News Analysis

Tysons Corner, Va., April 15, 2020--Various meida report, among them Bloomberg news is reporting that satellite operator Intelsat SA is seeking backers for a bankruptcy loan that would keep the satellite service in business under Chapter 11 court protection while it’s waiting for billions of dollars in proceeds from a government spectrum auction. 

Westminister, Colo., April 8, 2020- Maxar Technologies today announced it has closed the sale of MDA, previously a wholly owned subsidiary of the company, to a consortium of investors led by Northern Private Capital for CAD$1 billion. Net proceeds, including customary adjustments, and after application of currency hedges related to the transaction is expected to be approximately US$729 million.

by Virgil Labrador

Los Angeles, Calif., April 3, 2020--The global COVID-19 pandemic that is making shockwaves through every industry in the world will have a significant impact on the satellite industry. Even the most optimistic projections indicate that the restrictions on movement, travel and public events will continue to be in place for at least the next two months in most of the world.  With more than half of the world and nearly 90 percent of the US and Europe in lockdown, the very strength and resilience of the industry will  be put to the ultimate test.

The April 2020 issue of  the Satellite Executive Briefing magazine sponsored by The Spaceconnection is now available.  Featuring:

The Satellite Industry in the Time of COVID-19 by Virgil Labrador

A Truncated Satellite 2020 Portends of Turbulent Times for the Satellite Industry by Elisabeth Tweedie

Prospects in the OTT via Satellite Market by Omkar Nikam

Trends in the Satellite Industry: A User's Perspective by Krasimir Terziev

Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic  by Martin Jarrold

Better Satellite World Series: When Disaster Strikes

Will Connecting with LEO and MEO be a Viable Business?  by Robert Bell

PLUS 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

by Robert Bell

New York City, NY, April 2, 2020--Most of the attention surrounding the early success of the SES Networks’ MEO constellation and the pending arrival of LEO constellations has focused skyward.  It is all about the satellites and their orbits, interference with GEO and the economic potential and risks of delivering global coverage to a planet that is 70% covered by water.

New York City, NY, April 1, 2020-In life, it’s the connections that count. It’s the phone call and the text message.  The emails for work. The online shopping and the credit card in the store.  The visit to the ATM, the airplane trip, the medical emergency. Without those connections, life grinds to a halt. 

Melville, N.Y., April 1, 2020-Comtech Telecommunications Corp. (NASDAQ: CMTL) provided a business update on the impact of the coronavirus, including the withdrawal of its business outlook for its fiscal year ending July 31, 2020, and a status update on the Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. acquisition.

Al Khobar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, April 1, 2020--AXESS Networks (AXESS)  signed a joint venture agreement with the Saudi Arabian communications provider Middle East Telecommunications Co. (METelecom). The intention is to provide end-to-end managed satellite communications solutions that are designed to enhance performances of customers operating in Saudi Arabia.

New York, NY, March 27, 2020--Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation operator OneWeb announced today that the company and certain of its controlled affiliates have voluntarily filed for relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.

by Elisabeth Tweedie

Washington, D.C. March 19, 2020--The industry's premier show, Satellite 2020 held from March 9-11 in Washington D.C., was almost a surreal experience. I don’t know the precise numbers, but from walking around the show floor, I would guess that attendance was down by 30-50%.  There were large gaps where booths should have been.