News Analysis

by Lou Zacharilla

New York, NY, March 2, 2021-- How many presentations, emails, articles and Zoom webinars start with the phrase, “In these uncertain times…”? I did a quick search: 549,000. Occam’s Razor applies here. The simplest explanation is usually true. And in March 2021 the simple explanation is that we are in uncertain times because of COVID.  Now can we please move on? 

Long Beach, Calif., March 1, 2021--Rocket Lab USA, Inc. a provider of launch and space systems, and Vector Acquisition Corporation (Nasdaq: VACQ) a special purpose acquisition company backed by technology investor Vector Capital, announced today that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement that will result in Rocket Lab becoming a publicly traded company. The transaction is estimated to be completed in Q2 2021 and, at that time, Vector will change its name to Rocket Lab USA, Inc. and the combined company will trade under the Nasdaq ticker symbol RKLB.

San Francisco, Calif., March 1, 2021--Spire Global and NavSight Holdings, a special purpose acquisition company, today announced they have entered into a definitive merger agreement for a business combination that would result in Spire becoming a publicly listed company.

Jacksonville, Fla., February 23, 2021--Redwire has acquired Deployable Space Systems (DSS), a leading supplier of mission-enabling deployable solar arrays, structures and mechanisms for space applications.Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Petah Tikva, Israel – February 16, 2021 – Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. (NASDAQ: GILT, TASE: GILT), a worldwide leader in satellite networking technology, solutions and services, today reported its results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2020.  The company reported revenues of US$ 42.6 million versus US$ 78.3 million in Q4 2019 and improved from US$ 37.3 million in the previous quarter.

Paris, France, February 12, 2021–The Board of Directors of Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL), reported the financial results for the half-year ended 31 December 2020. Rodolphe Belmer Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Eutelsat  said: “Eutelsat has produced a solid First Half performance with Operating Verticals revenues down by 2%, reflecting our resilience in the Covid-19 impacted context, and with an EBITDA margin at 76.7%, despite the costs associated with Broadband ramp-up. Free-cash flow generation at the half year stage already amply covers the dividend paid in November.”

McLean, Va., February 11, 2021–Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq:IRDM)  today reported financial results for the fourth quarter of 2020 and issued its full-year 2021 guidance. Net loss was US$ 7.9 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2020, as compared to net loss of US$ 107.9 million, or $0.82 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2019.

MarketBrief Report on the Communications On The Move Market sponsored by BusinessCom Networks

A summary of the key trends and satellite solutions for the Comms on the Move (COTM) market.  Featuring:

Comms On The Move Market  by Virgil Labrador

Interview with Maxim Usatov, CTO and Founder, BusinessCom Networks

To read or download the pdf of full report click here.

Carlsbad, Calif., February 4, 2021--Viasat released third quarter Fiscal Year 2021 Financial results today in a letter to shareholders .  The quarterly company revenues were US$ 575.6 million versus US$ 588.2 million last year. Quarterly revenues were down 2.2% year on year (YoY) and EBITDA was up 20.6 % YoY.  The results were 6.6% above consensus.

Sydney, Australia, January 25, 2021–Speedcast International Limited (ASX:SDA) today announced that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas has confirmed Speedcast International Limited and certain of its affiliates’ Plan of Reorganization. The confirmation definitively clears the path for the company to successfully complete the Chapter 11 process after receiving final regulatory approvals and satisfying customary closing conditions, which is expected by the end of the first quarter of 2021.