Currently, there is much debate surrounding the viability of In-Orbit Servicing applications in the space industry. Despite some recent setbacks and perception of uncertainty surrounding upcoming IOS Services, GEO satellite life extension is garnering most interest out of all IOS offerings, and the demand is expected to increase over time. With government and military sector.
With the satcom industry moving to network applications and integrated service business models, the price-demand equation has changed considerably over the last 5 years.
As a technology with the potential to impact both satellite and ground network operators, optical satcom is emerging as a contender and/or a complement to existing radio frequency (RF) communications infrastructure.
Northern Sky Research (NSR) forecasts that by the end of this year there will be some 196 4K channels broadcasting. SES, in a presentation at the recent NAB show in Las Vegas, says they are already carrying 50 of them, and that around the world there are a total of 131 4K channels available to viewers.
“They’ve had a pretty successful year,” said Northern Sky Research senior analyst Shagun Sachdeva in an interview. She added the constellation launches are a “big plus” for Arianespace, and that so far the company has been capitalizing well on that segment.