Constellations - Explore Space Network Technologies with Industry Leaders

Imagine being able to download a full-length high-definition movie to your phone in seconds even when you’re in a car, ship or plane in remote and rural areas. That is the potential that 5G brings. High bandwidth and seamless connectivity to end users across a range of networks from terrestrial to satellite. 5G is about connecting things everywhere – reliably, without lag – and delivering a high-quality user experience.  During this episode, Tom Stroup the President of the Satellite Industry Association (SIA) discusses the market drivers, opportunities, and challenges that 5G presents for the satellite industry. Tom is uniquely qualified to discuss this topic. He is well versed in the regulatory and policy issues of critical importance to the satellite industry, including spectrum and licensing issues, defense and public safety matters, and export control and international trade issues.

On the Constellations Podcast, we’ll discuss the most recent development in the integration of satellite and terrestrial networks – direct satellite to smart phone communications! Soon, someone with no cellular connectivity in a remote part of the country, or merely in a dead zone on the way to work, will have a new option — satellite connectivity without the need of a satellite phone. Charles Miller, co-founder and CEO of Lynk, a company developing a satellite-to-mobile phone satellite constellation that aims to provide a cell tower and space capability for global coverage. Charles will explain how it works, the difference between using a satellite for GPS and for communication, cell tower economics and the impact cell-to-satellite connectivity will have on markets as diverse as mining and commercial fishing.

On this Constellations Podcast, we’ll discuss the impact a growing number of lunar missions, like NASA’s Artemis lunar exploration program, will have on the satellite and space sector, especially the ground segment.  We’ll discuss the differences between NHRO and GEO orbits and the CAPSTONE program from Advanced Space. Our guest today is Thomas Gardner, Director of Engineering/Mission Systems at Advanced Space, a Colorado space technology company now working with NASA on cislunar programs. Tom will discuss NASA’s space exploration program and Advanced Space’s role in it, advances in lunar navigation and communications, and NASA’s plan to land the first woman on the moon by 2024.

There are a number of companies introducing quantum key distribution for secure communications across optical fiber networks but the technology has yet to be applied across a constellation of small satellites in Low Earth Orbit to produce secure global coverage. Until now. On this Constellations Podcast, we welcome Dr. Mark Adams, Associate Professor, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Auburn University to discuss the basics of quantum information processing, how quantum key distribution (QKD) ups the game in data transmission security and moving from the BB84 scheme to fully entangled microwave sources for SmallSats.

On this Constellations Podcast, we’ll discuss the growing interest and investments surrounding today’s space efforts, particularly cislunar space. NASA is leading the forefront of this initiative and will soon launch Artemis I, an uncrewed moon-orbiting mission that includes different technology solutions offered by multiple commercial players. During this episode, we are joined by Al Tadros, CTO of Redwire, who walks us through the importance of sustainable space exploration and how Redwire is supporting the goal of a “sustainable presence” on the moon.

On this Constellations Podcast, we’ll discuss the first anniversary of STARCOM. Major General Shawn Bratton, Commander, Space Training and Readiness Command of the United States Space Force explains STARCOM and how it is training the Space Force for competition and conflict in the Space domain. Hear Maj Gen. Bratton explain why STARCOM is working with experts such as astronauts from NASA that do an incredible amount of training with simulators, the advice they’re receiving from other parts of the Space Force such as the Space Warfighting Analysis Center, and a new series of complex training exercises called the Sky Series.

On the Constellations Podcast, we’ll discuss how the Space Development Agency (SDA) is accelerating the development of space-based capabilities for the warfighter. The SDA is accelerating capabilities with spiral development, working with the idea that getting to a solution that is 80% complete and viable in two years is better than an exquisite solution that will take five years. During this episode, Dr. Frank Turner, Technical Director of the Space Development Agency, discusses how the SDA is trying to help both industry and DoD understand how to support the warfighter, building a mesh network in space and the difference between the SDA’s tracking and transport layer and Tranches.

Real-time video collaboration is a given in our day-to-day lives here on Earth, but how about in deep space?  On this Constellations Podcast, we’ll talk about how deep space video collaboration differs from video collaboration here on Earth. Deep space communication is becoming an important topic with the upcoming launch of NASA’s Artemis 1 mission around the Moon. The mission will be the first test of video collaboration technology off planet. During this episode, Jono Luk, VP of Product Management at Webex will discuss the difficulties of video communications in deep space and explain how these issues can be overcome to support NASA’s Artemis Program.

On this Constellations Podcast, we’ll discuss the emerging dual-use technologies coming from the commercial space market and what to consider when making investments in these technologies. Joining us today is Jordan Noone, Co-founder of Embedded Ventures, a next-generation venture capital firm investing in dual-use space startups beyond launch. During this episode, Jordan walks us through the first-of-its-kind partnership between Embedded Ventures and the United States Space Force, the ‘beyond launch’ technologies the venture capital firm invests in, and the growth seen within the industry over the last quarter century.

There are still many places in the world that have little to no access to the Internet. In Alaska, an estimated 40,000 rural households are disadvantaged in access to healthcare, education, timely emergency services, and basic communication because there is little to no reliable Internet connectivity. Advances in technology, such as software-defined smallsats, have aided in developing a business case for delivering service in the most remote places. On this Constellations Podcast, Shawn Williams, VP of Government Affairs and Strategy for Pacific Dataport, walks through the process of building a network that overcomes the challenges of Alaska while providing the performance we enjoy in the cities.