The satellite industry can be a hype machine at times as we search for the next ‘big thing’ in space. It is understandable. We work in an industry that pushes technology boundaries like few others on Earth. The progress of space technologies have only accelerated over the last few years as the space industry has become much more part of the overall communications ecosystem.
This brings me to orbital data centers, the latest huge talking point in our industry and one that is causing much excitement in industry circles. SpaceX believes orbital data centers could be the next big thing in satellite as it talks about launching a barely believable 1 million orbital data center satellites. However, the hype goes beyond just SpaceX although undoubtedly they play into it. It is a topic that the whole industry has opinions on, ranging from those that question the physics, and those that see the rationale to move computing from the ground into space. It will likely dominate discussions at the next tranche of industry events. In this edition of Via Satellite, Anne Wainscott-Sargent writes a lengthy feature on this very topic and what might happen here, and who are some other players to watch in this space.
In this edition, Rachel Jewett and I interviewed top execs from five of Asia’s biggest satellite operators about what their future holds. It is fascinating to see how the business models for regional operators have been turned on its head in recent times. We talk to executives from AsiaSat, KT SAT, Measat, Sky Perfect JSAT, and Thaicom about their CapEx plans, their future and how they can thrive in satellite world very different from 10 years ago. In another timely article, Laurence Russell looks at the role of hyperspectral tech can have in maritime security, a topic that is more relevant than ever right now.
Also, this is our first edition in our new digital magazine format, as part of our recent website redesign.
We hope your year is going well and we look forward to seeing you soon at the Small Satellite Conference in Utah and World Space Business Week in Paris. We hope you will have a great summer.
