News Analysis

by Lou Zacharilla

Washington, D.C.  May 15, 2019--At Satellite 2019 there was a payload full of exotic, interesting sessions, many flavored for the month and the buzz of the “New Space” era. While our commercial space and satellite industries are undergoing a burst not unlike the roar caused by Mount Vesuvius when it blows, the long hours on the show floor, the stream of panels and the happy chatter at networking events yields an inevitable echo chamber. By the last day we bounce around each other, happily, collegially and more often than not in a state of overload.

Paris, France, May 14, 2019 – Eutelsat Communications (ISIN: FR0010221234 - Euronext Paris: ETL) today reported slight increase in revenues of US$377.61 million (€337 million), up by 0.7% year-on-year for the third quarter on resilience of broadcast and stable video revenues. Revenues for the five Operating Verticals (ie, excluding ‘Other Revenues’), however, were down by 4%.

The May 2019 issue of  the Satellite Executive Briefing magazine  focusing on the Satellite Broadcast market sponsored by Comtech EF Data is now available.  Featuring:

The Changing Satellite Ecosystem by Omkar Nikam

A Beautiful Setting for a State of the Art Teleport by Virgil Labrador

How Teleport Operators Grow the Satellite Pie by Robert Bell

Better Satellite World: How Satellite Innovators Close the Gap

Oilfield Connectivity and Cellular Backhaul by Martin Jarrold

Case Study:  Satellite Data Acquisition in the Blink of an Eye

Featured Product: ATCi’s Simulsat

Featured Companies: Work Microwave and Mission Microwave

PLUS Products and Services MarketPlace Guide to Satellite 2019, Mergers and Acquisitions, Executive Moves, Market Briefs, Vital Statistics, Satellite Markets 20 Stock Index and many more. Click here to read or download the file

Ottawa, Canada, May 2, 2019 — Telesat reported consolidated revenues of US$164.85 million (Ca$222 million) during the first quarter of 2019, a decrease of 4% or US$7.43 million (Ca$10 million) compared to the same period in 2018. But despite the drop, Telesat netted US$127.72 million (Ca$172 million) compared to a loss of US$11.14 million (Ca$15 million) in first quarter 2018.

by Blaine Curcio and Tianyi Lan

Changsha, China, May 2, 2019 — April 24 is China Space Day in China, a day more or less on par with Earth Day (i.e. a sort of non-holiday formal day of observation), and one which is met with a corresponding conference and exhibition, held in unconventional cities, including Harbin (2018) and Xi’an (2017).

by Robert Bell

The teleport industry got its start in the days when monopoly telephone companies ruled and, in the US, COMSAT was the sole gatekeeper for access to domestic and international satellites.  Then the Reagan Administration’s Open Skies policy ended COMSAT’s lock on satellite access, and entrepreneurs jumped on the new opportunity.

New York City, NY, May 1, 2019 — The world is full of sharp disparities between the privileged and those struggling for access: access to good work, to knowledge, to the means to pursue their calling and preserve their communities. Around the world, dedicated people are using technology to close that gap. Technology that is literally out of this world.

by Virgil Labrador, Editor-in-Chief

Rugby, UK, May 1, 2019 — Having worked at a teleport at the beginning of my career, I never miss an opportunity to visit one. Teleports remind me of the very exciting times I spent working in one. There is something about the mix of high technology and innovative, geeky engineers that never cease to amaze me, so when I was invited to visit a teleport in England I didn’t hesitate to accept. But nothing prepared me for what I was about to see…

Tysons Corner, Va., May 1, 2019 — Intelsat S.A. (NYSE: I) reported today total revenues of US$ 528.4 million and net loss of US$ 120.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019.

Mclean, Va., April 29, 2019 — Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: IRDM) has reported a net loss of US$ 18.0 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2019, as compared to net income of US$ 11.5 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2018.