News Analysis

The December 2018 Year-end issue of the Satellite Executive Briefing magazine

The December 2018  Year-end issue of  the Satellite Executive Briefing magazine  focusing on a Year-end review of the top stories and key trends in the global satellite industry  sponsored by The Spaceconnection Featuring:

EMEA Satellite Market Update by Elisabeth Tweedie

Asia-Pacific Satellite Market Update by Peter Galace

Latin American Satellite Market Update by Bernardo Schneiderman

Welcome to the Smallsats Satellite-IoT Express by Hub Urlings

An Opportunity to Rise by Robert Bell

INTERBEE 2018 Show Report by Naoakira Kamiya

PLUS Mergers and Aquisitions, Executive Moves, Market Briefs  and many more. Click here to read or download the file

Rohde & Schwarz Acquires Pixel Power

Munich, Germany, November 27, 2018 — Rohde & Schwarz has acquired Pixel Power Limited, a Cambridge, UK- based company, which offers innovative graphics, master control and integrated playout systems for broadcasters and playout facilities. These systems enable dynamic content to be delivered more efficiently for linear TV, mobile, online and OTT/VOD.

Advantech Satellite Networks is now Doing Business as Spacebridge

Cape Town, South Africa, November 13, 2018—Advantech Satellite Networks, an established vendor and global market leader of broadband satellite communications systems announced here at the Africacom Conference and Exhibition that it will now be doing business as Spacebridge Inc.

Boeing, Safran Begin Joint Venture for Designing, Building and Servicing Auxiliary Power Units

Chicago, Il., Nov. 9, 2018 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Safran [EPA: SAF] have received regulatory approvals for a joint venture so they can begin designing, building and servicing aircraft Auxiliary Power Units (APUs)—onboard engines that are primarily used to start the main engines and power aircraft systems while on the ground and, if necessary, in flight. The companies also named Etienne Boisseau as Chief Executive Officer of the joint venture.

Welcome to the Small Sat (IoT) Express!

by Hub Urlings

Amsterdam, the Netherlands, November 8, 2018--In the last quarter of 2018 a real small sat express consisting of the Indian PSLV and the American SpaceX Falcon-9 launchers will bring a large number of small satellites into an sun synchronous orbit.  After long delays more than 80 small satellites from more than 30 customers from around 20  countries,  that are waiting anxiously to have their small satellites launched into orbit.

Is There Anyone ELSE Up There?

by Lou Zacharilla

A man walking along a cliff feels the ground give way beneath him.  He manages to clutch at a root extending from the face of the cliff, which saves him from falling 1,200 feet onto jagged rocks in the surf below. But as he hangs, on he cannot climb back up.  He shouts, “Is anyone up there!?” 

Comtech Telecommunications Corp. Enters Into New US$ 550.0 Million Credit Facility

Melville, N.Y., Nov. 5, 2018--Comtech Telecommunications Corp. (“Comtech”) (NASDAQ:CMTL) announced today that it entered into a new US$ 550.0 million credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) with a syndicate of lenders on October 31, 2018. The Credit Facility consists of a senior secured revolving loan facility with a borrowing limit of US $300.0 million and an accordion feature allowing the Company to borrow up to an additional $250.0 million, plus additional amounts subject to pro forma covenant compliance. The Credit Facility will be used for general corporate purposes, including supporting the Company’s growth strategies. The Company’s prior credit facility was refinanced in full.

The new Credit Facility has a five-year term which expires in October 2023 and provides for, among other things:

Telesat Reports US$173-M Revenue for the Quarter Ended September 30, 2018

Ottawa, Canada, Nov. 1, 2018 —  Telesat Canada today announced its financial results for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2018. For the quarter ended September 30, 2018, Telesat reported consolidated revenues of US$173.37 million (Ca$227 million), an increase of 6% US$9.93 million (Ca$13 million) compared to the same period in 2017.

Intelsat Posts US$ 374.6 Million Loss in 3Q 2018 Due to Taxes and Retirement of Debt

Luxembourg, Nov. 1 , 2018 — Intelsat S.A. (NYSE: I) today reported total revenue of US$ 536.9 million and net loss attributable to Intelsat S.A. of US$ 374.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018.