EUTELSAT IGO attended Satellite 2023 in Washington DC USA, one of the most important Conference and Exhibition event dedicated to the satellite industry and space communities. This event brings together key satellite operators, manufacturers, launchers and insurers as well as professionals in commercial markets benefiting from satellite technology and applications such as broadcasting, government/military, aviation, maritime, automotive, telecommunications and more.
Most of the panellists and featured speakers, and generally the overall crowd of attendees and participants recognised that the space and satellite communication industry is at a turning point. For some, 2023 is the dawn of a startling new era in space communication.
The satellite industry is risk averse, requires heavy investments and operates in a time frame which is longer than any other industry. So the challenges are multiple. Will one space-based technology emerge and supersede the other in order to provide the most adjusted service at the lowest possible cost? Will there be new communication standards to accompany the trend in the satellite/cellular convergence or will the wild west approach for space spectrum be the norm? Will the new ecosystem of GEO, MEO and LEO constellations be sustainable and interoperable in the long term? How can spectrum, a scarce resource, be used more efficiently? And which business model, with either horizontal or vertical integration, will be best suited to generate revenues, address customers’ needs or cover the requirements of yet unknown applications?
What is clear from the discussions is that this industry needs patience and strategic investors committed for the long term. What is obvious is that space is generating innovations, interests, excitement and is very likely to become mainstream. In addition, for the long term, partnerships, collaborations and strategic alliances between the public and private sectors but also the scientific sectors will be the cornerstone of space sustainability.
If today’s life on earth relies on satellites for disaster relief, climate change assessments or life savings missions, it is also crucial that key players of this industry do not lose sight of the human dimension which should remain at the heart of the development of the entire sector.
For the full programme of the conference please visit: https://www.satshow.com/