The software defined satellite (SDS) market has been buzzing with news starting with the launch of Eutelsat 10B, upcoming launch of SES’ mPower satellites, and new orders from Eutelsat, Intelsat, and SES. The need for SDS is driven by a variety of factors: demand for satellite-based connectivity, development and availability of new technologies, and support.
Satellite communications is by far the largest segment in terms of data traffic via satellite. Despite major developments in the Earth Observation industry in recent years, data traffic for point-to-point communications via the satellite bent pipe continues to grow rapidly. The cloud is expected to play an increasingly important role across several segments in the.
NSR commenting on market diversification opportunities as SpaceX targets satellite mobility operators with Starlink expansion. “Right now, there really isn’t a high-bandwidth/low latency form factor solution for that market segment that would match the terminal form factor of Starlink,”
Since then, cloud players have emerged as a key segment to watch out for in the satellite business, first through direct peering partnerships such as Azure ExpressRoute and IBM Direct Link, and more recently, through high profile dedicated business units as in the case of AWS Aerospace and Satellite Solutions and Azure Space.
As FPA manufacturers find themselves stuck between the ultra-competitive aero market and the opportunistic, but challenging to meet, consumer broadband market, the Enterprise broadband market is fast becoming the next step in the evolution of FPA technology.