SatMagazineJanuary 2020 - This issue... Time for Mergers? A Herd Day's Night A New Lifecycle for Satellite Technology?
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Worldwide Satellite Magazine
SatMagazine January 2020
This issue...
Time for Mergers?
A Herd Day’s Night
A New Lifecycle for Satellite Technology?
SATCOM IoT and Commercialization
The satIoT Opportunity
Managed Satellite Backhaul
QB-Express
satIoT Empowerment
Space Will Look Like...
Low Cost satIoT
Center Stage
The Year Ahead...
InfoBeam
Cover and Table of Contents page imagery are courtesy of Telespazio.
SATCOM TESTING
When reliability matters
Publishing Operations Senior Columnists This issue’s authors
Silvano Payne, Publisher + Executive Writer Richard Dutchik, Dutchik Communications Rashid Baba
Chris Forrester, Broadgate Publications Corry Brennan
Simon Payne, Chief Technical Officer
Vytenis Buzas
Karl Fuchs, iDirect Government Services
Hartley G. Lesser, Editorial Director Chris Forrester
Bob Gough, Goonhilly Earth Station Fabien Jordan
Pattie Lesser, Executive Editor
Rebecca M. Cowen-Hirsch, Inmarsat Per Koch
Donald McGee, Production Manager Jo De Loor
Ken Peterman, Viasat David Lyon
Andy Bernard, Sales Director
Giles Peeters, Track24 Defence Cara Morgan
Teresa Sanderson, Operations Director
Stephane Palomba
Koen Willems, ST Engineering iDirect
Sean Payne, Business Development Director Mike Parr
Dan Makinster, Technical Advisor Dave Rehbehn
Rick Somerton
Table of Contents
InfoBeam.......................................................................................................................... 4 to 21
Forrester Reports: Time for Mergers?....................................................................................22
.by Chris Forrester
A Herd Day’s Night.................................................................................................................24
by Corry Brennan
Is Satellite Technology Entering a New Lifecycle?..................................................................26
by Jo De Loor
SATCOM IoT is Ready for Commercialization.........................................................................32
by Per Koch
The Challenges for Satellite IoT...............................................................................................34
by Vytenis Buzas
Understanding the Satellite IoT Opportunity..........................................................................38
by Fabien Jordan
Managed Cellular Backhaul is a Smart Business Choice for Mobile Operators.......................40
by Stephane Palomba
Focus: QB-Express...................................................................................................................42
Satellite Empowerment for IoT/M2M......................................................................................48
by Rashid Baba
What Will Space Look Like... Tomorrow?................................................................................50
by Cara Morgan
Two-Way, Lowest Cost, Lowest Power, Satellite IoT..............................................................52
by David Lyon, Rick Somerton and Mike Parr
Center Stage for SATCOM......................................................................................................56
with Nabil Ben Soussia
The Year Ahead.......................................................................................................................58
by Dave Rehbehn
2 SatMagazine — January 2020
PAMIR
DENALI
CASCADE
TAURUS
SUMMIT
Advantech-tradeshow-back-panel-2.indd 1 2019-06-07 12:01 PM
Advertiser Index InfoBeam High level takeaways from the 2nd
Annual Morgan Stanley Space Summit
2020 SmallSat Symposium..............................................................31
On December 11, 2019, the 2nd OneWeb & Starlink Launches
Annual Morgan Stanley Space Summit OneWeb plans to launch > 30
Advantech Wireless Technologies....................................................3
in New York was in session — this satellites per month in late 2020.
event included participation from a Meanwhile, SpaceX Founder Elon
AvL Technologies............................................................................13 range of private and public space Musk has said that Starlink needs
companies, regulators and investors, 400 satellites to have continual
with discussions centered on coverage of limited geographies,
Comtech EF Data............................................................................15
national security, Earth Observation and 1,000 satellites to be
(EO), launch, broadband, as well as economically viable.
CPI Satcom Products......................................................................11 hypersonic transport.
GEO Mobility Focus
Here are Morgan Stanley’s high level Opportunities: Both ViaSat and
Dubai World Trade Center — CABSAT...........................................21 takeaways from the event: Intelsat noted areas like inflight
connectivity and maritime as
GateHouse Telecom A/S........................................................... Cover • Government involvement growth drivers moving forward.
has increased, from the ViaSat remains on track to launch
Department of Commerce its first ViaSat-3 satellite in 1H21
Satnews Digital Editions.................................................................51 to the military, with the FY20 with a direct insertion launch.
NDAA establishing the Space
Spacebridge......................................................................................9 Force as a separate military Space Travel
branch in the US. The House is Virgin Galactic plans to start
expected to vote on December commercial flights in mid 2020,
Space Foundation — Space Symposium.........................................60 11, 2019, with the Senate to while Blue Origin is planning
consider at a later date. crewed flights on the New Shepard.
• There is a greater emphasis
W.B. Walton Enterprises, Inc............................................................5
on financial discipline in the NASA Commercial Crew
industry, with a focus on Program Boeing is planning an
developing the building blocks uncrewed Orbital Flight Test on
for space and sound business December 19, 2019, with the
model fundamentals vs. “gas CST-100 Starliner Crew Flight Test
stations in space.” estimated for mid 2020. SpaceX is
• Private equity being priced a targeting no later than January 4,
SatMagazine is published 11 times a year by
bit tighter? Private investment 2020 for an in-flight abort test of
Satnews Publishers, 800 Siesta Way, has continued to flow into the the Crew Dragon, with the Crew
Sonoma, CA, 95476 — USA. space industry through 2019, Dragon Demo 2 in 2020.
Phone: (707) 939-9306 / Fax: (707) 939-9235 but challenges with respect to
late stage financing may grow, Space Force?
© 2020 Satnews Publishers
as investors expect progress to The House and Senate Armed
be made by the end of 2020. Services Committees (HASC
• As it relates to national and SASC) completed the FY20
We reserve the right to edit all submitted materials to meet security, the DoD/IC will NDAA conference report earlier
remain a technological leader this week that recognizes space
publication content guidelines, as well as for grammar and spelling
in various sub-segments of as a warfighting domain and
errors, or to move articles to an alternative issue to accommodate space, though demand for establishes the U.S. Space Force.
actionable intelligence will The legislation now heads to vote
publication space requirements, or remove content due to space drive particularly high demand in Congress, with the expectation
for analytics and the application of passage and signing into law by
restrictions or unacceptable content. Submission of articles does not
of ML/AI going forward. the President later this month.
constitute acceptance of said material by Satnews Publishers. Edited • Technological emphasis
included: cyber, GPS, More Capital Market Events?
materials may, or may not, be returned to author and/or company communications, data and CNBC has documented comments
analytics, SAR, propulsion, travel, from the leadership at SpaceX,
for review prior to publication. The views expressed in Satnews
space situational awareness/ Blue Origin, Rocket Lab, and Spire,
Publishers’ various publications do not necessarily reflect the views orbital debris mitigation. with regard to various companies’
• Investor interest is increasing... plans to access capital or go public.
or opinions of Satnews Publishers. All rights reserved. All included Total attendance for the
imagery is courtesy of, and copyright to, the respective companies summit was up over 100
percent YoY including investor
and/or named individuals. attendance that tripled YoY.
Here are some key milestones and
catalysts that Morgan Stanley expects
to develop in the year ahead:
4 SatMagazine — January 2020
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InfoBeam Arianespace successfully lifts multiple payloads to orbit
passenger COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation, This second-generation system, including its
then CHEOPS (Characterizing Exoplanet ground segment, will set a new performance
Satellite) and three auxiliary payloads: EyeSat, standard for space-based radar observation
OPS-SAT and ANGELS. systems in terms of precision, image quality
and the flexibility of user services. It is a dual
To read the Soyuz technical overview by (civil/military) system, designed to address the
Arianespace, please access www.arianespace. requirements of both commercial and government
com/vehicle/soyuz/# customers, as well as the scientific community.
COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation will
This morning launch marked the Russian-built be the 162nd satellite manufactured by this
vehicle’s 23rd liftoff from the Spaceport in constructor to be launched by Arianespace.
French Guiana and the 49th Soyuz mission There currently are five Thales Alenia Space’s
overall for Arianespace (including 26 originating satellites in Arianespace’s backlog.
from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan,
performed by the company’s Starsem affiliate). CHEOPS
It provided an estimated total lift performance Produced by Airbus, the Characterizing
of 3,250 kg., including the satellites and ASAP-S Exoplanet Satellite (CHEOPS) will be used by the
multi-passenger dispenser system. European Space Agency (ESA) on a mission to
study bright, nearby stars that already are known
COSMO-SkyMed 2Gen to host exoplanets, in order to make high-
To be used for Earth Observation (EO), COSMO- precision observations of the planet’s size. It is
SkyMed Second Generation is the fourth satellite the 74th satellite launched by Arianespace at the
launched by Arianespace for the Italian Space service of ESA.
Agency (ISA) and Ministry of Defence. The
satellite was produced by Thales Alenia Space
based on the manufacturer’s PRISMA platform
and will deliver global coverage with a 16-day
Arianespace successfully launched five repeat cycle.
satellites on the company’s year-ending Soyuz
mission — departing at the exact planned
liftoff moment of 5:54:20 a.m., local time.
The Soyuz ST-A launcher version flew a four-
hour-plus profile to release its multi-satellite
payload into SSO – starting with primary
Artistic rendition of one of two, second-
generation Cosmo-SkyMed radar
reconnaissance satellites.
An artistic rendition of the
Image is courtesy of Thales Alenia Space.
CHEOPS satellite. Image is courtesy of ESA.
The full system of COSMO-SkyMed CHEOPS will focus on planets in the super-Earth
Second Generation satellites – developed to to Neptune size range, with its data enabling
address the requirements of both commercial the bulk density of the planets to be derived – a
and government customers, as well as the first characterization step towards understanding
scientific community – is designed to set new these alien worlds.
performance standards for space-based radar This is an ESA mission implemented in
observation systems in terms of precision, image partnership — in particular — with Switzerland.
quality and the flexibility of user services. This 74th satellite to be launched by Arianespace
COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation for ESA will mark the 52nd mission conducted by
satellites, including the primary passenger the launch services provider at the service of this
orbited on this mission success with Soyuz, are space agency.
equipped with synthetic aperture radars (SAR), The spacecraft will focus on planets in the
allowing them to make observations under any super-Earth to Neptune size range, with its data
weather or light conditions, both day and night. enabling the bulk density of the planets to be
derived – a first characterization step towards
understanding these alien worlds.
6 SatMagazine — January 2020
This is the 25th scientific mission (and the 32nd EyeSat The instrument collects and determines the
satellite) to be launched by Arianespace. EyeSat, a cubesat designed to study zodiacal position of low-power signals and messages
Airbus in Spain is prime contractor for the light and image the Milky Way, is being financed sent by the 20,000 ARGOS beacons now in
mission, with the University of Bern being and developed by the French CNES space service worldwide.
responsible for the telescope. Airbus led a agency within the scope of the Janus project, There are two project teams – CNES and
consortium of 24 companies (seven From which is designed to encourage students in Hemeria for ANGELS; and CNES, Thales Alenia
Spain) representing 11 European countries. The universities and engineering schools to develop Space and Syrlinks for ARGOS Néo – and they
spacecraft was built in two years. their own very small satellites. worked together on this French space project.
CHEOPS is the 128th Airbus satellite to be ANGELS is paving the way for French industry
launched by Arianespace and there are currently to build operational smallsats within the “new
21 Airbus satellites in Arianespace’s backlog. space” environment.
ANGELS will be the 17th satellite (including
Smallsat Passengers Pleiades satellites) to be launched by
The three auxiliary passengers on this Soyuz Arianespace for CNES.
mission, designated Flight VS23 in Arianespace’s
numbering system, were orbited for the benefit Flight VS23 was Arianespace’s third launch in
of European institutions. 2019 using a medium-lift Soyuz, and the ninth
overall this year across its full family of launchers
OPS-SAT – which also includes the heavy-lift Ariane 5 and
OPS-SAT is the world’s first free-for-use, on-orbit lightweight Vega.
testbed for new software, applications and
techniques in satellite control and brings Europe Arianespace CEO Stéphane Israël, who provided
forward to a new era of space flight innovation his post-flight comments from the Spaceport’s
and commercial opportunity. Its launch was Jointly financed and developed by CNES mission control center, said for the company’s
performed for Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems on and Hemeria, ANGELS (for: Argos Néo on a ninth and last launch of the year, success is here
behalf of ESA. Generic Economical and Light Satellite) is the for Arianespace’s customers and partners. This
first smallsat produced by French industry and success shows Arianespace’s ability to deliver
will collect and determine the position of low- for European institutions and to orbit innovative
power signals and messages sent by the 20,000 small satellites.
ARGOS beacons now in service worldwide. The
satellite is fitted with an instrument called IRIS, www.arianespace.com
which is a small space telescope.
EyeSat will be the 16th satellite (including www.thalesgroup.com/en/global/activities/space
Pleiades satellites) to be launched by
Arianespace for CNES. There is one additional www.esa.int
CNES satellite to be launched in the
Arianespace’s backlog: TARANIS. www.airbus.com
ANGELS www.tyvak.com
Argos Néo on a Generic Economical and
Light Satellite (ANGELS) is jointly financed www.tugraz.at
and developed by the French CNES space
agency (Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales) cnes.fr
and Hemeria – an innovative industrial group
This a 3U CubeSat and the first satellite to be active in the aerospace, defense, energy, rail and www.hemeria-group.com
launched by Arianespace for Tyvak on behalf automotive markets (which is an affiliate
of ESA. Tyvak International of Italy provided of Nexeya).
the deployer and launch service for OPS-SAT
on behalf of ESA. During the satellite’s first
year of operation, OPS-SAT will host more than
100 in-flight experiments submitted from many
ESA Member States. OPS-SAT was developed
by the Graz University of Technology with
subcontractors from Austria, Germany, Poland
and Denmark. It will be operated by ESA from
the European Space Operations Center (ESOC)
in Germany.
ANGELS is a 12U CubeSat, and is the French
industry’s first smallsat. The satellite will be fitted
with a miniaturized ARGOS Néo instrument,
which is 10-times smaller than the equivalent
previous-generation device.
SatMagazine — January 2020 7
InfoBeam Gilat’s In-Air ESA enjoys a successful demo on a commercial aircraft
Kevin Calcagni, CTO at Honeywell Connected
Enterprise, Aerospace, said the company sees
the electronically steered antenna as a key
future technology and this test is an important
milestone showcasing its potential. Honeywell
has been investing in this technology for several
years, and in parallel look to industry partners to
innovate with the company. The firm is pleased
to successfully collaborate with Gilat in this pilot
that again demonstrates Honeywell’s leadership
position in the connectivity market.
Michel Forest, Director of Systems Engineering
Gilat’s ESA terminal achieves industry milestone. Photo is courtesy of the company. for the LEO Program at Telesat, noted that the
company is pleased to join forces with longtime
Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. (NASDAQ, Gilat’s high throughput antenna demonstrated partner, Gilat, in achieving an additional
TASE: GILT) has announced that Gilat’s remarkable scores with complete gate-to-gate remarkable milestone, this time using Gilat’s
In-Flight Connectivity (IFC) Electronically operation. Gilat’s ESA has no moving parts, full ESA antenna over Ka-band capacity on Telesat’s
Steered Antenna (ESA) is the first-ever to electronic beam steering and a flat panel with an Telstar 19 VANTAGE GEO HTS. Gilat’s ESA
operate during flight on a commercial aircraft extremely low profile. innovations demonstrate the ability to access
— this well positions Gilat to win the vast and unleash the throughput and performance of
opportunities in the fast changing market Gilat’s innovative design combines the benefits Ka-band HTS beams with a low-profile antenna
of ESA. of ESA with the advantages of Ka-band, as as desired by airlines.
highlighted by the performance achieved in
The industry milestone was achieved onboard this testing. Liran Wiener, Director of SatCom On-the-Move
Honeywell’s Boeing 757 test aircraft with Programs at Gilat, added that the accomplishment
Gilat’s ESA terminal operating over Ka-band The ESA terminal can serve both GEO and of the successful in-flight demonstration of
capacity on Telesat’s Telstar 19 VANTAGE High NGSO constellations that operate in Ka-band and Gilat’s IFC ESA terminal onboard Honeywell’s
Throughput Satellite (HTS). features Gilat’s industry leading aero modem. commercial jetliner using Ka-band capacity
on Telesat’s Telstar 19 VANTAGE HTS
demonstrates the company’s
innovation and progress for
next-generation IFC ESA
technology as well as the firm’s
ability to overcome massive
technological challenges. This
exciting solution meets the
communication needs of the
aero market including both
commercial and smaller jets that
until now could not be served
efficiently by existing solutions
and opens up great opportunity
for Gilat over GEO satellites and
Non-GEO constellations.
Artistic rendition
of the Telstar 19
VANTAGE HTS
satellite. Image is
courtesy of Telesat.
8 SatMagazine — January 2020
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InfoBeam Brought to fruition... Telespazio’s new control room at the Fucino Space Center
Leonardo, through its subsidiary Telespazio,
has debuted their new LEOP (Launch and
Early Orbit Phase) control room at the
Fucino Space Center in Abruzzo, Italy, the
technological core for the sensitive satellite
orbital insertion and testing the activities.
The ceremony was attended by the
Undersecretary of State of the Prime Minister’s
Office with delegation for Space, Riccardo
Fraccaro, the Military Adviser of the Presidency
of the Council, Admiral Carlo Massagli , the
President of the Italian Space Agency, Giorgio
Saccoccia, the CEO of Leonardo, Alessandro
Profumo, and the Coordinator of Leonardo Space
Activities and CEO of Telespazio, Luigi Pasquali.
of the EUMETSAT European meteorological The most important stages characterizing a
satellites in 2021. LEOP phase are:
The “Piero Fanti” Fucino Space Center extends 1 - First telemetry acquisition through
more than 370,000 sq. m. and operates 170 the antennas of the Ground Station
antennas. In addition ti the LEOP room, the network after launcher separation.
center has rooms dedicated to controlling the
network of ground stations and flight dynamics, 2 - Initialization and configuration of
equally important activities in the management the propulsion system.
of a satellite mission. All facilities are manned
24 hours a day and can simultaneously handle 3 - Positioning toward the sun
The order of complexity that is managed during multiple space missions. and unfolding of solar panels to
a LEOP activity includes up to 50,000 telemetric allow the supply and recharge of
parameters indicating the satellite status, with Alessandro Profumo, the CEO of Leonardo, internal batteries.
a required performance during this type of stated that the continuous investment in
operation very close to “zero error tolerance.” technologies, capabilities and infrastructures to 4 - The various (3 to 5) Apogee
guarantee safe and effective space operations, maneuvers to pass from the release
The role of Leonardo in COSMO-SkyMed in view of the strong growth of the sector, is orbit, highly elliptical and inclined
Second Generation is not limited to the already an indispensable factor to consolidate the with respect to the Equator, to the
completed orbital insertion of the satellite. The leadership of Leonardo in satellite services. geostationary one at an altitude of
company, in fact, also provides stellar attitude Leonardo, through Telespazio, is the only private 42,168 km. from the center of the
sensors for correct positioning in space, while operator in Europe capable of managing the Earth, which has the characteristic of
the power required for satellite and instrument LEOP stage of a satellite mission. The firm is having the same period of the Earth
operation is guaranteed by eight, advanced, among the most innovative companies in the revolution (24 hours).
photovoltaic panels. marketing of services for institutions, businesses
and citizens, from navigation to geo-information, 5 - Reaching the target longitude and
Multiple control and distribution units will to the security of territories and infrastructures. entering the nominal mode, with the
transform sunlight into power and will manage communications antennas facing the
it, maximizing its efficiency to power on-board Luigi Pasquali, Coordinator of Leonardo Space ground, the panels fully open and all
systems and subsystems. After COSMO-SkyMed, Activities, added that since 1996 to the present the subsystems active.
the “Piero Fanti” Centre will supervise the launch day, Telespazio has successfully carried out more
than 50 operations to put into orbit some of the
most important international satellites, many of
them with Leonardo technologies on board. The
new room will also represent a strategic asset
for electric propulsion LEOPs, which will become
increasingly important in the coming years.
Aerial view of Telespazio’s Fucino, Italy, Space
Center. Photo is courtesy of the company.
10 SatMagazine — January 2020InfoBeam Sending smallsats spacewards
A partnership was announced that will enable a developer of
next-generation smallsat propulsion systems to work with a major
university that will build and test the first flight units of this
propulsion system.
Orbion Space Technology, developer of next-generation smallsat
propulsion systems, announced a partnership with the University of
Michigan’s Space Physics Research Laboratory (UM-SPRL), described
as a world leader in the design, construction, operation, and analysis
of space flight instruments. The University will build and test Orbion’s
first flight units of the electrical power processor (PPU) used to drive
their plasma thruster.
The Orbion PPU is an electrical component that transmits the energy
harvested from spacecraft solar panels to the plasma thruster, where
the energy is used to exhaust a beam of ions to create gentle yet
efficient thrust.
Orbion and SPRL will implement an innovative architecture that takes
advantage of recent advances in high-end automotive electrical
components to dramatically reduce the cost and complexity of space
power systems. This will not only reduce the cost of Orbion’s PPU
by 20x, but it will also allow Orbion to mass-produce their plasma
propulsion system using assembly-line manufacturing techniques.
Sure, you could. But why?
With the PPU design and prototype units already developed and
tested extensively by Orbion in space-simulation facilities, UM-
SPRL will qualify the Orbion PPU for use in the most rigorous space
Did you know high power GaN SSPAs
environments and will supply the first units that will propel Orbion can bust your budget?
systems to Earth orbit, the Moon, and beyond.
CPI Ku-band SuperLinear® HPA comparison with competing GaN system
Dr. Brad King, CEO of Orbion Space Technology said that plasma
Linear O/P Power Power Consumption at Plin Weight Typical Annual Power Costs
thrusters are the most efficient propulsion systems available for
Competing 1000 W
smallsat applications, but historically they have been too expensive Ku-band GaN 20,000 W ~600 kg $1,000s more per year per HPA
for commercial use and they take too long to build. They look forward CPI 920 W
to working with SPRL to pioneer new design and manufacturing Ku-band TWTA 4,600 W ~148 kg $1,000s less per year per HPA
techniques that will industrialize space propulsion systems to allow CPI 1560 W
Ku-band TWTA 9,200 W ~300 kg $1,000s less per year per HPA
smallsat operators to maximize their investments, and ultimately, their
long-distance missions.
Trust CPI to provide the most efficient solution.
Patrick McNally, Managing Director of UM-SPRL added that UM-
SPRL specializes in advancing new technologies and demonstrating
their capabilities in extreme environments, including space. They
have complete facilities and personnel for the design, fabrication,
and qualification of space flight hardware. The collaboration with
Orbion is part of their mission to support Michigan companies and is a
continuation of the work they have done for over 72 years.
Orbion recently announced plans to manufacture and mass-produce
the Orbion Aurora Hall-effect plasma thruster system for small Compact and efficient SuperLinear® TWTAs
satellites. Orbion states that Aurora is the highest-performing system
of its kind in the world, and will deliver the accelerated access and
efficiency gains that New Space operators need to drive greater ROI
for smallsat missions.
+1 (669) 275-2744 | www.cpii.com/satcom
SatMagazine — January 2020 11InfoBeam Millions invested in Isar Aerospace
substantially in the development
of sustainable, environmentally-
friendly launch vehicles and
further deliver on the firm’s vision
to make space access affordable
for everyone.
Airbus Ventures Financial
Officer and EMEA team member,
Claas Carsten Kohl, at Airbus
Ventures stated the company is
de Isar Aerospace to the firm’s
global portfolio of innovative
launch systems.
Mathieu Costes, also at Airbus
Ventures Partner, added the firm
is pleased to entrust Daniel and
his outstanding team, bringing
impressive new technologies and
approaches to the challenges
of Low Earth Orbit (LEO), to
represent this first deal in
Germany for the company.
Together with this investment
round co-leader Earlybird, and
under the continuing guidance
of Bulent Altan, Airbus Ventures
Partner is pleased to help draw
together the ecosystems of new
space excellence in both Germany
and in the wider Airbus universe.
Bulent Altan noted that he
has been able to watch Isar
Aerospace’s progress closely
and they have made impressive
progress in their quest of building
a cost-effective medium-sized
launcher and differentiating
themselves in this ever-growing
Isar Aerospace has closed a 15 million euros and medium satellite manufacturers who drive launcher market by targeting the correct
Series A investment round led by Earlybird innovation and digitization with data from space. segment with solid engineering. As
and Airbus Ventures to develop low-cost such, this investment decision was an easy one
launch vehicles dedicated to deploying and Over the past year, Isar Aerospace has been to make.
resupplying satellite constellations. developing its Spectrum rocket, with the
development fully on track for a first launch Hendrik Brandis, partner at Earlybird,
Existing investors Vito Ventures and UVC in late 2021, while key milestones such commented that there is a new spirit of optimism
Partners participated in the round with Bulent as propulsion system hotfire testing and in aerospace. The firm sees the New Space
Altan, who served 12 years at SpaceX, including agreements for launch site access have segment as a business of the future around
Vice President positions, as well as Christian been achieved. rockets and satellites. Isar Aerospace convinced
Angermayer’s Apeiron Investment Group. Earlybird with its professional, motivated and
The Isar Aerospace launch manifest is also highly talented team. This is the company’s first
Isar Aerospace was founded in 2018 by Daniel picking up momentum with governmental and investment in this field are proud to support Isar
Metzler, Josef Fleischmann and Markus Brandl, commercial customers including a Memorandum Aerospace as their Series A lead investor and
all of them having studied at the Technical of Understanding with Airbus Defence and Space look forward to accompanying them on their
University of Munich and all have backgrounds in for multiple satellite constellations launches. journey as investors and supporters.
Aerospace Engineering.
Daniel Metzler, CEO of Isar Aerospace, said
The company is leveraging advanced that space is becoming the new internet and
manufacturing to enable high performance, its commercialization is in full swing. This
yet low-cost, access to space, serving small funding round enables the company to progress
12 SatMagazine — January 2020NEW 2.2M ULTRALIGHT ANTENNA
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avltech.comInfoBeam Three launches, three continents, for Spaceflight during a successful 2019
Spaceflight successfully executed nine “Our team has
missions during 2019, the most rideshare supported a record
launches the company has performed in number of missions,
a single year, representing a 300 percent resulting in a busy and
growth from the previous year. rewarding year,” said
Curt Blake, CEO and
The company ended last year with its historic President of Spaceflight.
dedicated rideshare mission, SSO-A, and “This year has made
continued to execute many more firsts in 2019. it clear that the ‘new
This includes the most recent accomplishment normal’ of rideshare
of manifesting and managing three rideshare is a high cadence of
launches in one week on three continents. launches. With the
variety and complexity
The final missions of 2019 were SEOPS-2 of our missions,
(ISS SpX-19/NG-12) launched in the U.S., we’ve demonstrated
RL-2 (Rocket Lab’s “Running Out of Fingers”) our expertise and
launched in New Zealand, and PSLV-C48 experience in mission
launched in India. management and
integration services.
The nine missions in 2019 were executed across As we look to the
four different launch vehicles, including the ISRO coming year, we plan
PSLV, SpaceX Falcon 9, Rocket Lab Electron to add more launch
and Northrop Grumman Cygnus. Spaceflight vehicles to our portfolio
managed the launch and integration services of to meet growing
nearly 50 spacecraft from customers in Japan, launch demand, while
Israel, Switzerland, Egypt, Australia, Mexico delivering increased
and the U.S., representing both commercial launch flexibility through
and government organizations, growing a breadth of launch
constellations, the first commercial lunar options. Ultimately, we
lander, technology demonstrations, university aim to minimize the
spacecraft, and more. pain points of launch
delays and ensure our
Other important milestones for Spaceflight customers’ mission
during 2019 included: goals are achieved.”
The SpaceX SSO-A launch in 2018.
• The first-ever rideshare mission to For its notable
Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO), achievements, both in
launching the first privately funded lunar 2019 and the record-breaking launch of SSO-A in This year, Spaceflight plans to manage
lander, developed and operated by SpaceIL. 2018, Spaceflight and CEO Curt Blake received approximately 10 rideshare missions across
(GTO-1) numerous industry awards and recognition. In five different launch vehicles. The company
2019, Blake was selected as an Innovator of the anticipates reaching a cadence of monthly
• The execution of its first three missions Year by the Puget Sound Business Journal and launches and remains dedicated to maximizing
with Rocket Lab, launching more than 10 named one of Seattle’s Most Influential People launch capacity on available missions and
customer spacecraft. (RL-1, RL-2, RL-4) by Seattle Magazine. assisting its customers achieve their missions on
time and on budget.
• The purchase of the first commercial launch Spaceflight was also awarded a Laureate for
of NSIL’s new small launch vehicle, SSLV, for Launch Services in recognition of its pioneering
a dedicated rideshare mission in 2020. work in bringing the rideshare business into the
mainstream by Aviation Week.
• Spaceflight’s first deployments with
Hypergiant from the International Space “Spaceflight continues to provide smallsat
Station. (SEOPS-1, SEOPS-2) operators frequent access to space, proving the
importance of rideshare in the space industry,”
• Four launches across three continents in the said Robert Sproles, Director of Ground Stations
span of 16 days. (PSLV C47, SEOPS-2, RL-2, and Launch at Spire Global. “Spaceflight’s
PSLV C48) diverse launch portfolio, depth of skills and
knowledge, and commitment to providing a
first-class launch experience has helped many
smallsat organizations like Spire successfully
achieve their missions.”
14 SatMagazine — January 2020InfoBeam Talia’s African HTS services beta testing completed
Ayes Amewudah, VP of Sales of Talia, said with Bringing a wealth of benefits to users, Ka-
low-cost and self-installed antennas as small as band is the most cost-effective way of securing
74 cm., Talia’s Ka-band platform represents a connectivity until terrestrial networks extend
robust and affordable solution that can reach further into rural areas. It provides a user-
places where fiber is not yet available, while friendly, self-reliant solution that can be
providing comparable high speeds at deployed anywhere, regardless of the locations
reasonable costs. or existing infrastructure.
Talia Limited has successfully completed
their beta testing of the firm’s Ka-band
High Throughput Satellites (HTS) services in
additional African countries that
include Cameroon, DRC, Gambia,
Ghana and Congo.
Solving the
This announcement follows a week of
constructive meetings with customers
and partners at AfricaCom 2019,
which occurred in Cape Town.
Joining other influential industry
players that are driving Africa’s digital
transformation, Talia held informational
VSAT Puzzle
sessions about their latest connectivity
solutions for Africa throughout the
duration of the show.
In addition to the completion of beta
testing in multiple West and Central
African countries, Talia announced the
signing of as many as three additional
local resellers to provide fast and reliable
Ka-band services to a diverse customer
base throughout Africa.
As the access to broadband connectivity
remains sought after in many parts
of Africa, Talia’s is working alongside
governments, ISP’s and carriers to bridge
the digital divide by providing affordable
high-speed connectivity solutions to
different sectors across the continent.
Being committed to the sustainable
and resilient development of sub-
Saharan countries by providing internet
connectivity to schools, SME’s and
When you select Comtech for your VSAT platform, you can have confidence that we’ll provide the
individual consumers, Talia is helping
pieces to solve the puzzle. We start with the industry’s most advanced hardware and software solutions,
to bridge the digital gap as well as enabling the highest user throughput and availability, optimal resource utilization and premier quality of
facilitating the social and economic experience. Then, we provide technical training followed by professional installation and service
growth of African populations. commissioning wherever our systems are sold, and 24/7 x 365 engineering support in 5 time zones.
The company is exploring opportunities Contact us today. Let us show you how the efficiencies and flexibility of our platforms can help address
the complexities of your global VSAT network.
for collaboration with several other
governments and resellers across Central,
East and West Africa to deliver its
affordable and inclusive Ka-band solution
to bring these communities online in a +1.480.333.2200
more sustainable and accessible way. sales@comtechefdata.com
www.comtechefdata.com
SatMagazine — January
CEFD_SatMag 2_3_Puzzle_2020.indd 1 2020 12/10/19 15
1:18 PMInfoBeam New FSS capacity analysis regarding pricing trends published by Euroconsult
have both stabilized at lower rates for high-quality HTS capacity in certain bands
of decline and are projected to and regions has exceeded supply, enabling
continue that trend through 2020. stable pricing in those markets.
The research demonstrates that Euroconsult notes that the double-digit pricing
the market structure of the FSS declines that were observed in the years prior
industry remains concentrated to 2018 are now rare and limited to several
at the top with growing localized markets.
fragmentation at the bottom.
However, the research firm projects that today’s
The top four operators (SES, pricing stabilization is likely to be short-lived
Intelsat, Eutelsat and Telesat) for data-oriented applications as a massive
today represent approximately 60 volume of attractively priced supply from
percent of the industry’s revenue, Very High Throughput Satellites (VHTS) and
a share that has decreased in Non-Geostationary-Satellite Orbit (NGSO)
recent years. Five years ago, constellations currently under construction, is
they combined for 64 percent of expected to enter service in 2021.
total revenue.
The research includes an analysis of how pricing
The landscape behind the top parameters have evolved over the past 12 to 18
five is rapidly evolving with three months and documents average and specific
new companies joining the top pricing data points.
ten in the past five years. These
include YahSat, China Satcom, The report includes a table with detail on more
and ISRO. than ten actual satellite capacity lease contracts in
the 2018 to 2019 time period and provides analysis
Based on hundreds of data points of the factors impacting capacity pricing. The
spanning nearly all segments, report also reviews the evolving cost of building
frequency bands, and regions, and launching FSS, HTS and NGSO satellites.
the report uncovered broadening
In the company’s latest research titled, “FSS price disparity. Brent Prokosh, Senior Affiliate Consultant
Capacity Pricing Trends,” Euroconsult details at Euroconsult, said the slowdown in supply
pricing for traditional C-, Ku-band and High The report cites capacity pricing as low as $800 growth has helped the market regain a certain
Throughput Satellite (HTS) capacity broken per MHz per month for data applications in regions degree of equilibrium, with demand growth
out by contracts, regions, spectrum bands, such as Sub-Saharan Africa, Russia, and Central also contributing to the stabilization of pricing
and applications. Asia, and notes market resilience with pricing conditions underway today. Pricing ranges
remaining as high as $8,000 per MHz per month in remain highly dispersed, although convergence
This report shows that as the growth of satellite important orbital hot spots for video broadcasting. in pricing levels for regular Fixed Satellite
capacity on-orbit slows, pricing levels per Services (FSS) capacity and HTS bandwidth for
megahertz (MHz) for regular capacity and per While the cost per Mbps for HTS capacity has data applications has been observed.
megabits per second (Mbps) for HTS capacity trended lower in the past 12 months, demand
Pacome Révillon, CEO of
Euroconsult, added that the
most frequent questions that the
company’s analysts are asked relate
to the cost of capacity. Rather than
just providing anecdotal evidence,
Euroconsult embarked on this
in-depth research to delve into the
details and more fully understand
the changing dynamics of satellite
capacity pricing. The report
addresses the satellite bandwidth
market with the perspective and
authority that the industry has
come to expect from Euroconsult.
16 SatMagazine — January 2020InfoBeam Kacific1 successfully launched by SpaceX with co-passenger JCSAT-18
The launch of the Kacific1 and JCSAT-18 satellites via a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Launch photo is courtesy of SpaceX.
Kacific1 was launched successfully into space nations in South East Asia and the Pacific Islands excellent position to grow alongside these
aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket at 7:10 via 56 high-throughput beams. markets. The satellites range of services, from
p.m.EST (UTC-4) on December 16, 2019, from mobile backhaul to broadband internet via VSAT
the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, Kacific1 will cover Indonesia, The Philippines, terminals, will provide a catalyst for positive
USA — the satellite was placed into its target Timor-Leste and South Asia with 28 spot beams, change in the nations it is about to serve. The
geostationary transfer orbit 33 minutes while the Pacific Islands and New Zealand will be company is thrilled to start seeing the social and
following initial ignition. covered with a further 28 beams. economic impact of Kacific1.
Owned by Kacific Broadband Satellites Group Following a sequence of on-orbit Kacific’s first launch was celebrated in Florida
(Kacific), the Boeing-built communications maneuvers and tests that are expected to by more than 160 guests from across Asia
satellite will stream high-speed broadband to 25 take approximately six weeks, Kacific1 is Pacific who represented telecommunication and
scheduled to internet service provider customers, government
begin commercial agencies and regulators, not-for-profit
operations in organisations, universities and Kacific investors,
the first quarter management and staff.
of 2020.
Patouraux added that celebrating this launch
Christian Patouraux, with Kacific’s international supporters has been
Kacific founder and an incredible and affirming experience.
CEO, said Kacific1
is the newest and
most powerful
commercial satellite
operating in the
Asia-Pacific region,
placing Kacific in an
SatMagazine — January 2020 17InfoBeam A new fairing from RUAG Space ensures a quieter journey to space...
To view RUAG Space’s video of their
separation test in Emmen, please select this
direct link...
RUAG Space has successfully developed and More Comfort, Thanks to Low Shock Load Lower Development Costs and
tested a new, low shock, jettison system The payload fairing protects the satellite from Simpler Test Conditions
funded by the Future Launchers Preparatory aerodynamic and thermal loads during flight. The separation and jettison system has a
Program (FLPP) of the European Space After passing through dense atmospheric layer, modular design and reduces development costs,
Agency (ESA). and as soon as the satellite is no longer at as parts can be improved or replaced without
risk, the payload fairing is separated from the affecting the entire system. Testing is easier and
This news system enables a quieter and launch vehicle. the mechanism does not require synchronization.
smoother journey to space for satellites or other The tests were carried out at the RUAG Space
payloads. The required payload fairings for the As a rule, two pyrotechnic mechanisms are site in Emmen on Vega payload fairing.
European launchers Ariane and VEGA have fired to open hinges, allowing the half-shells to
been produced by RUAG Space in Emmen, separate safely from the payload. Pyrotechnics “The new system is scalable and could also be
Switzerland, since the 1970s. is a proven technology which may generate used for, for instance, for the European launch
significant shock during activation and may result vehicle Ariane,” explained Guggenbach.
“This new solution enables a quieter journey to in excitation that needs to be considered in the
space,” said Peter Guggenbach, Executive Vice design of the launcher and payload hardware. In addition to the successful separation test,
President RUAG Space. a significant noise reduction was achieved.
An integrated sound-reducing perforated
insulation layer within the sandwich panels of the
payload fairing enables noise reduction without
increasing mass and volume.
In certain frequency bands, this system could
replace acoustic absorber mats currently used in
payload fairings. Testing and evaluation of this
new system will continue in the next phase of
the project.
18 SatMagazine — January 2020InfoBeam Satellogic acquires $50 million in new funding
Satellogic has received $50 million in of the IDB Group. Pitanga, also based in the Latin Today, less than one-third of the countries in
funding from new and existing investors — American region, invests in innovative companies the world have their own satellites orbiting the
this announcement comes on the heels of with high growth potential and is among the Earth, limiting their ability to capture data about
Satellogic’s $38 million Dedicated Satellite existing investors contributing to Satellogic’s their policy implementation and infrastructure.
Constellation (DSC) agreement with ABDAS newly announced funding. However, that landscape is changing. One
to deliver access to a dedicated fleet of recent report valued the geospatial analytics
satellites providing them with high-resolution Satellogic recently closed a $38 million agreement market at $19.59 billiion 2018 and predicted that
geospatial insights that will contribute with ABDAS, a data science company established it will reach a value of $29.28 billion by 2024. In
to the monitoring of agriculture over the under the technical support of the Institute of this report, government interest was noted as a
Henan Province in China and strengthen Remote Sensing and Digital Earth. The agreement key driver of growth.
governmental decisions. gives ABDAS access to a Dedicated Satellite
Constellation and geospatial analytics that will New investor, IDB Lab, sees an opportunity
Existing investors, including Tencent and Pitanga, provide them with multi-spectral imagery for for Satellogic to have a meaningful impact in
contributed approximately 40 percent of the $50 monthly remapping of sites they define within their Latin America and the Caribbean in particular.
million in newly announced funding, with some departmental territory and derive insights through IDB Lab’s financing will be specifically directed
existing investors requesting more than their pro their in-house data science capabilities. Through toward Satellogic’s development of user-end
rata share. The remaining capital comes from a the partnership, ABDAS is able to leverage their satellite imagery solutions in these sectors.
number of new financial and strategic investors, constellation to strengthen and support key policy
including the Inter-American Development Bank decisions in the province, with no capital outlay Tomás Lopes Teixeira, Senior Investment
(IDB), through IDB Lab, the innovation laboratory and no technical or operational risks. Officer at IDB Lab, said the company’s mission
is to leverage innovation toward inclusion in
Latin American and the Caribbean. The firm
is excited to support Satellogic’s mission of
democratizing access to geospatial analytics
solutions, such as monitoring crop growth and
preventing the spread of plagues in agriculture
to help increase yields and livelihoods of
a vast universe of small and medium-sized
farmers caught in a low-productivity cycle in
the region; improving the reaction time and
accuracy in natural disaster response, which
typically disproportionately impacts vulnerable
populations; and preventing deforestation.
Fernando Reinach, Partner, Pitanga Fund, added
that as an investor that has continued to support
Satellogic through multiple phases of growth
and development, the company is excited to see
the market dynamics shift toward what our team
has been building since 2010. Governments
and industry alike now recognize the power of
geospatial analytics and Satellogic is a proven
partner. When choosing where to invest and
reinvest, Pitanga seeks to fund companies that
have the potential to be disruptive and capture
a significant portion of large markets in a short
time. In this regard, Satellogic is the perfect
archetype of the Pitanga portfolio.
Satellogic Founder and CEO, Emiliano
Kargieman, noted that the company is
experiencing significant commercial momentum
and the firm is grateful to have investors that
want to fuel that growth and help Satellogic
service the demand for the company’s
Dedicated Satellite Constellation (DSC) and
Dedicated Satellite Services (DSS) solutions.
Given the commercial success with Satellogic’s
DSC bookings and pipeline, in particular, the
Artistic rendition of a Satellogic satellite. firm is fortunate to be in a position to use that
Image is courtesy of the company. cash flow to better leverage investor capital in
executing the company’s business plan.
SatMagazine — January 2020 19InfoBeam Mitsubishi Electric is the Prime for new smallsat platform
Artistic rendition of the new satellite
for Innovative Satellite Technology
Demonstration-2 on-orbit. Image is
courtesy of Mitsubishi Electric.
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation announced The purpose of the new satellite developed Globally, smallsats are being developed for use
the company has been designated by the under JAXA for this program is for in-orbit in constellations that are comprised of dozens of
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency verifications and demonstrations of equipment, small satellites that will cover the entire world.
(JAXA) as the prime contractor of the new parts and smallsats developed by private
satellite for Innovative Satellite Technology companies, universities or other entities. The constellations will perform coordinated
Demonstration-2. operations for a wide range of new services,
In particular, it will help to establish a such as truly globalized internet access or
Under the program, Mitsubishi Electric aims to standardized platform for developing small services based on daily photography of the
establish a standardized platform for designing, 100 kg. class satellites equipped with standard entire world.
manufacturing and operating small 100 kg. components and equipment, selected for use by
class satellites incorporating standard parts JAXA through an open invitation in fiscal year Numerous private-sector services are expected
for key functions such as attitude control and of 2018. to make good use of smallsats covering the
power supply. entire globe.
The program requires the prime contractor to
The new platform will enable unified functions develop a platform that will facilitate the faster Going forward, Mitsubishi Electric will develop
and services provided via a global constellation and less costly development of small satellites in the new satellite for Innovative Satellite
of smallsats. comparison to the development of mid-sized or Technology Demonstration-2 and a standardized
large satellites. platform for small 100kg-class satellites,
Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration-2 which the company will use, along with its
is a part of a Japanese government program The satellite is scheduled to be launched on an well-established DS2000 platform for large
aiming for the stable supply of core components Epsilon Launch Vehicle from Uchinoura Space standardized satellites, to meet a growing range
to the nation’s space program. Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan in the of needs.
fiscal year ending in March 2022.
20 SatMagazine — January 2020You can also read
