29 August the long-anticipated launch of the Artemis-1 SLS launch vehicle was postponed at countdown T-40 minutes due to an engine coolant problem. This must have been disappointing not only for NASA and ESA (which developed the Artemis program Orion spacecraft Service Module) but to the millions who were looking forward to the spectacle of the most powerful launcher ever blasting-off, signaling the beginnings of the human return to space beyond the low Earth orbit of the ISS, and in preparation for a new generation of Moon landings… and more.

“Happiness is a warm gun,” the Beatles sang back in the 1960’s on their iconic White Album. Let’s update that for 2022, the Age of the Better Satellite World, and claim with scientific evidence that “happiness is building a warm rocket TOGETHER.”

Zoom zoom, zoom zoom!

“Happy? Who’s happy?” Cosmo, the padrone in the warm-hearted American file “Moonstruck” complains, suggesting that no one is or ever can be.

Wrong, says the science. 

But what produces happiness anyway? Hint: it may be related to what you do at IBC.  

IBC2022 is set to deliver exciting innovation across the show floor when the event goes live once again at the RAI Amsterdam on 9^th-12^th September, returning as a face-to-face event after two years of virtual formats.

The Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA) welcomed over 200 delegates from across the region for its first ever Korean focused conference and its first in market event since 2019, with Korea in View, which took place on 30 August at the Westin Josun, Seoul.

Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. (NASDAQ: GILT, TASE: GILT) today reported its results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2022. The company reported reported revenues of US $55.5 million, operating profit of  US $1.5 million and Adjusted EBITDA of US$ 5.3 million.

Second Quarter 2022 Financial Highlights

HISPASAT signed a line of credit for the amount of 250 million euros with a group of five financial institutions composed of CaixaBank, acting as the agent bank of the operation and sustainability coordinator, BBVA, Societé Generale, Bankinter and Kutxabank.

The number 1 and number 2 leading global satelltie operators, SES and Intelsat are reportedly engaging in possible merger talks according to various media reports.  The story was first released by the Financial Times. The merger, if borne into fruition will create the largest satelltie company in the world with over 100 Geostationry satellites generating over US$ 4 Billion in annual revenues.

SES and its wholly-owned subsidiary SES Government Solutions (SES GS) today announced the completion of the acquisition of DRS Global Enterprise Solutions (GES) from Leonardo DRS for US$ 450 million after obtaining all the necessary regulatory approvals. The DRS GES business will be combined with SES GS to create a scaled solutions provider serving the multi-orbit satellite communications needs of the US Government and supporting missions anywhere on land, at sea, or in the air. 

Eutelsat and key OneWeb shareholders sign a Memorandum of Understanding with a view to combining Eutelsat and OneWeb in an all-share transaction. Eutelsat shareholders and OneWeb shareholders would each hold 50% of the Eutelsat shares. Eutelsat will combine its 36-strong fleet of GEO satellites with OneWeb’s constellation of 648 low Earth orbit satellites, of which 428 are currently in orbit. 

Raytheon Intelligence & Space announced its intention  to acquire space domain awareness, orbital analysis, space surveillance and tracking start-up, Northern Space and Security (NORSS).

The UK-based startup was founded five years ago by Ralph Dinsley, a Royal Air Force veteran. The company currently provides orbital analyst technical services to the UK Space Agency. It has also won a contract with the UK Ministry of Defense recently for developing a new simulator system for future British military satellites.