Constellations - Explore Space Network Technologies with Industry Leaders

New business models for software-defined satellites: this episode features Florian Thirion, Senior Product and Portfolio Marketing Manager at Airbus Defence and Space. New software-defined satellites give operators the capability to scale their business models and diversify the services they deliver to customers. Over 27,000 satellites with flexible architectures are forecasted to be manufactured and launched between 2021 and 2031. Software-defined satellites enables lower and progressive CapEx, can share capacity between operators, and have lower overall operation costs. In coming years, high throughput laser links between GEO and ground architecture will allow from 10-100 gigabits of massive data transfer. Chapters: 0:00 – introducing Florian Thirion, Airbus Defence and Space 1:25 – current state of the satellite market 2:42 – why the industry is moving towards software-defined satellites 4:10 – bent-pipe satellites vs. software-defined satellites 6:55 – new capabilities made possible 8:25 – best applications for software-defined satellites 10:11 – increasing revenue and lowering CapEx 11:50 – working with ground systems 14:17 – multi-orbit orchestration 14:50 – prediction: software-defined satellites in five years 17:44 – building cloud connectivity in satellite 19:36 – long-term sustainability in space About Constellations: Constellations is a podcast and publication by Kratos covering the new generation of space network technologies. Our core interests are space networks, softwarization, terrestrial-space interoperability, the ground segment, security—and, of course, the growing space economy. The podcast publishes biweekly on Wednesday mornings. The podcast has featured leading CEOs, analysts, and government guests from Space Force, AFRL, the White House, and more. By size, our audience is space industry leaders, engineers, military/civil space, and academia. We publish article contributions from outside organizations and have ongoing content partnerships with DIFI, Space ISAC, Space Intel Report, and Analysys Mason. \Sign up to receive our newsletter: www.kratosdefense.com/constellations/newsletters

5G from space holds the promise to make mobile connectivity accessible to everyone and everywhere. Past efforts to mainstream satellite communications did not have the advantage that 5G brings - a single technology standard that enables Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and satellite service providers to complement each other’s networks to deliver nearly ubiquitous, instantaneous, connectivity for large numbers of devices globally. With us today on Constellations Podcast is Lucas Hansen, Vice President and General Manager of Wireless and Satellite Direct-to-Device Communications at Keysight Technologies to discuss the opportunities, challenges, use cases and future of 5G from space.

On the Constellations Podcast we’ll discuss the Space Development Agency (SDA) looking at taking capabilities and technologies that are already mature and integrating them into a solution for the military. During this episode, Colonel Kalliroi Landry, Space Development Agency, will discuss why the commercial model is attractive to the SDA, the challenges of DoD acquisition methods and the shift towards information services. Hear Colonel Landry describe getting capability to the warfighter on a relevant timeline and new technology coming out of the commercial industry that hasn't readily been available to the DoD before. Colonel Landry provides examples such as establishing ground entry points worldwide and the advancement of phased array antennas, which allow multiple satellite contacts per ground terminal.

As more than 80 percent of global trade volume is shipped by sea, countries’ participation in the international supply chains depends on reliable maritime connectivity. In this podcast, Pacôme Révillon, CEO of Novaspace, joins us to explain the role of satellite in solving this challenge including the ROI of maritime connectivity, the outlook on autonomous vessels and the impact of Starlink on the market.

On this Constellations Podcast, we explore the evolution of the satellite terminals. Join our panel of experts to understand how the digital transformation of satellite networks has opened the door to orchestrated and automated operations across multiple orbits.

The podcast explores the softwarization of satellites and ground systems, discussing the evolution towards more dynamic and automated operations. Topics include software-defined systems, adapting ground systems, network management in satellite technology, efficient communication networks, and collaboration within the industry.

Listen to Colonel Michael Christensen, currently stationed at the Pentagon and serving as the director of test and evaluation for the US Space Force. Discover why it's imperative to transform our testing approach to meet the unique challenges of space. Learn about the significance of integrated testing and why involving real operators in test teams is crucial to ensure testing meets the demands of end operators. Colonel Christensen discusses the importance of modeling and simulation in stress-testing systems before construction begins. He underscores the necessity of collaboration with mission partners to fulfill the critical roles and functions of the Space Force. Additionally, he addresses the difficulty of shifting mindsets to effectively operate in contested environments.

Last year Space Foundation valued the space economy at $546 billion, a number they expect to reach $772 billion by 2027. Through technological advancements and decreased barriers to entry companies across the globe have entered the space ecosystem in hopes off growing their businesses portfolios and revenue streams. Hear Kelli Kedis Ogborn, Vice President of Space Commerce and Entrepreneurship, Space Foundation share key market drivers, growing international interest in space, and switching from the Apollo era to the era of Artemis. 

Learn about spectrum sharing, laser networks, and open access technology in the world of space communication. Explore the potential of a laser mesh network in space, the advancements in satellite systems, the concept of the outer net architecture, and the impact of quantum encryption on communication networks. Discover Revada Satellite Company's involvement with Carrier Ethernet ecosystem and the benefits of optical networks and open access technology for future communications.

In the history of space, satellite terminal designs have expanded and changed with the needs of end use cases and at the mercy of demanding applications…but not more so than the past 10 years. Hear John Finney, CEO of ALL.SPACE, explain the details and drivers advancing terminal technology for true high performance multi-orbit connectivity on the move.