The Satellite Mobility market consists of three key verticals: the aeronautical/in-flight;  maritime and land mobile communications on the move (COTM) markets.  Of those three markets that cover the air, sea and land, two of those verticals are probably the hardest hit sectors of the satellite industry by the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic.

The Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA) held its annual Satellite Industry Forum (SIF) as a virtual conference, from 24 – 25 September, which allowed for truly global participation with delegates from around the world in attendance. The event also saw over 100 new companies register to be part of the two-day discussions on Video in the Satellite World.

ConnecTechAsia, Asia's leading Infocomm Media and Technology event concluded last week after three days of insightful conference sessions and exhibitions on the latest solutions and trends empowering the digital economy.

Momentus, a commercial space company offering in-space transportation and infrastructure services, today announced it has signed a definitive merger agreement with Stable Road Acquisition Corp. that will result in the company becoming publicly listed.

Upon the closing of the transaction, the combined operating company will be named Momentus Inc. and its securities will be listed on Nasdaq and trade under the ticker symbol “MNTS.”

Comtech Telecommunications Corp. (Nasdaq: CMTL)  and Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. (Nasdaq: GILT; TASE: GILT)  announced today that the companies have agreed to terminate the merger agreement first announced on January 29, 2020 and have settled all pending litigation in the Delaware Court of Chancery. In connection with the termination and settlement agreement, Comtech has agreed to make a payment of US$ 70.0 million to Gilat.

By now, we all are aware of the magnitude of the 1st generation of NGSO (Non-Geo Stationary Orbit) mega constellation and their capabilities for provision of high throughput, low latency, global broadband to everyone, everywhere. Let us move forward and analyse the integration of the networks established by these constellations with already existing and upcoming terrestrial networks. 

The GVF Webinar Series has been an innovative response to the dictates of a variously locked down world and its various themes have been well received by a global audience. Whilst, as noted in my previous column, 69 has been the least number of countries dialing-in to any one individual Zoom event, the total number of nations reached across the series to date has now exceeded 120.

The Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA) will be hosting this year’s Satellite Industry Forum (SIF) as a virtual conference, taking place over two days, from 24 – 25 September, 930am – 1130am (SGT).

National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) President and CEO Gordon Smith announced today that the NAB Show now scheduled for October 9–13, 2021 in Las Vegas. Smith issued the following letter to the NAB Show community regarding plans for the 2021 NAB Show:

Dear NAB Show community,

Exponentially increasing numbers of announced ambitious NGSO (Non-Geo Stationary Orbit) or LEO-HTS (Lower Earth Orbit – High Throughput Satellites) Mega Constellations have been creating waves in the world of technology. Their success will not be a mere disruption to the existing system, it will be a whole new system altogether.