Constellations - Explore Space Network Technologies with Industry Leaders

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.

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.

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.

In this episode, we dive into the rapidly evolving space and satellite industry, covering both military and commercial sectors. Our guest, a space industry veteran with over 40 years of experience in the U.S. Air Force as a senior space researcher and leader, shares insights on the challenges of building large, custom satellites in the past. Highlighting the need for rapid satellite configuration and launch capabilities, he explains that commercial space has many advantages, as it tends to innovate faster than the military and emphasizes the critical role of space in modern warfare, where conflicts are measured in hours, not days or months.

On this Constellations Podcast, we discuss the Space RCO and the challenges of delivering timely, combat-capable space and ground systems. This episode covers key priorities, including programs like Satellite Communication Augmentation Resource (SCAR) and Rapid Resilient Command and Control (R2C2). Hear about the importance of leveraging commercial products, collaborating with international partners, and enhancing space operations through better synchronization of assets.

There have been many predictions about the consolidation of the GSaaS players, but it doesn’t seem to be as quickly as expected. In this podcast, we discuss what might be the why behind GSaaS providers continuing to hold steadfast for the most part. Listen to Brad Bode, CTO at ATLAS Space Operations, as for his take on the market, the changing applications for GSaaS beyond EO and why software is critical in ground systems.

An estimated 26,104 smallsats will be launched between 2023-2032 according to Novaspace. With so much growth on the horizon, how will regulatory efforts keep pace? What role will regulations play in terms of protecting the spectrum? How can interference be avoided to ensure a level playing field for new and incumbent players? Constellations discussed the role of regulation in the rapidly growing and evolving small satellite world with the ITU.

In this episode, we focus on how the ground segment is evolving to support the emergence of small satellites in orbit. Join our guest, Ron Faith, CEO and President of RBC Signals, as he talks all things GSaaS and smallsats and explains why satellite operators and service providers need to start thinking of the ground segment first rather than last.