A group of satellite operators are launching a new trade association to represent Non-Geostationary (NGSO) satellite issues. Founding members Amazon, Iridium, Telesat and Globalstar announced SpaceConnect Association on Wednesday.
SpaceConnect will advocate for issues like competitive choice, open markets, responsible stewardship of space, and global parity, the group’s Executive Director David Redl told a media roundtable on Tuesday. Redl previously served as head of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).
Redl is joined by General Counsel Julie Kearney, who previously served as the first Space Bureau chief for the FCC.
“These companies saw a reason and a need to come together on issues like EPFD, where there was a gap in the current availability of trade associations to be able to advocate in the positions that they wanted. [They] came together to try to find a way to aggregate their voices to be more effective,” Redl said.
All four members are also members of the Satellite Industry Association (SIA), the main U.S. satellite industry trade association. SIA operates on a consensus basis and there are some issues where it isn’t able to take a stance because its members aren’t in agreement.
“NGSOs and other parts of the satellite ecosystem don’t necessarily have complete alignment on the things that would protect their ability to compete and to have access to open markets,” Redl said. “What we’re looking at through Space Connect is representing the unique interests of NGSOs, in addition to working with other associations on the broader implications across the satellite ecosystem.”
SpaceX, largest LEO operator, is notably absent from SpaceConnect. The group “absolutely would welcome” conversations with SpaceX, Redl said. “They represent a big chunk of the conversation around NGSOs. I think we’re different in that we’re looking out for a broader set of issues in the ecosystem.”
Redl mentioned issues like equivalent power flux density (EPFD), which deals with spectrum-sharing between Geostationary Orbit (GEO) and NGSO systems, spectrum issues ahead of the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) in 2027, as well as the EU Space Act, as the types of things that SpaceConnect will focus on.
“The EU Space Act is a piece of legislation that is designed to foster the opposite of an open market, it’s designed to foster protectionism for particular operators or particular nationalities of operators” Redl said. “These are the kinds of barriers to open markets globally that SpaceConnect will be dedicated to trying to break down.”
The group is also open to LEO operators beyond communications applications, with Redl noting that issues like open markets and orbital stewardship are relevant to these operators as well.
