NSR’s Satellite Industry Financial Analysis, 8th Edition (SIFA8), released today, finds most operators demonstrated higher fill rates in 2017, though aggregate operator revenues increased by just 0.5%. Increasing demand in mobility, broadband and backhaul has enabled operators to post higher contractual volumes towards both FSS and HTS fleets in a supply-heavy market; however, this is balanced by declining capacity pricing and shorter contract durations – resulting in decreased backlog, at a CAGR of -4% over last 5 years.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in United States, has chosen Thales to develop and build an operational ground station in the southwest part of the country, at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico, to track Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) satellites operating in medium Earth orbit (MEO).

C-COM Satellite Systems Inc. (TSXV: CMI), a leading global provider of mobile auto-deploying satellite antenna systems, announced today financial results for the third quarter ended August 31, 2018.C-COM said it generated revenues of CDN$ 4,002,223 and a net after tax profit of CDN$ 641,930 or 2 cents per share. This compared with revenues of CDN$ 2,341,016 and a net after tax profit of CDN$ 130,183 or 0 cents per share as reported in the same quarter of 2017, representing an increase of 71% and 393% respectively.

Harris Corporation (NYSE:HRS) and L3 Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:LLL) have agreed to combine in an all stock merger of equals to create a global defense technology leader, focused on developing differentiated and mission critical solutions for customers around the world. Under the terms of the merger agreement, which was unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both companies, L3 shareholders will receive a fixed exchange ratio of 1.30 shares of Harris common stock for each share of L3 common stock, consistent with the 60-trading day average exchange ratio of the two companies.

In partnership with Africa’s leading accelerators and innovation hubs, the AHUB program is designed to highlight the critical role of entrepreneurship in fuelling Africa’s digital economy and connect African tech start-ups and scale-ups to investors and corporate partners.

Boeing [NYSE: BA] is investing in Accion Systems Inc., a Boston, Mass.,-based startup pioneering scalable electric propulsion technology to transform satellite capabilities in and beyond Earth's orbit.

Accion's new Tiled Ionic Liquid Electrospray (TILE) in-space propulsion system aims to increase the lifespan and maneuverability of satellites and other vehicles in space. Leveraging a non-toxic, ionic liquid propellant and postage stamp-size thrusters, the TILE system is smaller, lighter and more cost-effective than traditional ion engines.

NEP Group, a worldwide outsourced technical production partner supporting premier content producers of live sports and entertainment, announced today its acquisition of SIS LIVE Limited, a leading provider of connectivity services and a subsidiary of UK-based Sports Information Services (SIS).

The Satellite Interference Reduction Group today announced it is expanding its reach to encompass all types of innovation within the satellite communications industry. As part of that expansion, it has changed its name to Satcoms Innovation Group (SIG). SIG was officially launched today during Satellite Technology Asia in Singapore. The event is being co-hosted with Intelligence-Sec.

In response to accelerated growth of its U.S. and Canadian customer base, Riedel Communications has appointed Endi A. Maricevic as service manager for North America. Based in Riedel's Burbank, California, office, Maricevic is providing dedicated customer support as well as managing Riedel's service operations.

Satellite communications equipment manufacturer Newtec announced today its modems have become the first to be successfully tested over-the-air on Telesat’s inaugural Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite.