The May-June 2026 issue of the Satellite Executive Briefing featuring:

Key Takeaways from Satellite 2026 by Elisabeth Tweedie

The End of Monetization Silos: Why the Future of Broadcasting Lies in Unified Streaming Economies by Massimo Vimini

Orbital Data Centers are Increasingly Being Launched into Space but must Meet Stringent Requirements by Claude Rousseau

Plus  Product Spotlights, Product and Services Guide to Satellite Asia 2026, Mergers and Acquisitions, Executive Moves, Market Trends and many more.Click here to read or download the pdf file

Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: IRDM), a  provider of global voice, data, and positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) satellite services, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Aireon LLC, operator of the world’s only space-based Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) air traffic surveillance system. The acquisition of Aireon is a defining step in Iridium’s strategy to provide the foundational architecture for global aviation safety, bringing space-based surveillance, safety communications, PNT, and operational data together on a single network according to the company. 

Space42, today announced its consolidated financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2026. The Company’s shares are listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange under the symbol SPACE42 (ISIN: AEE01122B228). In Q1 2026, Space42 delivered a robust financial performance, recording an increase in revenue and maintaining the momentum of the final quarter of 2025. It continued to execute across its four core strategic pillars while exercising rigorous control of its cost base, ensuring strong levels of profitability and margin.

Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. (NASDAQ: GILT, TASE: GILT), reported its results for the first quarter, ended March 31, 2026. The company reported revenues grew 20%, GAAP Operating Income Increased to US$ 4.4 Million, Adjusted EBITDA doubled to US$ 15.1 Million and reiterated guidance for 2026.

by Massimo Vimini

The media industry has spent the last decade talking about the shift from traditional television to streaming. Today, that conversation is largely over. The transition is no longer theoretical—it is structural, irreversible, and global.

Rocket Lab Corporation (Nasdaq: RKLB) today shared its financial results for fiscal first quarter ended March 31, 2026. The company reported US$ 200 million in revenue, consistent execution across launch and space systems programs, a record number of significant new contracts signed, and strategic acquisitions secured. The company exited the quarter with US$ 2.2 billion in backlog and currently have access to more than US$ 2 billion in liquidity,

Rocket Lab Corporation (Nasdaq: RKLB), today announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Motiv Space Systems, a California-based company specializing in space robotics, motion control systems, and precision mechanisms for spacecraft. The acquisition will advance two strategic objectives for Rocket Lab: it will add Mars-proven robotics heritage and capability for advanced planetary and national security missions, and also closes one of the final gaps in Rocket Lab's vertical integration strategy by bringing in house costly and supply-constrained spacecraft components, including solar array drive assemblies (SADAs) and other precision mechanisms and motion control systems.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2026, Telesat reported consolidated revenue of CDN$ 87 million, a decrease of 25% (CDN $30 million) compared to the prior year (24% excluding the impact of foreign exchange), and adjusted EBITDA of CDN$ 35 million, a 1 decrease of 48% (CDN$ 32 million) from the first quarter of 2025 (47% excluding the impact of foreign exchange). Excluding the impact of higher expenses related to our debt refinancing process, adjusted EBITDA decreased 42%. Telesat net loss for the quarter was CDN$ 151 million compared to a CDN$ 51 million loss in the prior year. The increased net loss was primarily due to lower revenue and a non-cash goodwill impairment loss in its GEO segment according to the company.

by Elisabeth Tweedie

There were several reoccurring themes running through the conferences this year, not all of which were on the agenda: sovereignty, data centers in space, multi-orbit and the upcoming IPO for SpaceX. Sovereignty or nationalism was a constant theme, appearing in many sessions.  

Amazon.com, Inc. and Globalstar, Inc. announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Amazon will acquire Globalstar, enabling Amazon Leo to add direct-to-device (D2D) services to its low Earth orbit satellite network and extend cellular coverage to customers beyond the reach of terrestrial networks. In addition, Amazon and Apple announced an agreement for Amazon Leo to power satellite services for iPhone and Apple Watch, including Emergency SOS via satellite.