NSR’s Satellite Manufacturing and Launch Services (SMLS), 3rd Edition report describes the difficulties of an industry facing a low demand period and the technologies and changes that will greatly improve the industry value proposition over the next decade.

Thailand-based satellite operator Thaicom posted a net income of US$11.08 million (THB 330 million) in the first quarter, up from US$1.41 million (THB 42 million) in the year-ago period equivalent to an increase by almost 300 percent.

Total revenues were US$64.18 million (THB 1.91 billion) versus US$61.15 million (THB 1.82 billion) a year earlier but sales and services income slipped to THB 1.77 billion from US$59.47 million (THB 1.78 billion). Gross profit totalled US$23.55 million (THB 701 million), up from US$20.23 million (THB 602 million) in the year-ago quarter.

SES S.A. has posted revenues of US$568.12 million (€440.8 million) for its latest quarterly results, down 2.1 percent year-on-year. EBITDA for the three months ended March 31 reached US$414.00 million (€321.2 million), down 4.8 percent.

ViaSat Inc., a provider of satellite and other wireless networking systems and services, earned profits of US$ 1.9 million in its fiscal fourth quarter after a boost from new contracts.

The company said it earned 4 cents per share for the quarter that ended March 29 compared with a loss of US$ 7.4 million, or 17 cents per share, in the same quarter last year. It earned 19 cents per share when excluding one-time items, versus a loss of a penny per share last year.

SpaceTech Expo (www.spacetechexpo.com ) the West Coast’s premier space industry event, has increased the free seminars and sessions available to its attendees by expanding its free-to-attend Satellite & Space Summit and Open Tech Forum.  “Against the backdrop of tough travel budgets for industry and government, we want to offer unrivalled value to the spacecraft and launch industry,” says Guy Harris, Event Director for Space Tech Expo 2013. “That is why on top of our premium Space Tech Conference for C-level business people, we have expanded the free-to-attend Satellite & Space Summit, and free Open Tech Forum.”

CASBAA’s annual Satellite Industry Forum will take place on 17 June 2013 at the Shangri-La, Singapore. The Association’s comprehensive forum on the thriving satellite market in the Asia-Pacific will examine An Industry in Transition this year, highlighting key issues top-of-mind with stakeholders in the region.

KVH Industries, Inc. announced that it has acquired Headland Media Limited, a UK-based media and entertainment services company. Headland Media is a provider of commercially licensed news, sports, movies, and music content that they sell in the maritime, hotel, and retail markets.

Singaporean telco StarHub has reported a 3 percent rise in Q1 net profit to US$73.24 million (S$91 million) compared with the same period a year ago. However, its group operating revenue for the period fell 2 percent to US$466.83 million (S$580 million) while EBITDA grew 3 percent to US$146.47 million (S$182 million) from US$142.45 million (S$177 million) previously.

Mobile satellite communications company Inmarsat has acquired TC Communications Pty Ltd. based in Australia. Inmarsat will integrate the company into its existing operations with a particular focus on supporting its expanding Global Government and Enterprise Business Units, according to a company statement.

Intelsat S.A. reported revenues of US$ 655.1 million and a net loss of US$ 7.8 million, or $0.09 per share, during the first quarter of 2013.  Intelsat also reported an EBITDA or earnings before net interest, taxes and depreciation and amortization, of US$ 496.8 million, and Adjusted EBITDA1 of US$ 505.8 million, or 77 percent of revenue, for the first quarter. The company said it has contracted backlog amounting to $10.4 billion at the end of the quarter.