News Analysis

Middletown, R.I., March 2, 2021—KVH Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq: KVHI), a leading provider of innovative, technologydriven connectivity and navigation solutions, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2020. Highlights of the results for the fourth quarter include:

• Total revenues from continuing operations increased by 4% year-over-year to US$ 44.1 million.

• Revenues for AgilePlans, our all-inclusive Connectivity as a Service program for the commercial maritime sector, were up more than 53% compared to the fourth quarter of 2019.

• AgilePlans amounted to 73% of total commercial maritime mini-VSAT Broadband shipments, and 58% of the total mini-VSAT Broadband shipments for the quarter. AgilePlans now represent 38% of our mini-VSAT Broadband subscriber base.

by Lou Zacharilla

New York, NY, March 2, 2021-- How many presentations, emails, articles and Zoom webinars start with the phrase, “In these uncertain times…”? I did a quick search: 549,000. Occam’s Razor applies here. The simplest explanation is usually true. And in March 2021 the simple explanation is that we are in uncertain times because of COVID.  Now can we please move on? 

Long Beach, Calif., March 1, 2021--Rocket Lab USA, Inc. a provider of launch and space systems, and Vector Acquisition Corporation (Nasdaq: VACQ) a special purpose acquisition company backed by technology investor Vector Capital, announced today that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement that will result in Rocket Lab becoming a publicly traded company. The transaction is estimated to be completed in Q2 2021 and, at that time, Vector will change its name to Rocket Lab USA, Inc. and the combined company will trade under the Nasdaq ticker symbol RKLB.

San Francisco, Calif., March 1, 2021--Spire Global and NavSight Holdings, a special purpose acquisition company, today announced they have entered into a definitive merger agreement for a business combination that would result in Spire becoming a publicly listed company.

by Elisabeth Tweedie

London, UK, March 1, 2021--The UK space industry is facing a crucial crossroad. The industry must face the challenges of a post-Brexit and post-pandemic world with increasing competition and pressure from countries with greater ambition and resolve to developed their space resources and capabilities. 

Jacksonville, Fla., February 23, 2021--Redwire has acquired Deployable Space Systems (DSS), a leading supplier of mission-enabling deployable solar arrays, structures and mechanisms for space applications.Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Houston, Tex., February 16, 2021--Axiom Space, which is developing the world's first commercial space station, has raised US$ 130 million in Series B funding. The round was led by C5 Capital and includes TQS Advisors, Declaration Partners (the investment firm backed by David M. Rubenstein), Moelis Dynasty Investments, Washington University in St. Louis, The Venture Collective, Aidenlair Capital, Hemisphere Ventures, and Starbridge Venture Capital.

Zurich, Switzerland, February 16, 2021--RUAG International’s Space business is currently being reorganized as part of a project called Ambition 21. The reorganization is a response to a changing market environment and an unsatisfactory performance in 2020. The  focus of the reorganization is on strengthening RUAG Space’s position in Europe as a leading supplier to the space industry, on selectively expanding its subsystem offering and to further expand RUAG Space’s business in the US and globally.  

Petah Tikva, Israel – February 16, 2021 – Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. (NASDAQ: GILT, TASE: GILT), a worldwide leader in satellite networking technology, solutions and services, today reported its results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2020.  The company reported revenues of US$ 42.6 million versus US$ 78.3 million in Q4 2019 and improved from US$ 37.3 million in the previous quarter.

Paris, France, February 12, 2021–The Board of Directors of Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL), reported the financial results for the half-year ended 31 December 2020. Rodolphe Belmer Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Eutelsat  said: “Eutelsat has produced a solid First Half performance with Operating Verticals revenues down by 2%, reflecting our resilience in the Covid-19 impacted context, and with an EBITDA margin at 76.7%, despite the costs associated with Broadband ramp-up. Free-cash flow generation at the half year stage already amply covers the dividend paid in November.”