Page 63 - SAMENA Trends - January 2021

SATELLITE UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Airbus to Build Two More Multi-Frequency Satellites for Intelsat

Airbus announced it signed a contract with Intelsat to build two end-to-end integrated solution, from design to manufacture. By
OneSat satellites operating in multiple frequency bands for Intel- integrating the ground segment software components into Intel-
sat’s software-defined network. The contract was signed on 31 sat’s software defined-network ecosystem and digital suite will
December 2020. The satellites will be based on Airbus’ OneSat support dynamic operation of end-to-end satellite resources. The
product line which can be reconfigured in orbit, known as soft- two SD satellites are due for delivery in 2023 and are intended to
ware-defined satellites (SDS). Airbus will deliver them as an deliver services to Intelsat’s customers across multiple regions.
Transformation plan This agreement is said by the parties to
“mark the beginning of a radical evolution of Intelsat’s network;
Intelsat is pursuing an aggressive, multi-year network transfor-
mation plan with investments in new assets that are designed for
extremely high speeds, enhanced capacity flexibility, redundan-
cy and backwards compatibility”. Intelsat Chief Executive Officer
Stephen Spengler said: “Intelsat’s next-generation software-de-
fined network will be the catalyst for our growth, enabling future
Gogo Commercial Aviation inflight broadband services, as well as
other managed services across Intelsat’s customer segments.”
Intelsat completed the acquisition of Gogo Commercial Aviation
in December 2020. It began a major restructuring initiative in May
2020.

Softbank, Hughes Network Systems Fuel OneWeb Aim

Recently rescued satellite communications remainder coming from Hughes Network by SoftBank and Hughes as further proof
company OneWeb secured $400 million Systems. The Japan-based group was of progress towards delivering our goal.”
in additional investment from Hughes one of the early backers of the project The company plans to provide commercial
Network Systems and SoftBank Group, and retained a small stake gained from communications services from a fleet
as it continues to target 2022 for its status as a creditor when OneWeb was of Low Earth Orbit birds in 2022: it has
completion of its first full commercial rescued from Chapter 11 bankruptcy by already launched 110 satellites and said
fleet. In a statement, OneWeb confirmed a consortium of the UK government and the investments leave it “positioned” to be
the new backing brought the total raised Bharti Airtel parent Bharti Enterprises. As fully-funded to meet its aim. However, FT
since entering bankruptcy protection in a result of its latest investment SoftBank estimated it needed to raise a further $1
March 2020 to $1.4 billion, putting it on will gain a place on OneWeb’s board. billion. OneWeb faces stiff competition in
track to meet its target for completion of OneWeb CEO Neil Masterson said: “We the sector from a number of other players
648 orbiting satellites. Financial Times have made rapid progress to restart the using similar systems.
(FT) reported SoftBank contributed business since emerging from Chapter 11
$350 million of the fresh cash with the in November. We welcome the investments

Saudi Arabia Counting Down to Unveil Partnerships in Space Sector

The Saudi Space Commission (SCC) Content and Government Procurement the space industry, depending on local
is counting down to announce a set of Authority (LCGPA). The prince said: “This capabilities, particularly youth. The
preparatory partnerships to help propel agreement comes within the partnership Kingdom was planning an SR8 billion
the Kingdom’s role in the space sector, and integration methodology adopted ($2.13 billion) boost for its space program
the agency’s chairman, Prince Sultan bin between government agencies to enable as part of its Vision 2030 reform plan,
Salman, has revealed. Once an integrated the space sector to fulfil the directives Reuters reported in October. The SSC was
project proposal has been completed, it of King Salman to establish a space- established by a royal decree in late 2018
will be submitted to the Saudi government linked integrated industry, which has to stimulate space-related research and
for approval and implementation, the Saudi become a promising sector with economic industrial activities and is led by Prince
Press Agency reported. The announcement contributions.” The joint agreement will Sultan, the first Saudi astronaut to travel
was made during a signing ceremony open new horizons for development in to space.
between the commission and the Local scientific research and innovation in
63 JANUARY 2021