Welcome to the 40th Anniversary Edition of Via Satellite where we celebrate an absolutely remarkable 40 years. It is hard to believe this magazine started in 1986 and 40 years later here we are. We have got loads of great content in this edition. We want to celebrate not just Via Satellite, but how far we have come as industry since the 1980s. Because it’s the 40th special edition, Rachel and I wanted to write this editor’s note together.
So, Rachel, which content are you most excited to share with our community?
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Thanks Mark. I think we’re both thrilled to share the full list of 40 People Who Shaped the Satellite Industry, the flagship feature of this edition. Over the past few months, we’ve each tackled 20 profiles of visionaries and innovators past and present. We’ve taken in feedback from others in the industry, and received some incredible quotes paying tribute to the people on the list. It very much turned into a community effort — including tracking down all the photos! Working on these profiles, I’ve really enjoyed reading through old Via Satellite stories, looking at old covers and old photos from the past 40 years. It’s been a treasure trove.
Mark, were there any special memories this edition brought up for you?
Well, I have written a lot of stories, interviewed a lot of people. It was funny looking back at the 40 people story and realizing just how many I had interviewed at some point. I think my special memory is what an amazing industry this is in the way it touches peoples’ lives. When I started, it was all about video and broadcasting, and how people all over the world could enjoy satellite TV, a not insignificant achievement. Now, we look at how space can help with climate change, intelligence, being connected wherever you are. It is a beautiful industry in that sense. I just think for any publication to be around since the 1980s is a huge achievement. I feel blessed to have been a small part of this story.
As for individual stories, I always talk with fondness about an interview I did with a fellow journalist – Jenan Moussa who bought to light in the early days what ISIS was doing in the Middle East via a satellite phone. This story showcased two things to me, the power of satellite technology, and the power of journalism to hold people to account.
What are some of your memories?
I agree, one of my favorite things about the satellite industry is how broad the reach of satellite is, and how many other industries it touches – whether that’s aviation, maritime, emergency communications, newsgathering, etc. One of my favorite memories that illustrates the impact of satellite technology is the trip I took to Iowa in 2022 when John Deere issued an RFP to the satellite industry. I was able to visit a test farm with a number of other journalists to hear first-hand about the requirements for satcom to make an impact in agriculture. Not the typical experience you would think for a satellite journalist, but a fantastic example of the amazing reach of satellite connectivity.
As it is our 40th anniversary edition, we brought together fantastic range of columnists to reflect on how the industry has changed and what might be coming next. Even though I can’t technically prove this, we may well have our oldest-ever columnist for Via Satellite, the Arianespace founder Frederic d’Allest talking about the early days of the Ariane rocket. We have fantastic columns from the likes of Gwynne Shotwell, Mark Dankberg, Adel Al-Saleh, Theresa Condor, Matt Desch and Mike Greenley. So, I think you can agree, that is not a bad line-up for this edition.
Another aspect of this edition that has been really special is hearing from so many writers and editors — past and present — sharing some of their favorite memories and stories of Via Satellite. I am grateful to have worked with so many talented journalists. As we wrap up this ed note I would like to share a special thank you to all of our readers for being a part of the Via Satellite community, and a special thank you to everyone that contributed to this anniversary edition.
I agree, just thinking of the numbers of writers and editors I have worked with on Via has been special. I think it is fair to say that journalism is not the easiest career nowadays. We have been blessed to work with gifted writers who also are kind and lovely people.
As the Editor of Via for just over 15 years, one of my goals has to been to create a community publication, a publication where anyone, young or old, can be on the cover. That is why stories like Rising Stars, Celebrating Women in Satellite and 10 Hottest Companies in Satellite’ are so, so important to us. We want to reflect our entire community. We hope over the years that we have educated, entertained and informed you with our content. It has been our honor and our privilege to bring these stories to life. We thank you our community for the opportunity to do this. We don’t take it for granted. So, on behalf of Rachel and I, thank you. We will see you in Paris as we start the next 40 years. Life begins at 40, right?
Rachel’s responses are in italics
