
Constellations - Explore Space Network Technologies with Industry Leaders
Constellations is your connection to the innovators, business leaders, entrepreneurs and policy makers who are making—and remaking—today’s satellite and space networks.
Whether you’re in the industry or just have a desire to learn, this podcast is for you.
For more information and to subscribe to the biweekly newsletter go to www.ConstellationsMag.com
Latest episodes

Apr 30, 2025 • 29min
205 - 5G-Enabled Convergence, Competition and Cooperation
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.

Apr 16, 2025 • 16min
204 - Mega-Constellations, Gaining Competitive Advantage and Software-Ground
Mega-constellations like Starlink are reshaping the satellite industry—and traditional operators are looking to gain competitive advantage. In this episode, Lluc Palerm, Research Director at Analysys Mason, shares key insights from a recent white paper on how software-ground systems can help legacy players compete. He will discuss what strategies can help operators thrive in the era of space disruption. Register for the upcoming webinar here. Get the white paper here.

Apr 2, 2025 • 28min
203 - Innovative Commercial Solutions, Expanding CASR and Accelerating Space Readiness
In this episode, Colonel Richard Kniseley from the Space Systems Command's Commercial Space Office (COMSO) delves into the U.S. military’s strategy for incorporating commercial space capabilities to strengthen national defense. Col. Kniseley outlines the "buy before build" approach, discusses the benefits of commercial services like satellite communications and tactical surveillance for military readiness, and highlights the growing role of industry partnerships in space domain awareness. Learn about the Commercial Augmentation Space Reserve (CASR) program and its tailored frameworks for commercial space providers, offering insights into how the U.S. Department of Defense is adapting its acquisition processes and funding models to accelerate innovation and meet evolving warfighter needs.

Mar 19, 2025 • 28min
202 - Flexible Payloads, Orchestrated Ground and Service on Demand
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!

Mar 5, 2025 • 15min
201 - GPS, LEO and the Speed of Decision
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.

Feb 19, 2025 • 28min
200 - Standards, Spectrum and Seamless Connectivity for D2D Services
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.

Feb 5, 2025 • 23min
199 - Software-Defined Satellites, Follow-Me Beams and Always-On Customer Connectivity
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.

Jan 22, 2025 • 25min
198 - Micro Satellites, Big Disruptors and the Trajectory of the Space Race
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.

Jan 8, 2025 • 19min
197 - Interoperability, Cloud Services and Satellite-Enabled Network Resilience
Communications networks underpin the services and applications that are critical to consumer well-being and business growth, which has amplified the impact of network outages. In this episode, Sergy Mummert, SVP, Sales Global Cloud & Strategic Partnerships at SES Networks, joins us to discuss how advances in satellite technology are enabling a more resilient network fabric.

Dec 18, 2024 • 19min
196 - The Rise of HAPS, Competition for LEOs and Promise of Connectivity Everywhere
While LEOs may be receiving most of the attention, an emerging technology is rising to the stratosphere in the form of High Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS). HAPS have the potential to unlock the Earth's stratosphere and enhance global connectivity, offering significant opportunities across various industries, including telecommunications, high-resolution Earth observation, weather prediction, and modeling. Though both LEOs and HAPS are used for communication, surveillance, and data collection, they differ greatly in design, functionality, and use cases. To share insights into the similarities and differences between LEOs and HAPS, we are joined by Russ Van Der Werff, Vice President of the HAPS Alliance and VP of Stratospheric Solutions at Aerostar.