Boeing Satellite Systems’ (BSS) new leader Dave Ryan expects a tough year for satellite manufacturer because of a lack of commercial orders. He expects that there will only be around 12 commercial satellite orders this year.

Ryan, who is taking over the BSS helm from Randy Brinkley, told SATELLITE TODAY: “We had been thinking there would be about 12 to 15 commercial satellite orders. Quite frankly, it looks a bit leaner. At Satellite 2003, there was a general consensus there was going to be around 15 satellite orders, plus or minus three. It could be because of the world economy being what it is. The fact we just went through a war with Iraq also creates some uncertainty.”

An exclusive interview with Dave Ryan can be found in the May 21 issue of Interspace. For more information about subscribing to PBI Media’s satellite newsletters, check out our Web site at http://www.telecomweb.com/catalog.