News Analysis

Trends in the Satellite Comms on the Move Market

by Bernardo Schneiderman

Los Angeles, Calif., March 5, 2021--There are many exciting developments in the Satellite communication on the move (COTM) market.  Among these developments,  the most promising might just be the launch of flat panel antennas (FPAs) which aretransforming the Land, Maritime and Aeronautical COTM markets.  FPAs may just supplant the traditional parabolic antennas, if the cost and economics would make it a feasible solution.

 

Satellite TECHBrief on Mx-DMA Technology

TECHBrief on Mx-DMA MRC Technology for All Applications sponsored by ST Engineering iDirect

A summary of the innovative features and benefits of ST Engineering iDirect's new Mx-DMA Multi-Resolution Coding (MRC) Technology.  Featuring:

No Compromises: Mx-DMA MRC Technology for All Applications  by Elisabeth Tweedie

Interview with Ban Van Poucke, Vice-President-Product Management, ST Engineering iDirect

Case Study: BIRDSAT-Netting the Benefits of Mx-DMA MRC 

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

Comtech Telecommunications Closes Acquisition of UHP Networks

Melville, NY, Mar. 3, 2021--Comtech Telecommunications Corp.  (NASDAQ: CMTL), a global leader in the advanced secure wireless communications market, announced today that it has closed the acquisition of UHP Networks Inc., a leading provider of innovative and disruptive satellite ground station technology solutions. Founded in 2011, UHP is based in Canada and has developed revolutionary technology that is transforming the growing Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) market.

KVH Industries Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2020 Results

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.

In These ‘Uncertain Times’ a Little Satellite Goes a Long Way

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? 

Rocket Lab, to Become Publicly Traded Through Merger with Vector Acquisition Corporation

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.

Spire Global to go Public through a Merger with NavSight Holdings

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.

The UK Space Industry at a Crucial Crossroad

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. 

 

Redwire Acquires Deployable Space Systems

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.