News Analysis

The November-December 2024 issue of the Satellite Executive Briefing is now available.  Featuring:

The Multi-Orbit Challenge for Broadband Communications by Bruce Elbert

World Satellite Business Week Report  by Elisabeth Tweedie

Exploring the Significance of Regulatory Sandboxes for Satellite  and Emerging Technologies by Matthew Evans

The Golden Crown, the Chicago White Sox & the Collapse of Starlink​ by Lou Zacharilla

Company Spotlight: WORK Microwave

Silicon Valley Space Week Highlight Key Industry Trends

Plus  Mergers and Acquisitions, Market Trends, Executive Moves, Vital Stats and many more. Click here to read or download the file

Paris,  November 1, 2024 – Eutelsat Communications (ISIN: FR0010221234 - Euronext Paris / London Stock Exchange: ETL) reports revenues for the First Quarter ended 30 September 2024.

by Bruce Elbert  

Austin, Tex., November 1, 2024--The primary benefit of multi-orbit interoperability is to be able to guarantee the connection to the network under any circumstances, including user location, motion and timing of demand for service. Also, the immediate choice of satellite or orbit may be based on the cost of the connection and data transfer. Herein, we identify alternatives to achieve multi-orbit networks and rate them as to their capability, feasibility and costs. While many new technologies, like AI, facilitate integration, the physical link and the ability to hold and transfer to alternatives are central to how well such schemes will work in practice. Most certainly, multi-orbit integration is possible, but at what cost and complexity? We take a communications perspective rather than a pure technology orientation.

by Matthew Evans

Isle of Man, November 1, 2024--The satellite industry is experiencing an unprecedented surge in innovation and activity, with new satellite technologies being developed and launched at a record pace. As a result, regulators face significant challenges in keeping up.

by Lou Zacharilla

New York City, NY, November 1, 2024--SpaceX and its founder, whose innovations transformed the commercial Space business from a slumber deeper than even the makers of Melatonin promise, will surpass four million subscribers for its Starlink satellite broadband service by the time you finish this article.  The leader of the Digital Age’s Ford Motors with thrusters has, according to its president, Industry Hall of Fame inductee Gwynne Shotwell (https://tinyurl.com/nhc9nb6s), also produced one million terminals in less than 365 days at a facility deep in the heart of Texas.

Chandler, Ariz. November 1, 2024– In a letter to shareholders, Comtech (NASDAQ: CMTL) today announced that its fourth quarter fiscal 2024 financial results are now available.

London, UK, October 21, 2024 - ETL Systems, a lprovider of RF distribution solutions, is excited to announce the acquisition of SpacePath Communications, a strategic move that enhances ETL’s position in the global satellite communications market.

Chandler, Ariz. October 17, 2024 – Comtech (NASDAQ: CMTL)  today announced that its Board of Directors and management team are executing a strategy to transform Comtech into a pure-play satellite and space communications company and provided a capital structure update.

McLean, Va. October 17, 2024 – Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: IRDM), a provider of global voice and data satellite communications, today reported financial results for the third quarter of 2024 and updated its full-year 2024 outlook. Net income was US$ 24.4 million, or US $0.21 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2024, as compared to net loss o fUS $1.6 million, or US$ 0.01 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2023. Operational EBITDA (“OEBITDA”)(1) for the third quarter was a record US$ 124.4 million, as compared to US$ 121.3 million for the prior-year period. Net income benefitted from the year-over-year increases in service revenue, engineering and support revenue and equipment sales. In the third quarter, Iridium also had lower operating expenses compared to the prior year period primarily due to a decline in depreciation expense associated with the extension of the estimated useful lives of the Company’s satellites.

Oslo, Norway, October 15, 2024 - Marlink,a managed services provider of business-critical ICT solutions has acquired 100% of Port-IT, a leader in cyber security solutions tailored for the maritime industry.