A new addition to the GVF-C21 Partnership’s conferences and roundtables portfolio, Satellite and the Cloud, will be introduced in London on 3rd March 2020.  Whilst not “a match made in heaven” the affinity between the two is a match made in – GEO, MEO, LEO – orbit.

Trying to choose the most significant stories of the year, is always a challenge!  Is x more important than y and does z really have an impact?  Inevitably, the choice of topics to include will always be subjective.  So, here’s my short list.

Spacex' Falcon 9 rocket successfully launched JCSAT-18/Kacific1 satellite from Cape Canaveral, Florida at about 7:10 p.m. It will enter service several weeks after on-orbit tests and moving to its final geostationary orbit position over the Asia-Pacific region.

The Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA) held the 55th International Broadcast Equipment Exhibition (InterBEE2019) for three days from November 13 to 15 at Makuhari Messe Convention Center located at Chiba City, near Tokyo. Under the slogan of “Conveying the Possibilities of New Media to the World,” a record number of 1,158 companies and organizations including 632 from 37 countries and regions overseas, exhibited at 2,125 booth spaces. JEITA proudly announced that the total visitors marked 40,375.

Hughes Network Systems and Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat), a satellite operator based in the United Arab Emirates and wholly owned by Mubadala Investment Company, today announced the commencement of a joint venture to provide satellite broadband services in Brazil. Now operational under the established Hughes do Brasil name, the new venture combines Hughes decades of experience delivering satellite networks and services in Brazil with Yahsat’s strong position and capabilities in the region.

ViacomCBS Inc. (Nasdaq: VIACA, VIAC) (“ViacomCBS”) today announced the completion of the merger between CBS Corporation and Viacom Inc. The combined company, which is renamed ViacomCBS, creates a premium content powerhouse with global scale, including leading positions in markets across the U.S., Europe, Latin America and Asia.

Comtech Telecommunications Corp. (NASDAQ: CMTL) today reported its operating results for the first fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2019 and updated its fiscal 2020 guidance.  Net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2020 were US$ 170.3 million as compared to the US$ 160.8 million achieved during the first quarter of fiscal 2019, representing an increase of $9.5 million, or 5.9%.

Fiscal 2020 First Quarter Highlights

Small satellite manufacturer and mission services provider Blue Canyon Technologies (BCT) has purchased leading RF antenna manufacturer, Antenna Development Corporation (AntDevCo).

For its fourth and final mission of the year, Ariane 5 placed two communications satellites in geostationary transfer orbit (GTO), lifting off from the European spaceport in Kourou (French Guiana) the Egyptian satellite TIBA-1 and Inmarsat GX5. It was launch No. 250 for Ariane, which will be celebrating its 40^th anniversary on December 24.

Comtech Telecommunications Corp. (Nasdaq: CMTL) announced today that it has entered into an agreement to acquire UHP Networks Inc.  a leading provider of innovative and disruptive satellite ground station technology solutions, for a purchase price of approximately US$ 40.0 million. Founded in 2005, UHP is based in Canada and has developed revolutionary technology that is transforming the Very Small Apert ure Terminal (VSAT) market.