallel is a need for creating baseline and guidelines that are common which allows everything to be designed in a common way. Space systems are complex and there will be an advantage to giving airmen or operators the tools and time to focus on what is important, their mission.
The space industry is evolving at a rapid pace as seen by the flurry of new technologies being announced on almost a weekly basis. These new technologies include the emergence of high throughput satellites (HTS) and the launch of LEO mega-constellations which have brought unprecedented flexibility and bandwidth to the marketplace. However these new capabilities require innovation on the ground to ease management and minimize the explosion in costs. Lluc Palerm Serra, Senior Analyst at NSR explains how a paradigm shift is needed in the satellite ground segment and how this shift towards new advanced networking capabilities has the potential to facilitate convergence between satellite and terrestrial networks.
The Big Data Panel Roundtable discussion completes our special series recorded at the 2018 Kratos Users Conference. This episode brings together technology experts to discuss the role of big data in the satellite industry, the implications of deep learning and the impact of security threats. Bob Potter, VP of Technology, Signal and Ground Systems moderated the panel. He was joined by Anthony Semiao, Chief Solutions Architect, Jay Finnigan, Director of Network Products and Loic Coulet, Technology and Products Manager. Key discussions included the growth of big data and how data creates new data in a never ending cycle, the opportunities to leverage big data in the satellite industry, the critical importance of security in satellites and the value of deep learning and artificial intelligence.
From connected cars, planes and boats there is an ever increasing need for “always-on” seamless broadband connectivity while on the move. There are still obstacles to overcome in order to reach uninhibited, global connectivity. Bill Marks, Chief Strategy Officer and Executive Vice President of Kymeta explains how flat-panel satellite antenna systems address these challenges and is making the vision of always-on mobile and global broadband connectivity a reality. He shares insights into flat-panel antenna trials and evaluations on yachts, buses and SUVs and the feedback from customers that has helped advance the technology. Bill also talks about the challenges in making the technology work and deploying it on a mass scale and what makes their offering unique in the market. The application of the technology for mission critical efforts such as disaster recovery and military communications-on-the move is also discussed. Finally, find how Bill thinks the mobile communications market will evolve and change in the next five years as flat panel technology becomes even more mature and widely deployed.
Anything software defined is really a hot topic, and for a lot of reasons, as it brings flexibility into the equation. There are now entirely flexible satellite architectures and infrastructures powered by software that can redefine networks on the fly. Listen to Brad Grady discuss the MILSATCOM market, its growth potential and the technology (like software defined) supporting it. Brad talks about the U.S. government being a significant purchaser of satellite capacity and services and looking to take advantage of software defined capabilities. Brad also discusses LEO mega constellations, why the addition of more MILSATCOM capacity probably won’t affect the commercial market and the possibility of creating a flexible ground infrastructure that doesn’t really care what data transport path is being offered.
There are tremendous advances occurring in the satellite industry including the launch of shoe-box sized satellites and the development of hyperspectral sensors that provide spectral footprints of both visible and non-visible occurrences. These advances have led to new developments and strategies in the earth observation market and are contributing to the emergence of a new Space Economy. Justin Oliveira, CEO of Analytical Space explains how Small Sats, hyperspectral imaging and the use of optical networks are revolutionizing many aspects of the traditional satellite industry. Justin provides his insights on public – private partnerships and how decreases in cost of entry are changing current business models and driving innovation and growth.
This is part two of a special three part panel discussion series. “HTS is Great, but How Does it Impact your Operations Environment?” at the 2018 Kratos Users Conference brought industry leaders together to discuss High Throughput Satellites (HTS) and how this exciting technology is having a significant impact on the satellite operator’s operations environment. Stuart Daughtridge, Vice President of Advanced Technology at Kratos moderated the panel which was comprised of Tobias Nassif, General Manager, Satellite Control Center at Viasat, Tom Leisgang, Technical Director, Ground Systems Mission Engineering and Operations at SSL, John Loke, VP of Network Engineering and Operations at MEASAT, Bob Potter, VP, Technology Signal and Ground Systems at Kratos and Steve Cooper, VP of Product Line Management, Connect Services at SES Networks. Highlights of the discussion included how HTS has caused the business model for satellite operators to change, the importance of automation to reduce rising operations expenses and strategies for fully leveraging the digital payloads.
This is part one of a special three part panel discussion series. This panel discussion “HTS is Great, but How does it Impact your Operations Environment?” recorded at the 2018 Kratos Users Conference brought industry leaders together to discuss where the satellite and space industry has been and where it’s likely to go in the future. Thierry Guillemin, President of New Space Directions moderated the panel which was comprised of Dan Sullivan, CTO at Kratos Federal; Eric Watko, EVP, Product, Marketing, & Strategy at SES Networks; Pedro L. Molinero, Managing Director and Satellite Fleet Operations Head at Hispasat and Ken Betaharon, EVP and CTO at ABS. Highlights of the discussion included predictions about new applications on the horizon, how the industry will consume the projected vast increase in capacity - and if it will even be enough and finally if the holy grail of standardization within the satellite industry is just a pipe-dream, or might actually happen.
The smallsat market continues to grow rapidly spurred by venture capital investments and by technological innovation. Over 300 small satellites were launched in 2017 and 679 could be launched by 2022 according to SpaceWorks Engineering. With us today is a person at the heart of this industry transformation that is helping to make this vision a reality. Marshall Culpepper is the CEO and CTO of Kubos, a venture backed start-up that is building the first comprehensive software platform for the satellite industry. He discusses how critical software is to space and smallsat operations and the value of the open source community. Marshall discusses how their software is different from the GEO operating systems and how it takes advantage of the cloud to not only store data, but to virtualize execution of the operations of a satellite. He sees a very important role for software in the years to come in its ability to virtually allocate capacity on both sensors and communications capacity on the satellite.
Companies in the New Space segment have a tendency to collaborate, allowing them to avoid reinventing the wheel. There is a current ecosystem in place that supports interchange of thought on a day-to-day, minute-to-minute basis, giving them opportunity to quickly move forward on ideas. What else does the New Space segment need to do in order to be successful? Katherine Monson starts the conversation by suggesting that standards should be introduced, allowing for the creation of product offerings that are more cost efficient without non-recurring engineering. She also describes taking advantage of economies of scale; the more New Space shares infrastructure amongst each other, the better for everyone.
The growth of small satellites has been fueled by the promise of shorter development cycles, lower cost, new technology, and more frequent access to space. Who better to take us through the evolution of small satellites than Dr. Pat Patterson, Director of Advanced Concepts at Utah State University Space Dynamics Laboratory and Chairman of the annual AIAA/USU Conference, or the Small Sat Conference.
After referring to the 84 kg Sputnik, launched in 1957 as a “small satellite,” Dr. Patterson discusses the three keys to the growth of the small sat industry: affordability, responsiveness and shorter development cycles. And because the barrier to entry is so much lower for small satellites, more and more small companies begin to come online bringing a lot more competition, which brings a lot more good ideas to the table.
China has been in the news a lot lately, mostly about trade tariffs and their expansion in the South China Sea. But in addition to the country's growing economic power and international influence, it has also made some very impressive strides in terms of its space program. With us today is Blaine Curcio, the founder of Orbital Gateway Consulting. He discusses China’s development of the Long March rocket family, the deployment of the first space station, the Chinese lunar exploration program and the
Belt and Road Spatial Information Corridor, a significant space initiative that, among other things, plans to have a global GPS available by 2020. He explains the difference between the meritocratic nature of the U.S. space industry versus China’s incumbent advantage, as well as the “Elon Musk” factor in China’s space industry.
Having a flexible platform to launch satellites is a capability not yet common to the small satellite community. However, it is coming under the wings of a 747 Virgin Orbit has colloquially named Cosmic Girl. The doors of opportunity are opening for any small satellite that wants to launch anywhere Cosmic Girl flies. Are there advantages to launching satellites from 35,000 feet? How do you keep costs down when you are building your own rockets? Is there a market for this kind of business? Listen to Dan Hart discuss the challenges of rocket launches from 747s, keeping things simple and bigger opportunities that may play out in the vast area we call Space.
The technology powering most satellites is remarkably limited. They're unable to image the surface of Earth in areas where it's cloudy or dark--which is about three-quarters of the planet at any given time. Payam Banazadeh, Founder and CEO of Capella Space discusses how this problem is being solved with tiny satellites that use synthetic aperture radar (SAR), a technology that can capture images in any light or weather condition. Payam provides his insights about how small satellites using SAR are opening the door to many new applications, from tracking soil moisture to assess the health of crops to more-accurate mapping for self-driving cars.
Smallsats have evolved from a novelty to the norm in the satellite industry. Key to this transition has been a change in mentality and practice from custom space craft design to a Henry Ford mentality of standards to meet a much larger volume of rocket builds. Find out how open systems architectures, plug and play capabilities and interoperability standards are enabling growth from a spacecraft perspective. In this episode hear about the cutting-edge techniques and approaches to space systems architectures and spacecraft/satellite design and development. Also, hear Stan’s lessons learned for new companies entering the new space industry and find out what he thinks the future holds for smallsats.
Cloud services are growing and on the verge of becoming an important part of the satellite industry. Therefore a cloud strategy is needed to define what cloud capabilities are important to customers and where the greatest growth opportunities are. Robert Bell, the Executive Director of the World Teleport Association (WTA) explains why the industry is moving to the cloud including the technical, operational, cost factors and skills needed to be successful in this new world. Robert provides his insights on how satellite and teleport operators can preserve and strengthen their competitive advantages when going head-to-head with the cloud for specific services, or when integrating the cloud into their operations is the preferred approach.
As we learned from our podcasts at the Small Satellite Conference in Utah this August, the small sat industry is simultaneously growing in so many directions…from new streamlined manufacturing techniques, to more launch options, a plethora of emerging applications and, of course the economic outlook for the industry Who better to discuss these issues than Carolyn Belle, Senior Analyst at NSR, who built their Small Satellite practice. Listen as Carolyn discusses the potential impact of SpaceX, One Web and other planned mega constellations on the GEO operators; the impact of new small sat propulsion systems and the emergence of in-orbit services including satellite refueling, life extension and salvage. Carolyn also addresses the hype that has surrounded the industry but believes that we're only starting to scratch the surface of the value they might deliver moving forward.
Access to RF spectrum is the lifeblood of satellite communications customers, so it is critical to discover ways to use bandwidth more efficiently while co-existing with emerging terrestrial uses. How can satellites and 5G work to create a viable ecosystem for all? The number of variables and the amount of data required to assure a successful satellite mission is staggering. Machine learning and AI have become prerequisites for mission success, but what about the human factor? Does it still matter? Listen to Dr. Bruce Chesley discuss the challenges of 5G, artificial intelligence, cloud computing and the future of commercial satellite services.
Our essential services and applications, be they commercial or military, are increasingly dependent on integrated satellite and terrestrial networks. Until recently, satellite networks have been, by and large, stand-alone in design. Increasingly, however, satellite networks are integrated with terrestrial networks, creating an expanded communications network…and an expanded threat surface. Brigadier General Gregory J. Touhill, President of Cyxtera Technologies' Cyxtera Federal Group (CFG), explains that satellite networks have become systems of systems…including design, manufacture, launch, payload management and terrestrial integration. Each step has to be “secured by design.” He discusses some of the pitfalls to cyber security such as longer satellite supply chains along with approaches to minimizing cyber threats, including software defined perimeters, ID-centric security measures, the Zero Trust model.
The Earth Observation business is growing and changing fast. Technological trends such as cloud computing and machine learning capabilities and improved software driven automation are streamlining the image to insights process. In addition business trends such as the increase in volume based imagery subscriptions and the rise of analytics are expanding opportunities in the value chain. The key question is how to take advantage of those opportunities? Dr. Shay Har-Noy, Vice President and General Manager, Platforms at DigitalGlobe discusses how location data is the new database and boldly states that the location map is the new operating system. Dr. Har-Noy also shares his views on the new space economy and how it’s becoming more and more accessible to everyone.
Unlike the terrestrial connectivity world, maintaining network connectivity and quality of service in the satellite world is extremely challenging. To manage these highly stressed networks, minimize latency and maximize the efficient delivery of bandwidth, unique approaches are required. Luckily, there’s an answer to this challenge, in the form of acceleration hardware and software solutions. Jack Waters, CEO of XipLink discusses how accelerators provide the throughput that government and commercial customers require – and can increase link efficiency from 35 percent to 95 percent. Jack also shares his views on where the satellite industry is headed and the overall impact of new technologies such as HTS and the LEO mega constellations.
Hear Susan Bull, Senior Consultant and Partner of COMSYS share her insights on the present and future state of satellite communications. With capacity prices continuing to fall, the primary focus is no longer on the bandwidth. Satellite operators and service providers are targeting the applications, services and content that customers will pay for and that will drive revenues according to Susan. Lessons can be learned from the telecommunications industry and how that sector addressed similar challenges. Will the aero, maritime or the mobility market drive growth? Find out which sector Susan is bullish on and which one she believes is over hyped. With so much technological advancement in space with HTS and smallsat constellations, how will the ground sector keep up? Susan describes a future where flat panel antennas will have the intelligence, efficiency and price points to meet the demands on the ground for these transformational technologies. With 5G coming, Susan believes the industry will see much more integration between the terrestrial and satellite worlds to satisfy the end-to-end communications needs of customers.