News Analysis

by Blaine Curcio

Hong Kong, January 3, 2020--A lot happened in the Chinese space industry in 2019. So much, that my friend and collaborator Jean Deville recently recorded a podcast on the year that was, with our conversation going nearly 2 hours, and we still felt like there was much more to say.  To capture everything that happened in China in space in 2019 in a single article would make for an incredibly long article, so for the sake of brevity, I’ve distilled our nearly 2 hours, plus everything else we did not get to, into a 2019 in review on the Chinese space industry, from my perspectives.

Westminister, Colo., January 1, 2020--Maxar Technologies (NYSE:MAXR) (TSX:MAXR), announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell MDA to a consortium of financial sponsors led by Northern Private Capital (NPC), for CAD$1 billion (US$765 million), subject to customary adjustments. The company expects to use proceeds to reduce leverage and improve its capital structure to prioritize investments for growth in its core areas of Earth Intelligence and Space Infrastructure.

by Elisabeth Tweedie

Los Angeles, Calif., December 30, 2019--Trying to choose the most significant stories of the year, is always a challenge!  Is x more important than y and does z really have an impact?  Inevitably, the choice of topics to include will always be subjective.  So, here’s my short list.

Antwerp, Belgium, December 20, 2019- Celestia Technologies Group has announced that it has acquired the satellite ground systems division of Antwerp Space, part of the Bremen-based OHB SE Group, in a deal that will boost Celestia’s existing expertise in EGSE and ground systems.

December 16, 2019, Cape Canaveral , Fla.-- Spacex' Falcon 9 rocket successfully launched JCSAT-18/Kacific1 satellite from Cape Canaveral, Florida at about 7:10 p.m. It will enter service several weeks after on-orbit tests and moving to its final geostationary orbit position over the Asia-Pacific region.

Germantown, MD, December 6, 2019 — Hughes Network Systems and Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat), a satellite operator based in the United Arab Emirates and wholly owned by Mubadala Investment Company, today announced the commencement of a joint venture to provide satellite broadband services in Brazil. Now operational under the established Hughes do Brasil name, the new venture combines Hughes decades of experience delivering satellite networks and services in Brazil with Yahsat’s strong position and capabilities in the region.

Boulder,Colo., December 4, 2019-Small satellite manufacturer and mission services provider Blue Canyon Technologies (BCT) has purchased leading RF antenna manufacturer, Antenna Development Corporation (AntDevCo).

Melville, NY, December 4, 2019-- Comtech Telecommunications Corp. (NASDAQ: CMTL) today reported its operating results for the first fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2019 and updated its fiscal 2020 guidance.  Net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2020 were US$ 170.3 million as compared to the US$ 160.8 million achieved during the first quarter of fiscal 2019, representing an increase of $9.5 million, or 5.9%.

New York City, NY, December 4, 2019--ViacomCBS Inc. (Nasdaq: VIACA, VIAC) (“ViacomCBS”) today announced the completion of the merger between CBS Corporation and Viacom Inc. The combined company, which is renamed ViacomCBS, creates a premium content powerhouse with global scale, including leading positions in markets across the U.S., Europe, Latin America and Asia.

Baku, Azerbaijan, December 3, 2019--Russia’s satellite communications operator Russian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC) and Azerbaijan’s satellite communications operator Azercosmos signed a cooperation agreement pertaining to satellite communications and broadcasting services in Baku, Azerbaijan, as part of the international telecommunications and IT show BAKUTEL 2019. RSCC’s Deputy Director General – Head of the Business Development Kseniya Drozdova and Azercosmos’s Deputy BoD Chairman Rovshan Rustamov signed the document.