Satcoms

Being part of a growing economy is where you want to be these days. And Space promises to be among one of the fastest growing sectors, with huge spillover potential into other industries. Currently, the space economy has been estimated to be at around 386 billion USD in revenue, and expectations predict it to be at 1 trillion USD by 2040. The outlook is attractive and moving within the space sector one could have the impression of booming space businesses. But are those numbers legitimate?

The European Space Agency (ESA) and satellite operator SES, signed a contract with support from the European Commission for the development of Eagle-1, Europe’s first space-based quantum key distribution satellite system, the companies announced at a press conference at the International Astronautical Congress 2022 in Paris last week. 

The term “space insurance” often refers to first-party insurance that covers pre-launch, launch, initial operations in orbit, and longer lifetimes in orbit. There are two main reasons why space firms buy insurance. The first is for “refund” purposes – it allows them to recover costs that led up to an accident, repay financiers, and exit a business entirely.

Satellite quantum communication technology provider SpeQtral, and Thales Alenia Space, a joint Venture between Thales (67 %) and Leonardo (33 %), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to research, develop and demonstrate quantum communications from space to Earth, the companies announced.

Wireless technology company Rivada Space Networks, the company launching a 600-satellite constellation to low Earth orbit (LEO), has joined the EU Secure Connectivity Programme. Digitization and increasing geopolitical and cybersecurity threats require secure and resilient global connectivity.

The first of Airbus’ next generation geostationary satellites, built under ESA’s Eurostar Neo program, is ready for shipment to Cape Canaveral for launch preparations, Airbus said. Hotbird 13F will be positioned at 13 degrees east along with its twin satellite, Hotbird 13G.

The first Edition of Space Café Singapore by Lynette Tan took a closer look at the space trends in Singapore and the region. Lynette's guest is  Mani Thiru, Head of Space & Satellite at Amazon Web Services Asia-Pacific. Mani, as a new resident on the red dot talked about on what's the hottest things happening here in space right now! Mani leads the Aerospace & Satellite Solutions team at Amazon Web Services across Asia-Pacific.

Arianespace’s heavy-lift launcher, Ariane 5, flight VA258, has successfully deployed Eutelsat’s Konnect VHTS (Very High Throughput Satellite) telecommunications satellite in orbit. This was the launcher’s second mission of the year, the 114th overall, and the 37th time that Ariane launched a satellite for Eutelsat.

Teleport services company Signalhorn, decided to change its name to Leuk Teleport & Data Centre following a strategic business review, to better reflect the future direction of the company, Singalhorn said. The firm was founded in 1972 and has been providing highly secure connectivity ever since.

Launch company Arianespace, is to launch satellite operator Eutelsat’s Konnect VHTS (Very High Throughput Satellite) telecommunications satellite built by Thales Alenia Space, aboard an Ariane 5 rocket on 6th September, Arianespace said. Eutelsat aims to provide high-speed internet access throughout Europe, even in isolated regions, with the help of the mission.