Big Data is information on steroids.  It is generated at high volume, high velocity and with enormous structural variety from billions of devices flooding the world’s data centers with bits.  But the same term encompasses an even more radical development: the data analytics that can turn this explosion of digital content into business insights and actionable intelligence. 

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.

Celestia Technologies Group has announced that it has acquired the satellite ground systems division of Antwerp Space, part of the Bremen-based OHB SE Group, in a deal that will boost Celestia’s existing expertise in EGSE and ground systems.

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).

Russia’s satellite communications operator Russian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC) and Azerbaijan’s satellite communications operator Azercosmos signed a cooperation agreement pertaining to satellite communications and broadcasting services in Baku, Azerbaijan, as part of the international telecommunications and IT show BAKUTEL 2019. RSCC’s Deputy Director General – Head of the Business Development Kseniya Drozdova and Azercosmos’s Deputy BoD Chairman Rovshan Rustamov signed the document.

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.