Government and military customers have been at the epicentre of demand for optical satellite communications as it transitions from nascent and equipment-centric to a robust emerging ecosystem. Organizations such as SDA, DARPA have been key facilitators for this move through multiple contracts for their planned Tranche 0, Tranche 1 and Blackjack constellations, and research programs.
Many things in 2020 have “defied norms” as it relates to the Space and SATCOM Industry – mass shutdown of cruise and aeronautical markets, significant increases in consumer and cellular backhaul demand, supply-chain disruption, and on-site installation or commissioning access restrictions. In addition to these COVID-19 related market factors, the United States will also enter.
In an environment of fiscal uncertainty and cutbacks, shifting geopolitical dynamics clearly affect any long range analysis of the government/military satcom market. Troop pullouts in the Middle East, budget reductions, conflicts and concerns in North Africa and Asia, new military satellites and the growth in the use of UAVs all serve to create a complex.