The satellite industry has gone through tremendous innovation over the last few years with the emergence of software-defined payloads and LEO and MEO constellations. These new satellite architectures bring much more capacity and the ability to reconfigure and adjust payloads to changing missions on demand. Ground segment providers are embracing approaches proven in telecom and IT to overcome the scale and automation challenges being faced in the satellite industry. This has led to discussions focused on how virtualization, software-defined networking, and orchestration can enable ground networks to become much more agile to meet the new capabilities in space. To shed some light on these IT/Telecom concepts and how they can be applied to the satellite industry, we have with us Luc-Yves Pagal Vinette, an expert in networking concepts such as SDN/NFV, the edge and disaggregated networks. He is also the Product Marketing Director for 5G Service Orchestration, Network Slicing and Service Assurance at Amdocs.

In this Constellations Podcast, we’ll discuss the need for more terminals to be interoperable, including working on different frequency bands, different orbits, and different types of constellations. How the need is handled is less of a technology decision than a business discussion.  During this episode of Constellations, Bill Milroy, Chairman and CTO, of ThinKom Solutions, discusses the business case for the types of capabilities needed in an antenna. He addresses the challenges of creating antennas for deployment in space vehicles, especially in the unique environment of space. He touches upon the idea of a software-defined antenna, which in the case of antennas would mean reconfigurable hardware that can work using different software on different systems. However, he also gave a different example of a software-defined antenna that included a phased array antenna mimicking a parabolic dish for one application while creating multiple beams to service a large number of satellites when the need for the parabolic dish passed. Bill thinks the market is moving towards a fusion of GEO and LEO to help shape IP traffic and giving solutions that are the best of both worlds.

On the Constellations Podcast, we’ll discuss emerging direct satellite-to-cell phone technology and how it could dramatically alter the relationship between satellite and terrestrial networks. With us today is Chris Quilty, Partner in Quilty Analytics, who will discuss the financial, technical and regulatory implications of direct satellite to cell phone connectivity now being explored, and in some cases deployed,  by  SpaceX and T-Mobile, Globalstar and Apple, and Iridium among others.  Chris will discuss the different business models: using a mobile network operator’s (MNO) existing spectrum or using spectrum assigned to Mobile Satellite Services (MSS). Listen as he explains how this technology could impact cellular backhaul revenues and conclude with his thoughts on the challenges ahead for direct satellite to cell phone connectivity.

Imagine being able to download a full-length high-definition movie to your phone in seconds even when you’re in a car, ship or plane in remote and rural areas. That is the potential that 5G brings. High bandwidth and seamless connectivity to end users across a range of networks from terrestrial to satellite. 5G is about connecting things everywhere – reliably, without lag – and delivering a high-quality user experience.  During this episode, Tom Stroup the President of the Satellite Industry Association (SIA) discusses the market drivers, opportunities, and challenges that 5G presents for the satellite industry. Tom is uniquely qualified to discuss this topic. He is well versed in the regulatory and policy issues of critical importance to the satellite industry, including spectrum and licensing issues, defense and public safety matters, and export control and international trade issues.

On the Constellations Podcast, we’ll discuss the most recent development in the integration of satellite and terrestrial networks – direct satellite to smart phone communications! Soon, someone with no cellular connectivity in a remote part of the country, or merely in a dead zone on the way to work, will have a new option — satellite connectivity without the need of a satellite phone. Charles Miller, co-founder and CEO of Lynk, a company developing a satellite-to-mobile phone satellite constellation that aims to provide a cell tower and space capability for global coverage. Charles will explain how it works, the difference between using a satellite for GPS and for communication, cell tower economics and the impact cell-to-satellite connectivity will have on markets as diverse as mining and commercial fishing.

On this Constellations Podcast, we’ll discuss the impact a growing number of lunar missions, like NASA’s Artemis lunar exploration program, will have on the satellite and space sector, especially the ground segment.  We’ll discuss the differences between NHRO and GEO orbits and the CAPSTONE program from Advanced Space. Our guest today is Thomas Gardner, Director of Engineering/Mission Systems at Advanced Space, a Colorado space technology company now working with NASA on cislunar programs. Tom will discuss NASA’s space exploration program and Advanced Space’s role in it, advances in lunar navigation and communications, and NASA’s plan to land the first woman on the moon by 2024.

There are a number of companies introducing quantum key distribution for secure communications across optical fiber networks but the technology has yet to be applied across a constellation of small satellites in Low Earth Orbit to produce secure global coverage. Until now. On this Constellations Podcast, we welcome Dr. Mark Adams, Associate Professor, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Auburn University to discuss the basics of quantum information processing, how quantum key distribution (QKD) ups the game in data transmission security and moving from the BB84 scheme to fully entangled microwave sources for SmallSats.

On this Constellations Podcast, we’ll discuss the growing interest and investments surrounding today’s space efforts, particularly cislunar space. NASA is leading the forefront of this initiative and will soon launch Artemis I, an uncrewed moon-orbiting mission that includes different technology solutions offered by multiple commercial players. During this episode, we are joined by Al Tadros, CTO of Redwire, who walks us through the importance of sustainable space exploration and how Redwire is supporting the goal of a “sustainable presence” on the moon.

On this Constellations Podcast, we’ll discuss the first anniversary of STARCOM. Major General Shawn Bratton, Commander, Space Training and Readiness Command of the United States Space Force explains STARCOM and how it is training the Space Force for competition and conflict in the Space domain. Hear Maj Gen. Bratton explain why STARCOM is working with experts such as astronauts from NASA that do an incredible amount of training with simulators, the advice they’re receiving from other parts of the Space Force such as the Space Warfighting Analysis Center, and a new series of complex training exercises called the Sky Series.

On the Constellations Podcast, we’ll discuss how the Space Development Agency (SDA) is accelerating the development of space-based capabilities for the warfighter. The SDA is accelerating capabilities with spiral development, working with the idea that getting to a solution that is 80% complete and viable in two years is better than an exquisite solution that will take five years. During this episode, Dr. Frank Turner, Technical Director of the Space Development Agency, discusses how the SDA is trying to help both industry and DoD understand how to support the warfighter, building a mesh network in space and the difference between the SDA’s tracking and transport layer and Tranches.