News Analysis

Rocket Lab Closes Acquisition of SolAero Holdings

Long Beach, Calif., January 18, 2022–Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“ today announced it has closed the previously-announced transaction to acquire SolAero Holdings, Inc. (SolAero), a supplier of space solar power products and precision aerospace structures for the global aerospace market, for US$ 80 million in cash.

Regulatory Imperatives in the Disaster Response Ecosystem

by Martin Jarrold

London, UK, January 15, 2022--My choice of title for this month’s column is but a mirror to the complexities of what is to many, but certainly not to all, the rather remote topic of satellite regulation. If perhaps rather obscure, satellite regulation is something we certainly cannot do without; utter chaos would follow from its absence.

Satellite Industry Trends to Watch in 2022

by Virgil Labrador, Editor-in-Chief

Los Angeles, Calif., January 15, 2022--We begin 2022 entering the 25th month of the global COVID-19 pandemic, with yet a new variant of the virus wreaking havoc on recovery plans worldwide.  I can only describe the times we live in as Charles Dickens did in a "Tale of Two Cities" that "these are the best of times and these are the worst of times. " And yet there is a lot to be optimistic about 2022 and beyond.  Just to provide some perspective, the number of satellites launched in 2020 and 2021 during the pandemic is almost equal to all the satellites launched in the previous three decades. 

HISPASAT Raises its Stake in HISPAMAR to 100%

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, January 13, 2022. On December 28, HISPASAT agreed to acquire from Telemar 19.04% of the shareholding of its Brazilian subsidiary HISPAMAR Satélites, after obtaining the necessary permits and authorizations from the Brazilian government. Consequently, HISPASAT will hold 100% of its subsidiary's share capital.

Euroconsult Estimates that the Global Space Economy Totaled US$ 370 Billion in 2021

Paris, France, January 10, 2022--Euroconsult has released its annual “Space Economy report” report for 2021. In its latest edition, Euroconsult estimates that the global space economy totaled US$ 370 Billion in 2021. This number consists of:

"Embalm, Cremate, Bury at Sea..."

by Lou Zacharilla

New York City, January 7, 2022-- A man receives a telegram reporting the death of his mother-in-law and asks for instructions. He immediately replies back: “Embalm, cremate, bury at sea. Take no chances!” One defining feature of the space and satellite industry is that it knows how to take risks but does not take chances. 

Hughes and Airtel Form Joint Venture to Provide Satellite Broadband Services in India

New Delhi, India, January 4, 2022 – Hughes Communications India Pvt Ltd, (HCIPL), a majority-owned subsidiary of Hughes Network Systems, LLC and Bharti Airtel Limited, India’s premier communications solution provider, today announced the formation of a joint venture to provide satellite broadband services in India.

NextGen Acquisition Corp.Stockholders today Approve Merger with Virgin Orbit

Long Beach, Calif., December 28, 2021--NextGen Acquisition Corp. II (NASDAQ: NGCA) ) stockholders today approved the previously-announced business combination with Vieco USA, Inc., the parent company of Virgin Orbit, at a special meeting of stockholders held today. A Form 8-K disclosing the full voting results is expected to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

TECHBrief on Multi-Band FlyAway Terminals for Military Applications

TECHBrief on Multi-Band FlyAway Terminals for Military Applications sponsored by ND SatCom

A summary of the innovative features of ND SatCom's latest multiband FlyAway terminal for military applications--the MFT 1500.

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