With all of the activity and associated hype of broadband LEO constellations, one wonders if there is anything left to say about GEO satellites and applications. I chose Old Faithful, that amazing geyser in Yellowstone National Park, as the theme for this article because it, like dependable geostationary platforms, can be relied upon to simply do its thing. Old Faithful is powered by natural causes much the way that a GEO converts sunlight into dependable services to and by fixed positions on the earth.

For 30 million years, the North and South Poles have been kingdoms of ice and snow.  But today, there is nowhere on Earth more at risk from climate change. The Antarctic is warming twice as fast as the rest of the world. Arctic temperatures are rising even faster.

We all know the story. The days when broadcast TV is delivered by satellite are numbered. Pay-TV households in the US declined 31 percent, from 84 million in 2019 to 58 million by the end of 2023, according to Statista. While the decline was offset by growth in the Asia-Pacific and EMEA, Ampere Analysis predicts that this situation will change, as the industry experiences the first-ever annual decline in global pay TV penetration.

Space has become a new defense domain that enables more traditional defense domains with communications, observation, navigation, and less applications. As it became critical, contested, and congested new threats and solutions have emerged in a newer faster race. 

Advancing Military Defense and Space Security 

Defense and government have always been significant markets for the satellite industry, and if anything, that significance is increasing.  In the US in particular, this is partially due to the increasingly close cooperation and integration of commercial players into the Department of Defense (DoD) strategy.  In addition, in response to current geopolitical tensions and events around the world, globally, defense spending is on the rise.  At the same time, more regions and nations are prioritizing independent defense strategies, rather than rely on cooperation with others.

INTEGRASYS, a leading provider of advanced software solutions for satellite networks and space communications, is thrilled to announce its participation in the 40th Space Symposium, taking place from April 7-10, at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA. The company will showcase its cutting-edge innovation technology at Booth #838, engaging with industry leaders, military ofcials, and space experts from over 40 countries, ofering tailored solutions to address the evolving challenges in the defense and space sectors.

MDA Space Ltd. (TSX: MDA),and SatixFy Communications Ltd. (NYSE American: SATX)oday jointly announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which MDA Space will acquire all outstanding shares of SatixFy in an all-cash transaction for US$ 2.10 per share. The transaction, which represents an equity value for SatixFy of approximately US$ 193 million (approximately CDN$ 278 million).

ST Engineering iDirect has launched its Excelerator Partner Program, an initiative to recognize and reward outstanding partner performance while fostering deeper collaboration. The enhanced program replaces ST Engineering iDirect’s existing bePART program and is designed to help its partners accelerate time to market, expand opportunities and enhance partnerships, while improving experience through innovative tools and support.

Network Innovations  has announced changes to its senior leadership team, each effective today, March 31, 2025.

Chad Gatlin takes on NI Group CFO and COO responsibilities in addition to remaining as the CEO of the company’s US & UK Government focused Business Unit. Chad joined Network Innovations in 2013 as COO of our US subsidiary focused on the US government business portfolio and later ascended to be CEO of the division. Chad has worked in satellite communications and the federal government contracting area for nearly 20 years.