Constellations - Explore Space Network Technologies with Industry Leaders

In this episode, Awais Ahmed, founder and CEO of Pixxel, talks about building a constellation called Firefly, otherwise known as the “health monitor for the Earth.” Join us to learn about hyperspectral imagery, how access to it can support faster responses to environmental issues, and how its data can be used to provide insights on terrestrial changes that haven’t even happened yet.

The number of satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) is poised to explode over the coming years as more mega-constellations come online. This has the potential to bring rise to new potential threats in space. The massive scale of deployments is driving the need to leverage artificial intelligence to make better sense of the exponentially growing space domain. Listen to Slingshot Aerospace’s VP of Strategy and Policy, Audrey Schaffer as she discusses the role of AI for space domain awareness. Audrey shares insights on the new capabilities AI enables and how it is addressing some of the key challenges in space.

5G technology holds the promise of the seamless integration of satellite and telco networks – a critical development as the demand for global connectivity grows. Listen to a panel of experts discuss the convergence of satellite and telecommunications infrastructure from both a technology and a business case perspective.

Lluc Palerm, Research Director at Analysys Mason, shares his expertise on the challenges mega-constellations like Starlink pose to traditional satellite operators. He delves into how software-ground systems can level the playing field, enabling legacy companies to innovate and thrive amid fierce competition. Highlights include the evolution of satellite technologies, the vital role of 5G in enhancing satellite communications, and strategic insights on leveraging software-defined systems to gain a competitive edge. A must-listen for anyone in the space industry!

Colonel Richard Kniseley, from the Space Systems Command's Commercial Space Office, shares insights on the U.S. military's evolving strategy to leverage commercial space capabilities. He explores the 'buy before build' approach for enhancing operational readiness and discusses the pivotal role of the Commercial Augmentation Space Reserve (CASR) in fostering industry partnerships. Kniseley highlights innovative collaborations aimed at addressing current challenges and the importance of integrating commercial tech to accelerate military capabilities in a rapidly changing landscape.

Industry leaders dive deep into the revolutionary potential of software-defined satellites and how these satellites are transforming the way operators can dynamically adjust capacity and coverage in orbit to meet customer demand, opening doors to new revenue streams and innovative services. Hear from experts on how a more dynamic ground system plays a key role in unlocking these possibilities and providing a competitive edge. Don't miss this inside look at the future of satellite technology!

On the Constellations Podcast, the overall importance of GPS by commercial and military will be discussed. Hear from Ian Canning, President and CEO of the Eutelsat America Corporation and OneWeb Technologies Inc. (EACOWT) as he discusses reasons and strategies to support position, navigation and timing. He will also describe the capabilities of operators in LEO to enhance resiliency for government communications, especially in regards to GPS/GNSS challenged environments. Hear Ian talk about the role LEO is playing in the evolution of U.S. military satellite communication, driven by the need for faster decisions which require faster connectivity. Mr. Canning emphasizes that LEO constellations have specific advantages when it comes to resiliency, such as the difficulty to target and take out an entire LEO system versus one GEO satellite.

Direct-to-Device satellite connectivity is being touted as a way to bridge terrestrial connectivity gaps, and the past year has seen major developments in the D2D space. Jacques Leduc, CEO of Terrestar Solutions and a founding member of the Mobile Satellite Services Association discusses how 3GPP 5G standards, access to spectrum and partnerships will drive the D2D market going forward.

​​The satellite industry is transforming with software-defined networking, unlocking global connectivity anywhere, anytime. Software-defined satellites, which can shift capacity on-demand, are key to this change, enabling flexible business models to meet evolving needs. Carmel Ortiz, Senior VP of Technology and Innovation at Intelsat, joins us to discuss how these satellites are revolutionizing the industry and addressing market challenges. Tune in to learn about the future of connectivity.  As a complement to this podcast and to get the full ground and satellite story, check out the Satellite World podcast that focuses on how software-defined ground supports these new flexible payloads.

John Gedmark, CEO and Co-Founder of Astranis Space Technologies, dives into the revolutionary world of micro GEO satellite technology. He discusses how U.S. military involvement is reshaping the industry and emphasizes the strategic benefits of geostationary orbit for national security and broadband connectivity. Gedmark highlights groundbreaking advancements like the 'Omega' satellite, capable of 50 gigabits per second, and addresses the challenges in producing software-defined satellites. He also reflects on the competitive landscape for space startups amidst the modern space race.