In the classic novel “Love in the Time of Cholera” by Nobel-prize winning author Gabriel Garcia Marquez, the protagonist takes advantage of the imposed isolation of a purported cholera epidemic to consummate a life-long passion for the one he loves. 

Most of the attention surrounding the early success of the SES Networks’ MEO constellation and the pending arrival of LEO constellations has focused skyward.  It is all about the satellites and their orbits, interference with GEO and the economic potential and risks of delivering global coverage to a planet that is 70% covered by water.

In life, it’s the connections that count. It’s the phone call and the text message. 

The emails for work. The online shopping and the credit card in the store. The visit to the ATM, the airplane trip, the medical emergency. Without those connections, life grinds to a halt. 

The global spread of coronavirus, and the impact of the COVID-19 disease it causes, is changing our world.  GVF is acutely sensitive to this impact.  As the global association of the satellite industry, we are responding to the effects the virus is having on our Members’ operations by exploring ways to increase the digital exposure of our Members’ news, products and services, while also creating digital learning opportunities that add to our already existing suite of online training courses and certifications.

Comtech Telecommunications Corp. (NASDAQ: CMTL) provided a business update on the impact of the coronavirus, including the withdrawal of its business outlook for its fiscal year ending July 31, 2020, and a status update on the Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. acquisition.

Coronavirus Update and Withdrawal of Business Outlook for Fiscal 2020

AXESS Networks (AXESS)  signed a joint venture agreement with the Saudi Arabian communications provider Middle East Telecommunications Co. (METelecom). The intention is to provide end-to-end managed satellite communications solutions that are designed to enhance performances of customers operating in Saudi Arabia.

The March 2020 issue of  the Satellite Executive Briefing magazine sponsored by Spacebridge is now available.  Featuring: New Space Trends  by Omkar Nikam AXESS Networks: A Merger with a Lot of Synergy by Virgil Labrador Interview with Guido Neumann, Chief Development Officer and President EMEA, AXESS Networks Antennas for Comms on the Move Applications by Bernardo Schneiderman The Next Decade in Space Innovation by Stuart Daughtridge The Importance of Link Budgets by Alvaro Sanchez Work Microwave: A Diversified Portfolio for Changing Market Demands Amphinicy Technologies: Building on its Strengths and Engineering Expertise Executive Spotlight: Mitja Lovsin, General Manager, STN Satellite Operators' Minimum Antenna Requirements  by Martin Jarrold Before there was Nomophobia, there was the Teleport Awards  by Lou Zacharilla PLUS Products and Services MarketPlace Guide to Satellite 2020 and CABSAT 2020, Mergers and Acquisitions, Executive Moves, Market Briefs, Vital Statistics, Satellite Markets 20 Stock Index and many more.

Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation operator OneWeb announced today that the company and certain of its controlled affiliates have voluntarily filed for relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.

The company intends to use these proceedings to pursue a sale of its business in order to maximize the value of the company.

The industry's premier show, Satellite 2020 held from March 9-11 in Washington D.C., was almost a surreal experience.  I don’t know the precise numbers, but from walking around the show floor, I would guess that attendance was down by 30-50%.  There were large gaps where booths should have been.

Rocket Lab, a space systems company and the global leader in dedicated small satellite launch, has reached an agreement to acquire Sinclair Interplanetary, a leading provider of high-quality, flight-proven satellite hardware. Financial terms of the acquisition have not been disclosed.

The acquisition strengthens the satellite division of Rocket Lab, which produces the Photon spacecraft line, and will enable Sinclair to tap into Rocket Lab’s resources, scale, manufacturing capability and innovative technology.