News Analysis

The Need for Flexibility

by Elisabeth Tweedie, Associate Editor

London, UK, October 1, 2019--The recurring themes running through the three European Conferences (World Satellite Business Week in Paris, IBC in Amsterdam and VSAT and Next Generation Satellite Applications in London) durig the month of September, were the need for flexibility and the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations.

EM Solutions Acquired by EOS Communications

Canberra, Australia, October 1, 2019--Electro Optic Systems (ASX: EOS) has agreed to acquire space communications company EM Solutions Pty Limited (EMS), an Australian technology company in the field of microwave satellite communications.EMS will form part of EOS Communication Systems.

Axesat and CETel Combine to become AXESS Networks

Barcelona, Spain, September 25, 2019–Supported by Aksiom Group Limited, a specialist in the development of high growth technical services companies, satellite service providers Latin American-based Axesat and German-based CETel, are combining to form AXESS Networks (AXESS).

iDirect Government Acquires Glowlink Communications Technology

Mountiain View, Calif., September 18, 2019--iDirect Government, a wholly owned subsidiary of ST Engineering iDirect, has acquired Glowlink Communications Technologies, Inc., a Mountain View, CA, a solutions provider for mitigating satellite interferences and improving the quality of satellite communications.

EchoStar Completes Spin-Off and Merger of its BSS Business

Englewood, Colo., Sept. 10, 2019 — EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ:SATS) has announced the completion of its previously announced spin-off and subsequent merger with DISH Network Corporation (NASDAQ:DISH) of the portion of its business that manages, markets and provides (i) broadcast satellite services primarily to DISH, Dish Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V. and their respective subsidiaries and (ii) telemetry, tracking and control services to satellites owned by DISH and a portion of EchoStar's other businesses, and certain related assets and business operations. 

Space Engineering Becomes Airbus Italia

Rome, Italy, Sept. 4, 2019 — Following shareholder approval and its registration in the Chamber of Commerce, Airbus’ Italian space subsidiary Space Engineering has officially changed its name to Airbus Italia S.p.A.. Space Engineering is adopting the Airbus logo as its single visual identity.

Swiss IoT Startup Astrocast Secures US$ 9.2 Mil. in Series A Funding

Ecublens, Switzerland, September 4, 2019--Astrocast, a Switzerland-based Internet of Things (IoT) nanosatellite network, has secured US$ 9.2 (€8.3M)  Series A round of funding to accelerate production of IoT modules, to begin commercial phase and deployment of the its Low Earth Orbit (LEO) IoT network.

Angels, Arianes and English Roses

by Lou Zacharilla

New York City, NY, September 3, 2019--The uncomfortable co-existence among science, technology and religion is a few centuries old.  For a long while the three disciplines tried to stay in their own lane and tried to avoid swerving into the others’ lane.  But a collision was inevitable.  The crash has given us a toxic political and social climate at times, and made us mistrust each of the three disciplines. 

 

The Evolving Broadcast Market

by Elisabeth Tweedie

Los Angeles, Calif., Sept. 3, 2019 — It will come as no surprise to anyone in this industry who is paying attention to what has been happening over the last few years, to hear me say that the industry is in a state of flux.  This is hardly news, but the pace appears to be accelerating and things that have been talked about for the last several years, are either reality or now very close to be becoming so.