Steely Newsletter Issue #051 |
Read all about the challenges the satellite-to-phone industry faces, the growth of the In-flight connectivity industry, the cyberattack against a South Korean satellite operation center, and so much more! |
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| | Light Reading | Rob Pegoraro | 03-29-2024 The Satellite 2024 conference buzzed with excitement about satellite connectivity becoming a mainstream feature for smartphones. Industry leaders envisioned seamless integration with terrestrial networks, enabling full coverage even in remote areas. However, concerns were raised about scalability and cost-effectiveness for broadband services. Analysts believe basic messaging might be viable initially, but substantial price reductions and significant capacity improvements are needed for users to pay for high-speed data access. Launching new satellite constellations also faces challenges due to SpaceX's dominance in the launch market. Overall, the future of satellite-to-phone services hinges on resolving technical hurdles and establishing a sustainable business model. | Fast Company | Jesus Diaz | 03-29-2024 With over 5,600 operational satellites blanketing the Earth, Elon Musk holds immense control over low-Earth orbit. The visualization tool created by Will DePue allows users to track the ever-expanding constellation in real-time. SpaceX plans to launch tens of thousands more Starlink satellites in the coming years, facing competition from companies like OneWeb and Amazon's Project Kuiper. The article raises concerns about the impact of these mega-constellations on astronomy, potential collisions, and the creation of space debris, urging for regulations to ensure the responsible use of space. | Via Satellite | Rachel Jewett | 03-28-2024 Telesat's revenue dipped in 2023 due to lower broadcast contracts and competition from Starlink in the enterprise market. However, the company remains optimistic about its future with its Lightspeed LEO constellation. Telesat is seeking additional funding from the Canadian government for Lightspeed and expects to launch its first satellites in June 2026. The company believes Lightspeed will be competitive with Starlink by offering features like dedicated bandwidth pools and service level agreements, catering to a wider range of customers. | Via Satellite | Daniel Welch | 03-26-2024 In-flight connectivity (IFC) adoption boomed after 2017 thanks to new antenna designs, but slowed down significantly by 2020 due to a lack of new large orders. While major airlines in North America already have IFC on most of their large planes, the technology wasn't feasible for regional jets until recently. The development of low-profile antennas in 2023 has changed that, prompting a surge in IFC installations on regional jets in North America by airlines such as Alaska, Delta and American. This has led to a positive outlook for the IFC industry, with more airlines expected to adopt the technology in the coming years. |
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🛡️Satellite Cybersecurity News |
| The Chosun Daily | Song Bok-gyu, Yeom Hyun-a | 03-27-2024 South Korea's space program has encountered a setback after hackers breached the Korea Satellite Operations Center. The attack, which targeted systems managing critical observation satellites, raises concerns about vulnerabilities in South Korea's space infrastructure. The National Intelligence Service is investigating the incident to determine the extent of the damage and identify the culprits. While the investigation is ongoing, some experts suspect North Korea might be behind the cyberattack. |
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| | DigiTimes Asia | Allen Hsieh, Vyra Wu | 03-29-2024 Taiwanese companies are looking to move beyond their current role in satellite manufacturing and enter the lucrative chip design market. This push is driven by the growing demand for higher frequency bands in satellite communication, which aligns with Taiwan's existing strengths in semiconductor design and manufacturing. While established international players currently dominate RF IC design for satellites, Taiwan sees an opening in the development of chips for new frequency bands like V-Band and E-Band. To compete effectively, Taiwanese firms will need to leverage their talent pool and advanced packaging capabilities to ensure seamless integration of their chips into satellites. Phasetrum, a Taiwanese high-frequency IC player, believes that by capitalizing on these advantages, Taiwanese companies can become major players in the design of chips for future satellite communication systems. |
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| | Newsweek | Aadil Brar | 03-29-2024 Tensions are rising on the Korean Peninsula as South Korea claims North Korea is preparing to launch another military satellite. This comes after North Korea successfully deployed its first spy satellite in November, which both South Korea and the United States consider a violation of UN resolutions. Satellite imagery shows activity at North Korea's launch station, potentially indicating preparations for a new launch. Meanwhile, South Korea's own reconnaissance satellite, launched in December, has begun transmitting images. |
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🏛️US Government Satellite News |
| Space News | Sandra Erwin | 03-28-2024 Commercial satellite companies have been lobbying the Department of Defense (DoD) for years to use more commercial satellite services and less government-owned satellites. There is a proposed increase in the 2025 budget for commercial satellite communication integration, which is seen as a positive sign by the industry. While commercial satellite services are already being used by the military, the process is not streamlined. Satellite operators are hoping for a dedicated working capital fund to simplify how military units access commercial services. This situation is similar to the one in the remote sensing satellite industry, where companies are also vying for a bigger role in defense and intelligence. There are challenges, such as building trust with the government and ensuring survivability in case of conflict, but the industry is making progress. The future likely holds a hybrid architecture that uses both commercial and government capabilities. | Space News | Sandra Erwin | 03-25-2024 The U.S. Space Force and Space Command jointly requested $2.3 billion from Congress to bolster space defenses. This money would fund classified programs aimed at protecting American satellites from potential attacks by China and Russia. These anti-satellite weapons could cripple GPS, communication, and intelligence gathering essential to the U.S. military. General Whiting, head of Space Command, emphasized the critical need for these funds to counter the growing space threat posed by China and Russia. |
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