As recognized on multiple occasions by Elon Musk, the Ground Segment, lowering end user terminal costs is probably “the most difficult technical challenge” Starlink is facing. In fact, this is the key to unlocking the Consumer Broadband market, not just for Starlink but for all the LEO constellations. The Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) won.
As challenging as 2020 was, one part of our industry progressed and grabbed the media limelight, even into the early part of 2021: space tourism. Several tests, funding rounds and SpaceX’s commercial launch of a NASA crew kept the dream of space tourism alive. Through hardships and long development time, demand for space tourism remains.
[NSR] comments on SpaceX’s planned launch of a record breaking 143 satellites. “A growing number of launch opportunities provides more flexible and timely schedules to replace aging satellites or launch new ones, said [NSR]. SpaceX rideshare missions “certainly provide more options for small-sat satellite operators to launch and rideshares on heavy launchers are gaining traction.
NSR’s Space Tourism & Travel Markets, 2nd Edition report released today forecasts global cumulative revenues of $7.9 B generated by 2030. The market is driven by suborbital tourism, which will accelerate once Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin launches take place in late 2021.
The Non-GEO satcom market has been highly speculative over the past decade, especially with the upcoming constellations – Starlink, Kuiper, Telesat, OneWeb and others. But in 2020, against COVID-19 odds, the segment has transitioned to a significant level of affirmation with multiple players achieving key milestones with their developments and contract awards. Although there have.