Space is coming to L.A. in the form of a brand-new show called Spacecraft Technology Expo. To be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center May 8-10, this free-to-attend event is dedicated to bringing together global decision makers, engineers and the supply chain involved in spacecraft, satellite, launch vehicle and space-related technologies.

Focused on the design, build and testing of spacecraft, the expo will feature over 120 space-qualified companies promoting testing and design services, software products and component manufacturing through to complete spacecraft.

Bright lights.  Big crowds.  Penn & Teller, Circe de Soleil and showgirls wearing costumes that would make their grandfathers blanch.  If it’s April, it must be NAB in Las Vegas.

Telesat Holdings Inc.  today announced its financial results for the three month period ended March 31, 2012. For the quarter ended March 31, 2012, consolidated revenue was CDN $196 million, a decrease of approximately 3% (CDN $7 million) compared to the same period in 2011. The decrease in revenue was principally the result of a previously disclosed contractual rate reduction on one of Telesat’s Direct-to-Home satellites, partially offset by growth from Telesat’s international satellite fleet and the additional revenue received from the Canadian payload on ViaSat-1.

IBISWorld expects industry revenue to reach US$ 735.5 million in 2012, representing 15.2% annualized growth since 2007. “Thanks to restructured contracts and increasing demand for industry products, revenue from commercial clients and other government agencies is rising,” says IBISWorld industry analyst Agata Kaczanowska.

Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB) today reported its financial results for the first quarter of 2012. First quarter 2012 revenues were $338.0 million, up 6% compared to $317.7 million in the first quarter of 2011. First quarter 2012 operating income was $23.8 million, an increase of 136% compared to $10.1 million in the first quarter of 2011.

The theme of this year’s NAB to be held this month in Las Vegas is “the great content shift.”   If you haven’t attended the NAB in the last five years, you’ll hardly recognize it now.   The focus is still on traditional broadcasting, but it has since incorporated the many changes in how content is  created, managed and distributed in the new multiplatform environment. The NAB now covers Over-the-Top (OTT), IPTV and other new and emerging technologies.  

The global space economy grew to US$ 289.77 billion in 2011, reflecting a surprisingly robust single-year expansion of 12.2 percent and five-year growth of 41 percent in a global economy that has been suppressed in many other sectors, according to the Space Report 2012 published by the Space Foundation.

The Satellite TV  industry is in the midst of a revolution according to a report by IBISWorld. Satellite TV providers  supply popular family shows, news, movies, sports, documentaries and other products to a growing swarm of eager subscribers willing to pay for in-home entertainment. For example, the introduction of high-definition (HD) TV vastly improved the quality of shows and attracted subscribers even as disposable income dropped during the Great Recession.

VT Systems and the Utilities Telecom Council (UTC) released the results of a new study on satellite communications in the utility industry. The study, Strategic Assessment of Satellite Usage in the Utility Industry, was conducted to gain a better understanding of how satellite communications is currently used in the utility industry and to better articulate the benefits of modern VSAT systems. Among the key findings were that 60% of utilities surveyed are already using some form of satellite communications technology.

The city of Rio de Janeiro will once again be the location for the latest in the GVF-EMP Oil & Gas Communications Conference series as it launches into its 2012 global program.  Held in association with Harris CapRock, Intelsat, RigNet, Hughes, Telespazio, KVH, C-COM Satellite Systems, and with special thanks to Petrobras, ‘Oil & Gas Communications Brazil 2012: 21st Century Digital Oilfield & Gasfield Imperatives Onshore, Offshore, and in Deepwater’ will take place 25th & 26th April 2012 at the Windsor Barra Hotel.