SM Jan2024

Worldwide Satellite Magazine
January 2024
Artistic rendition of the Eutelsat

KONNECT satellite on-orbit
Publishing Operations Features
& Issue Contributors
InfoBeams............................................................................................................... 4
Silvano Payne
Publisher + Executive Author The Blake Brief..................................................................................................... 12
Authors: Curt Blake, Demian Ahnand + Peter Bratton
Simon Payne
Chief Technical Officer
Executive Spotlight: Peter Mendham, Bright Ascension................................. 14
Hartley G. Lesser
Editorial Director + Author
The Forrester Report: Eutelsat—Beretta Speaks Out...................................... 18
Pattie Lesser Author: Chris Forrester
Executive Editor + Author
Donald McGee SATCOM Advancing Social Inclusion and Governance In Africa.................... 20

Production Manager Author: Barak Lerner
Teresa Sanderson
Operations Director Hybrid Connectivity.............................................................................................. 22
Author: Nabil Ben Soussia
Sean Payne
Business Development Mgr.
Addressing The Digital Divide............................................................................. 24
Dan Makinster Author: Nimrod Kapon
Technical Advisor
Curt Blake Reducing The Burden Of Post Processing For Metal AM................................ 26
Senior Columnist Author: David Alatorre
Chris Forrester
Senior Columnist From Space… To Your Pocket............................................................................. 30
Author: Parthsarathi Trivedi
Karl Fuchs
Senior Columnist
Rick Lober
Senior Columnist
Authors Advertisers
David Alatorre 2024 SmallSat Symposium.................................................................................. 34
Demian Anand
Advantech Wireless Technologies, Inc................................................................. 3
Curt Blake
C-COM..................................................................................................................... 7
Peter Bratton
Thomas Dorame Comtech..................................................................................................... Cover (1)
Chris Forrester CPI......................................................................................................................... 11

Nimrod Kapon Resolve Optics Ltd................................................................................................. 5
Barak Lerner
Space Foundation................................................................................................ 29
Nabil Ben Soussia
Parthsarathi Trivedi
W.B. Walton Enterprises........................................................................................ 9
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SatMagazine Page 2 January 2024

InfoBeam
Headline
Diversified Technologies
Es’hailSat + Viasat Energy Services
ispace + Orbit Fab
Rivada Space Networks + Wiseband
Sidus Space + NOAA
SpaceX + Ovzon

InfoBeam
New spacecraft engine being developed by Diversified Technologies
The 100 kW, electrodeless, inductive
thruster which ionizes propellant
and accelerates electrons and ions
to great velocities is a significant
paradigm shift in propulsion
technology for space travel as it
eliminates the need to carry heavy fuel
payloads from Earth.
Very efficiently converting energy into

thrust that can move a spacecraft in
tiny increments for extended periods
of time, the basic geometry of the
AR-MIPE is a tubular linear induction
motor with phased coil-excitation.
By employing an electrodeless
inductive thruster which minimizes
plasma-wall interactions and by
capturing and storing propellants
available throughout the solar system
A new spacecraft engine powered by in-situ The Atmosphere-Refueling Magnetic Induction
as fuel, the AR-MIPE will be able to support long-
propellants that provides enhanced in-space Plasma Engine (AR-MIPE) provides high thrust at
term interplanetary exploration missions.
maneuverability and greater payload capacity, specific impulse without the need for electrodes,
is being developed by Diversified Technologies, vastly extending thruster life and permitting the use
Inc. (DTI). of low cost, in-situ propellants.
High Performance
Space Ready Lenses
• Radiation resistant
• Athermalized
• Vacuum compatible
• Approved materials
Resolve Optics Limited, Asheridge Road, Chesham, Bucks, HP5 2PT. UK

Tel: +44 (0)1494 777 100 | E-mail: [email protected]

InfoBeam
SpaceX launches the Ovzon 3 GEO satellite
On Wednesday, January 3 at 6:04 p.m. ET,

On-Board-Processor changes the way Mobility, SpaceX representatives said the company aims to
SpaceX launched the Ovzon 3 mission to
Performance and Resiliency are current,y known. launch 144 orbital missions this year surpassing the
geosynchronous transfer orbit from Space
record of 96 set in 2023.
Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral
The Falcon 9 successfully landed on Landing
Space Force Station in Florida.
Zone 1 (LZ-1) at Cape Canaveral Space Force
Station in Florida.
This was the 10th flight of the first stage booster
supporting this mission,
which previously launched
CRS-26, OneWeb Launch
16, Intelsat IS-40e, O3b
mPOWER, and five
Starlink missions.
Ovzon 3 is the first in

its class that has been
specifically designed and
developed to provide the
highest degree of mobility,
performance, and resiliency
— offering superior
performance for all mission-
critical assignments.
Ovzon 3’s patented solution,

with high-powered steerable
beams and a unique

iNetVu® FLY-1202
Flyaway Antenna
One button auto-pointing antenna

3 axis (Ku-Band), 2 axis (Ka-Band)
2-piece Carbon reflector
Works Anywhere,
Deployed Everywhere
www.c-comsat.com
InfoBeam
ispace + Orbit Fab sign MoU for propellant harvesting in-space
“This exciting collaborative agreement
between ispace and Orbit Fab is
truly dedicated to building and
enabling a sustainable and bustling
lunar economy,” said Daniel Faber,
Orbit Fab Founder and CEO. “This
partnership is keenly focused on
extending the life of critical operations
like ispace’s lunar lander missions by
utilizing in-space resources to refuel
and support the reusability of satellites
and other vehicles for years in space.”
ispace, inc. and Orbit Fab, Inc. will collaborate on Orbit Fab is deploying its RAFTI™ (Rapidly
in-space propellant harvesting and delivery for Attachable Fluid Transfer Interface) refueling ports
future missions to the Moon via an MoU that the aboard a growing number of government
companies signed last month. and commercial spacecraft, enabling the
safe and secure replenishment of satellites,
This ispace-Orbit Fab partnership will leverage each lunar landers, and other vehicles as they run
company’s complementary capabilities to develop low on fuel.
effective propellants and fuels from resources in
space, such as water, ice, and lunar regolith or fine ispace expects to play a pivotal role in
and rocky soils found on the surface of the Moon. procuring propellants in space to power
Orbit Fab’s fuel shuttles and depots on
The MoU sets the stage for a series of innovative cislunar and lunar missions.
demonstrations, including resource mapping and
in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) missions aimed at “Creating a supply chain to utilize space
drastically reducing the reliance on supplies from Earth. resources on the Moon and in orbit is an
essential step in realizing ispace’s vision of
The companies ultimately plan for Orbit Fab to refuel “Expand our Planet. Expand our Future,”
ispace lunar landers, as they travel through space to said Takeshi Hakamada, CEO and Founder
extend lunar and cislunar missions. of ispace. “We are pleased to be working
with Orbit Fab as a step in this direction. I
The two companies have agreed to steward and am confident that our collective efforts will
demonstrate new ways of managing lunar resources lead to positive steps toward long-term
for the benefit of all humanity. lunar development and the creation of the
cislunar economy.”

InfoBeam
Sidus Space gets NOAA ‘OK’ to
provide imaging services
Protect Your Earth Station

Antennas from Ice, Snow,
Rain, and more
Sidus Space (NASDAQ: SIDU) has reported that NOAA has granted the
company a Tier 1 remote sensing license to include Panchromatic (PAN)
and Shortwave Infrared (SWIR) imaging capabilities — this approval
includes Sidus’ upcoming LizzieSat™ that is scheduled for launch
in March of 2024 aboard the SpaceX Transporter-10 mission from
Vandenberg SFB, as well as subsequent LizzieSat satellites.
Through this new license authority, Sidus LizzieSat™ satellites will collect and
distribute images and data to government and commercial customers supporting
a wide range of applications.
Antenna De-Ice Systems:
Snow Shield
The Sidus’ PAN and SWIR imagers will flow high-quality, diverse satellite data
into the company’s FeatherBox Artificial Intelligence onboard processor which
integrates the images with time synced Automated Information Systems (AIS)
and GPS data to provide near real-time customer status regarding marine traffic
trends, illegal fishing activities, methane emission locations and quantities, and
vegetative stress implications on crop production around the globe.
The company has also updated their Edge Artificial Intelligence (AI) software
and hardware for space applications expansion.
• 24/7/365 Support & Field Services
The integration of AI/ML into Sidus’ existing offerings enhances and • Unmatched Performance & Cost-Efficiency
strengthens the firm’s mission to advance satellite technology and expand
solutions for customers. • Global Leader | 40+ Years
Sidus’ investment in AI/ML includes a host of innovative AI software solutions
that transform geospatial data into actionable answers. Sidus has successfully +1 (951) 683-0930 | [email protected]
integrated AI hardware and software into its LizzieSat™ satellite design.
www.De-Ice.com
This new AI software gives Sidus the ability to offer on-orbit tailored solutions
to a broader range of customers by providing the resources and expertise to
process geospatial data more effectively.

InfoBeam
Rivada Space Networks partnering with Wiseband
This orbital network, in which
data stays in space from origin to
destination, creates an ultra-secure
satellite network with pole-to-pole
coverage, offering end-to-end
latencies lower than terrestrial fiber
over similar long distances.
By routing traffic on a physically

separated network, it provides a layer
of defense for any organization that
needs to securely share data between
widely distributed sites.
For Enterprise and Government

Communications, Rivada’s
OuterNET will provide an easy-
to-deploy network with higher
bandwidth and improved security
for resilient and more reliable
communications services.
Ahmed Hassan, CEO of Wiseband,

said, “Wiseband is looking to tap
onto Rivada Space Networks’
highly secure point-to-point secure
communications network to provide
advanced and customizable secure
solutions to our existing enterprise
customers and to develop the
emerging markets in Middle
East. The OuterNET™ is a fully
interconnected orbital network
which effectively serves as a private
network in space, capable of
Rivada Space Networks, a global network The company currently has connectivity projects in
routing traffic at gigabit speeds from one satellite
company launching a constellation of 600 LEO UAE, KSA, Kuwait and Egypt.
to another with no need for a gateway on earth.
satellites, is partnering with Wiseband, an Emirati
We see this as the key infrastructure for the
satellite services company, to bring secure Rivada’s global low-latency point-to-point orbital
development of the enterprise and government
connectivity solutions to the Middle East region. network, the OuterNET™, is a unique, next-
sectors in the Middle East and beyond.”
generation constellation that combines inter-satellite
Based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and laser links with advanced onboard processing to
Declan Ganley, CEO of Rivada Space Networks,
operating across the Middle East and Africa (MENA), provide unique routing and switching capabilities
said, “We are delighted to be partnering with
Wiseband provides customized private satellite and create an optical mesh network in space.
Wiseband based on their long history and
networking solutions which are designed to meet high-
expertise in serving the telecoms sector in Middle
performance and stringent security requirements.
East region. Rivada’s OuterNET is what data
communications has been waiting for – a game-
changing constellation that re-defines connectivity
in terms of security, latency, capacity, efficiency,
and coverage. As a completely new type of
LEO constellation, the OuterNETTM can provide
the Middle East region with a next-generation
infrastructure for secure, resilient communications
and network expansion.”

InfoBeam
Viasat Energy enters service agreement with Es’hailSat
“Es’hailSat is excited to enhance and continue to
deliver the satellite capacity as well as the teleport
services needed for Viasat Energy Service’s VSAT
Network in order to enable high speed connectivity
across the Middle East and North Africa.” said
Mr. Ali Ahmed Al-Kuwari, President and Chief
Executive Officer, Es’hailSat. “We believe that the
highly robust and reliable data services offered by
Es’hailSat, Qatar Satellite Company, has VSAT services across the Middle East and North
us at Es’hailSat - Qatar Satellite Company, together
announced that Viasat Energy Services, a Africa (MENA) region.
with 50,000 sqm of Teleport infrastructure provide
business unit of Viasat, Inc. [NASDAQ: VSAT],
the strong base that Viasat Energy Services needs
has added multiple transponders on the Es’hail-1 Viasat Energy Services delivers optimized industry
to further build their capabilities and serve end
satellite located at the 25.5⁰ East hotspot. solutions, advanced global software, and secure
customers across the region.”
communications infrastructure that allow industrial
Viasat will avail itself of teleport services from companies to obtain the business value of digital
Es’hailSat’s 50,000 sqm facility in Doha to provide transformation. From remote locations to diverse
multi-stage operations, Viasat Energy Services is the
partner of choice for connecting distributed assets.
Viasat Energy Services offers world-class industry-

leading machine learning analytics, ultra-secure
solutions spanning IP connectivity, bandwidth-
optimized OTT and more, Viasat Energy Services
supports the full evolution of digital enablement.
Viasat Energy Services and Es’hailSat together are
looking to cater to Government, Maritime and Oil &
Gas segments, among others, that are in constant
need for reliable high-speed connectivity in remote
and challenging environments.

The Blake Brief
Cyber Threats, Security Measures
and Regulatory Safeguards
Reach Beyond The Sky
Authors: Curt Blake, Senior Contributor, and Demian Ahnand,
and Peter Bratton, all of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati Author:
Author:
As bad actors in the cyberspace realm find ever more innovative ways to
infiltrate, interfere and steal for the sake of profit, counterintelligence and general
mayhem, the soft underbelly of our modern, data-driven infrastructure may
actually be above our heads.
The objects we launch into space, if not protected by adequate cybersecurity,

can potentially make everyday citizens back on the ground more vulnerable to
cyberattacks and data breaches. A recent academic study of satellite security
found that “modern on-orbit satellites suffer from different software security
vulnerabilities and often a lack of proper access protection mechanisms.”1
Commenting on the “myth of inaccessibility,” the researchers pointed out that,

in the past, the assumption was that satellites communicated with “prohibitively
expensive” technology (thereby limiting the field of potential attackers). As recent
technology advances have made space resources more accessible to a broader
population, however, there has been “a paradigm shift in the assumption that
satellites are inaccessible, which is particularly pronounced for LEO satellites.” 2
The new reality is that modern satellites are not beyond

the reach of modern attackers.
Looking elsewhere in the Federal Code, the Communications Act requires
Neither, of course, are objects in space beyond the reach of modern regulation.
telecommunications carriers to provide confidentiality for customer information
Legislation and regulation typically lag behind real-world events, and regulatory
as proprietary information of another common carrier. Carriers are prohibited
enforcement is always playing catchup with technological advances.
from disclosing customer information except as required by law or with the
customer’s permission.3
The long arm of the law, however, knows few limits. Federal contracting laws
bind federal contractors wherever they go, and privacy laws apply based on the
Among other mandates, the Federal Communication Commission (FCC)’s
residence of the data subject — while you may never travel into orbit, your data
Telecommunications Consumers Division (TCD) is tasked with enforcing
privacy rights generally go along for the ride with your data.
sections 201(b) and 222 of the Communications Act, relating to how
telecommunications carriers protect the privacy and security of their customers’
Indeed, certain services and companies automatically fall under legislative
(and certain other entities’) information. 4
oversight, regardless of who their customers might be or whose data they
may handle. In example, 51 U.S.C. § 60122(a) states that “no person that is
Section 201(b) requires that carriers’ practices be just and reasonable, including
subject to the jurisdiction or control of the United States may, directly or through
practices related to privacy, data protection, and cybersecurity. Section 222
any subsidiary or affiliate, operate any private remote sensing space system”
restricts carriers’ use and disclosure of their customers’ (and certain other
without a license (which requires industry “best practice” measures to prevent
entities’) “proprietary” information and requires that telecommunications carriers
unauthorized access).
protect the confidentiality of that information.
In the fight against satellite cyberattacks, then, the U.S. regulatory system
In addition, the FCC’s rules require carriers and interconnected VoIP providers
is not without the legal means to demand and enforce greater protections.
to take reasonable measures to safeguard certain sensitive data known as
Increasingly, Washington has shown a willingness to bring those tools to bear.
“customer proprietary network information” (CPNI), to notify consumers and law
This column briefly addresses a few of the relevant regulatory frameworks and
enforcement of data breaches involving CPNI and to file annual certifications
the ways that government leaders are using them to keep space safe.
documenting their compliance with the CPNI rules (codified at 47 CFR §
64.2001 et seq). 5
Part I: Regulatory Means at the Government’s Disposal
Finally, businesses that are subject to U.S. jurisdiction are generally responsible
Government remains in many ways the “anchor” space industry customer.
for compliance with U.S. privacy and data protection laws (e.g., the Wiretap Act
Therefore, it should come as no surprise that private space operators count U.S.
and the Federal Trade Commission Act), even when the data itself is stored,
taxpayers among their most loyal customers.
collected, or transmitted through assets in space.
DFARS Clause 252.204-7012 requires government contractors and
The same is true of most U.S. state privacy laws — the California Consumer
subcontractors to: (i) implement the 110 security controls stipulated in the
Privacy Act applies to entities which “do business” in California and process
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication
personal information belonging to California residents, even if data is hosted
(SP) 800-171; and (ii) report cyber incidents to the Department of Defense
elsewhere (there is no listed exception for outer space).
Cyber Crimes Center (DC3).

Part II: Growing Emphasis on Enforcement Conclusion
The laws described above are (mostly) not brand-new. However, the Biden While bad actors bear the ultimate blame for cybersecurity attacks and the
Administration and many U.S. state regulators do have a brand-new emphasis subsequent damages, regulators in the U.S. and across the world increasingly
on cybersecurity-related enforcement. believe that those who are in the best position to offer a defense should have
legal obligations to do so.
First, in what has perhaps been the most significant development in federal
cyber enforcement to date, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced in As opportunities for (legal) profit abound in the explosion of space and satellite-
November of 2021 its Civil Cyber-Fraud Initiative. The initiative is designed enabled services, private actors will be expected to do their part in implementing
to use the False Claims Act (FCA) to “identify, pursue and deter cyber and maintaining the safeguards necessary to protect data privacy.
vulnerabilities and incidents that arise with government contracts and grants and
that put sensitive information and critical government systems at risk.” 6 References
1 https://jwillbold.com/paper/willbold2023spaceodyssey.pdf
The FCA is “the government’s primary tool for addressing the knowing misuse
of taxpayer funds.” 7 The law prohibits knowingly submitting or causing the 2 https://jwillbold.com/paper/willbold2023spaceodyssey.pdf
submission of false claims to the government and permits the government to 3 https://bja.ojp.gov/program/it/privacy-civil-liberties/authorities/statutes/1288
recover three times its losses, plus a penalty for each false claim. 8 4 https://www.fcc.gov/enforcement/areas/privacy
5 https://www.fcc.gov/enforcement/areas#:~:text=In%20addition%2C%20
In the space arena, the FCA can potentially apply “when companies that do
the%2 Commission’s%20rules,and%20to%20file%20annual%2 certifications
business with the government knowingly make misrepresentations about
their own cybersecurity practices, or when they fail to abide by cybersecurity 6 https://www.justice.gov/opa/speech/acting-assistant-attorney-general-
requirements.” 9 Notably, the largest recovery to date through the Civil brian-m-boynton-delivers-remarks-cybersecurity-and
Cyber-Fraud initiative involved contracts with the Department of Defense 7 https://www.justice.gov/opa/speech/acting-assistant-attorney-general-
(DoD) and NASA. brian-m-boynton-delivers-remarks-cybersecurity-and
8 https://www.justice.gov/opa/speech/acting-assistant-attorney-general-
In July of 2022, Aerojet Rocketdyne paid a $9 million fine to resolve FCA brian-m-boynton-delivers-remarks-cybersecurity-and
allegations of misrepresenting compliance with cybersecurity requirements. 9 https://www.justice.gov/opa/speech/acting-assistant-attorney-general-
Aerojet provides propulsion and power systems for launch vehicles, missiles and brian-m-boynton-delivers-remarks-cybersecurity-and
satellites and other space vehicles to various federal agencies. Whistleblower 10 https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/aerojet-rocketdyne-agrees-pay-9-million-
and former Aerojet employee Brian Markus received $2.61 million for his role in resolve-false-claims-act-allegations-cybersecurity
bringing the action against the company. 10 11 https://www.wsgr.com/en/insights/dod-to-contracting-officers-demand-
compliance-and-seek-consequences-for-material-breaches-of-
Second, in June of 2022, around the time of the Aerojet settlement, the DoD cybersecurity-requirements-by-contractors.html
issued a memorandum to its contracting officers emphasizing their obligation 12 https://www.wsgr.com/en/insights/dod-to-contracting-officers-demand-
to monitor compliance by contractors with the cybersecurity requirements of compliance-and-seek-consequences-for-material-breaches-of-
cybersecurity-requirements-by-contractors.html
their contracts. 11 A contractor with insufficient focus on NIST 800-171 is now,
13 https://www.preveil.com/blog/what-is-dfars-7012/
more than ever before, likely to face scrutiny from contracting officers, withheld
payments, loss of future business, and even contract termination. 12 14 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/04/10/2023-07066/
establishment-of-the-space-bureau-and-the-office-of-international-affairs-
The administration appears to have reached the conclusion that historic DFARS and-reorganization-of-the; https://www.fcc.gov/news-events/
events/2023/04/launch-fcc-office-international-affairs-and-space-bureau
Clause 252.204-7012 enforcement has been insufficient; compliance will now
15 https://spacenews.com/fcc-launches-space-focused-bureau/
“be a distinct competitive advantage for contractors bidding for Department of
Defense work. And noncompliance will be a disqualifier.” 13 16 https://spacenews.com/fcc-launches-space-focused-bureau/
Third, in order to make its point quite clear, in March of 2023 the Biden
Administration announced its National Cybersecurity Strategy (NCS), www.wsgr.com/en/
which emphasized that the federal government “must hold the stewards of
our data accountable for the protection of personal data.” While the NCS
does not specifically address cybersecurity for space-based assets, it does
make very clear that more aggressive enforcement is a key part of the
Administration’s strategy.
The FCC appears likely to apply that strategy in space. As the gatekeeper of
satellite communication licenses, the FCC is uniquely positioned to address Curt Blake, Senior Columnist to SatNews Publishers, is
the subject. Senior Of Counsel. He is an attorney and senior executive with
more than 25 years of experience leading organizations in
In April of 2023, the FCC established the Space Bureau for the purpose of high-growth industries — and more than 10 years as the CEO of
“undertaking policy analysis and rulemakings as well as authorizing satellite Spaceflight, Inc.— at the forefront of the New Space revolution.
systems,” serving “as a focal point for coordination with other U.S. government Curt has extensive expertise in strategic planning, financial
agencies on matters of space policy and governance.” 14 analysis, legal strategy, M&A, and space commercialization, with
deep knowledge about the unique challenges of
This brand-new bureau is led by Julie Kearney. A leader with decades of New Space growth and the roadmap to success in the
experience at “private legal practices and telecoms companies,” Kearney is that ecosystem.
hailed as “a law and policy veteran tasked with spearheading [FCC] efforts to
modernize satellite regulations.” 15 Kearney has said that her first priority is The views expressed in this article reflect those of the authors
“modernizing regulations to match our new realities.” 16 themselves and do not necessarily reflect the views of his employer or the firm’s clients.

Author:
Author:
Executive Spotlight
Peter Mendham
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Bright Ascension
Peter Mendham is an innovative engineer Good day, Mr. Mendham. Would you please tell our readers about
and business leader who has a broad your background and how you became involved in the software
background that covers all aspects of side of the space industry?
commercial development, R&D, design and
development for software and hardware. Peter Mendham
Mr. Mendham’s professional experience spans I trained as an electronic engineer and quickly found that the big picture around
more than 20 years, including nearly 15 years in the the work I was doing was what I found motivating and, for me, there is nothing
space sector with a focus on onboard, mission control more motivating or inspiring than space. A student internship got me a foot
and simulation software as well as onboard data in the door of the industry and set me up for a wide-ranging PhD spanning
handling hardware and control systems. dynamic control, artificial intelligence and software architectures.
Over his career, Mr. Mendham developed In my first industrial role, I was lucky to be working in a dynamic University
a solid understanding of the practicalities spinout and the size of the team meant I got to engage with hardware and
of engineering innovative and dependable software as well as business development and commercial interactions. The
Peter Mendham
systems in a commercial environment. He hardware was fascinating, but I was very conscious how small a part of the big
possesses a strong academic background picture the technology was. I found software compelling because of its role in
that allows him to take a rigorous approach to all of his work, with bringing the big picture together.
analytical abilities that also allow him to take a fresh look at even
the most complex problems, often inspiring new and innovative Please tell us what led you to establish Bright Ascension?
solutions. Mr. Mendham’s business development experience
allows him to listen to customers, identify market needs and Peter Mendham
match the correct technology to the right opportunity. I had spent several years working in hardware and software for large ESA-class
Mr. Mendham’s specialties include project management; missions with a primary focus on R&D projects. It was a really interesting time:
innovation; research; software architecture, software not only was I exposed to the current “state-of-the-art,” I was actively engaged
development in a variety of environments/languages; in projects to try and push the boundaries of the possible.
structured design, including UML; model-driven engineering; Perhaps my biggest observation at the time was how large the gap between
communications systems and protocols; hardware development those things was and, given that the CubeSat form factor was just gaining
for digital and analogue, including high-speed digital systems; traction, how much potential there would be for a new approach to space
FPGA development in VHDL and Verilog; product design; software which was a better match for the emerging commercial landscape of
control theory and control system development; multi- New Space.
agent and distributed systems; embedded systems.

What do you think are the current challenges in the space software Our approach to tackling these challenges is rooted in robust system architecture,
market and what is needed to resolve these? integration and information sharing throughout the mission lifecycle. Whether it’s
the initial stages of development, the manufacturing process, on-orbit operations,
Peter Mendham or the delivery of space-based insights and analytics to end-users, we focus on
The software challenges in the space industry are closely tied to the hardware achieving cohesion and efficiency at every step.
trends we’ve seen shaping up over the last decade. These trends include things
such as commodification, the diversification of hardware and software, the What does your company’s new HELIX software suite offer as a
shift toward constellations, and the increasing accessibility to vast amounts of solution to the industry?
space-based data.
As the industry continues to grow and new hardware technologies and Peter Mendham
key services, such as ground station networks, become more accessible and The HELIX software suite is something we’re really excited about and it is set
diverse, it’s creating new opportunities. However, it also presents significant to launch in the coming months. What makes HELIX stand out is that it offers
challenges for the software systems that underpin everything. Now, these a comprehensive, end-to-end solution for space software, covering the entire
systems must efficiently handle a wide array of spacecraft, each with different mission lifecycle.
capabilities and hardware systems, often coming from various vendors. Here’s how it works: HELIX covers and tightly connects three critical sectors
This complexity grows exponentially as missions scale up and incorporate in the space industry. First, it’s deeply involved in the upstream sector, which
new subsystems, spacecraft, software technologies and services into fully means it helps with the development and operation of space systems. Second,
operational and intricate space systems. it plays a crucial role in the midstream sector by improving the delivery and
In essence, the core challenge is keeping up with ever-evolving requirements, management of space-based services. Finally, it empowers the downstream
making sure that all parts of the complex flight-ground software system work sector to make the most of space services for delivering insights and
seamlessly. This challenge doesn’t just end during development; it extends as applications. So, it’s essentially an all-encompassing solution that spans the
systems move on, become operational, and enter the commercial market. entire spectrum of space operations.
Why do we think HELIX is a game-changer? It all comes down to our
extensive experience in the field. Over the past decade, we’ve been part of more
than 40 diverse missions.

What we’ve noticed is that software systems at different stages of the demonstration. This platform fully integrates lightweight apps that can be
infrastructure often tend to be disconnected, disjointed and poorly integrated, developed through HELIX suite and are a powerful way of deploying software-
which is a cause of major headaches. It leads to significant inefficiencies and, in defined elements into flight and ground space systems with seamless
some cases, even poses risks that could result in system failures. operational integration. This supports everything from software-defined
HELIX is designed to bridge these gaps and boost efficiency. It simplifies payloads to onboard or in-cloud data processing.
processes and, importantly, makes missions more cost-effective. It’s essentially
a solution that streamlines the entire mission, making it smoother and more What’s included in the HELIX product suite?
efficient from start to finish.
Peter Mendham
How does HELIX benefit upstream manufacturers and system The HELIX suite is quite comprehensive, covering all aspects of space software
integrators as well as downstream service providers? development. It includes key areas such as flight software, testing and
simulation, ground software development, operations, and even the delivery of
Peter Mendham data insights and analytics. The development solutions are highly modular and
HELIX is essentially the result of our extensive experience and understanding allow new mission-specific software to be built from the wide variety of flight-
of the space industry, particularly in the upstream sector and spacecraft proven software components we maintain in our libraries.
operations. Over the past decade, we’ve been part of a wide range of One of the standout features of HELIX is its flexibility. It offers a range of
missions for a diverse set of applications, and that exposure has given us a feature-rich development environment products that can be used for designing
unique perspective. user- or mission-specific software packages.
What we observed was that many of the challenges in the downstream sector But we also recognize that in today’s fast-paced industry, there’s a growing
and service delivery stemmed from inefficient integration, communication, and demand for standardized solutions. That’s why we’ve introduced standardized
a lack of understanding of the space aspect of the system. It’s not enough to “out-of-the-box” products within HELIX. These are designed to streamline
just make the ground side and flight side “talk” to each other. Technical and the software development process, making it more efficient and accessible.
commercial drivers in the industry push towards a high level of heterogeneity. It’s all about offering options that cater to a wide range of preferences and
The real challenge lies in consistently providing services and maintaining this requirements in the space software domain.
complex, often disjointed system over time as it naturally evolves and undergoes
changes. What would be the reasons why HELIX should be selected as a
What makes HELIX truly unique is its ability to bridge the upstream and solution as opposed to competing space software products?
downstream sectors through what we call the midstream. This means that
all components of the value chain, whether in space or on the ground, can Peter Mendham
communicate effectively and work well together without requiring extensive Ultimately, HELIX stands out as a unique solution. There’s currently no
configuration. As mission requirements inevitably change, HELIX automatically competitive product out there that can quite match the range of benefits it offers.
adapts, minimizing the need for manual adjustments. As we discussed, its most standout feature is its multi-vertical and end-to-
In the current landscape where there’s a growing demand for space-based end approach. However, what it means in practice is that every specific software
data, insights, and analytics, HELIX is well-prepared to support emerging system, architecture, and infrastructure can be developed significantly faster,
technologies like AI for space applications, software-defined systems, edge operated with simplicity, scaled effortlessly, and managed at a significantly
computing, virtual constellations, and more. lower cost over the long haul.
It includes a customizable multi-vertical software platform to provide But there’s more to it. HELIX is vendor- and platform-independent. It allows
high-level tasking and monitoring of space systems at the level of a service for a variety of different vendors, whether at a low or high level and even within a
such as Earth Observation (EO), communications, science or technology single, extensive constellation.

This adaptability is crucial because as missions evolve, HELIX helps to We are proud to be part of this extraordinary pool of talent. Our software has
accommodate changes, reducing the need for extensive redevelopment or already supported numerous Scottish-built satellites, enabling them to launch
refactoring. It’s designed with portability in mind, allowing individual modules to successfully and fulfill their missions.
be swapped out and adjusted to new requirements as they arise.
In practical terms, it means that any new additions or modifications can What is the future of the space software industry? Where do you
be automatically recognized and integrated across the entire ground-space see Bright Ascension’s place in it?
system with minimal configuration. This significantly simplifies the development,
operation, and management of missions, making the entire process not only Peter Mendham
more efficient but also more cost-effective. While I don’t want to come across as overly confident, we genuinely believe
we’re driving a revolution in the space software market. Here’s why: In our
Many companies develop their own software packages, sometimes industry, you’ll find various technology providers offering specialized solutions in
making use of free open-source software. Why should the different sectors. For instance, some focus on mission operations management,
Bright Ascension company be considered as the space software others on space-based data provision. However there is no end-to-end
solutions provider? comprehensive solution that connects these systems together.
Over the years, we’ve noticed a common trend in our industry. Engineering
Peter Mendham efforts often get narrowly focused on specific spacecraft or mission
First, and most importantly, choosing HELIX means gaining access to our elements, sometimes overlooking the intricate nature of the entire space
dedicated support and engineering teams with hands-on experience in applying system. This oversight can extend to operations, service delivery, and
our products across a diverse range of missions. This access extends beyond even the lifecycle of each individual spacecraft. The consequence is often
answering basic “how-to” questions; we can offer valuable insights into best seen later in the process, resulting in significant architectural changes,
practices and expert design advice. redevelopment, and re-engineering.
One of the key challenges in space software is the lack of clear guidelines, HELIX establishes a future-proof software infrastructure that adapts to
manuals, or precise rules for designing your system’s architecture. Building changing requirements and technology. Our vision is to continue leading
a good architecture takes years of experience, expertise, specialized skills, innovation in the space software industry, facilitating the success of space
and resources that aren’t always readily available to satellite developers and missions worldwide.
service providers.
In addition to our software expertise, we provide a wide range of hardware As you review your career, what project or projects truly bring a
support solutions, including a good selection of commonly used Commercial sense of satisfaction to you?
Off-The-Shelf (COTS) CubeSat hardware components.
Finally, one cannot overlook the integration possibilities with ground tools, I’ve been really lucky to have been involved in such a wide range of
which significantly reduce the need for manual work. technologically innovative mission and projects, and to have worked with
exciting people across the world. I can pull out very specific projects which were
What advantages does operating a company in Scotland provide? technically challenging, such as ESA’s QARMAN mission, or very successful,
such as the UK’s Satellite Applications Catapult’s first IOD mission.
Peter Mendham However, I think what gives me the most satisfaction is seeing how far we’ve come.
We are quite proud of our ties to Scotland which, in many ways, is at the forefront I am fortunate to work with a great team of people and together we have brought
of the growing UK space industry and has a prominent global presence. some exciting technology a long way, even when the path has not been easy.
To put it into perspective, today there are more than 130 space companies Every step of the way we have brought new benefits which we can take to
operating in Scotland, some internationally renowned. What truly underscores partners and customers and use to make their lives better as well as to help
the strength of Scotland’s space industry is the multitude of smaller enterprises, push the industry forward, as a whole.
such as ours, that contribute significantly to the Scottish space ecosystem. That’s what drives me the most, I think, the idea that we might be able to
These companies offer a wide spectrum of solutions, from cutting-edge make a really positive difference to the industry and what it offers, overall, to the
software platforms to highly specialized technologies. wider society.
This collective effort creates a self-sufficient and tightly interconnected space
supply chain within the country. It’s a place where you can conceive, build, brightascension.com
equip, and soon even launch a satellite, all in Scotland.

Author:
Author:
The Forrester Report

Eutelsat: Berretta Speaks Out
Author and senior columnist Chris Forrester talks to a former Eutelsat CEO,
Giuliano Berretta, about how he sees the Paris-based operator
Artistic rendition of handling today’s satellite challenges.
Eutelsat Konnect
on-orbit, courtesy of
the company.
Eutelsat is having quite a tough time. Ratings agency Fitch in He added that recent geo-political changes and international politics are not
December of last year downgraded the company’s debt to ‘junk necessarily good news for exploiting new markets. “At an international level the
bond’ levels. Various investment banks have issued pessimistic USA and China have decided to start a roadmap to drive competition, the BRICS
forecasts on the company’s prospects. (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) are changing and are including
countries which have various strategic alliances.”
Meanwhile, Eutelsat is, itself, digesting its merger with OneWeb and looking to
achieve significant synergies as the company migrates from a (mostly) Video- Recently, the BRICS gathered in Johannesburg for the 15th BRICS Summit,
based business to one that is much more focussed on Telco activity. Investors where they announced the accession of six new members from Asia, Africa,
have suffered, dividends suspended, and those remaining involved are looking and Latin America. An additional 22 countries have formally requested to join
forward to growth, in particular from the OneWeb addition. the bloc, which has now been renamed BRICS+. Additionally, more than 40
countries have expressed informal, participation interest the organization. These
Giuliano Berretta was the DG and CEO (as well as executive members now represent nearly half of the world’s population.
Chairman) in the period 1998 to 2011. During his time,
he took Eutelsat from a business owned by Europe’s “All these countries need modern and powerful broadband networks, with
telcos to privatized status and a Paris bourse listing. connectivity the main infrastructure necessary to grow. BRICS are characterized
In our conversation, he explained that, in recent years, by large territories, billions of citizens but where connectivity is a fundamental
traditional satellite operators have overseen the dramatic issue and not only in the urban areas. The roadmap to design and achieve these
growth of a new generation of terrestrial networks, based infrastructures can be a major drawback for their economic and social growth.
on the full IP paradigm and bandwidth and performance
that cannot be matched by geostationary satellites, including “For the past 10 years the satellite industry has moved towards LEO-based
the VHTS (very high throughput satellite) craft, such as mega-constellations. They have become possible because of miniaturization and
Eutelsat Konnect. standardization of the orbital devices as well as the possibility of using quasi-
terrestrial electronics on-board and the presence of a new generation of launches
Berretta says that Eutelsat Konnect could now which have drastically reduced the cost of launches,” suggested Guiuliano.
be considered the last chapter for Eutelsat in the Giuliano Berretta
framework of VHTS history which started with
Eutelsat’s KaSat [launched in 2010, and now owned by Viasat]
and which was the first IP network-oriented satellite system in
Europe to deliver IP connectivity from on-orbit satellites.
He admits that changes in the Video market and, in general,

the matching revenue decline for satellite operators, has
also been a serious problem for Eutelsat, considering that
Europe has a very pervasive and high-performance IP network
architecture and which has badly penalized Eutelsat in the
short terms “and more Eutelsat than SES.”
“Eutelsat has always operated with an eye on Western

Europe and looking ahead toward Eastern countries in
Europe and Asia, as well as Africa and Latin America. It
is well known that the first booming of the Video market
was represented by the sudden expansion to Eastern
European countries which were coming out from 70 years of
Communist regimes,” Giuliano said.
Eutelsat Konnect during
manufacturing at Thales Alenia Space.

“Companies such as OneWeb, SpaceX, LeoSat, and Telesat had all envisioned However, he added that LEO and GEO’s VHTS need investment on ground
delivering broadband via hundreds, if not thousands, of LEO satellites. The architecture to take advantage of satellite connectivity. In particular, the VHTS
mega-constellation movement had begun, and LEO was the talk among industry systems need consistent Hub and terrestrial layers.
players around the world. Over the next five years, more than 4,150 LEO birds are
expected to be launched overall. NSR forecasts around 78 Tb/s of usable capacity “Indeed, the terrestrial network is the key element for the satellite system to
to be brought to the market by the major LEO constellations,” he stated. operate, allowing the interconnection among all the access point to the satellite
system itself: The interconnected hubs give the possibility of frequency reuse,
He compares and contrasts these developments with those at Eutelsat. “The the overall coverage interconnectivity and the possibility to be fully integrated
Eutelsat approach is very interesting and is based on a deep integration with with the terrestrial telecom infrastructure via suitable routing points and network
the on-going networks based on the new 5G 3GPP network architecture. The orchestration functionality.
backbone of this strategy will allow Eutelsat to cooperate with all the Telecom
operators worldwide.” “The similarities between LEO and GEO-VHTS systems are not limited only
to the functionality but also to the geography and the coverage needs, i.e.,
He noted that the Eutelsat move to acquire OneWeb was a necessary step to the terrestrial infrastructures dedicated to guarantee the satellite access use
move into the LEO space in a speedy timeframe and to challenge the presence different antenna technologies and numbers (LEO need more than one antenna
of Starlink, considering that BRICS will not necessarily favor a product that’s for each hub to allow satellite handover and service continuity) but the most of
owned by a single, American, private owner. Eutelsat has been always open to them could be co-located for LEO and GEO systems with the clear fundamental
cooperation and integration with terrestrial resources and has always enjoyed a advantage to optimize all the installation, maintenance and operative costs.
long and fruitful heritage with European telecom operators. Another additional advantage in the proper selection of the hub geographical
positions is the reduction of the staff necessary to operate,” he added.
Berretta said he believes Eutelsat is well placed to develop relationships with
OTT operators in these BRICS countries, especially with OneWeb. “The Eutelsat The user shell in the new concept of both VHTS and LEO constellations can
approach to be part of the 5G architecture is, in my opinion, a winning move. be either direct user access points or part of the backhaul network connected
It has to be remembered that the revolutionary aspect of a 5G network is not with the “last mile” user section, for instance, connected with the network RANs
simply the access but the network architectural management. (Radio Access Network) of the Mobile Network, WiFi access points or fixed
access networks.
“On the access side very broad bandwidth introducing new access standards
and new technologies such as massive MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) “Therefore,” he said, “from a system point of view they have the same utilization
and smart antennas, which can be considered a network evolution and a and if needed they can be combined to offer performance as required based on
very real revolution. On the network management side integrating resources the desired bit rate, latency, robustness, and resilience characteristics, managed
and optimizing them via the introduction of disrupting functionalities such as by the proper Network Orchestration and slicing capability.”
Orchestration and network slicing.
The typical dimension of a GEO-VHTS coverage spot is on the order of a few
“Eutelsat has a unique opportunity, being the only satellite operator having hundreds of kilometers. This area is not so far from the field of view of a LEO
the availability of a LEO constellation to integrate satellite with terrestrial satellite (ranging from a few hundreds to a couple of thousands), where each
infrastructures according to the new 5G vision as network of networks. An LEO satellite is using some tenths of spots inside its field of view to serve the
additional and important aspect is that, within this scenario, VHTS satellites are customer distributed in the area. Typically, it is necessary to associate Forwards
not unused but become essential elements, where extremely low latency is not and Return links of the Hubs with a few Users coverage spots to make feasible
going to be the main issue, for managing video-streaming and CDN networks the Frequency reuse and allowing the system a very broadband capability.
integrated in the same 5G network architecture,” the former Eutelsat CEO said.
“From a system point of view LEO is requiring a larger number of hubs but, from
“Thanks to a modular and growing approach Eutelsat can take the advantage a functional point of view, to guarantee the whole network connectivity all the
of reusing the last generation of GEO-VHTS which have been an enormous hubs shall be connected via a number of optical broadband rings. Therefore, the
effort in term of system configuration, technology, and performance for two network architectures are similar and both need the fundamental presence
telecommunications satellites. They represent the concrete possibility to deliver of the terrestrial broadband IP network to guarantee the full accessibility to and
IP broadband connectivity to wide geographical regions with prices comparable from the satellite shell.”
and for rural and suburban areas even lower than the equivalent terrestrial
connectivity technology,” Berretta explained. Eutelsat, Berretta said, is in an excellent position to combine these two satellite
technologies, and linking with terrestrial networks. “The potentialities of Eutelsat
OneWeb’s mega-constellation — properly integrated with VHTS Geostationary shall be extended from the present and expected reduction of the Video market
satellites — represents a valid solution for integrating satellite networks into the to the business opportunities given by the integration in a unique architecture of
overall IP terrestrial system within the 5G network architecture. different network technologies as defined by 5G and optimizing the orchestration
of the overall network integrating LEO and GEO with the terrestrial network.”
Author Chris Forrester is a Senior Columnist and Contributor

for SatNews Publishers and is a well-known broadcasting
journalist and industry consultant. He reports on all aspects of
broadcasting with special emphasis on content, the business
of television and emerging applications.
Chris Forrester

SATCOM
Advancing
Social
Inclusion &
Governance
Author:
Author: in Africa
Author: Barak Lerer, Regional Vice President — EMEA and Eurasia, GIlat Satellite Networks
Africa is a mosaic of diverse cultures, languages, and landscapes. all teachers, regardless of where they are located, have access to the same
However, it is also a continent marked by disparities in materials, knowledge and training.
infrastructure, connectivity, and access to essential services.
E-learning in Africa has also unleashed the power of self-learning. Students
Addressing these disparities has become crucial for the continent’s growth and have access to specially curated digital resources like videos, tutorials, and
development. Satellite communications are a powerful tool to bridge these gaps interactive quizzes to explore subjects and interests autonomously.
and unlock a world of opportunities for Africa.
Gilat Satellite Networks is playing a pivotal role in transforming education in
Gilat Satellite Networks is a vital partner in Africa, driving forward multiple remote areas where traditional infrastructure falls short. Solutions include the
social inclusion projects across the continent, and ensuring connectivity in the implementation of a Learning Management System (LMS) and the development
most remote areas. of essential IT infrastructure.
E-Learning: Unlocking Educational Opportunities The LMS, hosted on the cloud, effectively manages students’ academic achievements
and requirements and is complemented by a suite of applications designed for
Education is the cornerstone of development. Yet the challenges of providing both students and teachers. These applications facilitate seamless communication,
education in remote regions of Africa are immense. These areas lack reliable assignment submissions, and access to a wealth of educational content.
internet connectivity, leaving students and teachers isolated from the wealth
of information available online. Additionally, the absence of modern IT Cloud-based storage contains lesson plans aligned with the MoE’s curriculum,
infrastructure compounds the problem, limiting the potential for interactive and ensuring that the educational material is relevant and effective. This digital
engaging learning experiences. interface empowers both students and educators by providing a centralized hub
Satellite connectivity connects these underserved areas to the internet and for learning resources, communication, and progress tracking.
much more. By enabling e-learning platforms in rural areas, Ministries of
Education (MoEs) are breaking down barriers to education by ensuring that This holistic approach, including laptops, desktops, tablets, Wi-Fi, power
boards, printers, servers, etc., ensures that students gain access to information
and also have the tools and resources to make the most of it.
Moreover, Gilat also helps local authorities receive the funding they need to
deploy these critical projects via multi-year financing through loans from banks
and other financing resources. By combining connectivity, infrastructure, and
financial strategies, Gilat is actively participating in Africa’s journey towards a
more inclusive and educated society.
Having a satellite communication solution in place for e-learning has the added
benefit of being able to support additional applications for all citizens living near
connected schools.

Access to quality healthcare is a fundamental human right, yet it remains a Africa’s Brighter Future With SATCOM
challenge for many in remote areas of Africa. Limited access to medical facilities
and specialists often results in inadequate healthcare, leaving communities Satellite communications are revolutionizing Africa by advancing social inclusion,
vulnerable to preventable diseases and health crises. Telemedicine enables education, healthcare, governance, and security. Gilat Satellite Networks’ integrated
remote consultations, allowing patients in rural areas to connect with healthcare approach promises long-term sustainability and growth for the continent.
professionals located in urban centers.
By bridging the digital divide, satellite communications pave the way for a
In regions where connectivity is limited, establishing a government-owned brighter, more inclusive future for Africa, where opportunities abound, and
satellite communication solution at rural schools, which often serve as polling progress knows no boundaries. As the digital revolution continues to unfold,
sites, offers substantial advantages. During elections, this infrastructure can be Africa is poised to embrace the full potential of satellite technology, transforming
repurposed for secure and reliable data transmission, supporting automated its future and enriching the lives of its people.
election systems. This not only ensures the integrity of the electoral process but
also reduces the need for costly dedicated election networks. www.gilat.com
Furthermore, the same satellite network that facilitates education can be

harnessed for broader E-Government initiatives. Digital platforms enable citizens
to access government services, pay taxes, and participate in administrative
processes online, reducing the bureaucracy and corruption often associated
with traditional paper-based systems.
Author Barak Lerer is Regional VP - EMEA and Eurasia, for Gilat
Enhancing Homeland Security + Defense Solutions Satellite Networks. In this role, he is leading the sales teams in Europe
Safeguarding Africa’s Future and Africa and the sales offices in Eurasia. Previously, Mr. Lerer was
Gilat’s General Manager of Eurasia. Before joining Gilat, Mr. Lerer held
Modernizing homeland security and defense is imperative in Africa’s evolving sales and marketing positions at numerous technology companies
security landscape. Satellite connectivity serves as a powerful tool, linking including Imagine Communications, RGB Networks, Terayon and
village police stations with national security agencies. more. Mr. Lerer received a B.Sc. in Electronics Engineering from
the Technion, and an MBA from Tel Aviv University.
Barak Lerer
This comprehensive approach enables law enforcement to respond swiftly and
effectively to local incidents, leading to an improved security environment. Real-
time access to critical information, seamless resource coordination, and efficient
communication enhance security and instill confidence in the capacity of local
and national defense agencies to protect their communities and countries.
Gilat Satellite Networks provides state-of-the-art SATCOM networks to meet

the needs of modern security organizations. Their end-to-end capabilities cover
land, sea, and air missions, including ruggedized antennas, VSATs, modems,
and SSPAs (Solid-State Power Amplifiers).
These solutions support voice, video, and data communications, military C5ISR
(Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence,
Surveillance, and Reconnaissance), and border patrol activities. Interoperability
among land, sea, and airborne forces reduces decision-to-action time,
enhancing the effectiveness of security operations across Africa.

Author:
Author:
Hybrid Connectivity
Why these comms solutions are becoming the preferred choice for Maritime SATCOM
Author: Nabil Ben Soussia, Group COO, IEC Telecom
To ensure reliable and efficient communications while at sea, the IEC Telecom offers a hybrid connectivity solution called the Xpand
Maritime industry has been adopting various connectivity solutions Portfolio. Powered by the high-speed Starlink LEO service, and enhanced
to enhance vessel operations, safety, and crew welfare. by GEO back-up, it also offers a state-of-the-art network management
system called OneGate.
Called hybrid connectivity, this approach involves integrating multiple
communications systems to provide redundancy, coverage, and flexibility, all Each satellite technology making up a hybrid solution has its own strengths
crucial for ocean-going vessels that need data exchange, voice communication, and limitations, making it suitable for different use cases and scenarios.
and access to the internet for myriad purposes such as navigation, weather LEO satellites, such as those used in the Starlink network, offer several
updates, and crew communication. advantages, including lower latency due to their closer proximity to Earth,
which is beneficial for real-time applications like video conferencing, remote
Connectivity on board is not only about the hardware or network coverage; it’s maintenance, and telemedicine.
also about a connectivity system that remains operational at all times, enabling
business continuity and reliable crew welfare. VSAT technology, which operates using GEO satellites in higher orbits, has
its own advantages. GEO satellites provide more consistent coverage over
With hybrid connectivity, a vessel can seamlessly rotate among three types of specific regions, which can be important for critical applications like maritime
connectivity services: Ka- or Ku- band VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) communications, where continuous connectivity is vital.
from Geostationary (GEO) satellites or Low Earth Orbit (LEO) services used
as a primary channel; GEO based L-band applied as a back-up; and cellular Back-up systems, such as Iridium Certus over VesselLink, Inmarsat over FBB
networks as a means to stay connected when the vessel is close to shore. or Thuraya over Orion Edge, are essential to ensure business continuity. These
invaluable companion terminals ensure uninterrupted connectivity, safeguarding
vital operations such as voice services, email exchanges, and messaging.

IEC Telecom has pioneered a suite of optimized applications, enabling seamless ship processes, from being able to file digital entry documentation when
videoconferencing and remote surveillance, even in low-bandwidth environments. approaching port to carrying out remote maintenance.
This pivotal capability empowers efficient troubleshooting and swift restoration However, increased digitalization means increased cyber risks.
of primary connectivity on board, eliminating the need for costly port calls.
IEC Telecom recently introduced OptiShield, a comprehensive cybersecurity
For vessel owners, this translates to reduced fuel consumption and heightened solution that combines advanced cybersecurity software with a dedicated
sustainability, making it a prudent choice for your maritime operations. remote IT team to ensure state-of-the art protection for onboard networks.
Cellular networks using 4G and 5G technology are an additional option when a Given the distinct advantages and the existing infrastructure of all technologies
vessel is close to shore, and these services offer fast data speeds but can be that go into a hybrid connection solution, it’s likely that they will continue to
affected if there are many users in the area, a factor known as contention, which coexist and complement each other rather than one completely replacing the
can slow the Internet connection considerably. other on commercial vessels.
All three types of Many ship operators have already turned to hybrid solutions to provide the best
connectivity require of all worlds — low latency and broad coverage from LEO satellites or cellular
specific equipment on networks, along with the reliability and continuous coverage of GEO networks.
the vessel, including an
antenna for prime link iec-telecom.com
(over GEO or over LEO),
a back-up system with
one or two compact
antennas for voice
and data services over
Author Nabil Ben Soussia has more than 15 years of experience
L-band, plus built-in
in satellite communications services and technology. He serves
routers and network
as Group COO for IEC Telecom, a leading international satellite
management equipment.
service operator whose extensive portfolio includes a wide range
of hybrid satellite and LTE products, solutions, and value-added
These connectivity
services optimized for the maritime sector.
advancements have
enabled the maritime
industry to make
great strides toward Nabil Ben Soussia
digitalization of many

Adressing The Digital Divide
Author: Nimrod Kapon, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Oasis Networks
Author:
Author:
The digital divide is a global issue that affects billions of people, It’s not uncommon for VSAT systems to be installed in areas where there are
especially those who live in the world’s least developed countries. extreme weather conditions, including high temperatures, wind, and heavy rain.
Weather conditions can add to the difficulties already faced by engineers when
The reasons for the digital divide are complex and include the developmental accessing the sites and transporting equipment.
level of a country, low literacy, poor digital skills and awareness, income levels,
as well as access to available and affordable connectivity. Additionally, the need to site the VSAT system in an open, unobstructed location
means that installations are often susceptible to weather related damage,
The divide has become more apparent over the last decade as technology prompting the need for repairs.
has advanced and global reliance on internet connectivity has increased.
According to recent analysis, a third of the world’s population does not use The lack of communications infrastructure in these areas presents another
the internet, and in the world’s least developed countries, the International challenge. GSM signals can be unreliable — it’s not unusual for networks to go
Telecommunications Union (ITU) estimates that this rises to two thirds. down for hours or even days at a time. When this happens, engineers are unable
to communicate updates, or request additional equipment or support.
Satellite has the potential to play an important role in bridging the digital gap
as it’s capable of providing affordable connectivity in areas where terrestrial There may also be a skills gap where workers with the necessary knowledge and
networks are unfeasible. However, to fulfill that role, VSAT systems need to be technical expertise needed to install the VSAT system and keep it connected are
installed and maintained in areas that are often remote or hard-to-reach, and not available locally. If that is the case, engineers must travel from further afield,
this is challenging for several reasons. often across borders or even countries, which of course increases cost, and
logistical difficulties. This can also cause language and cultural barriers, which
Barriers To Satellite Connectivity could create further delays and push up costs even more.
Regions that are underserved by terrestrial connectivity solutions often have Focusing On Solutions
very basic or limited infrastructure, and this causes a whole host of difficulties.
While the barriers to installing and maintaining VSAT systems in these
Transport infrastructure may be poor and even where there are routes or challenging conditions are numerous, they’re not insurmountable.
roads, they’re not always accessible by vehicles all year round. Plus, a lack of
good, reliable access routes makes it difficult for engineers and technicians to It’s vital that the correct information is gathered early on in order that effective
travel to sites. planning and preparation can be carried out prior to the installation work.
Weather conditions, for example, may be much worse at certain times of the
In these cases, it will also be logistically complex to transport the equipment and year and this can make some roads or routes impassable for vehicles.
materials needed for the VSAT installation.
If that has been identified as an issue, wherever possible, installations should be
It’s not just the traveling to these sites and actual physical transportation of planned to avoid periods when weather is typically at its worst, so that transport
materials that is challenging. There may also be a lack of available supplies and and access issues are minimized.
resources needed for installation and maintenance. Sourcing materials can be
more difficult if engineers do not have any local knowledge or contacts.

If communication between field engineers and teams have been identified as a VSATs are often the only means of connection that a entire community or region
potential issue early on, satellite phones can be distributed to mitigate the issue. may have with the rest of the world.
When armed with knowledge and information about transport and When able to access a broadband internet connection, people have greater
communication infrastructure, weather patterns, and potential access issues, it’s educational, employment and economic opportunities open to them.
possible to plan how to mitigate potential problems before they even arise.
By overcoming the hurdles encountered when installing VSAT systems and
Of course, there are some issues that can’t be foreseen, no matter how much keeping them connected, satellite connectivity truly has the potential to
prior planning and preparation is carried out. To solve these kinds of problems transform people’s lives.
immediately, expertise and experience are absolutely required.
It would be remiss to say that the digital divide is caused by lack of availability of
Some of the challenges encountered may also be lessened by using local field connectivity alone. It goes much wider than that.
engineers or teams.
It’s a multifaceted problem that encompasses geographical, political, social
Access to equipment, materials, or even individuals with specialist skills can be and economic factors. Governments, international organizations, and private
improved with local knowledge and no language or cultural barrier. companies must work together to address these issues, empower people and
promote digital inclusion for all.
Having expertise on the ground in these regions also reduces the cost and time
involved in both installation and maintenance because travel costs and delays Although satellite technology may not have all the answers, it can definitely play
are reduced. a crucial role in providing much needed connectivity to the digitally excluded.
www.oasisnetworks.net
Author Nimrod Kapon is the Founder and CEO of Oasis Networks.

He has extensive experience within the diverse fields of telecom
systems, from analog voice carriers, asynchronous data networks,
voice networks, fiber, SDH and SONET, wireless, and satellite. By
training and oreintation, he is a field engineer and he is also a GVF
qualified examiner.
Nimrod Kapon
SatMagazine
SatMagazine Page 25
Page 25 January 2024
January 2024
Reducing The Burden Of
Post Processing For Metal AM
Additive Manufacturing (AM) is playing an ever-increasing role in the manufacture of
satellites and their various components... the challenges...
Author: David Alatorre, ChiefAuthor:
Technical Officer, Rivelin Robotics
Author:
The cranialplate chisel.
The various, often and well-discussed, advantages of Additive For any parts produced using a metal PBF AM system, the parts must go
Manufacturing (AM) are real and this article in no way disputes them — through a series of essential post build processes, including, but not limited
indeed, Rivelin Robotics exists because the team believes in the broad to, removing and cleaning off the unfused powder, removing the build plate,
potential of metal AM to contribute to a more sustainable business model removing all supports, surface finishing, validation and QA (dimensional
for production, as AM processes continue to transition from prototyping to accuracy, residual stresses / porosity, etc).
competitive production processes. To achieve this goal, however, ideology
and reality must be reconciled. Traditionally, these post processes require a considerable amount of manual
intervention and a highly trained, skilled workforce all of which come at
In the real world, manufacturers that are using AM invariably face a number of significant additional cost. There are also a number of risks that need to be
challenges after their part(s) come off the AM machine. No longer a well-kept considered and, where possible, mitigated. This includes but is not limited to
secret, the post processing of AM parts, particularly metal parts, remains dirty, workforces being subjected to repetitive workflows, with risk of injury
labor-intensive, time-consuming and, as a result, expensive. These significant and tedium.
pain points in the production process chain can often add a considerable
burden that negates the benefits of using AM in the first place, especially on the This latter ‘risk’ of tedium may seem trivial, but when speaking to customers
economic front, when the cost-per-part can become fiscally prohibitive. across industry, it is a real problem that many have to resolve to retain staff.
Manual post processing procedures also make repeatability and consistent
Post processing refers to the steps taken after the AM process has produced quality output much more difficult to attain and, importantly, document for
the parts on the industrial 3D printer. Each step is required to refine and improve validation and traceability purposes.
the quality, mechanical properties and surface finish of the parts. From the
outset, it is important to identify the different metal AM processes commercially The Challenges Of Powder Removal
available.
The very nature of PBF involves processing powdered metal materials to
There are currently three, dominant processes used for producing metal parts produce net shape or near net shape parts. Thus, the first and most essential
using AM. These are categorized as powder bed fusion (PBF) with either lasers post processing step that must be undertaken once the parts are out of the PBF
or an electron beam (eBeam) used as the heat source; direct energy deposition AM machine is to remove any excess powder – this includes removing it from
(DED); and binder jetting. This article is focused primarily on the first category of intricate internal channels, undercuts, holes, and fine features.
PBF.
Un-melted powder used during the process can become trapped within such
Overview features, making it difficult to fully remove using traditional methods. Designing
specific features into the part to allow appropriate accessibility for powder
For OEMs that are assessing the use of AM for production, AM process removal without damaging critical functional features of the part can go some
selection is the primary consideration to determine the best process to way to mitigate this issue, but that is another article altogether, and does not
build parts that fulfill the application relevant to the material, part geometry fully eliminate the problem of powder removal, which still stands.
and function, part size and the volumes of parts required. However, serious
consideration must also be given to any and all post-processing requirements. It is hard to miss the irony that complex geometry is one of the key selling points
It is not overstating the situation to say that the use of AM as a viable alternative of AM, while the complete removal of powder from such parts adds further
to traditional manufacturing processes may end up being negated completely in complexity to this post processing step.
terms of time and cost if this is not done.

Today, powder removal from AM parts remains a critical pain point in the overall Platform removal is often carried out using wire EDM machines and bandsaws, but
production process chain. Effective powder removal of un-melted metal powder is sometimes done manually by cutting or breaking individual attachment points
is important as it impacts the surface finish, mechanical properties and overall until the part or parts are free. Manual platform removal requires skill and finesse, as
quality of the final part. Powder extraction and retrieval can also contribute to damage to the build plate or components has considerable cost implications.
recycling, reuse and sustainability goals.
The sacrificial material that connects the build platform to each component
Manual techniques generally require each part be air blasted by hand and, for is referred to as support structures, and these are usually required to
a part with a variety of complex features, this can take multiple hours per part. prevent distortion and ensure a successful outcome, particularly for complex
Considering the nature of the powdered metal materials that are being processed, geometries. Designing effective support structures that provide sufficient
this also brings added challenges pertaining to staff health and safety. support during the printing process while also being relatively easy to remove is
possible, but complicated and necessitates finding the right balance between
Fine metal particles, especially those containing toxic or hazardous elements, support density, orientation, and attachment points. This requires expertise and,
can become airborne and pose respiratory hazards to operators. Implementing usually, iterative testing.
proper ventilation, personal protective equipment (PPE), and dust control
measures is crucial. Working with certain powdered metal types can also Regardless of any mitigation activities pre-build, post-build and post powder
pose a risk of explosion if not handled correctly, which can require stringent removal, the supports also have to be removed, requiring mechanical
atmospheric controls. intervention that brings a whole new and familiar set of challenges. As with
powder removal, this is especially challenging for intricate and complex
The Challenges Of Platform + Support Removal geometries. Again, significant manual labor is required, which adds further time
and cost implications as well as introducing the risk of damaging the part.
For metal AM part production, a build platform is often used to anchor the
component to the machine during sintering. These slabs of metal serve as Extensive technical skills and expertise are required, but the work is repetitive
the first layer onto which metal is fused and have to be removed as a post- and dull and that can lead to complacency and, in some cases, danger to self
processing step. and others. As mentioned previously, conversations with key people across
industry have highlighted this as a major problem in terms of schedules, lead
times as well as staff retention.

Manual blasting of AM produced parts.
The Challenges Of Surface Finishing on this front and the benefits are becoming irrefutable. These benefits are now
manifesting themselves within the AM industry in various forms, offering highly
Metal PBF parts often exhibit rough and uneven surfaces due to the layer-by- automated solutions for the post processing of metal PBF parts that enhance
layer nature of the process. Post processing is, therefore, often required to refine process chain efficiency dramatically and substantially reduce human intervention.
the surface finish for certain parts and component types. Once again, this adds
a further step to the production process chain that can be both time-consuming A growing number of companies across many industrial sectors are
and labour-intensive. Manual grinding and polishing methods as well automated implementing automated robotic systems for powder removal, support removal
techniques such as CNC machining can be used to finish parts. and/or surface finishing to scale up their production runs with metal PBF.
Scaling up is only one part of the equation, however, and an equal emphasis
While surface finish is often perceived to be an aesthetic issue, in reality it can needs to be given to accuracy and repeatability.
also have functional implications, as well. Metal parts produced using PBF can
have inherent near-surface porosity and surface defects that can compromise Manual intervention is not only slow, but it also makes it notoriously difficult to
mechanical integrity and reduce the part’s performance. predict consistency. This is where automation, with ML alongside traditional
deterministic control theory to optimize quality and repeatability, excels in
delivering a truly autonomous solution to the post processing challenges that
Finding Solutions Through Automation
users of PBF AM have faced.
In recent years, there has been significant progress with new automation This level of automation has been shown to dramatically reduce defect rates
technologies, including robotics, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning while lowering operational costs significantly. If that is not enough to convince
(ML) — indeed, it has been a fast and furious decade of technology innovation you, it also eliminates risk to workers and the variability problem.
Rivelin Netshape® robots can demonstrably reduce the burden of post-

processing for near-net-shape metal manufacturing applications. With a range
of solutions available the robots enable the automation of common metal AM
post processing tasks — including support removal & surface finishing – which
ensures greater productivity and efficiency while also protecting workers’ health,
tackling skill shortages and reducing overall costs.
www.rivelinrobotics.com
Cranialplate chiseling.

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From Space... While satellite-based SOS service is just the start, this has set off a type of
cambrian explosion in direct-to-device satellite connectivity — resulting in
To Your Pocket smartphone makers, smartwatch makers, IoT companies, car manufacturers,
and carriers adapting NTN to meet the connectivity needs of their user base.
While not all approaches today for direct-to-device connectivity use the 3GPP
The next generation of mobile comms standard, my prediction is that most cellular devices coming online in the next
12 to 24 months will incorporate a 3GPP standards-based NTN waveform, such
Author: Parthsarathi Trivedi as Narrowband-NTN, and offer 2-way data services, either directly through the
Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder OEM or through the carrier.
Skylo Technologies
Author: Why This Matters To The Cellular Industry
Mobile connectivity is set to become as ubiquitous as the sky
within the next 12 months. There are two transformational One of the most immediate and impactful promises of NTNs is the ability to
initiatives underway as it relates to eliminating coverage gaps in bridge the existing digital divide. There remains large swathes of the planet
terrestrial networks. The mobile industry, represented through the — including remote regions, rural areas and vast ocean expanses — where
3GPP standards body, has aptly named all such networks as ‘non- terrestrial networks are either economically unviable or technically challenging
terrestrial networks’ or NTN. to deploy.
The first initiative that everyone is familiar with are broadband satellite internet Additionally, think about those ‘micro-holes’ of coverage when traveling cross
services that involve a dedicated satellite terminal, such as Starlink or country, or when off of the main road, or even when hiking in a local preserve.
OneWeb. These services exclusively operate in the higher Ku- or Ka-band NTN will elevate your overall connectivity experience, as a complementary
frequency bands (12-40 GHz). augmentation (not a replacement) to your current cellular service.
The more recent movement is the introduction of direct-to-device or direct-to- Laying cables or setting up towers in sparsely populated or difficult-to-reach
cell networks, which operate in lower frequency bands, such as L- and S-band areas can be prohibitively expensive. For instance, according to the Wireless
(1-2 GHz) and allow ordinary cellular devices to send and receive data directly Infrastructure Association (WIA)1, 141,100 cell towers and 452,200 outdoor
over satellite. small cell nodes exist within the U.S.
Unlike GPS or GNSS, which is present in almost every cellular device today, The cell tower and small cell nodes are typically only installed in more densely-
the advent of direct-to-cell connectivity allows you to not just receive data but populated areas, with the build cost of the former coming in at around $300K
also send data over satellite (full 2-way connectivity). This means that, quite each2. This means that there is a critical population density below which it
soon, cellular carriers are going to be able to augment their existing networks almost always makes sense for carriers to consider NTN.
with satellites in a way that eliminates all coverage gaps — including over the
oceans. Why This Should Matter
What is NTN + Direct-To-Device Connectivity? This new capability is exciting because generations after us are going to be born
into a world where connectivity is practically taken for granted on all cellular
NTN represents air and space-borne platforms providing connectivity to users devices. What are the big global challenges that we’ll solve with this new mode
on the ground, of which satellites form the dominant platform. Mobile satellite of connectivity? Let’s consider the following examples...
networks, capable of rendering a direct-to-cell service, cover vast geographical
areas, reaching places that cannot be serviced economically by laying cables or Personal safety — you’re now able to summon emergency
building towers. response services anywhere, even when there is no cell coverage
available. You can track your family, your pets, and your important
Satellite infrastructure has been around for decades. So far, though, satellite stuff, no matter where.
protocols and satellite equipment have been bespoke in nature, meaning that
they have required specifically-designed terminals or specially designed devices
(such as satellite phones).
The major shift that has occurred is the advent of new, industry standards,
namely the Release 17 of the 3GPP, which extends standard cellular
protocols or waveforms to NTN. Any smartphone, wearable device, sensors,
and more that are built using chipsets and modules using this new industry
standard, can support satellite connectivity.
Additionally, these new standards do away with the need for proprietary satellite
modems and expensive antennas, using the exact same hardware that is used
for cellular in its place. This makes satellite connectivity far more accessible than
ever before possible.
Why Now?
If you’re using an iPhone 14 or an iPhone 15, the Motorola Defy 2 Android

smartphone (powered by Skylo), or the Huawei Mate 60 Pro, you already have
a satellite communications device in the palm of your hand.
The world’s largest OEMs and chipset makers have invested the past few years
in integrating satellite connectivity into standard smartphones. The connectivity
needs of people, enterprises and Government organizations have also evolved
rapidly in the past five years, with more consumers willing to invest a premium
to insure their connectivity which in turn is directly linked to safety.

Maritime economy —
fishermen, merchant vessels,
tankers, and all forms of boats
need connectivity to stay safe
and conduct business. Now,
satellite connectivity is available
not just to the larger vessels but
also the smallest fishing vessels,
democratizing access to data
for the most crucial parts of the
maritime economy.
Farming economy — farmers

around the world are turning
to data to sustainably improve
productivity. This includes all
forms of connectivity such as
for sensors in the soil to better
track water consumption, or
trackers placed on herds of
free-range cattle to keep farming
operations running efficiently,
resulting in higher-quality
produce for consumers and
higher revenue for farmers.
Defense and security — The

military is one of the largest
users of NTNs for secure and
reliable communications with
warfighters, surveillance and
intelligence operations, and for
gathering data across a vast
number of sensors for enhanced,
AI-augmented battlefield
management. This capability is
already transforming how wars
are fought.
Disaster recovery — if there’s a natural disaster, such as a
forest fire or a tsunami, terrestrial cell networks are almost always There will be thousands of new applications that spring forward, as developers
impacted. NTN will provide you with an always-on, always-available around the world introduce new solutions that take advantage of direct-to-
communication channel in such a scenario, and allow public service device connectivity. The list above doesn’t even scratch the surface of how NTN
personnel to keep you informed and safe. will be called into action in the coming years.
Automotive safety — with vehicles becoming increasingly In Conclusion

connected, NTNs ensure that there are no blind spots — be it in
remote roads, mountain passes, or isolated areas. By building in direct Non-Terrestrial Networks represent a transformative leap in the mobile
connectivity, vehicles can be remotely tracked or even automatically industry. Their integration into ordinary cellular devices has already started
alert a service center in the unlikely event of an accident. knitting a global fabric of connectivity that will change the way people,
businesses, and governments communicate in historically unconnected and
Transparent supply chains — with satellite connectivity now underconnected geographies.
available at the truck, container, or even pallet level, supply chain
managers can track and monitor the location, movement, and At Skylo, we’re thrilled to work with our customers and partners to make this
status of their valuable goods anywhere in the world. This ensures happen, ensuring a quick transition to a world where you never lose coverage.
more efficient route planning, better asset utilization, enhances
security, and improves overall operational efficiency. Additionally, References
fleets can switch to terrestrial networks when available, optimizing
1 https://www.benton.org/headlines/us-cell-towers-and-small-cells-
communication costs and bandwidth usage.
numbers#:~:text=The%20Wireless%20Infrastructure%20Association%20
(WIA,at%20the%20end%20of%202022
2 https://dgtlinfra.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-build-a-cell-tower/
www.skylo.tech
Author Parth Trivedi is CEO and Co-Founder of Skylo

Technologies, the world’s most ubiquitous
non-terrestrial network (NTN)
Parth Trivedi

OSIRIS-REx
Kickin’ asteroid and taking aims
Author: Thomas Dorame, Senior Vice President, Space Foundation
untold benefits to the U.S. scientific community and

Author: the world at large, fostering global communication
and collaboration, providing fascinating fodder
for researchers worldwide, and furthering an
understanding of our place in the cosmos.
What’s Soft As S Rock + Taller Than

The Empire State Building?
At a colossal 1,610 feet, the asteroid Bennu

outreaches the Empire State Building in
its immensity. The asteroid was selected
as a destination due to curiosity about
its composition and concern about its
trajectory, with many eager to better
understand the asteroid’s movements in
relation to Earth.
OSIRIS-REx orbited Bennu for more

than a year, gathering information about
its surface and movements that has
Artistic rendition cemented predictions about its trajectory
of OSIRIS-REx on all the way up to the year 2135.
mission, courrtesy
of NASA. Careful observation during orbit led to
some fascinating findings about Bennu’s
surface. Home to more than 200 boulders as
wide as 30 feet, its rock is only 1/6 the density
of rocks on Earth. The research team reported
that its structure was more fluid in nature
than the rigid rocks of Earth. After collecting
Since their discovery in the 18th century, asteroids have

completely captivated human interest — these mysterious minor
planets span the gamut of intrigue, stirring up everything from fear
to fascination.
They cause concern about troubling, Earth-endangering trajectories and awaken

wonder about compositions that may hold the key to understanding the origins
of life. Though much about our celestial companions still remains shrouded in
secrecy, recent asteroid sample return missions have been crucial to developing
our understanding, increasing our planetary security, and advancing our position
on the cosmic chessboard.
A Special Delivery — Seven Years In The Making
In September of 2016, NASA launched the first asteroid sample return mission
in U.S. history. This intrepid explorer was dubbed the OSIRIS-REx (Origins,
Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security, Regolith Explorer)
and given the primary objective of collecting a sample from the asteroid Bennu.
The spacecraft was also tasked with several secondary objectives, including: the
use of mapping technology to gain a better understanding of Bennu’s surface,
providing a more precise reading of Bennu’s trajectory, and using Bennu as a
subject to study the Yarkovsky effect — a phenomenon where the diurnally
varying levels of solar radiation in an asteroid affect its orbit.
In a moment of incredible national and global victory, the OSIRIS-REx

completed its primary objective in September of 2023, delivering the largest
sample ever collected from beyond the Moon. This sample promises to yield This mosaic image of asteroid Bennu is composed of 12 PolyCam images
collected on December 2, 2018 by the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft from a range of
15 miles (24 km). Image is couresy of NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona

an abundant 8 ounces of regolith from a northern crater named Nightingale,
OSIRIS-REx began its multimillion mile trip home.
Stellar Co-Stars + Interstellar Collaboration
The OSIRIS-REx sample return mission has been a resounding success;

however, it’s well worth acknowledging that it is not the first of its kind and owes
much of its achievement to its global predecessors.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has led two successful
sample return missions. Its first, the Hayabusa mission, visited the asteroid
Itokawa and returned a sample to Earth in 2010; it proved to be the shoulders
NASA stood upon when designing the OSIRIS-REx mission. JAXA’s second
mission, the Hayabusa2, visited the asteroid Ryugu and delivered a sample
back to Earth in 2020.
NEA Scout is composed of a small, shoebox-sized CubeSat (top left) and a

thin, aluminum-coated solar sail about the size of a racquetball court (bottom
left). After the spacecraft launches aboard Artemis I, the sail will use sunlight
to propel the CubeSat to a small asteroid. Photos are courtesy of NASA
The freshly christened OSIRIS-APEX (APophis EXplorer) is slated to visit and

examine Apophis, an asteroid notorious for its high rating on the Torino Impact
Hazard Scale. Although initial readings predicted a potential collision with Earth
in 2029, Apophis has since been cleared of an impact risk.
The OSIRIS-APEX is tasked with mapping the surface of Apophis and, more
precisely, determining its trajectory. The same instruments and techniques
that made the spacecraft so successful with Bennu promise to yield equally
favorable results with Apophis, leading to an increase in our understanding of its
topography and composition.
Although the Apophis addition to the original mission of the OSIRIS-REx

is projected to increase the total mission cost by nearly $200 million, the
heightened expense still falls well below half of the original mission budget.
JAXA’s asteroid explorer “Hayabusa2”. Image is courtesy of Akihiro Ikeshita
Furthermore, this mission’s involvement of more than 230 scientists who
Due to Hayabusa2’s concurrence with the OSIRIS-REx mission, NASA represent 38 institutions across the globe clearly demonstrates its importance in
and JAXA formed a pivotal collaboration that enriched both missions and uniting the world within a sense of wonder, ingenuity and forward motion.
strengthened relationships in the global space community.
For more insights on OSIRIS-REx and other space trends,
Missions to Improve Transmissions, Mapping NEAs + please visit www.thespacereport.org.
Throwing a DART
www.spacefoundation.org/
While September marked a successful sample return from OSIRIS-REx, October
witnessed the launch of NASA’s Psyche mission. The spacecraft Psyche will
investigate a metallic asteroid of the same name, likely reaching orbit in 2029.
Psyche will also test the Deep Space Optical Communications system, Thomas Dorame leads Symposium 365, the premier source for media
which promises to improve upon current radio wave-based communications and events in the global space ecosystem, offering authoritative
with Earth and drastically reduce the time it takes to transfer data between news and information and venues for networking and conducting
space and Earth. business — including the world-renowned Space Symposium,
The Space Report and Symposium 365 Digital Platform. Based
Meanwhile, the initiative to map the positions of near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) in Washington, D.C., Thomas brings a combination of military
is stronger than ever before. Despite the unfortunate loss of 2022’s NEA Scout and civilian education to Space Foundation, complemented by
shortly after its launch aboard the Artemis I mission, NASA’s commitment to both operational experience and working strategic issues. He
locating NEAs remains unwavering. NASA is planning the launch of another engages with government, commercial and education sectors
Thomas Dorame
asteroid scout, the Near-Earth Object Surveyor, for 2027. to produce signature programming — live and online — for
professionals, entrepreneurs, educators and students to learn, connect and
NASA is also experimenting with methods for collision prevention, with 2022’s conduct business 365 days a year.
Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) yielding favorable results in its Thomas is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point
engineered collision with asteroid Dimorphos. with 30 years of active military service and experience managing diverse,
multidiscipline organizations. Thomas holds a Bachelor of Science in
Rebirth: The OSIRIS Saga Continues With Apophis economics from the U.S. Military Academy and a master’s degree in
national security studies from Georgetown University, with studies at Oxford
Encouraged by the success of OSIRIS-REx, NASA decided in April of 2022 to University. He also earned a master’s degree in strategic studies from the
extend its journey through the cosmos with a slightly modified name and an United States Army War College.
entirely new objective.

SMALLSAT
SYMPOSIUM
2024 SILICON VALLEY
Key Connections and Insights For
The Next Evolution in SmallSats
FEBRUARY 6 – 8, 2024
SMALLSATSHOW.COM

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Worldwide Satellite Magazine

Artistic rendition of the Eutelsat

Donald McGee SATCOM Advancing Social Inclusion and Governance In Africa.................... 20

Chris Forrester CPI......................................................................................................................... 11

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Very efficiently converting energy into

Resolve Optics Limited, Asheridge Road, Chesham, Bucks, HP5 2PT. UK

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On Wednesday, January 3 at 6:04 p.m. ET,

Ovzon 3 is the first in

Ovzon 3’s patented solution,

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One button auto-pointing antenna

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Protect Your Earth Station

Antenna De-Ice Systems:

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For Enterprise and Government

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The objects we launch into space, if not protected by adequate cybersecurity,

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The new reality is that modern satellites are not beyond

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The Forrester Report

He admits that changes in the Video market and, in general,

“Eutelsat has always operated with an eye on Western

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Author Chris Forrester is a Senior Columnist and Contributor

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Gilat Satellite Networks provides state-of-the-art SATCOM networks to meet

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Author Nimrod Kapon is the Founder and CEO of Oasis Networks.

The cranialplate chisel.

SatMagazine Page 26 January 2024

SatMagazine Page 27 January 2024

Rivelin Netshape® robots can demonstrably reduce the burden of post-

SatMagazine Page 28 January 2024

Comprehensive Daily Programming

Enhanced Content Engagement

If you’re using an iPhone 14 or an iPhone 15, the Motorola Defy 2 Android

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Farming economy — farmers

Defense and security — The

Automotive safety — with vehicles becoming increasingly In Conclusion