How Sentinel-6 will monitor global rise in sea levels

VVVolVolVolVol ol.6 ol.6 66 No.NoNo. No78 No. No. 55 5 12 December 2018 2020

AFRICA

Paytv subscriptions soars amidst COVID-19 PandemicNigeria

SPECIAL REPORT

C O N T E N T S Vol. 8 No. 12

A space party in Africa? Editor in-chief Aliyu Bello My journey as a space STEM Ambassador Executive Manager Tonia Gerrald Measuring the impact of COVID-19 on SA to the editor in-Chief Ngozi Okey business operations and purchasing Head, Application Services M. Yakubu priorities across the space technology supply chain Editorial/ICT Services John Daniel The new Copernicus mission provides Usman Bello free data about 95% of the ocean Alozie Nwankwo COVID – 19 lockdown and television viewership Juliet Nnamdi Client Relations Sunday Tache COVID-19, Children and the Television Space Lookman Bello 5G: Billions of people cannot access Safiya Thani Internet due to infrastructure deficiencies Marketing Offy Pat The gravity of dreams Tunde Nathaniel Nigeria to establish new 165 CORS Wasiu Olatunde station beginning from 2021 How US election campaigns harness GIS Media Relations Favour Madu data for voter outreach Khadijat Yakubu New climate guardian in space: Sentinel-6 Zacheous Felicia will monitor global rise in sea levels Finance Folarin Tunde Ready to continue 20 years of progress The PicoDragon satellite Nigeria: Telecoms will facilitate digital economy drive Space Watch Magazine is a publication of DLR scientist is part of the "Young Elite 2020" Communication Science, Inc. All correspondence should be addressed to editor, space Watch Magazine. Paytv subscriptions soars amidst Abuja office: Plot 2009, Awka Street, UTC Building, COVID-19 pandemic GF 11, Area 10, Garki, Abuja, Nigeria Telescopes record last moments of star 'eaten' by a black hole Tel: 234 80336471114, 07084706167, email: [email protected]

LEGAL CONSULTANTS Idowu Oriola & Co. Garki, Abuja

DISTRIBUTION CONTACTS Ade Adejo

ABIJAN INTERNATIONAL Suleija, Abuja

AYO DISTRIBUTION AGENCY Emir Road, Ilorin Olumayowa Ojo

NEWSROUND INTERNATIONAL Area 10, Garki, Abuja Magazine Circulation Nigeria Limited 90, Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikeja Magazine Subscription Nigeria Limited Ikeja, Lagos.

DELALI OTCHI Ridge Church, Tudu Branch, Accra, Ghana.

AL AHRAM NEWPAPERS LIMITED Al Galaa Street -11511 Cairo-Egypt Ayo Olu

MAGAZINE DISTRIBUTION AGENCY Jos, Plateau State. Cover source: Nigerian Broadband Plan

1

EDITORIAL

A space party in Africa?

Last April, due to health concerns, and in big party with music, art and dance to several thousand guests to a symbolic cooperation with local health officials, the share the fascination of space. On April toast in a research station at the South large Yuri's Night party planned in Los 12, 1961, Yuri Gagarin was the first Pole to a picnic under the cherry blossom Angeles, CA, at the Kennedy Space person to orbit the earth in his in Japan. But no matter how and where Center in FL, and in London was spaceship Vostok 1. With his legendary the party takes place: For one night, Yuri's cancelled. This is the same of many flight he opened the gateway to the Night unites rocket scientists, music events around the world this year. Yuri's cosmos for mankind and sichas an lovers, students and many others for a Night is the World Space Party. We hope immortal place in the history of the common interest: space! The astronauts to see you dream, explore, and celebrate planet. So far, 517 Earthlings from 38 on the International Space Station ISS with us at the hundreds of YN events held countries have followed Gagarin into have already celebrated, and there is around the world each April. space (as of April 2010): The length of even the “Second Life Yuri's Night” in While the official Yuri's Night is April 12th, time humans spend in space has been virtual space. Yuri's Night events can take place increased from one hour (1961, Yuri The individual events vary from large anytime around this date. Want to host it Gagarin) to 438 days (1994/95, Valery dance parties and information days with on a Friday night? Sunday brunch? Polyakov). Exactly 20 years later, on several thousand guests to a symbolic Thursday afternoon at a school? Anything April 12, 1981, the American space toast in a research station at the South is fine – as long as it is full of space spirit! shuttle also took off on its first flight, Pole to a picnic under the cherry blossom Also think about possible locations. If it is STS-1. Yuri's Night is a tribute to in Japan. But no matter how and where a public event, could you host it at a city previous achievements and successes the party takes place: For one night, Yuri's park? Would a bar or restaurant be willing in international space travel. Night unites rocket scientists, music to share their space with you in exchange lovers, students and many others for a for the publicity? Does your town have a The anniversary of the Gagarin flight common interest: space! The astronauts science museum or planetarium that was first celebrated in the Soviet Union on the International Space Station ISS would be interested in hosting? If it is in 1962. The new Russia continued this have already celebrated, and there is private event, do you want to host it at tradition. Every year on April 12th, the even the “Second Life Yuri's Night” in home? Maybe you could use a common Kosmos pioneers celebrate their virtual space. But no matter how and space in your apartment complex? In a “Space Travel Day”. The national where the party takes place: For one public park? commemoration and holiday of a night, Yuri's Night unites rocket scientists, country has now turned into a global music lovers, students and many others Yuri's Night, the group known for event: in 2001, under the coordination for a common interest: space! The worldwide space parties around the of Loretta Hidalgo-Whitesides and astronauts on the International Space anniversary of human spaceflight, is George Whitesides, a small group of Station ISS have already celebrated, and collaborating with the Science Museum in young people came together in a there is even the “Second Life Yuri's London to bring the spirit of Yuri's Night to project of the Space Generation Night” in virtual space. But no matter how the space-themed Lates on Wednesday Advisory Council (SGAC) to create the and where the party takes place: For one 25th March, 2020. This event will kick off first Call World Space Party. night, Yuri's Night unites rocket scientists, the 20th year of Yuri's Night parties all Whether in the private living room, in a music lovers, students and many others around the planet! cool night club or in a renowned for a common interest: space! The The evening will feature musical scientific institute, the characteristics of astronauts on the International Space performances from the incredible Space the events are as different as the Station ISS have already celebrated, and rocks team in association with ESA – the people who organize them. In the first there is even the “Second Life Yuri's European Space Agency, training like a year, 64 cities in 29 countries Night” in virtual space. Russian Cosmonaut on the British registered. And Yuri's Night still lives Yuri Gagarin's famous quote about the Interplanetary Society's replica Soyuz from this spirit today. 2013 celebrated beauty of the earth will not be forgotten. simulator, a crew of Space Ambassadors over 350 events in more than 50 When space travelers orbit the earth, they out mingling, as well as all the regular countries and on all 7 continents. The see no borders, only one planet and one Lates highlights, including the best silent individual events vary from large dance human race. That is the perspective we disco in town. Try your luck driving Mars parties and information days with want to share with people. The aim of rovers, prove that you're 'fit for space', several thousand guests to a symbolic Yuri's Night is to inspire young people learn how to survive on Mars and help us toast in a research station at the South around the world to celebrate the build the best LEGO Mars village! Pole to a picnic under the cherry conquest of space and to shape the future “Yuri's Night is excited to partner with the blossom in Japan. of the earth and space together.. Science Museum to bring this awesome But no matter how and where the party Don't miss a chance to meet our diverse space party to London. This will be an takes place: For one night, Yuri's Night group of engaging individuals from incredible opportunity for locals and the unites rocket scientists, music lovers, around London and the space community space community to come together and students and many others for a who are joining the party as Space celebrate the best that space has to offer,” common interest: space! The Ambassadors to share their personal said Tim Bailey, Executive Director of astronauts on the International Space experiences. Ambassadors will be Yuri's Night. Station ISS have already celebrated, identifiable with red sashes during the Yuri's Night is the worldwide celebration and there is even the “Second Life party to help guests identify them as safe of the manned departure into space. Yuri's Night” in virtual space. The to approach with their favorite space Every year on April 12th, the young individual events vary from large dance questions! generation all over the world unites in a parties and information days with

5 APPOINTMENTS

Another component of Bishop's research is collecting spectra under Mars-like conditions. Spectra of many hydrated minerals change depending on the air's moisture level and the amount of water molecules adsorbed on the surface or bound in the mineral structure. Understanding the spectral properties of mineral mixtures in the lab is also crucial for identifying minerals on Mars. Bishop's group is preparing and characterizing the spectral properties of several mixture suites. Bishop also serves on the SETI Institute's Science Council as co-chair of astrobiology and biogeosciences. She has frequently mentored undergraduate students in the SETI Institute's Summer Research Internship Program and plays clarinet with the International Space Orchestra. ”A new Head for the employees. On behalf of the entire Board of “ Directors, we would like to wish Gilat Australian Space Agency success under Adi's capable leadership.” Northrop Grumman Names “I am honored to have been appointed as Scott Stapp as Chief The international search is over. Australia Gilat's CEO and would like to thank Gilat's Technology Officer has found their new Head of the Australian Chairman of the Board and all of the board Space Agency, Mr Enrico Palermo. members for their trust and support,” said Currently the Chief Operating Officer of Adi Sfadia, Gilat's CEO. “I am fully Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: Virgin Galactic Holdings, Mr Palermo committed to Gilat and am confident that NOC) has named Scott Stapp chief brings extensive experience to the role. with my dedicated management team and technology officer (CTO). Stapp will report This includes forming The Spaceship talented employees, we will navigate Gilat to Kathy Warden, chairman, chief Company, which designed the first to accelerated growth and profitability.” executive officer and president and will spaceship for commercial service. Mr work closely with the executive leadership Palermo will return home to Australia to Janice Bishop Named AGU team. start the role on 28 January 2021. He will As CTO, Stapp will lead the company's replace Dr Megan Clark AC, who has led Fellow technology strategy. He will help to ensure the Agency since July 2018. Her The American Geophysical Union (AGU) the company continues to leverage current achievements include setting the strategic announced that SETI Institute scientist technology and identify new solutions to pathway for Australia's civil space sector Janice Bishop was named one of AGU's bring to customers, creating new business a n d s e c u r i n g a g r e e m e n t s w i th 2020 Fellows. AGU Fellows are recognized opportunities and strengthening the international space agencies. Dr Clark will for their exceptional contributions to Earth company's position on existing programs. continue to support the Australian Space and space sciences through breakthrough, He will also play a key role in engaging and Agency as Chair of the Advisory Board. discovery or innovation in their work. Since developing the company's technical talent. Mr Palermo's background in engineering, 1962, only a select few of AGU's Previously, Stapp was vice president, commercialisation and innovation will be a membership have been elected as Fellows. resiliency and rapid prototyping, with Space great asset to Australia and our next “This award could not be more deserved,” Systems, leading the sector's rapid generation who are aiming for a career in said Nathalie Cabrol, Director of theCarl prototyping and resiliency programs across the space industry. His leadership will Sagan Center at the SETI Institute. “It is the critical space missions. Prior to this, he provide strong direction for the Agency as recognition by the scientific community of served as vice president, applied research it seeks to create jobs, benefit the someone who has, over the years, and technology development, with economy and improve life on Earth. continuously put her heart and soul not only Aeronautics Systems. in her scientific research at the highest level Before joining Northrop Grumman in 2014, but also someone who is completely Stapp led the governance, acquisition and Gilat Names Adi Sfadia as dedicated to education through the oversight of all DoD special access Gilat's CEO mentoring of the next generation of programs, for the Office of the Secretary of scientists.” Defense, and served as the principal staff Dr. Janice Bishop is a chemist and assistant to the undersecretary of defense, Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. (NASDAQ, planetary scientist who explores the planet acquisition, technology and logistics. TASE: GILT), a worldwide leader in M a r s u s i n g s p e c t r o s c o p y. H e r Stapp holds a bachelor's degree in satellite networking technology, solutions investigations of CRISM data of Mars are electrical engineering from the University of and services, names Adi Sfadia as Gilat's revealing clays and sulfates in the ancient Wyoming, a master's degree in electrical CEO. Adi Sfadia served as Gilat's interim rocks that provide information about the engineering from the University of New CEO since July 2nd this year and prior to geochemical environment at the time the Mexico and a master's degree in national that held the position of Gilat's CFO, for minerals formed. Bishop studies the resource management from the Industrial the past 5 years. spectral fingerprints of minerals and rocks College of the Armed Forces. Dov Baharav, Gilat's Chairman of the in the lab to generate a spectral library to Northrop Grumman solves the toughest Board commented, “I am pleased to report identify these in the Martian data. Her problems in space, aeronautics, defense that Adi Sfadia, who assumed the interim research also involves collecting and and cyberspace to meet the ever evolving CEO position on July 2nd, 2020, has now studying Mars analog rocks and soils at needs of our customers worldwide. Our been appointed as Gilat's CEO. Adi brings various locations, including volcanic 90,000 employees define possible every with him a deep understanding and a islands, cold deserts, hydrothermal regions, day using science, technology and wealth of experience in the satellite acidic aqueous sites, and meteorites, which engineering to create and deliver advanced industry, which I believe will bring value to are the only Martian samples available on systems, products and services. the customers, shareholders and Gilat's Earth to date. SPACE ACTIVITIES

My journey as a space STEM Ambassador

Can you really have a career in space? My favourite part of being a STEM STEM Learning and leading sessions The answer is YES, and that's the Ambassador is the questions at the on everything from particle physics to message I hope to spread through my end of a presentation or talk, which early career tips and how to get to STEM Ambassador work. range from “Are there aliens out space! Many students don't realise that there?”, through to “How do our generation, the Artemis generation As a graduate only a year on in my career, astronauts go to the bathroom in c o i n e d b y N A S A , w i l l h a v e at first, I felt inexperienced for an space?” unprecedented opportunities to get Ambassador, let alone advocating for an involved with humanity's interplanetary industry I haven't established myself in. This year I've had the honour of dreams. Many jobs will be available with However, I felt the need for representation working with the International Space new commercial companies, big and of both women in science and young School Education Trust (ISSET), small, pushing the space industry people shooting for the stars was greater which runs Mission Discovery forward (Boeing, SpaceX, Blue Origin than my own imposter syndrome. So, if you programs where school students etc...). are thinking of joining or are a STEM hear from engaging lecturers at Ambassador, I encourage you to attend the King's College London, and even My number one STEM Ambassador great Student Space ambassador training work with astronauts! The end goal is presentation is centred around led by UKSEDS as you'll soon see what to design a space-worthy experiment highlighting the need for people from all you can add to the narrative. and the winning idea is launched to sorts of backgrounds to be involved if During my degree in Physics and Medical the International Space Station. I we are to build moon or Mars villages. Physics, I discovered the world of space loved working as a mentor on the People living off the earth will, of course, medicine, where research is used to program and was invited back to help need scientists, doctors and engineers, support the health of astronauts exposed build and test the seven experiments but they will also need teachers, to the space environment and I hope to one launching in March. There were some builders and hairdressers, so no career day pursue a career in this field. incredible designs from the students, aspirations are incompatible with also I took a risk in my final year, spending it but I'll admit my favourite is the idea of being an astronaut. I too want to get to designing an enclosure for microgravity sending wax worms that eat plastic to space one day, but before that, I am surgery (because otherwise everything see if they're behaviour changes passionate about advocating for the floats around, and it can get messy…) but when they're floating around. Even many ways to get involved and this really paid off and winning prizes for it space can inform work on recycling contribute to the science, engineering, kickstarted my career. A highlight so far has and sustainability. art or architecture of future space been presenting this research at scientific missions. conferences and meeting incredibly Unprecedented fascinating people working on keeping opportunities My favourite part of being a STEM astronauts safe in space. Alongside this work, I've had the Ambassador is the questions at the end honour of going into schools with of a presentation or talk, which range SPACE ACTIVITIES

from “Are there aliens out there?”, through brought me opportunities I never submit your results on the website.. to “How do astronauts go to the bathroom in thought possible, such as volunteering space?” So, if you came for some answers, at the science museum and most Other experiments include using toilet suffice to say for the question about aliens, recently starring in an Adidas London rolls to measure the speed of sound and there are roughly 10 billion Earth-like campaign for the shoes they are measuring tap water temperature using planets orbiting a star like our sun in our sending to the Space Station. It was an sugar. There are eight measurement galaxy alone, and I'll leave you to calculate amazing and different experience for challenges so far, with more to be the odds on one of those planets hosting me, but I knew it was unique and took released over the autumn. some kind of organism. the opportunity to spread my message The second question is more relevant than during the improvised voiceover, so Thinking time you might think as it highlights the unique hopefully young girls dreaming of Tuesday 22 September is the autumn engineering challenges involved when we space can be taken seriously. I was equinox: 12 hours of day and 12 hours of lose gravity, which in this case is resolved honoured to be given such a platform night. with a suction system (and over 80% of the and have loved speaking to the Have you ever thought about why there water is filtered and recycled!). Of course, amazing students who have since been are 24 hours in a day, and why 60 minutes someone always asks “How can I become in touch. in an hour, and 60 seconds in a minute? an astronaut?” As most space travellers will The ancient Egyptians divided the day tell you, the best way to become a space Using gravity to measure into 10 hours and added a twilight hour at agency astronaut is to follow your passion time (and other each end, giving 12 daylight hours and 12 and work hard. There are now many routes night-time hours. to space, through the military, as pilots or measurements at home) most of all STEM fields! And to add to these, The minutes and seconds come from the soon anyone will be able to jump on a tourist How can you use gravity to measure Babylonians, who measured using sub-orbital flight or holiday to the time? We are so used to our digital numbers using base 60 (instead of base International Space Station (for only $50 watches, clocks and mobile phones 10 that we use today). So do we still million) and receive their astronaut wings. that it is easy to forget that it was not so measure a second as 1/24 of 1/60 of 1/60 long ago that most clocks relied on a of a day? No, not any more. It may seems You never know where your pendulum to measure time, and the surprising but the tidal gravitational drag aspirations will take you swing of the pendulum depends on from the Moon is causing the spin of the Earth to slow down, and so the days are I hope to inspire both children and parents gravity. getting very slightly longer all the time. to realise that an aerospace career can be a We won't notice the changes in our reality for them, and these dreams can At the National Physical Laboratory lifetime but since many things we use come true, no matter how unusual. I always (NPL) we have set some measurement today rely on very accurate timing, we tell students the future is full of possibility, challenges for you to do at home. One have to use a new way to define time. The they may end up in a job that doesn't of these challenges, called ' Give me a second is now defined using a caesium currently exist. If you aim for the stars, even second ', is to create a pendulum with a atomic clock. You can find out more about if you miss you could still end up on the period of one second. As explained in this and the other Standard International moon. the video, you can use simple objects like string and a Lego brick to make Units from the NPL website.. Being an aspiring space farer has also your pendulum, and then you can REPORT Measuring the impact of COVID-19 on business operations and purchasing priorities across the space technology supply chain

The space technology increase over the previous fiscal year. have also broadened their offering. On a private industry level, a record German satellite manufacturer OHB has chain before COVID-19 $5.7bn in financing of all types was expanded its capabilities to launch services attracted by space organizations in 2019. with subsidiary Rocket Factory Augsburg as The space technology supply chain In the Bryce Start-Up Space Report, as well as lunar exploration. Looking at the globally appeared to be in relatively good published by Bryce Space and performance of large organizations in more shape prior to the outbreak of the Technology describes that this was detail (those with more than 2,000 pandemic in March 2020, as 80% indicate “largely driven by investors continuing to employees) prior to the outbreak of the their organization was either performing pour large amounts of capital into a pandemic, it became clear that 47% indicate in-line with projections or performing handful of the industry's largest their organization beyond projections sustainably. There companies,” such as SpaceX, Blue was performing in-line with projections and indeed appeared to be momentum in Origin, OneWeb and Virgin Galactic. The 34% say their organization was performing 2019, as young and conventional space report goes on stating beyond projections sustainably. Another organizations as well as space agencies that “excluding SpaceX, OneWeb, Blue 15% say their organization was performing announced investment rounds and major Origin, and Virgin Galactic, total below projections but had reason to be development milestones. investment in start-up space was $1.8 optimistic. On an agency-level, this momentum was billion in 2019, down slightly from the $1.9 Only 4% say their organization is performing visible following the ESA ministerial billion excluding those companies the below projections and that they expect this meeting in Europe in November 2019, as year before.” performance to continue. Looking at prime European member states agreed to Looking at the larger conventional contractors / system integrators specifically provide ESA's programs with nearly organizations specifically, many of them (which includes satellite manufacturers, as €12.5bn for the coming three years. The were in a good shape at the start of 2020, well as launch vehicle integrators), 76% say money will be spent on programs in the however 2019 also showed signs of their business was either performing in-line area of space safety, Earth observation, difficulty for these businesses. Large with projects or was performing beyond exploration, telecommunications and satellite manufacturers, including Thales projections sustainably, while 16% say their continuous Alenia Space, Maxar and Airbus Defence business was performing below projections use of the International Space Station & Space had to lay off employees due to but that they were optimistic, and 8% say among others. Looking across the pond, the continuous slump in geostationary their organization was performing below NASA was active too during 2019 and the satellite orders. On a more positive note, projections and that they expect this early part of 2020, as the agency awarded 2019 saw more satellite orders than in the performance to continue. over 40 contracts to (commercial) space two previous years combined. The momentum prior to the outbreak of organizations between January 2019 and It has since emerged that many satellite COVID-19 is also reflected in the chart on the April 2020. In December 2019, US manufacturers have started work on next page where the performance is shown Congress passed the agency's budget flexible geostationary satellites, while split up by the North American and European request, allocating NASA $22.6bn, a 5.3% some of them regions, as well as business category. REPORT

responding to March identify as a supplier in this report, many organizations within the The impact of COVID – 19 pandemic on (45%), followed by prime contractors / aerospace industry, especially within the business in the space technology system integrators (21%) and end – users / USA , are classified as 'essential' business, supply chain service providers (17%). Another 15% say which is one of the reasons why As the first quarter of 2020 progressed, the that February was the month where their o r g a n i z a t i o n s c o u l d c o n t i n u e concerns and challenges of COVID – 19 organization started to notice economic manufacturing operations. We will dive into started to unfold rapidly. The virus started to impact – again, the supplier group is heavily 'essential' business a later in this report. affect countries, people and supply chains in represented here with 57% of the East Asia in January. The outbreak spread respondents working for an organizations / Europe rapidly from East to West, increasingly associations / universities (22%) also The impact on manufacturing operations in affecting the European region in February indicate this month was a key month where the European region follows a pattern and early March and eventually North they started to notice impact. Similar to the similar to the economic impact in the region. America soon after. Over the course of North American region, nearly a fifth of the March appeared to be a month where March, normal life as we know it in Europe respondents indicates that as of late April / impact was felt most, as 63% indicated that and North America was disrupted within a early May 2020. Their business was not at this time their organizations started to matter of weeks. On March 11, the World (yet) experiencing economic impact. notice impact on manufacturing operations. Health Organization (WHO) officially Nearly half of the respondents who say characterized the outbreak of the virus as a Impact of manufacturing March was a key month identify as a pandemic. operations supplier, followed by prime contractors / In the section of the report we reflect on the system integrators (18%) and end – users / first quarter of 2020 and assess how the Globally, the impact on manufacturing operations appeared to peak in March as service providers (14%) . Many of these space technology supply chains were businesses would have been working on affected by this rapid and how they are well, as organizations across different countries and states were facing lockdown physical components, parts, subsystems currently adapting to a new reality: We will and systems for future missions – requiring examine the economic impact and impact measures. The slightly higher percentage (59%) of operational impact compared to employees to work within close proximity of on manufacturing operations within space one another, and as such implement social technology organizations. We also economic impact can be put down to the fact that many businesses suddenly had to distancing measures. investigate how states and countries It appears that the impact in February and respond to the outbreak. shut down, had to reduce the number of employees that were allowed to work on – January was less widespread across the site or as businesses had to send staff on different supply chain categories in Europe furlough until further notice. 17% started to compared to North America. In both Economic impact notice an impact on manufacturing months, suppliers , prime contractors / Globally, a slight majority (55%) of operations in February, while 4% did so in system integrators and space agencies organizations started noticing the economic January . A fifth say they were not started to feel an impact, where the impact impact of the pandemic in March 2020, as in experiencing any impact on manufacturing was more widely noticeable across supply North America and Europe some business operations during the time of the survey ( chain categories In March. were temporarily shut down or continued Late April /early May 2020). operations at minimal capacity due to social Impact on productions distancing measures brought in place while North America operations supply chains slowed down or sometimes Just like the economic impact, the impact even completely halted. 26% of on manufacturing operations appeared to respondents started noticing economic be most prevalent across the industry in We asked our respondents to indicate what impact earlier : 8% did so in January, Nearly March. With the outbreak of the virus production operations looked like in their a fifth of the respondent say that between becoming a pandemic, business in the USA organization during the period between late late April and early May, they had not yet and Canada were forced to ask their April and early May 2020. On average, experienced economic impact. employees to work from home and reduce government and military institutions the amount of staff that was necessary on – appeared to be least affected as they were North America site during this month. 63% of the operating with only a fifth of their production 52% of business in North America started to respondents who said March had an operations reduced on average. Suppliers feel the economic impact of the virus operational impact are either suppliers appeared to be operational for two – thirds, outbreak to March. Of the organizations that (38%) or prime contractors / system while prime contractors / system started to notice economic impact in this integrators (25%). integrators, space agencies, R&D month, 38% were suppliers, followed by While March was the month where organizations / associations /universities 23% prime contractors/system integrators businesses felt operational impact, the and end – users / service providers were and 15% end – users/ service providers. impact on suppliers and prime contractors / able to continue production operations at Across January and February, economic system integrators appeared to be rather around half capacity. Organizations within impact has already been felt for some spread out over the first three months of the the testing category appear to be most businesses (29%) especially with suppliers year. While a fifth of the respondent in the affected in their production operations. and prime contractors / system integrators, North America region say that February On average, production operation as the pandemic started to unfold in East was a month where they noticed most appeared to be slightly higher in Europe Asia. This spooked investors, and impact, 41% of the them identify as (59%) compared to North America (58%), organizations to become cautions with suppliers and 27% identify as prime though the difference is insignificant. purchasing. Nearly a fifth of the respondents contractors / system integrators. A similar As many business were forced to shut down indicate that as of late April / May 2020, their trend happened in January when only 4% of or find innovative ways to continue business was not (yet) experiencing the overall respondents notice impact, but operations (such as working from home, economic impact. 34% of them are prime contractors / social distancing measures, introducing systems integrators and 22% suppliers. personal protection equipment (PPE) in the Europe AAs with the economic impact, a fifth of work place), supply chains started to slow Close to two – third of the respondents in businesses in the North America are not ( down. In North America and in various this region (65%) indicate that March was yet ) experiencing impact on the countries within Europe, emergency relief the key month where they started noticing manufacturing operations. As outlined later package were set up by federal economic impact. Nearly half of the people government, states and countries in other to REPORT

assist business in these countries. We asked respondents to give us an indication of how long their organization can continue its current output and production without financial aid. Just under half of the respondent (46%) says their business would require financial assistance if the current situation is set to continue within the next year. 9% say their organization has already received financial assistance. A quarter of the respondents say their business wouldn't require financial assistance and a fifth says they wouldn't know whether their business would need any aid. ''We are lucky enough to have a decent cash position entering the COVID -19 [pandemic].''. ''We have to be scrappy as small companies, and remain solvent without assistance if possible. We did apply for PPP because we didn't know what was going to happen. […] The government was very good in providing us help with funding though we still don't understand the tax implications of an impact on how aerospace All five countries in Europe provided support PPP and whether we use it. What does that organizations could continue their to businesses small and large. Both Italy mean for us? We don't have a team of operations. In the majority of those and France boosted their economy with accounts. We are trying to hold our own.'' states, defense and aerospace were package of respectively E55bn E 110bn. classified as part of an 'critical Germany, the Netherlands and the United How have states and countries infrastructure', 'industrial defense base ' Kingdom have also put in place extensive responded to the pandemic and or were marked as essential business, schemes to support small and medium which was the case in California, New sized businesses and have set up schemes how would this have impacted York, Florida and Colorado. Texas used for employees. the space industry? a different approach as business appeared to be assessed and classified The role of essential To provide context to our diverse findings in by countries, rather than state this chapter, we have provided an overview government. businesses on how states and countries have responded In both North America and Europe, certain to the crisis and what type of relief package Europe organizations have been deemed 'essential' were implemented. or were classified as part of a 'critical As countries within Europe region all infrastructure,' thus could continue had a different approach to putting in operations as many countries and states North America place lockdown measures as well as went into lockdown in March. The definition On March 11, President Trump put in place a emergency financial relief packages, we of an 'essential' business or 'critical foreign travel ban as a response to the WHO have provided an overview of infrastructure' varies per country, states and characterizing the COVID – 19 outbreak as a development within the five countries sometimes even per country, and has pandemic from this day on. On March 25, the that were most represented at Space resulted in some organizations being able to US Senate approved the Coronavirus Aid, Tech Expo Europe 2019: Germany, operate in one state or country, while they Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES) United Kingdom, France, The couldn't in another. to support the US economy, which included Netherlands and Italy. Those countries We asked our respondents whether their $10.5bn to support the Department of h o u s e m a n y k e y a e r o s p a c e business is classified as 'essential'. Nearly Defense. Of that $10.5bn ,$1.45bn was organizations, including ESA and Local two – third (65%) of the respondents dedicated to mitigating the impact of the space agencies, as well as many start – indicate that their business is indeed pandemic on production lines, supply chains ups in ESA's incubators, and (larger) 'essential' and that they can continue and labs – some of which had a direct effect organizations across the continent such operations. Just over a third (53%) has not on the aerospace industry. as Airbus, Ariane Group, OHB, been classified as 'essential'. Out of the We have provided an overview of the Telespazio, Lockheed Martin, BAE businesses that are deemed essential, measure put in place in the five states that Systems and Thales Alenia Space suppliers are talking up the Lion's share, represented most of the attendees at Space among many others. The continent also which constitutes of 41%. This is followed by Tech Expo USA 2019: California, New York, has aerospace hubs, including Toulouse prime contractors / system integrators Texas, Florida and Colorado. (France), Bremen and Bavaria (22%). Many suppliers and systems (Germany), and Harwell (UK) among integrators work on classified defense or All of these states house major aerospace many more. government programs which, especially in organizations, including NASA research Europe went into lockdown somewhat the USA, made these businesses classify centers, US Air Force bases, Virgin Orbit, earlier than North America, though the 'essential'. Other businesses have ramped Lockheed Martin, Collins Aerospace, Ball difference is minimal. Over a period of up their work for the medical industry or Aerospace, L3 Harris, SpaceX, Boeing, two weeks, the five aforementioned have provided solutions to the medical United Launch Alliance, Sierra Nevada countries started to impose strict industry since the outbreak of the Corporation, Raytheon and many, many lockdown measures. Out of those pandemics, allowing them to continue others. Over a period of 2.5 weeks, all states countries, Italy announced a nation – operations. issued a stay – at – home order and lockdown wide lockdown first on March 9, while The 35% of businesses that are not deemed restrictions, with California implementing this The Netherlands and the United 'essential' and thus cannot continue first on March 19 and Florida last on April 1. In Kingdom instructed their citizens last to operations, appear to be a mix of each state, these restrictions would have had stay at home on March 23. organizations, while the largest section here REPORT

is also in hands of suppliers. The fairly Large ' ' i n c r e a s e p r o d u c t s average percentage for R&D organizations / supplied to the medical association / universities are adapting on industry'', ''prioritizing how they teach their students, and with the medical market products USC it is no different, as discussed during such as ventilators'', '' the Space Tech Expo webinar, and as PCBAs for ventilators '', '' a explained in David Barnhart's quote on the negative pressure patient next page. insulation enclosure'' and Looking at the two focus regions of Space ''injection molding face Tech Expo below, it turn out that both in mask straps to relieve ear North America and Europe, there appears to strain from elastic bands be around a near 50 – 50 divide between continually pulling on the businesses demand 'essential ' and those ears''. Similar to the other that did not classify for this. The differences categories, supplier also are greater in North America where 57% is put in place measures deemed 'essential' and 42% isn't, within their businesses to capacity by investing in capital goods or compared to 53% 'essential' and 47% 'non – avoid further spreading of the virus, opening new facilities now have minimal essential' in Europe. including ''reduced work shifts'', ''split operationality. Other activities appear to While many indicated that what they shifts'', ''remote work force'', ''face continue with reduced activity. develop is confidential information, some protection'', ''protective barriers'', Looking towards the next 24 months, organizations were able to share with us ''personal operator partitions'', ''cleaning, what they have been working on. We have testing and temperature checks'' and a '' industry professionals expect that health listed the responses of the three largest long term change in how we operate and and safety, marketing and business groups (globally) of those providing who we sell to''. This category also looks development, and sales and account solutions. more towards its supply chains and is management will become more End – users and service providers indicate taking measures in this area too, such as '' important in future investment they have been working on medical holding stock, delaying program startups, strategies. This indicates that many equipment such as ''Low – cost ventilators delaying order deliveries'', ''alternative organization will focus on reconnecting by using existing components'', ''Laser sources for testing / qualification'', '' assist with their customers and competitors as cutting and 3D printing for PPE'' and other distributors with inventory issues'', '' they start picking up business, while also ''COVID – related products''. In terms of alternative supply chains'', ''accelerated ensuring adequate health and safety continuing operations, respondents say availability of test equipment to critical measures are in place across the they have ''improved their IT infrastructure'', customers'', and using other supply chain organization. Interestingly, R&D and ''put in place special hygiene conditions'' industries''. technology development appear to and ''helped employees set up their home become somewhat less of a priority at office''. Looking ahead this time. Many of the prime contractors / system This slight decrease in focus on R&D is integrators respondents told us they are also How will COVID – 19 impacts by no means permanent and eventually working on products for the medical the future of the space this is something that will be picked up industry, including ''ventilator parts, UV technology supply chains? source, electron source for COVID – 19 again, as webinar speaker Tim Dyer s e q u e n c i n g m a c h i n e s ' ' , g e n e r a l explained during the space Tech Expo ''applications for fighting the pandemic'', In order to get some insight into how webinar in May 2020: 'The safety of the ''EO data for analysis of outbreak'', '' masks pandemic has affected business team, that is number one priority. It's for hospitals'', ''face shields'', '' respirators'', '' priorities and investment strategies for hard to think about R&D and software and processing for medical companies within the space technology development projects as a small community'' and other general healthcare supply chain, we asked respondents to business when you are concerned about and PPE equipment. One respondent says indicate how their businesses your staff. Reactions to the COVID crisis their business ''started a spin – off robotic prioritized certain activities before the were very distracting and, now I see that sanitation company''. This category also pandemic, which activities continued at least we somewhat have a grip on highlights the importance of keeping their during the pandemic, and how much what's going on as a company, we can supply chains strong, and one respondent strategies investment they expect for focus back.'' says their business provide ''financial these activities over the next 24 David Barnhart also weighed in on the assistance to suppliers to keep them afloat'' months. future of R&D: ''it was one of the first while another says they are now looking for Prior to the outbreak of the pandemic in things that was impacted – absolutely so multi – optional suppliers. Internally these march, the space technology supply at the universities, The fascinating thing organizations have implemented various chain prioritized marketing and to me coming out of this from a measures to continue operations such as '' business development, R&D / working from home'', '' shortened working commercial and innovation standpoint is technology development , launching weeks'', ''automated assembly'' and PPE for that R&D may be the driver, in terms of employees''. new products / product development the future. The challenge I believe we \ and health and safety. have to address is getting that push back Suppliers, who have the largest During the pandemics, businesses into getting companies to think through representation of organizations that are have reduced their operational activity, that. In this time of chaos and being at providing solutions globally have also been though on average none of these home, and not working on the hands – working on solutions to provide relief to the activities appear to have completely on activities as much, what can we do to medical industry. Examples include ''cable halted. There appears to be a near really think about the next thing on what for ventilators'', ''manufacture of ventilator business as usual approach to health an organization can do for innovation systems'', ''face shield'', ''materials for and safety, while mergers and and R&D? I think that is important for us. ventilators'', ''working with a major OEM to acquisitions, hiring and developing produce components for ventilators'', talent, and expanding manufacturing INSIGHT The new Copernicus mission provides free data about 95% of the ocean

By Clara Lázaro The new satellite Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich will be a decisive factor in the decision making process aboutr adaptive measures to confront the consequences of climate change, helping to protect the more than 600 million people who live in vulnerable costal areas around the world.

Radar altimeters provide information about different characteristics of the oceans' surface, and this information can be used to understand particular phenomena and processes taking place much deeper down: the surface and the depths are connected. In recent years satellite altimetry, which allows a 4D estimation of the status of the ocean, has been proving its capacity to make valuable contributions to the development of knowledge about the oceans. A f t e r t h e 1 9 9 2 l a u n c h o f t h e TOPEX/Poseidon (T/P) mission, perhaps the most famous satellite altimetry mission to date, several other satellites were launched with a radar altimeter on board. The main objectives of this joint mission between NASA and CNES were essentially to study ocean topography, ocean variability and sea level on a global scale. The missions Jason-1 (2002-2013), Jason-2 (2008-2019), and Jason-3 (2016-present) followed, and had many characteristics in common with the T/P mission (1992-2005). Given their period of repetition (-10 days) and the unparalleled accuracy of their Because the ocean's circulation is operational), the Sentinel-6 mission will measurements, this series of high- directly related to the redistribution of bring state-of-the-art instruments altitude missions is considered the energy in the climate system, and onboard to collect more accurate data benchmark for the study of sea level therefore related to any changes in the with a higher degree of spatial resolution. variations. The extension of these studies climate, the observations of satellite It is expected to cover the areas closest to until 2030 is now possible with the successor altimetry are critical for understanding the coast, as well as bodies of water in the mission Sentinel-6, which is part of the the climate and predicting its continental interiors (rivers and lakes). Copernicus European Earth Observation variability. Satellite altimetry allows The mission will acquire data for the study of program and the result of a joint effort more accurate prediction, analysis and the climate that is necessary for making between EUMETSAT, the EC, ESA, NASA monitoring of phenomena responsible for decisions about how to cope with the and NOAA. After Sentinel-6, the launch of significant alterations in the climate at a consequences of climate change, thereby Sentinel-6B is scheduled for 2025, and global and regional scale, which have helping to protect the approximately 600 these two satellites will allow the completion clear expressions at sea level: for million people living in vulnerable coastal of four decades of data fundamental for the example, the El Niño Southern Oscillation areas. Similar to the other Copernicus study of terrestrial climatology. The Sentinel- brought heavy rains, extreme drought missions, such as the Sentinel-3 mission 6 altimetry mission will begin on November and, consequently, catastrophic fires. (already operational under the auspices of 21 with the launch of the Michael Freilich Equally important is the prediction of the ESA and EUMETSAT), the Sentinel-6 satellite, allowing the continuation of three trajectory of extreme weather events mission's data will be accessible free of decades of observation of sea levels. such as hurricanes, allowing the charge, and will cover about 95 percent of mitigation of their consequences when the ocean. The information gathered by the altimetry they reach islands and coastal areas. missions over the decades has allowed This information is of utmost relevance Clara Lázaro is an assistant professor at more detailed observations of the not only to the scientific community, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto characteristics and variations of the surface therefore, but also to society in general. (FCUP). She holds a PhD in Surveying currents of the oceans, the ocean wave field, Engineering from FCUP, and she has expert- variations of the average sea level, the In addition to enabling the studies above, level knowledge on Satellite Altimetry applied to shape of the Earth (geoid) and the the Sentinel-6 mission will provide near- Oceanography. Currently, her research gravimetric anomalies of the land surface, real-time information for maritime and focuses on studying the sea level variation using Satellite Altimetry and on the wind intensity near the surface of the sea, meteorological applications, and is also development of methodologies for the tides, and cartography of the polar caps and crucial for operational oceanography. computation of an improved wet troposphere the sea floor. It has also contributed to the Beyond ensuring the legacy of the correction for Coastal Altimetry. Clara has been development of numerical models of ocean benchmark missions and the involved in many national and international circulation. continuity of the Jason-3 mission (still research projects.. AFRICA REPORT

COVID – 19 lockdown and television viewership

Janet Wasko in her introduction to the book “A companion to television” described television as “one of the most profound, if not the most profound, influence on human history. Television has affected every aspect of our lives including history, science, politics, culture, and social mores. It is impossible to imagine a world without television, and most of us take for granted the way television has shaped and defined our society, and our lives” Television viewership is habit – forming; people tend to watch certain content at certain times on certain days depending on their lifestyle and work schedule. Work schedule have a big influence on the time available for watching TV, artisans and traders for example may not be home by the time the breakfast shows of the various channels are airing from around 6am to 9am. Shift workers would only have time for television when they are off duty, while some white – collar workers may have the i n M a r c h a n d M a y , 2 0 2 0 gainers in terms of viewership were mostly opportunity to watch the breakfast shows In April 2020, many channels gained channels in lower half of the audience ratings before departing the house in the morning and viewership compared to March 2020 or April table, in Lagos, the top gainer was NTA may be home in time for the evening shows and 2019; this was expected as people were knowledge. Peak television viewing time news. home all day every day, however, almost all which normally occurs in the evening Power supply has a big influence on the time sports channels lost viewrwship. COVID – 9 between 7:30 – 10:30 pm daily is referred to available for watching television; during power being a global pandemic, all live sporting as prime – time was redefined during the outages, most families, for convenience or e v e n t s w a s b a n n e d w o r l d w i d e , COVID – 19 Lockdown of April 2020; many economic reasons, ration the use of generators consequently, all sports channels lost channels had their “prime – time “ during day and will not switch on their generating sets till viewership across the country. –time, unlike the norm pre –COVID, in some dusk by which time everyone is likely to be back It is very clear that people watched more cases, the viewership behavior changed home or on the way home. The evening hours television in April compared to March 2020. radically. A typically example was Arcadia TV, are when many families have the most Interestingly, the increase in Portharcourt an entertainment channel based in Lagos; the important meal of the day, discuss the day's was the least compared to the least channel's traditional average peak time was activity, and watch televisions. compared to the 3 cities, while Kano had the changed to around mid – day to late afternoon The COVID -19 pandemic brought about an most increase , this radically change in audience behavior unprecedented change in the lifestyle of . was obviously influenced by the lockdown people. There was the government imposed During the April lockdown, it appears Television has become an integral part of lockdowns and restrictions on the one hand, as viewers had so much time on TV, got bored people's lives thus viewership is directly well the self – imposed personal safety with their favourite channels, and probably affected by lifestyle, culture, and financial measures adopted by many. For the first in decided to explore new channels. This status. April 2020 was a unique month, jobs living memory, everyone was expected to stay deduction is supported by user behavior in lifestyle and school were affected by the at home, school closed, offices closed and the 4 cities, especially Abuja, Kano, and lockdown and these changes promptly almost all economic and recreational activities Lagos. manifested in television viewership. People shut down in Abuja, Lagos, and some other In all 4 cities measured, the top gainers in generally watched more television than cities terms of viewership were mostly channels in previous month, there was a thirst for both . the lower half of the audience ratings table, local and foreign news as people wanted to During the period of lockdown, television in Lagos, the top gainer was NTA follow the progress of the COVID – 19 virus as became even more important in the home, at knowledge. Peak television viewing time it ravaged the world. As places of worship first there was a lot of anxiety for news about which normally occurs in the evening were also closed, people had to perform their the virus, how many people infected and how between 7:30- 10:30 pm daily is referred to religious obligation at home or watch religious many succumbed to the virus. as prime – time. The concept of prime – time programmes on television. Almost all As the pandemic was global, there was interest was redefined during the COVID – 19 religious channels increased viewership in how it was ravaging other part of the world. lockdown of April 2020; many channels had significantly in fact a secular channel in After the initial period of anxieties, people their “prime – time” during day – time, unlike portharcourt which started broadcasting seemed to come to terms with the prevailing the norm pre – COVID, in some cases, the religious programmes in April increased situation and probably decided to keep busy viewership behavior changed radically. A viewership by an unprecedented 400 with some entertainment and education on typically example was Arcadia TV, an p e r c e n t . television. entertainment channel based in Lagos; the It remains to be seen how television Most of the aforementioned insights were channel's traditional average peak time was viewership would be affected by the gradual deduced from the audience measurement data changed from 9:30 pm to 4pm daily, easing of the lockdown unless we have a obtained from the audience measurement however, in April 2020, the average peak similar pandemic soon, it is unlikely we shall system deployed by NTA – Star Tv Network time changed to around mid – day to late witness the viewership behavior prompted by limited. We shall designate the month of April afternoon, this radical change in audience the COVID – 19 lockdown in April 2020. behavior was obviously influenced by the 2020 as the actual lockdown month although By Tunde Aina the actual lockdown spread across a few days lockdown. In all 4 cities measured, the top

AFRICA REPORT

COVID-19, Children and the Television Space

Television (TV) undoubtedly plays a very Brown. significant role in the building of every But the potential of digital society. It forms part of the mass media and broadcasting does not stop at is a major source of information, education news dissemination. If there is and entertainment in our everyday lives. In any sector that has been hardest Ghana, history has it that TV was first hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, it introduced in 1965 by the Nkrumah is the education sector as the government in collaboration with Sanyo of United Nations Educational, Japan, an electronics company, to boost S c i e n t i f i c a n d C u l t u r a l their Ghanaian assembly plant. The late Dr. Organization (UNESCO) reports Kwame Nkrumah, then President, had that more than 90 per cent of the stressed however, that television should world's student population have educate citizens for national development been kept out of the classroom. In rather than merely entertain, or generate Ghana, the 2019/2020 academic profit. calendar for all pupils from pre- Over the years, the TV landscape has school to Junior High School evolved, with satellite TV household (JHS) 1 and Senior High School penetration on the rise, according to the SES (SHS) 1, has been postponed to 2019 Satellite Monitor Study. The leader in January next year, which means global content connectivity solutions, SES, that by the time pupils resume indicates that in Ghana specifically, there are school, they would have stayed Amb. Dr Monica Juma already 4.7 million households being served home for as long as 10 months by satellite – up from 1.7 million households (which is barely a year since desired in these times. A larger in 2014. schools closed down in March,2020). responsibility therefore lies on parents and Per the report, currently 70 per cent of Government, through the state guardians to be interested in what their Ghanaian TV homes' preferred TV reception broadcaster (GBC)in partnership with children are viewingwhile at home mode is through satellite, while only 30 per other private broadcasting networks and especially, keeping up with academic work cent are still predominantly receiving e d u c a t i o n a l i n s t i t u t i o n s h a v e such that they are not 'blank' by the time terrestrial TV. In an exclusive interview, Mr. consequently rolled out virtual learning school resumes. Clint Brown – the Vice President of Sales programmes on TV and online to engage and Market Development for SES Video in studentsand keep academic work during It is often said that the home is the first Africa – explained that this shift towards the period. Mr. Brown points out that school and parents are the best teachers satellite TV offers Ghanaians multiple “together with other media partners, SES for a child. As much possible, parents must advantages, including cost effectiveness, has also recently launched afree-to-air be keen on providing an environment that scalability, universal coverage, superior (FTA) not-for-profit educational TV can allow children to easily cope with the performance and reliability in TV broadcast. channel called Joy Learning, to help situational learning. Broadcasters and “In addition to the cost of satellite being students keep up with their schoolwork content providers, on the other hand, independent to the number of receiving while they are forced to stay home.” should also do what they can to seize the sites, the signal can be received anywhere in opportunity as far as promoting societal the satellite footprint, which could cover a The Joy Learning channel, which was good is concerned. “The onus is on every w h o l e c o n t i n e n t . U n m a t c h e d f o r officially launched on 30 December 2019, business entity to make sure they are broadcasting high-quality picture TV was part of a corporate social taking all reasonable precautions to content, satellite also offers fewer points of responsibility initiative undertaken by the prevent exploitation of their platforms as failure compared to terrestrial networks, and Multimedia Group (MGL) through its far as possible,” Mr Brown advised. has built-in redundancy to ensure superior Educare Foundation, in partnership with e- “At SES, we conduct a thorough due reliability over any other network,” he learning platform Wolo TV, service diligence on all our customers before we indicated. p r o v i d e r K - N e t ; a n d S E S . partner with them, but at the end of the day The growing digital broadcasting space, Notwithstanding, the impact of these it is the content provider's responsibility to which allows access for diverse television i n t e r v e n t i o n s i s d e p e n d e n t o n check and verify their content. We work channels with lots of programmes to choose childrenopting to watch educational TV closely with our partners and the relevant from,has also proven to be a major means of over variety of entertainment programmes authorities to ensure we respect all information dissemination during the current at their disposal while at home. broadcasting regulations, and I can only COVID-19 pandemic, which has kept many hope that other providers do same,” he people at home. “Data shows that there has Unfortunately, no law exists that said. been a 64 per cent increase in consumption empowers agencies like the National Dr Clint Brown, Vice President of Sales of news programming since the start of Media Commission(NMC) which is and Market Development for SES Video in COVID-19, and this number could rise again mandated to register, regulate and monitor Africa. as some countries go back into lockdown to the activities of media houses, to censor or Source:Ghantimes contain the spread of the disease,” says media content which leaves much to be INSIGHTS

5G: Billions of people cannot access Internet due to infrastructure deficiencies

Billions of people cannot access Internet India is potentially the most interesting extreme device densities, and will be due to infrastructure deficiencies, mainly in market for the Forsway solution. In India, realized by the development of LTE in emerging markets but also rural areas in there is very good and reliable GSM combination with new radio-access Europe and USA. To reduce the digital coverage to about 900 million people t e c h n o l o g i e s . K e y t e c h n o l o g y divide and to increase prosperity globally while only about 100 million people, components include extension to higher new low-cost broadband solutions are mostly in the cities, have access to frequency bands, access/backhaul needed. Cellular technologies such as 3G broadband Internet. Forsway is today i n t e g r a t i o n , d e v i c e - t o - d e v i c e and 4G are not cost- effective to provide fulfilling an urgent need, i.e. broadband communication, flexible duplex, flexible broadband in areas with low population anywhere, which has not been fulfilled by spectrum usage, multi-antenna density or low ARPU. Satellite and DVB-T2 2G, 3G or 4G. Therefore, we call the transmission, ultra-lean design, and user/ technology has for a long time been the Forsway solution 5G. control separation.”2 most cost-effective technology to provide According to many researchers, telecom In this White Paper from Ericsson, there is TV broadcast services. This paper will companies (Ericsson, Huawei, Nokia) 5G not a single word about the challenge to describe a hybrid satellite/DVB-T2 – is about much higher data speeds than provide “Radio Access” to the more than 4 cellular/xDSL solution combining the 4G, lower latency, and the ability to billion people who lacks it. The focus is ubiquitous downlink coverage of handle many billions of IoT. Are they completely on new technologies which satellite/DVB-T2 and low-cost uplink of right? Below are some arguments why hardly solve any problems the average terrestrial technology to provide broadband they are probably wrong. Already today user has today, nor will have in the future. to all. We call it 5G. 4G can deliver 1 Gbps wirelessly with Has Ericsson completely misunderstood technologies such as Carrier Aggregation what 5G should be? Below there will be Forsway deploys 5G today (CA) and 4x4, 8x8 MIMO (Multiple Input some brief arguments about Ericsson ́s For a new generation of mobile telephony to Multiple Output). views and why they seem to be mistaken become successful it should fulfil an urgent It is hard to see use cases for the average based on many of the ideas in William need. 1G (NMT) gave us the possibility to user when you need or is willing to pay for Webb ́s provocative and interesting book communicate wirelessly. 2G (GSM) gave 1 Gbps. And the 5G advocates talk about “The 5G Myth: When vision decoupled encrypted and secure communication as the need for 10 Gbps. Most people will from reality. well as the possibility of international probably agree that it would be better to roaming. 3G (HSPA) allowed us to access have 10 Mbps available everywhere, The need for higher data the Internet via our mobile phones. 4G than data speeds of only 10 kbps – 1 (LTE) allows us to watch video with high Mbps in rural areas and 10 Gbps in urban speed quality. What other needs will 5G fulfil? areas. Data speeds of 10 Mbps The driver for higher data speeds has According to the report “Digital Dividends” everywhere will not be solved by been and is video. 4G has more than from the World Bank 20161 more than half millimetre wave technology, small cells or sufficient capacity for video. In most cities the population of the world lacks access to new radio technology providing latencies with good 4G infrastructure about 40 broadband Internet, mainly in emerging of less than 1 ms. Forsway has a solution Mbps is readily available. If you are markets in Africa and South-East Asia. where the ubiquitous coverage from TV watching a video in your mobile 10 Mbps However, also in rural areas in Europe, USA satellites/TV towers is used in downlink is more than enough for good quality. and South-America 100s of millions of a n d c o m b i n e d w i t h t e r r e s t r i a l Even if you were to have 10 Gpbs you people lack fast (10 Mbps) broadband. technologies in the uplink. Forsway is the wouldn ́t watch the video any faster. Facebook and Google are two companies only company in the world that today Downloads of large files will of course that for many years have talked about deploys 5G, i.e. broadband anywhere. work better with higher data speeds. providing broadband anywhere using However, how often do we download large files to our phones. And if we were to drones and balloons. Not much has Which are the key benefits of happened. download a large file of e.g. 10 Gbyte is it Forsway Scandinavia AB is a Swedish 5G? not be better to do over WiFi at home? And company from Skövde, Sweden which has Some scientists and operators are how much are we prepared to pay extra to developed a hybrid modem for combining beginning to question if 4G is not enough download large files when outside of WiFi transmission from TV satellites/TV towers for most of the needs of an average user, coverage? The business case for 10 Gbps with terrestrial technologies such as at least in our cities. Let us in briefly data speed seems dubious. 2G/3G/4G (xG) and xDSL to be able to discuss and refute some of the proposals deliver broadband at very competitive from e.g. Ericsson why we need 5G. Rural broadband prices anywhere in the world. Forsway has Ericsson writes in a White Paper “5G William Webb writes “A great road system delivered more than 50 000 modems to all Radio Acess” from April 2016: is no longer one with unlimited maximum continents except Australia and Antarctica. “The capabilities of 5G wireless access speed, but one with minimal congestion Right now, there are trials ongoing with must extend far beyond previous a n d e x c e l l e n t s a f e t y. A g r e a t Indian government agencies and private generations of mobile communication. communications system is one available companies, as well as commercial Examples of these capabilities include everywhere, all the time with minimal deployments in e.g. Congo (DRC), Nigeria very high data rates, very low latency, congestion and at low cost. If the focus of and Senegal. ultra-high reliability, energy efficiency and 5G could be switched toward this direction INSIGHTS

that would provide a new generation worth of e.g. these reasons been manufactured systems are 1) the cost to launch and replace having.” [3] Most people will probably in much smaller volumes, a few millions, (satellites which fall down due to agree. The need is huge. compared to TV satellite dishes, many atmospheric drag) a very large number of In India, there are more than a million 100s of millions. satellites, 2) that about 70% of the Earth ́s schools and more than1 billion people VSAT is today the most common way to surface is water where there are few paying which lack broadband in rural areas. To get broadband access where there is no customers, and 3) the satellite terminals will fulfil this need with a mobile network would 3G/4G/xDSL /fibre. In rural USA and be complex and probably too expensive for entail astronomical costs since high speed Europe, VSAT is for many the only way to the majority of the potential customers. in a mobile network can only be achieved at have a broadband Internet connection. Oneweb will therefore in the beginning a limited distance from the cellular tower. For the overwhelming majority of people address business customers when they start To cover the whole of India or Africa with in rural Africa or South East Asia the cost their service. cellular broadband would require an of a VSAT terminal is too high and a more One of the early LEO systems with global immense number of base stations. Another cost-effective solution is needed. For coverage for speech was Iridium. However, it solution is obviously required to provide many years, the cost of satellite capacity soon became bankrupt after its launch partly everyone with broadband in rural areas. has been high. New technology has, because of the high investment costs and One of the key technologies to provide however, lowered the cost of satellite especially because the limited number of broadband to everyone, not mentioned in capacity with about a factor of 10 in the customers. Most people preferred the much the Ericsson “5G Radio Access” White last 10 years. Most satellite companies cheaper 2G system which at this time (1998) Paper, is satellite technology. Let us have a surplus capacity in their new had very good coverage. therefore call communication solutions satellites and the bottle neck to be able to A LEO broadband terminal will have to track where satellite technology is included 5G if sell capacity to the average person in satellites from horizon to horizon over a time such solutions fulfil a concrete and urgent emerging markets have become the period of 5 - 10 minutes. This will use need 4G has failed to fulfil. expensive VSAT terminals. On the other complex and costly hardware, especially for hand, most people in these countries sending to the LEO satellite. A LEO receive Communications to cars, have 2G coverage and a TV dish. only terminal will be much simpler and lower Forsway ́s solution is to use a hybrid cost. buses and trains broadband modem, Odin, connected to a Forsway has therefore applied for a patent This is an area under strong growth. low- cost TV satellite dish that anyone using a hybrid modem for receiving Passengers will in vehicles want access to can install. The TV dish is used to receive (downlink) from a LEO satellite and uplink via fast and reliable broadband. In cities, there Internet traffic (downlink) within the very 2G/3G/4G/xDSL. This will be a much is usually enough capacity over 4G but not large coverage of a GEO satellite (e.g. cheaper LEO satellite terminal than the LEO in rural areas. Outside urban areas satellite the whole of India, China or a quarter of terminal that also will have to send to the companies see a possibility to complement Africa). satellites. However, the cost of a Forsway 4G and already plan for connecting cars Instead of transmitting the uplink Internet GEO hybrid modem terminal, i.e. a TV dish with small, highly integrated antennas. traffic back to the satellite as with VSAT, with a fixed pointing direction, will be the Besides the already existing area of GPS the Forsway modem uses a USB dongle absolutely lowest cost solution for navigation the satellites will provide with 2G/3G/4G for uplink. If there is xDSL broadband via satellite. entertainment and data communications to with low speed it can also be used for the cars. It is very likely that we will see uplink via an Ethernet port at Odin. This With DVB-T2 solutions were different wireless combination of satellite and terrestrial technologies such as e.g. cellular, satellite Forsway has shown that it is possible to have technologies means that the Forsway 2 Mbps via a common TV antenna at trials in and WiFi will complement each other for solution can be used almost anywhere the next generation connected cars. e.g. India, Chad and Rwanda. A standard where there is at least GSM (2G) Yagi TV antenna (indoor or outdoor) is coverage, and that is almost everywhere. With GEO (Geostationary Earth Orbit) connected to the hybrid modem Odin for About 97% of the world ́s population is downlink from TV towers at frequencies satellites within 2G coverage Geostationary (GEO) satellites has for between 400 – 700 MHz. In the uplink 2G/3G many years been the most cost-effective is used via USB dongle in the same way as in way to broadcast TV to almost all parts of With LEO (Low Earth Orbit) the satellite solution. In India there are 1416 the world (except around the North and TV towers covering about 90% of India ́s satellites population. This hybrid DVB-T2 solution is, South poles). Today many new GEO Oneweb and SpaceX are two companies satellites have capacities of 100s of Gbps as is the Forsway satellite solution, which has proposed to launch 100s or something that can be deployed immediately and in a few years the first satellites with 1000s of small satellites in LEO Tbps will be launched. These satellites will to provide broadband to schools, small constellations to provide broadband to business, village offices, and households in not be used to broadcast thousands of everyone. Investors in these projects are additional TV channels but to provide rural areas. This is the lowest cost and best e.g. Google, Softbank (Japanese mobile (low latency) hybrid solution for countries broadband to areas where there is a lack of operator), Elon Musk (Tesla) and Richard 3G/4G/xDSL/fibre. with available TV spectrum and good TV and Branson (Virgin). 2G coverage. Satellite terminals used for Internet access The major advantage with LEO satellites at oil platforms, mines, ships etc. where compared to GEO satellites is that they there is no terrestrial broadband available orbit the Earth at much lower height, are called Very Small Aperture Terminals about 1000 km compared to 36 000 km. (VSAT). A VSAT terminal is much more This means much less latency. The expensive than a TV satellite dish. The latency over GEO satellites make them reasons are mainly 1) the need to both more or less useless for on-line gaming. receive and transmit to the satellite. This Another advantage is that the LEO requires 2) a larger antenna, at least about systems cover the whole globe with 1 m in diameter compared to the 0,7 m of a satellite to satellite communication while typical TV satellite dish. A larger antenna a GEO satellite typically covers a has a narrower antenna beam why it is continent. The first broadband LEO usually necessary to have 3) a more stable systems are planned to be in use around and expensive tripod as well as a 2020. professional installer. VSAT has because The large drawbacks with the LEO EUROPE REPORT

The gravity of dreams

Why is gravity the most mysterious force of already had through light, at the end of nature? Lavinia Heisenberg studies how the day we will come closer to what the universe was formed, and how it is really is the true nature of gravity.” To changing. She has now been awarded the date, a conclusive explanation has not ETH Zurich Latsis Prize for her been found. Approaches that describe outstanding achievements in the field of the world on a large scale – i.e. in theoretical physics. space – explain gravity differently than Anyone who observes the sky at night may those approaches that describe the have an idea of what Lavinia Heisenberg world on a small scale, i.e. in the does for a living. She is a cosmologist. Her innermost part of the atomic nucleus. field of research is space and what is to be These explanatory differences are found there, whether visible or dark matter, based on the two great theoretical light or energy, particles or waves, bodies achievements of physics in the 20th or forces. Her interest lies not in individual century – the theory of relativity and planets, a solar system or a galaxy, such quantum mechanics. The fact that it as our Milky Way. Her research drive is can still not be explained in a uniform oriented much more towards entire way with a single theory makes galactic clusters and the forces of nature gravitation the most mysterious of the cosmological and astrophysical that tell us something about the origin of four fundamental forces of physics. observations. the universe. These basic forces determine the There are times when Heisenberg finds behaviour of bodies, fields, particles Beethoven, bouldering and a herself overwhelmed when looking at the and systems; the other three are the bow and arrow billions of galaxies in the sky. “Curiosity weak interaction, the strong interaction was always the driving force for me,” she and electromagnetism. Her multidisciplinary approach is reflected says on the Hönggerberg campus, as her in the composition of her team and in her long curly hair is caught by a gust of wind. Many perspectives, stable teaching. Heisenberg is a team player, “There is so much unknown out there. And solutions and it is important toCarolina her to Orquedasee open we should just keep exploring.” H e i s e n b e r g ' s a p p r o a c h i s questions discussed: “I really enjoy characterised by the way in which she interacting with my team and my Exciting times, mysterious studies gravity from a range of students.” For her, enjoyment is the best forces perspectives: like a telescope, each compensation for disappointment and For a physicist such as Heisenberg, who theory opens up another outlook on stress. investigates the interaction between reality. She uses these perspectives to Heisenberg also finds balance in running, particle physics and cosmology, these are obtain new insights into the essential climbing, fitness training and archery, and most certainly exciting times, with two and fundamental properties of gravity. in activities that require a high level of major discoveries having significantly “ W e c o m b i n e t h e v a r i o u s concentration: “In archery I have to focus expanded the possibilities for research. A interpretations of gravity in order to find very closely on my position if I want to hit new particle, the Higgs boson, was stable solutions to the problems of the target. In moments like these, I'm discovered at CERN in July 2012, and the general relativity,” she adds. completely present in the here and now – first direct observation of gravitational Heisenberg has now won the ETH not thinking about the past or worrying waves was made in September 2015. Zurich Latsis Prize for her detailed about the future.” She also experiences Heisenberg is convinced that gravitational analysis of gravity in the light of such inspiring moments of complete waves will open up further potential for classical and quantum physics and the immersion in her research, moments discovery: “All the information so far that corresponding conclusions drawn when she is fully absorbed in what she is such a perspective – it must be an we have about the universe has only come from astrophysical, cosmological and doing. In difficult times she finds stability in amazing feeling to see how fragile our through photons, through light. And now particle physics experiments. The music, in the symphonies of Beethoven. Earth is.” we also have this new channel of prize will be awarded at ETH Day Heisenberg's career path is as diverse as gravitational wave observations. You can 2020. her research: she has lived in various compare it with a situation where we were Heisenberg's multidisciplinary countries since childhood, “and in every completely blind, and now suddenly we approach combines gravitational country, I have learned the language.” can actually see all these beautiful physics, cosmology, particle physics Today she can speak six languages, colours.” and computational astrophysics. As a including German. She originally arrived Gravity is a key element in her research. theoretical physicist, she does not at ETH as a fellow of the Institute for “When you think of cosmological scales, of perform experiments in the lab or Theoretical Studies. In 2018, she received large scales, the gravitational force is the particle accelerators – she works with an ERC Starting Grant, which is awarded dominant one. So if you want to describe a pen and notebook, and carries out only to the best researchers, and was the nature or the physics behind the computer calculations. Mathematics is appointed assistant professor in the universe, you need to know what the her most important tool. The quality of Department of Physics. Her future is fundamental law of gravity is,” she her theories is measured by the extent literally written in the stars – ever since she explains. “If you now combine precision to which the mathematical equations was a child, Heisenberg has dreamed of measurements coming from gravitational can explain the data from particle becoming an astronaut. And this goal waves with all the observations that we physics experiments or from continues to drive her: “To see Earth from AFRICA REPORT

Nigeria to establish new 165 CORS station beginning from 2021

the global station densification standard site server software for quality control Nigeria's Surveyor General, Surveyor of the International Terrestrial Reference and data analysis (see Figure 2). This Taiwo Adeniran has said Nigeria planned to Frame (ITRF). was done in line with the African establish new 165 CORS stations begging However, the 11 CORS networks in the Reference Frame's (AFREF) project from 2021 to improve the density of the country are linked with ITRF2008 by initiative . existing CORS stations with a view to acquiring GPS data from nine Nigeria lies between latitudes 4°and extending their spatial coverage in Nigeria. International GNSS Service stations 14°N and longitudes 2°and 15°E, and is Since the establishment of the 11 CORS (IGS)]. The new reference frame that this located in the western part of Africa. The stations in the country covering only 25% of present study is proposing will also be country has a total area of about the country, he said, no attempt has been linked with the existing reference frame of 923,768km2 making it the 32nd largest area of the southern part of the made to upgrade and extend their Nigeria to enhance understanding and country in the world. It shares about country. coverage. Conversely, developed preserve legacy for geospatial data, and 4,047km borders with four countries, countries with more CORS stations will create a platform for use in modern (Benin Republic to the west, Niger focuses on both improving the integrity of space techniques of positioning. Republic to the north, Chad to the north- their CORS stations as well as improving In 2007, prior to the establishment of east and Cameroon to the east. It has a the distribution and density of the spatial CORS by OSGOF, the GPS team of coastline of at least 853 km that coverage of these stations. Such countries OSGOF obtained the WGS 84 values of stretches along the Atlantic Ocean in the include Australia with about 250 CORS L40 (Nigerian Datum) by repeated GPS southern border. Nigeria has a varied stations at regular intervals of between measurements using differential landscape; to the southwest of the Niger 50km to100km, United States of America positioning techniques on the station is a rugged highland and to the with over 1,350 stations (as of 2008) at an (L40). A mean of means was obtained southeast of the Benue is the Mambilla average spacing of 70km between stations from the measurements and the value Plateau, which forms the highest and United Kingdom with about 110 was used for adjusting a nationwide Plateau in the country. The highest stations at an average spacing of 60km. surveying campaign that commenced elevation point in Nigeria (2,419metres He stated this during the annual from Minna in Niger state, Nigeria . By the above sea level) is located in Chappal Geoinformnation Society of Nigeria end of 2007, the Regional Centre for Waddi in the northern state of Taraba. conference held on 16th – 18 November Training in Aerospace Surveys The country has two major rivers, 2020 in Abuja, Nigeria. Today, the spatial (RECTAS) established the first namely; the River Niger and River coverage of the Nigerian CORS stations on permanent reference station (CORS) in Benue that converged in a “Y” shaped a distance of more than 300km (between Ile Ife, Ibadan, Nigeria, which consist of a valley in Lokoja, and emptied its waters the stations) seems inadequate based on receiver, an antenna, operating software, into the Atlantic Ocean in the Niger Delta INDUSTRY INSIGHT

How US election campaigns harness GIS data for voter outreach

Since the early 2000s, or at least as far cause may be hopeless. Essentially, this Once the votes are in, however, all eyes are back as 2004 political campaigns have eliminates figuring out where to door-knock on the actual results of the contest. results of added 'microtargeting' to their tool kits – the hard way. an election contest. essentially turning direct marketing In today's world of online data, evolving Election results, or, 'tabular data,' are methods into outreach tools for voter habits, and other factors, the ways in essentially raw vote tallies in spreadsheet campaigns. which this approach can be applied will form. These are combined with state, county, In this post from 2008, Karsten likely continue to evolve. In next week's or district geographic data. Once the two are Vennemann of Terra GIS describes his post, we'll take a look at how governments paired and linked, numbers are assigned to experience working for the Obama can use these same tools to ensure fair, locations on a map, and a digestible picture campaign. Back then, he made use of accurate elections. emerges. From there, color-coding can be open-source technology to identify and applied, like in the US, where 'red' symbolizes target specific voters. Put simply, the And the election winner is.... GIS! Republican votes and 'blue' represents process allowed the campaign to lay voter As anyone who's ever scoured raw county Democratic ones. data over base layers like precinct and reports from a secretary of state page How the data is visualized is up to the content county boundaries. The approach was so knows, election results are not easily provider. This GIS Lounge article takes a well liked, according to Vennemann, it was digestible by nature. Raw numbers may look at the various forms of visualization implemented in roughly a dozen highly have stories to tell, but humans process utilized by major news providers after the US contested states. visual data, whether color-coded, textured, presidential election in 2012. An example of Today, tools like those offered by Esri uniquely-shaped, or otherwise, much unique visualization comes from The New ArcGIS have streamlined that process of faster. That's why major news outlets and York Times, this map displays state size to turning addresses into useable data academic institutions utilize spatial data reflect the number of electoral votes each points. The first step is turning a list of and GIS to broadcast and analyze election state has, the more electoral votes, the larger addresses into a 'geocoded' list of voters. results, both in real-time and years after. the box representing the state. The resulting To do this, tools like Esri's Tapestry map uses color (red for Republican, blue for Segmentation will analyze neighborhoods In fact, some even use it in the lead-up, to Democrat, and yellow for Tossup) to display by socioeconomic and demographic predict results. FiveThirtyEight's popular which way states voted in the 2012 factors. The program then classifies election prediction map for the 2020 presidential election. neighborhoods using 67 categories of presidential election allows users to move Election analysis doesn't end when winners market segments based on information votes in and out of states, to see the are declared, though. Political scientists and like income, hobbies, education, and possible electoral outcomes. The journalists use past elections to glean insights religious affiliation. Combine the Tapestry underpinnings of this are rooted in GIS and about the country's political attitudes. This information with a list of addresses, and a spatial data. The map must consider study, for instance, analyzes the increasing picture of potential voters and donors various elements, like if the state is a polarization of voters. Thanks to publicly emerges. winner take all or proportional awarder of shared shapflies, precint data, demographic When that data is combined with electoral votes, as well as precinct and data and digital boundary definations. This information about boundaries and district boundaries. This isn't the only kind of analysis is not solely for the big-money districts, campaigns can begin formulating method people use to predict elections; major news networks anymore. GIS & other ground plans. They can focus their Twitter tracks reactions and engagement to spatial technology have made it easier for all attention on areas with potential support, various news stories, and Amazon's data to understand election data and results while also avoiding areas where their regarding political book sales, when geo- through visualization. coded, can reveal trends polls might miss. INDUSTRY INSIGHT

New climate guardian in space: Sentinel-6 will monitor global rise in sea levels

Residents along the coastline have seen understand the difference between sea Oceanographer William Sweet of the first-hand the effects of coastal erosion, level changes caused by rising global National Oceanic and Atmospheric beach loss, storm damage, and tidal temperatures and those due to naturally Administration's (NOAA) National flooding resulting from sea level rise. In occurring cyclic processes, particularly Ocean Service in Silver Spring, some locations, it's a constant battle to the impacts of two natural climate cycles Maryland, believes El Niño will drive hold back the sea. Yet during the 1990s that link conditions in the Pacific Ocean impacts on the West Coast in the near and 2000s, natural climate cycles actually with the atmosphere above: The El Niño- term. “Cycling into the warm phase of suppressed the rate of sea level rise off Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the the PDO tends to increase the the U.S. West Coast. Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO). What frequency and severity of El Niños, That lull appears to be over. Changing his team has seen is concerning. resulting in higher sea level during high Pacific Ocean and atmospheric “Based on available observations, we tides,” he said. “El Niño events are conditions have stirred up Earth's largest appear to be in an elevated period of sea really glimpses into the future, ocean and redistributed its heat, piling up level rise along the U.S. West Coast,” because decades of sea level rise can warm waters along U.S. western shores said Hamlington, who leads NASA's Sea occur within one year, at least based and raising sea level in the process. Level Change Science Team. “We've on historical measurements.” Global sea level has risen an average of seen an increase of about 0.4 inches (10 0.13 inches (3.3 millimeters) a year since millimeters) a year for the past five years Sentinel-6 satellite finally satellites began precisely measuring sea and, based on available past surface height following the 1992 launch observations and modeled data, we launched of the Topex/Poseidon mission, a expect to see similar increases for the Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich, the latest partnership between NASA and Centre next few years. Based on historical data, in a series of spacecraft designed to National D'Etudes Spatiales in France. In there are indications that elevated sea monitor our oceans, was launched the northeastern Pacific off the U.S. West level rise rates could persist much from Vandenberg Air Force Base in Coast, however, sea level actually fell at a longer. We could see 20 years of central California on Saturday, Nov. 21, rate of around 0.04 inches (1 millimeter) elevated rates.” 2020. The satellite will be followed in per year during the 1990s and 2000s. “People have been lulled into a false 2025 by its twin, Sentinel-6B. Together, Then around 2010, sea level along the sense of security because we've seen the pair is tasked with extending our U.S. West Coast began steadily very little sea level rise along the West nearly 30-year-long record of global increasing, with the largest rise occurring Coast in recent decades,” said sea surface height measurements. in 2014-2016. While the rate has Hamlington. “Persistent cool PDO Instruments aboard the satellites will stabilized since then, it remains higher phases have suppressed sea level, also provide atmospheric data that will than the global average. locally masking the long-term rise due to improve weather forecasts, climate Ben Hamlington is a NASA Jet Propulsion global warming from human activities. models, and hurricane tracking. Laboratory scientist working with a group Around 2010, the PDO began a shift from Last November, the Copernicus of researchers to study how U.S. West a cool to a warm phase and sea level is Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich satellite lifts Coast sea level may change in the next now increasing. As global sea level rises, off on a Falcon 9 rocket from the Space couple of decades, relying on data from the impacts of these natural climate Launch Complex 4 East at the satellites and tide gauges to help swings are going to get worse.” Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, US. Copernicus Sentinel-6 INDUSTRY INSIGHT

Michael Freilich is the first of two identical Topography Science Team. The launch research missions. As well as satellites to provide critical measurements of is managed by NASA's Launch overseeing 16 successful missions and sea-level change. This latest Copernicus Services Program, based at the instrument launches, eight cube satellite will continue the long-term record of agency's Kennedy Space Center in sat/small satellite launches, Dr. Freilich reference measurements, extending the Florida. also led NASA's response to the record of sea-level height into a fourth About three days after launch, the National Academy of Sciences' first- decade. Mapping 95% of Earth's ice-free Sentinel-6 mission control team will ever Earth Science and Applications ocean every 10 days, it will also provide guide the fledgling mission through the from Space decadal survey. crucial operational data for ocean 'Launch and Early Orbit Phase' – the forecasting. riskiest phase of its life. Like a bird Global Science Impact "The Earth is changing, and this satellite will hatching from the egg, this is the period This latest mission marks the first help deepen our understanding of how," said in which the new spacecraft unfurls its i n t e r n a t i o n a l i n v o l v e m e n t i n Karen St. Germain, director of NASA's Earth solar arrays, wakes up to test its core Copernicus, the European Union's Science Division. "The changing Earth functioning and manoeuvres into the Earth Observation Programme. Along processes are affecting sea level globally, correct path, all the while at its most with measuring sea levels for almost the but the impact on local communities varies vulnerable to the hazards of space. entire globe, Sentinel-6 Michael widely. International collaboration is critical While Sentinel-6 is one of the European Freilich's suite of scientific instruments to both understanding these changes and Union's family of Copernicus missions, w i l l a l s o m a k e a t m o s p h e r i c informing coastal communities around the its implementation is the result of the measurements that can be used to world." unique collaboration between ESA, complement climate models and help After arriving in orbit, the spacecraft NASA, Eumetsat and NOAA, with meteorologists make better weather separated from the rocket's second stage contribution from the French space forecasts. and unfolded its twin sets of solar arrays. agency CNES. “The Sentinel-6 mission "NASA is but one of several partners Ground controllers successfully acquired the perfectly brings together the best involved in Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich, satellite's signal, and initial telemetry reports aspects of operating in space; but this satellite speaks to the very core showed the spacecraft in good health. international cooperation, cutting edge o f o u r m i s s i o n , " s a i d N A S A Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich will now undergo technology and a desire to bring Administrator Jim Bridenstine. a series of exhaustive checks and benefits down to Earth from the unique "Whether 800 miles above Earth with calibrations before it starts collecting science vantage point of near-Earth orbit,” says this remarkable spacecraft or traveling data in a few months' time. Simon Plum, ESA's new Head of to Mars to look for signs of life, whether The Copernicus Sentinel-6 mission is a true Mission Operations. providing farmers with agricultural data example of international cooperation. While or aiding first responders with our Sentinel-6 is one of the European Union's Sentinel-6 satellite Disasters program, we are tirelessly family of Copernicus missions, its renamed in honour of committed not just to learning and implementation is the result of the unique exploring, but to having an impact collaboration between ESA, NASA, renowned US scientist where it's needed." Eumetsat and NOAA, with contribution from Michael H. Freilich led NASA's work in The initial orbit of Sentinel-6 Michael the French space agency CNES. Earth science as the director of NASA's Freilich is about 12.5 miles (20.1 With global mean sea level rising because of Earth Sciences Division for more than kilometers) lower than its ultimate climate change, Copernicus Sentinel-6 is the 12 years, before retiring in February operational orbit of 830 miles (1,336 next radar altimetry reference mission to 2019. Owing to Dr Freilich's kilometers). In less than a month, the extend the legacy of sea-surface height outstanding contribution in advancing satellite will receive commands to raise measurements until at least 2030. the mission, and Earth science its orbit, trailing Jason-3 by about 30 Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich and Sentinel-6B worldwide, the satellite will now be seconds. Mission scientists and make up the Sentinel-6/Jason-CS mission, named Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich, engineers will then spend about a year which was developed by ESA, European which became official at a renaming cross-calibrating data collected by the Space Agency in the context of the European ceremony held in Washington. ESA's two satellites to ensure the continuity of Copernicus program led by the European Director of Earth Observation sea level measurements from one Commission, the European Organisation for Programmes Josef Aschbacher, who satellite to the next. Sentinel-6 Michael the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites attended the ceremony, comments, Freilich will then take over as the (EUMETSAT), NASA, and the National “This mission demonstrates what NASA primary sea level satellite and Jason-3 Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the European Space Agency can will provide a supporting role until the (NOAA), with funding support from the achieve as equal partners in such a end of its mission. European Commission and technical large space project. “Our suggestion to "This mission is the very essence of support from France's National Centre for rename the satellite to 'Sentinel-6 partnership, precision, and incredible Space Studies (CNES). Michael Freilich' is an expression of long-term focus," said Michael Watkins, JPL, a division of Caltech in Pasadena, built how thankful we are to Mike. Without director of NASA's Jet Propulsion three science instruments for each Sentinel- him, this mission as it is today would not Laboratory in Southern California, 6 satellite: the Advanced Microwave have been possible." The satellite will which manages the mission. "Sentinel- Radiometer, the Global Navigation Satellite provide critical measurements not only 6 Michael Freilich not only provides a System - Radio Occultation, and the Laser for monitoring our rising seas, but also critical measurement, it is essential for Retroreflector Array. NASA is also for climate forecasting, sustainable continuing this historic multi-decadal contributing launch services, ground ocean-resource management, coastal sea level record." systems supporting operation of the NASA management and environmental Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich and science instruments, the science data protection. Sentinel-6B compose the Sentinel- processors for two of these instruments, and During Dr Freilich's NASA tenure, he 6/Jason-CS (Continuity of Service) support for the international Ocean Surface strategically led the revitalisation of mission developed in partnership with NASA's fleet of Earth observing ESA. ESA is developing the new INDUSTRY INSIGHT

Sentinel family of missions to support the 'contingency simulations' to go in which ocean wave field, variations of the operational needs of the Copernicus problems are injected into the launch average sea level, the shape of the program, managed by the European sequence, and two final 'nominal Earth (geoid) and the gravimetric Commission. Other partners include the simulations' in which everything runs anomalies of the land surface, wind European Organisation for the Exploitation according to the 'nominal' operations intensity near the surface of the sea, of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), timeline. A couple of days before tides, and cartography of the polar and National Oceanic and Atmospheric launch, they will then go through the caps and the sea floor. It has also Administration, with funding support from dress rehearsal when they run through contributed to the development of the European Commission and technical the launch sequence, but this time numerical models of ocean circulation. support from France's National Centre for connected to the spacecraft in Because the ocean's circulation is Space Studies. Vandenberg sitting on top of its Falcon directly related to the redistribution "The data from this satellite, which is so 9, getting live data from the satellite. of energy in the climate system, and critical for climate monitoring and weather therefore related to any changes in forecasting, will be of unprecedented the climate, the observations of accuracy," said EUMETSAT Director- Radar altimeters satellite altimetry are critical for General Alain Ratier. "These data, which can Radar altimeters provide information understanding the climate and only be obtained by measurements from about different characteristics of the predicting its variability. Satellite space, will bring a wide range of benefits to oceans' surface, and this information altimetry allows more accurate people around the globe, from safer ocean can be used to understand particular prediction, analysis and monitoring of travel to more precise prediction of hurricane phenomena and processes taking phenomena responsible for significant paths, from greater understanding of sea place much deeper down: the surface alterations in the climate at a global and level rise to more accurate seasonal weather and the depths are connected. In regional scale, which have clear forecasts, and so much more." recent years satellite altimetry, which expressions at sea level: for example, JPL, a division of Caltech in Pasadena, allows a 4D estimation of the status of the El Niño Southern Oscillation California, is contributing three science the ocean, has been proving its brought heavy rains, extreme drought instruments to each Sentinel-6 satellite: the c a p a c i t y t o m a k e v a l u a b l e and, consequently, catastrophic fires. Advanced Microwave Radiometer for contributions to the development of Equally important is the prediction of Climate, the Global Navigation Satellite knowledge about the oceans. the trajectory of extreme weather System – Radio Occultation, and the Laser After the 1992 launch of the events such as hurricanes, allowing Retroreflector Array. NASA is also TOPEX/Poseidon (T/P) mission, the mitigation of their consequences contributing launch services, ground perhaps the most famous satellite when they reach islands and coastal systems supporting operation of the NASA altimetry mission to date, several other areas. This information is of utmost science instruments, the science data satellites were launched with a radar relevance not only to the scientific processors for two of these instruments, and altimeter on board. The main objectives community, therefore, but also to support for the U.S. component of the of this joint mission between NASA and society in general. international Ocean Surface Topography CNES were essentially to study ocean Science Team. The launch is managed by topography, ocean variability and sea In addition to enabling the studies NASA's Launch Services Program, based at level on a global scale. The missions above, the Sentinel-6 mission will the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Jason-1 (2002-2013), Jason-2 (2008- provide near-real-time information for Florida. 2019), and Jason-3 (2016-present) m a r i t i m e a n d m e t e o r o l o g i c a l Simulating success during a followed, and had many characteristics applications, and is also crucial for pandemic in common with the T/P mission (1992- operational oceanography. Beyond Control teams are used to preparing for 2005). Given their period of ensuring the legacy of the benchmark unexpected eventualities. In fact a large part repetition (-10 days) and the missions and the continuity of the of the job involves going through real-time unparalleled accuracy of their Jason-3 mission (still operational), the simulations in which they are subjected to all measurements, this series of high- Sentinel-6 mission will bring state-of- manner of potential problems - from all kinds altitude missions is considered the the-art instruments onboard to collect of spacecraft anomalies to computers benchmark for the study of sea level more accurate data with a higher crashing and even avoiding space debris. variations. The extension of these degree of spatial resolution. It is Now, they are rehearsing in the midst of a studies until 2030 is now possible with expected to cover the areas closest to very real pandemic on Earth. “Of course, the successor mission Sentinel-6, the coast, as well as bodies of water in preparation for the Sentinel-6 launch has which is part of the Copernicus the continental interiors (rivers and been affected by COVID-19, and we have European Earth Observation program lakes). put all measures in place to ensure success and the result of a joint effort between The mission will acquire data for the in this difficult situation. We must always EUMETSAT, the EC, ESA, NASA and study of the climate that is necessary keep a safe distance from each other, we NOAA. After Sentinel-6, the launch of for making decisions about how to have plexiglass walls separating everyone in Sentinel-6B is scheduled for 2025, and cope with the consequences of climate the control rooms, masks worn at all times these two satellites will allow the change, thereby helping to protect the and the numbers of people on site are limited completion of four decades of data approximately 600 million people living to those strictly needed to support fundamental for the study of terrestrial in vulnerable coastal areas. Similar to operations” explains Massimo Romanazzo, climatology. the other Copernicus missions, such Spacecraft Operations Manager for the The information gathered by the as the Sentinel-3 mission (already mission. altimetry missions over the decades, operational under the auspices of ESA “We're doing all we can to ensure the health these altimetry missions have gathered and EUMETSAT), the Sentinel-6 and safety of our teams and fortunately, information that has allowed more mission's data will be accessible despite the odds, we have not experienced detailed observations of the free of charge, and will cover about any delays and are on schedule for launch characteristics and variations of the 95 percent of the ocean. on 21 November.” The team has two more surface currents of the oceans, the REPORT

Ready to continue 20 years of progress

Interview by Martin Fleischmann

Twenty years ago, on 2 November 2000, the hatch of the International Space Station (ISS) was opened for the very first time and the first ISS commander, William McMichael Shepherd (NASA / US), and cosmonauts Yuri Pavlovich Gidzenko and Sergei Konstantinovich Krikalev (Roscosmos / Russia) became the first ISS crew to move into their new home in space. Their 136-day stay came to an end on 19 March 2001, but their mission marked the beginning of continuous occupation of the space station. How does a current German ESA astronaut remember this historic mission? DLR editor Martin Fleischmann talked to Matthias Maurer about the first three astronauts to live and work on the ISS.

IDr Maurer, 2 November 2020 will mark 20 years of continuous ISS operations since the arrival of its first long-term crew. Did you follow Abimbola Alale the launch of Expedition 1? Can you remember what you were doing on that date?

Unfortunately, I missed the launch of the first long-term crew to the ISS in late October 2000. At that time, I was in the middle of preparing my doctoral thesis in Aachen. I was completely immersed in my materials engineering dissertation, 'Lightweight composites made of aluminium foam with thermally sprayed coatings'. As there were no social media channels or smartphones back then, the launch completely passed me by.

William McMichael 'Bill' Shepherd, Yuri Pavlovich Gidzenko and Sergei Konstantinovich Krikalev, the crew The trio were able to take off from be involved myself. I can look back now with a wry smile at my lack of foresight, as I of Expedition 1, began the ISS era. Yuri Gagarin's launch site for their journey to the ISS, which am likely to be up there myself a year or so What role has Expedition 1 played f r o m n o w . for you and your mission to the was considered a great honour. ISS? How would you sum up the The ISS has expanded greatly Those first astronauts put the ISS into historical significance of the over the last 20 years. How would operation. They installed vital systems for the mission? y o u a s s e s s t h e r e s e a r c h supply of breathable air and sanitation, for opportunities available now, as example. They began conducting the very Expedition 1 was a major milestone for compared to back then? first scientific experiments there, which are spaceflight, not only for the US, Russia continuing to this day, including investigating and Europe, but for space research in The station has grown incredibly over the the production of protein crystals. In addition, general. It paved the way for international last 20 years and today's experiments are the crew of Expedition 1 was hugely cooperation and long-term missions. inspirational for younger generations, far more sophisticated than they were back including by getting students interested in then. These days, the astronauts have a amateur radio through the Amateur Radio on What is the first thing that comes much better understanding of how this the International Space Station (ARISS) to mind when you think back to work should be performed in microgravity project. The first astronauts on board the ISS that time? What are your conditions. As a result, the quality of the laid the foundations for the work that we are memories of Expedition 1? e x p e r i m e n t s i s q u i t e d i ff e r e n t . doing now, 20 years later. Today, of course, At the time, I would certainly have thought: Nonetheless, those pioneers carried out o u r e x p e r i m e n t s a r e m u c h m o r e 'I couldn't be further from being an first-class research in space and their sophisticated and cutting-edge. We have astronaut.' I had always been fascinated experiments paved the way for the learned a lot along the way. by space travel, but back in 2000 I could outstanding scientific projects that we are never have imagined that I might one day conducting in space today. VIETNAM

The PicoDragon satellite

Space technology is “the epitome of technological competitiveness and prowess” of a nation. For an emerging country like Vietnam, space technology can bring practical benefits for socioeconomic sector such as in preventing and alleviating the devastating effects of natural calamities and climate changes, better monitoring natural resources, especially in marine resources, developing agriculture, establishing telecommunication infrastructure through satellites and its applications

The Pico Dragon satellite, with the size of months, at 19:17 on November 10 x 10 x 11.35 cm and the weight of 1kg, 19, 2013 (Vietnam time), the is the product developed by the team of Pico Dragon satellite with other engineers and young researchers at the American's CubeSat satellites Vietnam National Satellite Center were released into orbi. Since (VNSC), the Vietnam Academy of Science this moment, the satellite and Technology (VAST). The entire started to execute steps of process of satellite development, initialization process such as including the steps of researching, checking working states, manufacturing, integrating and testing, m e a s u r i n g e n v i r o n m e n t was performed properly in Vietnam. The parameters, meeting the experiments of vibration and temperature requirements of antenna were conducted at the laboratory of Prof. deployment, and initializing the Shinichi Nakasuka, the Tokyo University, radio transceiver system. At the and other experiments were performed at default mode, the Pico Dragon the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency satellite continually transmits (JAXA) and the IHI Aerospace Company broadcast messages with the of Japan. content of “PICO DRAGON The mission of the Pico satellite is to VIETNAM”. After entering orbit capture Earth's images, to measure a for 4 hours, transmitted number of parameters of satellites and the messages of this satellite were universe's environment using sensors received by ground stations a large-sized satellite, from the BBM model, m o u n t e d o n s a t e l l i t e s , a n d t o from all over the world. As a result, the Pico primarily focusing on the development of its communicate with transceiver stations on Dragon was the first made-in-Vietnam functions, to the EM model, assembled as a the ground. This project is meant to satellite successfully manufactured and complete satellite that is able to meet promote the development of Space operated in space. After operating on orbit particular criteria and to pass stages of Technology, especially of building the over three months, the Pico Dragon satellite environmental tests, and finally to the FM human resource of researching and worked quite reliably and incessantly model meant to launch in orbit. Since the developing made-in-Vietnam satellites. A transmitted private broadcast messages to objective of this project is to support for proper process of satellite development ground stations from all over the world. At young staffs to comprehend the entire consists of the following steps: 00:18 on March 01, 2014 (UTC+7), the Pico process of designing, manufacturing, researching, designing, manufacturing Dragon satellite already went back to the testing, launching in orbit, and controlling a and testing, which were totally executed in atmosphere, was burnt down, and ended its satellite. Vietnam. In addition, VNSC has already task. Although this success is still not cooperated with the Tokyo University and extraordinary but it creates a motivation and JAXA to carry out some experiments of faith for all members of the Vietnam universe's environment prior to launch in Project Results National Satellite Center in the early stage Japan. Prof. Dr. Pham Anh Tuan had shared his thought about the goal that Vietnamese of conquering the universe. This is also the preparation step for the task of building the Important Milestones people would be able to design, manufacture Made-in-Vietnam small satellites on their human resource of independently On July 08, 2013, the PicoDraGon own, according to the “Strategy for research designing and manufacturing Vietnam's satellite was sent to the Tsukuba Space and applications of space technology until small Earth observing satellites on their Center to perform procedures of officially 2020” of Vietnam, approved by the own in the near future. In upcoming years, handing over it to JAXA. On August 04, Government of Vietnam in 2006. In young staffs in this project will keep 2013, the HII-B missile carrying the HTV-4 accordance, a group of young researchers at participating to projects of manufacturing cargo spacecraft containing the Pico VNSC had engaged to cultivate, design and bigger satellites, for example, Nano Dragon satellite was successfully manufacture the Pico Dragon satellite under satellites (10 kg), Micro satellites (50 kg), launched.After that, on August 09, 2013, the framework of the research project on and then small satellites with the weight of the HTV-4 cargo spacecraft had behalf of the Vietnam Academy of Science about 600 kg. These projects will be successfully docked with the International and Technology. Regardless of its extremely important milestones in the developing Space Station (ISS). After stored in the tiny size, the PicoDragon satellite also went progress of Vietnam's space technology in Kibo module on the ISS over three through proper stages of the development of the future. INTERVIEW

Nigeria: Telecoms will facilitate digital economy drive

Group Managing Director/CEO, VDT Communications, Mr Biodun Omoniyi

Today, Nigeria boasts of 43.3 per cent broadband penetration, but 40 per cent of that penetration level is from wireless connectivity, and that is where VDT operates, providing wireless connectivity services to homes, offices and schools, says Omoniyi, chief executive officer of VDT Communications

What is your view about achieving our dream of the digital the enabling infrastructure for broadband economy. With sufficient broadband growth in the country. In achieving the broadband penetration in the penetration, businesses will grow and digital economy, we have to consider all country and how will it help in new businesses and companies will sides of the digital economy framework like achieving Nigeria's digital s p r i n g u p . W i t h b r o a d b a n d , the consumer side, producer side, economy drive? companies will save cost and the enterprise side, and regulatory side. The Nigeria has come a long way in broadband country will generate new streams of enterprise side of it has to do with penetration. As at 2015 when the current revenues, despite the challenges that industries, factories and offices, and that is EVC of the NCC, Danbatta, was appointed, come with the digital economy. where VDT plays a key role in the country's broadband penetration was between four digital economy drive. Our retail, business per cent and six per cent. In December People have called for is fast-growing and supporting the digital 2018, the country surpassed its 30 per cent collaboration in order to economy growth of the country. broadband penetration target and today achieve a digital economy. the country can boast of 43.3 per cent What form of collaboration Telecoms operators are asking broadband penetration, with another target for seed funds to sustain their of attaining 70 per cent broadband do you think can lead to penetration by 2025. achieving the digital telecoms business. Do you see So with the current broadband penetration economy? funding as a challenge to level, Nigeria is ripe to achieve its digital I quite agree that collaboration is achieving digital economy in economy drive. We have reached a point at necessary to achieve the digital Nigeria? our broadband penetration level, where economy. VDT, which I operate, for Nigeria is an emerging market and as a nothing can stop us as a country from instance, has its focus on providing player in the emerging market, I strongly INTERVIEW

believe that telecoms operators need online from home as a result Yes, people could get free connectivity in seed funds for their businesses. of the new normal caused by public places like airports and malls in Naturally, it is very difficult to operate in COVID-19 pandemic, what is developed countries, but it is not so in an emerging market because the cost of Nigeria because of the issue of lack of sustaining a business is on the high side. the possibility of sustaining adequate funds to operate free internet There are so many things militating working from home? services in public places. The free against raising funds in an emerging wireless internet services you experience market like Nigeria. The Nigerian Connectivity has gone far beyond at airports and malls in developed economy, for instance, has not enjoyed offering fiber-to-home services. Today, countries were installed by small players economic salability, and the country has many operators offer wireless services who got funding from the government, but to devalue her currency severally to just like VDT. With wireless services, in Nigeria, it becomes difficult to set up stabilise the economy, yet the economy people can still work conveniently from free wireless hotspots where there is no kept dwindling and it is difficult for home with their wireless devices without funding from the government. Lagos businesses to thrive in a dwindling depending outrightly on fiber-to-home State tried it some years ago by using economy like ours. For this reason, service that has to do with fiber optic small operators to establish free Wi-Fi funding of long term projects like the cables. So the combination of wireless hotspots in some parts of Lagos, but I do telecoms project has been a herculean and wired services can conveniently not know if those hotspots are still working task for business owners. The situation is sustain the new normal, where people because of funding and sustainability. also affecting infrastructure companies can work from outside of their offices There has to be continued funding for because they need huge money to without getting to the office. Once there installation and maintenance for such purchase equipment for infrastructure is adequate coverage of fiber and projects to be sustained. The operators rollout. VDT operate on the infrastructure wireless connectivity, the tempo could cannot go to the bank to take a loan for aspect of telecoms business and I can be sustained. It is technology-enabled such projects because of the two digits tell you the fact that it is difficult to raise and it is all about the internet and interest rate that is involved in bank loan, money for infrastructure and service broadband connectivity. For example, which makes highly expensive and risky rollout. Those clamouring for seed today, Nigeria boasts of 43.3 per cent to takeJean-Y a bankves loan Le Gall,for telecoms CNES President business. funding for telecoms business are right broadband penetration, but 40 per cent and government must see to that in order of that penetration level is from wireless What happens to the USPF to keep telecoms business running. Just connectivity, and that is where VDT funding for telecoms like the Bank of Industry and the o p e r a t e s , p r o v i d i n g w i r e l e s s Agricultural Development Bank, the connectivity services to homes, offices operators. Why can't small telecoms sector needs a telecoms bank and schools. What we need are players take advantage of that will fund telecoms business in the incentives. such funds to provide free Wi- country. Fi hotspots? The multinational players in the telecoms What kind of incentives do sector do not have much funding challenges like the local players do, so local operators need to If the telecoms regulator channels the the government must support local and remain competitive in the Universal Service Provisions Funds small players in the telecoms sector to telecoms business where the (USPF) to small operators, then I think grow and sustain their telecoms big players operate? they should be able to provide free Wi-Fi businesses. hotspots in some designated public places across the country. In developed The incentives can be in various forms. countries where you experience free Wi- So how small is VDT in the The telecoms regulator, the Nigerian Fi hotspots, they are being funded by the Communications Commission (NCC), telecoms sector, when it has government and we need our government said they were giving palliatives to operations outside of Lagos? to do so in Nigeria. infrastructure companies (InfraCos), but

such palliatives need to go round the VDT is a small telecoms operator that is small operators and VDT should be Telecoms development is focused on the retail aspect of telecoms considered for palliatives because we largely tilted towards urban business, but even at that, there are need support to sustain our kind of cities, while the rural and several telecoms operators that are even telecoms business. smaller than VDT in terms of their underserved areas remain operational capacities. If VDT, as small impoverished of telecoms VDT is into wireless as it is, still struggle to raise funds for services. Is it not possible for connectivity, just like several major projects, you can imagine how the the operators to use the gains smaller operators will be struggling even other operators, yet we have made from cities to deploy more than VDT to raise funds for capital little presence of free services in underserved and projects, hence the need for seed wireless hotspots in public funding for local and small telecoms unserved areas of the places where people could operators. country? connect to the internet for Given the scenario where free like it is the case with The NCC had rightly said Nigeria has 114 only a few companies are most developed countries of access gaps and about 25 million offering fiber-to-home the world. Why is the case of Nigerians are not connected to services in Nigeria, where the Nigeria different? broadband. Nigerians should not expect majority of people now work telecoms operators to invest their gains in INTERVIEW

unserved areas of the country because relation to the Nigerian Data penetration by 2025? investments love profit. Every business person will want to invest in areas where Protection Regulation investments are easily recouped. They (NDPR), which the National Efforts on the part of the government to invested money and the need profit and Information Technology meet the 70 per cent broadband target they cannot get that kind of profit in as enshrined in the new National Development Agency is Broadband Plan, is ongoing, but some underserved and unserved areas, and no championing? investor will want to invest in such places people are of the view that we could The NDPR, which the National effortlessly achieve the target by 2025, unless there are incentives from the Information Technology Development government and that is exactly what the because of the springing up of start-ups Agency (NITDA) is currently and FinTech operators who are actually USPF funds are meant to achieve. More promoting, is a good move by NITDA, profits are made from urban areas driving new software applications that and they should be commended will make the digital transaction a lot because of the population and no operator because data protection and regulation will install 3G and 4G networks in rural more possible. Telecoms operators are have become global issues. The data also busy deploying 3G and 4G areas where the return on investment is regulation embarked upon by NITDA very low. networks, which are broadband will compel big and small organisations enablers. All these put together will fast- to be mindful in handling personal data, track broadband penetration without Given the fact that Nigerian because data is now the new oil that conscious efforts. youths and small business will boost the Nigerian economy if owners form the bulk of properly regulated, analysed and put You chaired one of the panel Nigerian population and start- into proper use sessions during the National up organisations, to what Do you agree with those Dialogue Forum on Telecoms extent can government tap into calling for monetisation of and ICT, recently organised by the strength of their numbers the Association of Telecoms data, who felt that Nigerians to drive tech development Companies of Nigeria are sitting on a huge amount across the country? (ATCON). What is your of data that are not properly assessment of the forum? Youths and start-ups, no doubt, have the being utilised? numerical strength to drive technology I must congratulate the organizers of the development and help Nigeria to achieve I quite agree with those calling for National Dialogue Forum on Telecoms its digital economy drive a lot faster, but monetisation of our data because and ICT because it was a huge success they do not have the capital for expansion. Nigerians are not making good money in promoting telecoms and ICT activities So the government needs to see their from data, yet we have data all around in the country. So much was said about numbers as an opportunity to tap into by us. We need to first organise our data how Nigeria could harness her digital providing incentives for them. One of the before we can monetise it. This is true resources for the building of our national incentives is to provide them with cheap because data that needs to be economy, and the Minister of capital, supported by training and monetised, must first be structured, Communications and Digital Economy, education. The government also need to organised and cleaned up, to enable Dr. Isa Pantami, was able to give provide a better business enabling monetisation. We have a lot of guidelines and timelines on how Nigeria environment for our youths and SMEs to personal, organisational and national will achieve her digital economy drive. enable them to thrive and become data all around us, but we need to employers of labour. structure them to make the best out of The Executive Vice Chairman of the They need protection in their business the data. Nigerian Communications Commission with special preference to help them grow For instance, in the retail part of our (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, was also with less stress. It must be a conscious business, it was after we reorganised able to throw more lights on what the effort on the part of the government to the organisational data that we started commission is doing to achieve digital address youth unemployment in the making good money from it. So data economy through the commission's country, and this is one of the better ways must be first organised and structured Eight Point agenda, which majorly to achieve it. It is not enough for the before monetisation of the data can focused on broadband penetration and government to be collecting taxes from work effectively. Data simple helps utilisation. We can't talk of digital organisations without developing its organisations to make good business economy without talking about youths. So part of the money generated decisions and predictions that will help telecommunications technology on from taxes should be invested in youths the organisation to avoid wastages and which the digital economy rides on, and I and SMEs development. If the SMEs are in turn, make a good profit. So data has quite appreciate what that ministry and protected today, they will surely grow large to be organised and well analysed for the NCC are doing in this regard. Paper to compete with the exiting large better decision making that will be presentations at the forum were focused enterprises in the telecoms sector, who profitable for the organisation. on broadband, funding, investments, also started very small, but became very regulation and the challenges and large with time because of the initial How will you assess the opportunities that abound in digital support they got from their government. implementation of the new economy and how best to harness the National Broadband Plan, opportunities and also turn the challenges into opportunities. What is your view about which seeks to achieve 70 regulating technology per cent broadband activities in the country, in IN THE NEWS

DLR scientist is part of the "Young Elite 2020"

The scientist Dr. Susanne Schröder from Institute for Optical Sensor Systems efficiently. the German Aerospace Center (DLR) was from 2015, which she has since The national Program is implemented voted "Young Elite - Top 40 under 40" by continued as an established working by the Space Administration. Its major the business magazine Capital. Every group. function is to promote and support year, Capital recognizes 40 talents for their Germany's strategic goals in the career paths and successes in the four European programs of ESA and the EU areas of companies and start-ups, DLR Space Administration by purposefully equipping Germany's management level, politics and the state, Acting on behalf of the Federal industry and scientific institutions for and science and society. Susanne G o v e r n m e n t , D L R S p a c e competition within the EU as well as for Schröder works on DLR Institute for Administration designs and implements their tasks within the ESA framework. Optical Sensor Systems and heads the Germany's Space Program, which LIBS and Raman Spectroscopy group integrates all German space activities Being essentially a high-tech there. There she deals with the exploration on the national and European plane. infrastructure, astronautics should be of planets, moons and small bodies with in- These activities include Germany's seen as an enabling technology that situ laser instruments for robotic systems. n a t i o n a l S p a c e P r o g r a m a n d generates new output chains. Her group's laboratory experiments help Germany's contributions to the Commercial markets for terminals and better understand real mission data and European Space Agency (ESA) as well services owe their very existence to contribute to the development of new as the European Organization for the investments in space technologies. tools. Susanne Schröder works among Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites other things in the scientific team of the (EUMETSAT). In addition, the mission “Mars 2020” and is currently Administration shapes and monitors the Strategic Orientation training as a SuperCam co-investigator for Space topic within the European The German Space Program focuses the operations of the NASA rover Framework Programme for Research on solving societal and institutional Perseverance, which will arrive on the and Innovation. problems, exploring promising surface of Mars in February 2021. The Space Administration's principal applications in which Germany holds a client is the Federal Ministry for leading position or may hold such a The Berlin scientist received her doctorate Economic Affairs and Energy. However, position in the future, increasing in 2012 on DLR Institute for Planetary the Space Administration also works for Germany's share in commercial sales Research and the Technical University of other ministries, mainly in application- and opening up new markets, promoting Berlin. Until the end of 2014 she did related fields such as Earth top-flight German research that is research as part of a postdoc antiRAP observation, navigation and satellite recognized worldwide, and using the (L'Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique c o m m u n i c a t i o n . T h e F e d e r a l fascination of space flight to awaken an et Planétologie) in Toulouse in the group of Government's Space Program provides interest in science and technology in the ChemCam and SuperCam Co-PIs both business and science with a school students and young adults. Sylvestre Maurice. Back at DLR, she reliable political framework for h e a d e d t h e L I B S a n d R a m a n independent planning and action, thus Spectroscopy junior research group at the ensuring that public funds are used SPECIAL REPORT

Paytv subscriptions soars amidst COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced us under extraordinary circumstances to spend more time indoors, severely limiting our movements and journeys, as a result Television, especially pay TV Are standing in to play a major role in economic and social resilience. Chris otoh review the growing surge in pay TV viewership across the world

In December 2019, the first case of the including Hubei, Hunan, Zhejiang, platforms throughout the country until the Covid-19 virus was reported in China. Anhui, and Choingqing had all opened end of April. Non-subscribers will have Since then, the disease has spread to live news and special report programs access to 190 TV channels across popular nearly 180+ countries around the world. about the pandemic. Hunan Satellite genres, while existing subscribers to the The outbreak of Covid-19 has affected TV also produced a program about how operator's satellite service will receive the many factors such as flight cancellations to wear masks and other measures that service for free. and isolation, declaration of a state of could be taken to prevent the virus. The NTV+ is also providing free access to new emergency in many countries, huge supply nation's most popular gala the Spring and current NTV+ subscribers to a chain speed, stock market uncertainty, Festival Gala also adjusted its premium movie package, while access to closure of restaurants, ban on all indoor schedule to comply with the guidance. national channels will be made available events, declining business guarantees, It is a custom to have celebrities knock free of charge on its online and app-based growing population panic and panic among on citizens' doors to celebrate the services. the population and Uncertainty about the festival with them, but this year, in order In Turkey, beIN Media Group-owned future. This intensively researched report to comply with the guidance, it Digiturk is bringing additional services and presentation has been prepared in real- canceled this part to advocate to upgrades to new and current subscribers. time parlance, rendering substantial decrease the public's mobility. All existing DTH sport customers will have attention towards the COVID-19 outbreak As the lockdown eases, in a mere three access to the pay TV operator's that has lately wreaked unprecedented days, a whopping 600 million people entertainment offering free of charge until damage across industries, stagnating tuned in to Bytedance's various video sports events resume. Existing DTH growth. platforms, such as Xigua Video and customers will also have access to the TikTok, to watch the only new BeIN Connect service free until the end of In January, when China discovered the blockbuster they had access to for March, while new beIN Connect virus, it shut down all businesses and months: director Xu Zheng's family customers will receive the service free for required every citizen to do quarantine at comedy Lost in Russia. It is the very the first month. home. At that time, the whole entertainment first time that people across the country New subscribers to non-sports packages industry from cinemas, live events, to were watching a theatrical premiere via will get three months' access to Digitürk's studios were all closed down, and there their mobile devices. Placing a entertainment content for free. was no indication of when everything would theatrical premiere on a streaming In South Africa, MultiChoice is bringing return to normal. It was apparent that there platform was unprecedented and news channels to subscribers and non- would be huge financial losses for triggered theatres' boycott against the subscribers alike on the DStv Now app, production teams, no matter if it was TV movie Lost in Russia. However, and is adding CNN to the DStv Family and production or live events production. according to interviews with several Access packages, while adding According to a Chinese producer, “A daily production company CEOs, investors, Africanews to its service. loss of 500,000 RMB is not even the worst and industry analysts, this “accident” The broadcaster is also making scenario.” Postponing film schedules event may cause a long-term change educational channel Mindset available on imposed direct pressure on the production not only for traditional production its catch-up service, along with Da Vinci, companies' cash flow. Many Chinese companies, but also for short-form until the end of May and is opening up kids production companies are trying to video platforms. channel Nickelodeon to DStv Compact, negotiate some deduction/waive policy with “What's clear at the end of the day is Family and Access subscribers until April the government to allow for filming scenes. that COVID-19 has boosted demand 14. At the end of January, the State for online entertainment it's just a The broadcaster is airing sports Administration for Radio, Film and question of what channels will be documentaries in place of live sports and Television (SARFT) issued guidance delivering it, in what manner.” In fact, has opened up its sports channels to a regarding the publicity of the Covid-19 the decrease and uncertainty of the wider base. The broadcaster has also situation across all national channels. In the movie business encouraged more and added 10 additional movies to its now 40- guidance, it stated that all programs should more production companies to enter strong BoxOffice offering and reduced the be organized by the SARFT with an the TV shows business. c o s t t o Z A R 2 5 . I n G e r m a n y, emphasis on the news regarding the In Russia, pay TV operator NTV+ has ProSiebenSat.1 and Discovery JV Joyn pandemic while cutting down on de-encrypted its TV channels, movies has made its recently-launched premium entertainment programs. Provinces and shows on satellite and OTT offering Joyn+ available free of charge to SPECIAL REPORT

users for the first three months. In total, despite the negative impact of includes more than 100 TV channels, Recently, U.K.-based offgrid solar system COVID-19 and the Chinese economic including two sport channels primarily supplier Bboxx is offering clients in the downturn, according to Digital TV dedicated to football. The DStv Premium Democratic Republic of Congo and Togo a Research, Asia-Pacific will have 417 million package targets higher-income individuals combined offer for solar power and access to SVOD subscriptions by 2025, up from 269 and offers the best entertainment more than 100 channels of Canal+, a France- million in 2019. China will have 269 million programming available, including 135 TV based pay-TV company. Bboxx rents out SVOD subscriptions in 2025, or 65% of the and more than 90 audio channels. Content small offgrid PV systems and televisions, region's total. India will supply a further 45 includes sport, news, documentaries, allowing customers to buy solar power and million, more than double its 2019 total. The international blockbuster movies, series, watch TV programs under a pay-as-you-go focus now is on how successfully SVOD lifestyle programmes, kids' entertainment model by using a mobile phone. “Bboxx and platforms will be able to retain newly and a variety of music channels. Value- Canal+ have a common ambition to largely acquired customers in the second half of added provide the underserved African households 2020 and to what extent AVOD platforms services such as BoxOffice, Connected with both access to electricity and to quality can capitalize on the expanded reach. Explora services (Catch-up Plus and TV content thanks to the bundled offer,” Showmax) and our newly introduced JOOX Bboxx said. music streaming service in South Africa The idea of offering TV programs emerged PayTV players in Africa continue to gain popularity with subscribers, from the Covid-19 crisis, when the need for By 2040, Africa is expected to have the adding over 1.6m subscribers in FY 2019 more power materialized in rural areas. “The largest workforce globally, with diverse well above historic averages. pandemic has meant more people are income levels and a large, fast-growing According to the company's CEO, staying at home than ever before, so having young mass-market segment. Africans are Competition continues to increase in our access to news and entertainment to stay also expected to have increased access to markets with growing video consumption on informed on current affairs while keeping electricity, which supports growth in the online platforms and global players like entertained has never been so important,” the number of TV households and drives Netflix, Amazon, Facebook and iFlix company said. Bboxx supplies solar home demand for video entertainment services. continuing to offer alternatives in our systems in 12 countries across sub-Saharan According to Digital TV Research, global territories. In the pay-TV market, operators Africa, but it also serves the Pakistani market. pay-TV subscribers are expected to reach such as StarSat, ZAP TV, Zuku TV and It installs solar panels capable of providing 1.1bn by 2023, with the majority of growth Azam TV all have the necessary power for five lights, a television, radio, torch, in Africa forecast in the middle and mass broadcasting knowledge and experience to or a 12 V battery. markets. compete with MultiChoice. Improved mobile A new global era for VOD? In Africa, pay-TV providers and OTT broadband penetration also facilitated players have made investments in creating The year 2020 and the COVID crisis might be growing competition in the provision of OTT original content specifically catered for remembered as a tipping point in the services with the entry of StarTimes ON, African audiences. For example, transformation of the global audio-visual iRoko TV, Cell C black and Vodacom StarTimes announced in 2019 that it plans landscape. Alongside conventional television VideoPlay. Our competition also includes to invest USD1.9 million in the channels, free or pay, often specific to each user-generated content. In the context of development of a new channel that will country, we are witnessing the ascent of a Irdeto's operating environment, increasing target mainly women in Kenya, Tanzania plurality in international direct to consumer competition has been identified as a high and Uganda. This type of focused subscription services, with ample financial risk. This includes user-generated content approach has also been adopted by Netflix; means available for creation, production and and larger players in the market. We also it announced its plans in February 2020 to marketing. observe a drive for consolidation between develop an original series for Nigerian The scene will now be increasingly global, as operators and content owners, which audiences. powerful actors with global ambitions impacts negatively on our business as emerging on all continents. While China's film larger conglomerates look to rationalise Africa is attractive to MultiChoice as one of industry has been severely hit by the cost structures. the fastest-growing video-entertainment pandemic, the online entertainment market, In 2020, the group added 1.2m 90-day markets globally. In 2019, multichoice including TV and streaming platforms, have active subscribers year on year (YoY) to made significant investments in high been booming as people were confined to close the period ended 30 September 2020 quality local productions to cater for their homes. According to a report by Maoyan (1H FY21) on 20.1m households and indigenous languages and preferences. Entertainment, a local firm, as of March 15th exceeds the 20m subscriber milestone for We increased our local content 2020, the releases of 44 Chinese films had the first time. This represents growth of 6% pcercentage of general entertainment been cancelled or postponed, including 16 YoY, similar to the prior year, as increased content from 38% to 40% in FY2019, and imported films. consumer demand for video entertainment its online platform double the number of The Chinese market is dominated by three services and an easing of electricity monthly active users. big streaming platforms: iQiyi, majority- shortages in southern Africa were offset by It offers content to our subscribers in tiered owned by Baidu, the Alibaba-owned Youku rising consumer pressure in many markets. packages, each catering to different (Alibaba is the world's largest retailer and e- The 90-day subscriber base is split between income levels within the various markets. commerce company, and one of the largest 11.4m households (57%) in the Rest of The DStv Easy View and GOtv packages Internet-investment corporations in the Africa and 8.7m (43%) in South Africa. are the most affordable and include access world), and Tencent Video, owned by the Revenue increased 2% (-1% organic) to to approximately 30 TV channels covering Chinese multinational conglomerate ZAR26.1bn, with subscription revenues of news, general entertainment, religious Tencent, whose subsidiaries specialize in ZAR22.2bn increasing a solid 5% (3% programming and free-to-air channels. Our various Internet-related services and organic) YoY. Top-line momentum was DStv Compact, Family and Access products, entertainment, AI and technology significantly impacted by COVID-19 in the packages provide access for middle- and both in China and globally. Netflix has been following areas: Advertising revenue lower-income groups. The Family, Access ramping up Chinese production, mostly declined ZAR0.6bn YoY, mainly due to a and GOtv packages offer subscribers a through Taiwan but is not present in the PRC. lack of sport advertising and a generally selection of up to 75 TV channels, and a Tencent Video and iQiyi have already started softer advertising market as a result of lower number of audio channels with the main to take their first tentative steps outside the economic activity. This has, however, focus being local content. The Compact Chinese market, in Thailand and Malaysia. returned to nearly pre-COVID-19 levels in package experienced the most rapid the months of August and September. growth in subscriptions in recent years, and MIDDLE EAST Nilesat-301expected to last over 15 years set for launch in first quarter of 2022

Last year, Nilesat awarded Thales Alenia aeronautics industry, Latécoère is a leader Nilesat and SpaceX join forces for Space the contract to manufacture the new in the field of aerostructures and Nilesat 301 Launch communications Nilesat-301. Based on the interconnection systems, the world leader Spacebus 4000B2 platform, Nilesat-301 has in Avionics Racks, the European leader in Egyptian satellite operator Nilesat has a development timeline of 25 months and is satellite wiring, the world's leading partnered with SpaceX for the launch of expected to last over 15 years in orbit upon independent manufacturer of aircraft N i l e s a t - 3 0 1 g e o s t a t i o n a r y launch in first quarter of 2022 doors, second in the world for electrical communications satellite due in 2022. A Nilesat-301 will deliver communications harnesses. A major player in the contract was sealed between Nilesat Nilesat has continued to see pressure in its aeronautics industry, the Group stands out and SpaceX in Cairo on Tuesday, the revenue and net profit since 2014. In January, for its ability to innovate. Drawing on its first cooperation between the two the Cairo-based company reported USD unique and world-recognised expertise, companies. Last year, Thales Alenia 130.7 million in revenue for the 2019 fiscal Latécoère works across the entire value Space signed a contract with Nilesat to year; the lowest the company has recorded chain. Design, manufacturing, assembly, build Nilesat-301, winning the contract since the USD 200 million high in 2014. installation and MRO: Latécoère aims for against an international field of To salvage its revenue decline and increase excellence and performance across the competitors. The satellite is based on its capacity, Nilesat recently therefore signed board. the Spacebus 4000-B2 platform and will a contract with French aerospace giant Thales Alenia Space weigh about four metric tons at launch. Thales Alenia Space for the manufacture As prime contractor for the Egyptian It offers a design life exceeding 15 and delivery of a new communications operator Nilesat, Thales Alenia Space will years. Nilesat-301 will help extend the satellite named NileSat 301. According to be responsible for satellite design, company's provision of Ku-band reports, NileSat 301, which operates on production, testing and in-orbit acceptance communications and direct digital Thales Alenia's latest Satcom technologies, tests. Thales Alenia Space will also provide broadcasting services in two new large is expected to boost NileSat's capacity and satellite control system for Nilesat in both regions of Africa, while also providing enable the company to be competitive in the Cairo and Alexandria. broadband Ka-band connectivity over market. Positioned at 7° West, Nilesat-301 will work all of Egypt. The Latécoère Interconnection Systems with Nilesat-201 to provide Ku-band Nilesat shall reward SpaceX the launch branch has been selected by Thales Alenia services for the Middle East and North service for Nilesat-301 geostationary Space to supply the electrical harness for the Africa. Nilesat-301 will also help extend the communications satellite due in 2022. satellite bus of the Nilesat-301 geostationary company's provision of Ku-band Once delivered to SpaceX, NileSat-301 communications satellite. communications and direct digital will be fitted on to a SpaceX Falcon 9 As an international leader in the field, broadcasting services in two new large Satellite Launch Vehicle and launched Latécoère Group supports its prestigious regions of Africa, while also providing from Cape Canaveral in Florida, United customers in developing major aeronautics broadband Ka-band connectivity over all of States. programmes. The key players in the industry Egypt. The deal was sealed between Nilesat have long placed their trust in the Group: The satellite is based on the Spacebus and SpaceX in Cairo on Tuesday and Airbus, ATR Boeing, Bombardier, Dassault 4000-B2 platform and will weigh about 4 represents the first cooperation Aviation, Thales, Embraer, etc. Latécoère's metric tons at launch, which is scheduled between the two companies. All investment in R&T enables it to propose for the second quarter of 2022. It offers a Nilesat's previous satellites had been custom-tailored solutions, as well as to design life exceeding 15 years. launched through Ariane Space. handle sharp increases in production. With 100 years of experience in the EUROPE Telescopes record last moments of star 'eaten' by a black hole

Using telescopes from the European Southern Telescope (VLT) and ESO's New Although powerful and bright, up to now Observatory (ESO) in Chile and other Technology Telescope (NTT) at a new astronomers have had trouble investigating organizations around the world, astronomers flash of light that occurred last year close this burst of light, which is often obscured by a including researchers from DTU Space at the to a supermassive black hole, to curtain of dust and debris. Only now have Technical University of Denmark, have spotted a investigate in detail what happens when a astronomers been able to shed light on the rare blast of light from a star being ripped apart star is devoured by such a monster. origin of this curtain. by a supermassive black hole. When a black hole devours a star, it can launch The phenomenon, known as 'a tidal disruption a powerful blast of material outwards that event', is the closest such flare recorded to date. Exciting times in obstructs the view from the researchers. This It took place some 215 million light-years from astrophysics happens because the energy, released as the Earth, and the event has now been studied in Astronomers know what should happen black hole eats up stellar material, propels the unprecedented detail with a wide suite of in theory: When a star is getting too close star's debris outwards. telescopes. “Our prompt and extensive to a supermassive black hole in the centre The discovery was possible because the tidal observations in ultraviolet, optical, X-ray and of a galaxy, the extreme gravitational pull disruption event the team studied, called radio light, revealed, for the first time, a direct of the black hole will shred the star into AT2019qiz, was found just a short time after decade it will enable researchers to connection between the material flowing out thin streams of material, the socalled the star was ripped apart. This made it possible from the star and the bright flare of light emitted detect increasingly fainter and 'spaghettification'. As some of these thin for the researchers to see the curtain of dust faster evolving tidal disruption as it is was 'eaten' by a black hole,” says Ph.D. strands of stellar material fall into the and debris being drawn up as the black hole student Panos Charalampopoulos at DTU events, to solve further mysteries of black hole during this 'spaghettification' launched a powerful outflow of material with black hole physics and give us new Space who is one of the co-authors a new study process, a bright flare of energy is velocities up to 10.000 km/s. describing the event. i n s i g h t i n t o t h i s e x t r e m e released, which astronomers can detect. They could 'look beyond' this curtain and phenomena in space. “This research helps us to get a better “These are very exciting times in our field. pinpoint the origin of the obscuring material understanding of supermassive black holes and Just last week the Nobel prize in Physics and then follow in real time how it engulfed the how matter behaves in the extreme gravity was awarded for the proof that a black hole. This was done by pointing a suite of environments around them”. The new research supermassive black hole exists in the ground-based and space telescopes in the have now been published in the scientific journal centre of our galaxy. This discovery was direction of the event to see how the light from it Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical possible by observing the motion of the was produced. Society. “The idea of a black hole 'sucking in' a stars around a black hole that weighs 6 nearby star sounds like science fiction. But this million Suns over many years,” says is exactly what happens in a tidal disruption Six months of observations Giorgos Leloudas, astrophysicist and The team carried out observations of event,” says Matt Nicholl, lecturer and Royal senior researcher at DTU Space and co- Astronomical Society research fellow at the AT2019qiz, located in a spiral galaxy in the author of the new study. "Now, thanks to constellation of Eridanus, during six months. University of Birmingham and the lead author of this star that 'committed suicide' as we the new study. The scientists estimate that the star had describe i our article it was possible for us roughly the same mass as our own Sun and to briefly get a glimpse of another that the the black hole was over a million times The star went through the supermassive black hole at the centre of more massive. The observations of the event 'spaghettification' process another galaxy. This is the only way we were taken with multiple facilities that included The tidal disruption events, where a star could do that, as we would never be able X-shooter and EFOSC2, powerful instruments experiences what is called 'spaghettification' as to observe the motions of individual stars on ESO's VLT and ESO's NTT, which are it is being sucked in by a black hole, are very rare at such a far distance.” situated in Chile as well as instruments in and not always easy to study. The team of space. When ESO's Extremely Large researchers pointed ESO's Very Large Difficult to observe Telescope (ELT) come into service later in this

IN THE NEWS ASIA

AsiaSat Awarded ISO/IEC hybrid OTT service; hosting service; Grants of between $50,000 and $200,000 cutting edge VSAT solutions serving are available under the two year 27001:2013 Certification for aviation, maritime, mobile backhaul, Demonstrator Feasibility grants program. Information Security AsiaSat helps bridge the digital divide, Asia Satellite Telecommunications aiming to be the foremost satellite New frontier for space Company Limited (AsiaSat), Asia's solutions provider, an instinctive premier satellite solutions provider, has partner of choice in the Asia-Pacific. supply chains been awarded the ISO/IEC 27001:2013 The first program in the Government's certification, a globally recognised Launching Australian $150 million Moon to Mars initiative is international standard for Information open. Local businesses now have the Security Management System (ISMS) for businesses into space opportunity to apply for grants that will its hosting service provided from T h e s e c o n d p r o g r a m i n t h e strengthen skills, capabilities and AsiaSat's teleport in Hong Kong. Government's $150 million Moon to capacity. The certification validates the company's Mars initiative is open. The $3.7 million The Supply Chain capability improvement commitment to continually enhancing its Demonstrator Feasibility grants provide grants will help businesses to double service security and integrity to opportunities for businesses and down on their capabilities. It will also customers. AsiaSat received the researchers to scope out the feasibility support their application across other high certification following a security of projects which have the potential to growth industries such as mining, cyber compliance audit validated by an operate or support operations in space. security and agriculture. independent audit firm, covering areas of This includes activities related to The aim of the Supply Chain program is to operational and security control; NASA's Moon to Mars space exploration lift the participation of Australian information security policies and endeavours. companies in local and international procedures; risk assessment and The aim of the Demonstrator program is space supply chains that could support management; monitoring, measurement to build space heritage. This is essential NASA's inspirational plan to return to the and evaluation. to gain qualification and break into the Moon and travel on to Mars. “In this digital era when data is driving the space market and its supply chains. The Head of the Australian Space Agency Dr world and our economies, safeguarding Demonstrator Feasibility grants are the Megan Clark AC said increasing national information security has become a top first element of the Demonstrator capability is one of the primary areas of priority of any thriving business. This new program. The second element, the focus in the Government's Australian Civil ISO-certified hosting service will leverage Demonstrator Mission grants are Space Strategy. our satellite and ground facilities to expected to open in late 2021. The “These grants are about Australia building deliver fully integrated, service-oriented design of the Demonstrator program on its strengths, partnering for success by solutions. We look forward to continuing aligns with the phases of a typical space diversifying the economy, and building a to exceed customers' expectation in mission life cycle. Head of the Australian high tech workforce that can make a everything we do with the highest Space Agency Dr Megan Clark AC said significant contribution internationally,” Dr standard of quality and information the Demonstrator program will support Clark said. security,” said Ina Lui, Senior Vice commercially focused projects to: “Supply chain partnerships and a clear President, Commercial, Business build capability in the national civil space commercialisation pathway are key to Development & Strategy of AsiaSat. sector t h e s e S u p p l y C h a i n c a p a b i l i t y AsiaSat's teleport is located at the Tai open up global market opportunities improvement grants. We want to see Po Industrial Estate of Hong Kong. This “The Demonstrator Feasibility grants partnerships that bring Australian space world-class facility includes 19 C, Ku are about building capacity and products and services to life and and Ka-band antennas and more than capability in entities that are at the contribute to Australia's export market 50 TVROs to offer a wide range of starting point on the path to developing capacity. This will create jobs and value-added services to data and video and launching products into space,” Dr increase skills at a local level.” customers including signal downlink, Clark said. “The grants will help Eligible projects could include: turnaround and uplink, fibre connectivity, businesses and researchers identify the activities that support the development of transmission platforms and related feasibility of potential projects before space industry technology, products, services. ISO/IEC 27001:2013 is an they embark on the next stages of a processes or services international compliance framework set space mission.” development of a product from an by the International Organisation for “Space exploration opens up new adjacent industry, like manufacturing, to Standardisation (ISO), the world's opportunities for Australia as it provides support the space industry largest developer of voluntary an avenue for Australian businesses to Buyer support is essential. Applicants will international standards, and the apply our best technology and know- need to show they have a buyer who is International Electrotechnical how to space missions. These activities g e n u i n e l y i n t e r e s t e d i n t h e Commission (IEC). Asia Satellite can also support the creation of high- product/service. Telecommunications Company Limited value manufacturing capability, which The $25.7 million Supply Chain capability (AsiaSat) offers reliable satellite can be transferred to other industries.” grants is a five year program with grants of connectivity, media and data solutions Eligible projects could include: between $250,000 and $1 million to customers in the broadcast and concurrent design studies available. telecom sectors through its core fleet of technical feasibility studies and reviews five in-orbit satellites – AsiaSat 5, preliminary design review KAI supply two additional AsiaSat 6, AsiaSat 7, AsiaSat 8 and conceptual design KUH-1P to national police AsiaSat 9, and teleport infrastructure. prototype design and development From traditional content distribution to risk assessments, including national agency headends, telcos, DTH, DTT platforms; security risk Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd.(KAI) Occasional Use; to new IP-based, developing a business case. signed a contract with public procurement s e r v i c e t o d e l i v e r t w o K U H - 28 IN THE NEWS ASIA

Space as an industry partner on a 1P(CHAMSURI) worth as ￦47.1 billion- (ITPS) Canada has signed a previously announced Cooperative won. Two helicopters will be delivered to Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Research Centre Project (CRC-P) to customer by February 2023. with Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) develop composite rocket tanks for low cost CHAMSURI is based on SURION to promote the KAI FA-50 for tactical and space transport. The CRC-P, which adapted for police missions such as adversary training. ITPS will promote includes Griffith University and Etamax integrated defense, counter-terrorism, the FA-50 to customers with the school's Engineering, will manufacture composite traffic management etc. It is also International Tactical Training Center tanks up to two metres in diameter and trial characterized equipping wireless (ITTC). them in rocket flights, in an effort to reduce transmission of aerial images, electro ITPS has been a leading provider of weight and increase reliability. optic-infrared camera, search lights tactical training since 2001. Its Gilmour Space CEO Adam Gilmour said the which enables real-time spot check and International Tactical Training Center is company is excited to work with Northrop controls. Especially, two additional the only commercial entity providing Grumman on this opportunity. “It is great to CHAMSURI are expected to broaden its advanced fighter pilot training including gain the support of Northrop Grumman who, capabilities with newly installed EMS kit Fighter Weapons Instructor courses, through this investment, have further including oxygenator, automated Advanced Tactics courses and Mission demonstrated their commitment to grow external defibrillator and air conditioning Commander courses to international Australian space capability.” system allowing patient evacuation in customers. “We look forward to working with Northrop broiling summer. ITTC is currently providing Fighter Lead- Grumman on delivering for our nation as we National police agency was the first In Training (FLIT) to the Royal Malaysian work to launch our first commercial customer operating SURION-based Air Force in London, Ont. ITTC operates payloads to orbit in 2022.” h e l i c o p t e r s a m o n g d o m e s t i c a fleet of Aero Vodochody L-39 aircraft government agencies and totally ten featuring upgraded avionics for the FLIT CHAMSURI are purchased from police program. The school plans to replace its Nokia to digitalize crane including this contract. L-39 fleet with the FA-50. monitoring systems in KAI said, “Customer's satisfaction with “The KAI FA-50 is a great aircraft,” said Pelindo 4 Indonesia CHAMSURI performance are high and ITPS president Giorgio Clementi. “The we are targeting higher operation ratio aircraft's performance, flying qualities Nokia today announced that its IP/MPLS through prompt engineering and follow- and mission capabilities make it the network solution has been selected and up support that only KAI can do.” ideal platform for tactical and adversary deployed by Pelindo 4, a leading port The first Korean helicopter, KUH-1, is training missions, and a great fit for ITPS management company in Indonesia, to produced for the army in 2012 derived to to replace our L-39 fleet. A new aircraft provide LTE wireless connectivity for seven different purposes as marine supported by the manufacturer and with remote real-time monitoring of its crane utility, police, emergency medical, forest the associated engineering and performance and operation. service and coast guard. logistical support ensures reliable and Nokia, with its partner Kurnia Energy Korea had no choice, but to rely on cost-effective operations into the future. Engineering (KEE), has deployed its 7705 foreign helicopters and this made Korea The FA-50 is a winner, and we are Service Aggregation Router–Hm, which face unexpected situations having very delighted to be collaborating with KAI!” high operating cost, engineering support extends IP/MPLS services over cellular and WLAN networks, on all the cranes across delay, work efficiency decrease and low Gilmour Space and compatibility of training before Korea the Makassar Container Terminal (TPM). made its own helicopter, Surion. Northrop Grumman sign With this networking capability, Pelindo 4 Current helicopter market size in Korea MoU to Grow Sovereign can now monitor container crane and rubber tire gantry crane assets from its is about 120 helicopters and KUH only Capabilities in Australia takes up to 16 helicopters having 10 of control room in real time for dynamic control police, 2 of emergency medical, 1 of and management of container cranes, forest service and 3 of coast guard. Australian rocket company, Gilmour leading to greater operational efficiency and KAI have strong will to hold a lead over Space Technologies, has signed a improved safety. foreign helicopters on the basis of Memorandum of Understanding Nokia's solution fully supports third-party immediate follow-up service and thus (MOU) with global aerospace giant crane monitoring systems, making it ideal expand the domestic market. Northrop Grumman Corporation to for delivering on the specific requirements To enable this plan, KAI manage 14 work on developing sovereign space of customers. Furthermore, as it is a offices in Korea to support continuous capabilities in Australia. wireless extension of Pelindo 4's operations engineering service and specialized “Northrop Grumman aims to lead network, it creates opportunities for training center is also located in KAI industry support in developing additional use cases, including the headquarter reducing the training cost Australian sovereign space capabilities monitoring of trucks, water pollutants and with site advantage. to help meet the needs of defence and container identification. Abroad exhibitions are cancelled due to realise the Australian Space Agency Josef Benny Rohy, General Manager at covid-19, however, KAI don't stop vision,” said Chris Deeble, chief Terminal Peti Kemas Makasar Pelindo 4, marketing activities inviting 16 countries executive, Northrop Grumman said: “We are looking for innovations to ambassador to introduce aerospace Australia. “Our approach is consistent streamline and enhance our seaport industries in Korea and providing with the Australian government's operations, and Nokia is an important opportunities boarding the CHAMSURI. r e c e n t l y a n n o u n c e d M o d e r n partner helping us achieve this. Nokia's Manufacturing Strategy, to make space holistic solution helps us get better visibility hardware in Australia while securing of the crane operations through 24/7 real- ITPS signs MOU with sovereign capabilities in priority areas time data streaming. We further believe this K o r e a n A e r o s p a c e that includes defence and space.” collaboration with Nokia will pave the way Industries As an initial task under the MOU, for development of new business cases in The International Test Pilots School Northrop Grumman will join Gilmour t h e f i e l d o f a s s e t p e r f o r m a n c e management.”

29 IN THE NEWS ASIA

Erwin Kurniawan, Director at Kurnia Earth orbit (LEO). This growing use of business case.” Energy Engineering, said: “Partnering space brings significant benefits to society Astroscale's future missions include with Nokia has allowed us to cater to but also greatly increases the threat of Phase I of the Japan Aerospace Pelindo 4's specific requirements to collision or break-up. This growing potential Exploration Agency's Commercial digitalize its seaport operations. for additional debris creation endangers Removal of Debris Demonstration Together, we aim to enhance safety and current and future satellite missions and (CRD2) project, scheduled to launch in efficiency of its operations by delivering puts society's reliance on data from space early 2023, as well as the company's first solutions that will unlock new at risk. ELSA-d will demonstrate a valuable satellite life-extension platform in connectivity and automation scenarios. service by safely removing defunct geostationary orbit. This will further bring many new satellites from orbit to maintain the viability business opportunities in the era of of LEO. Japan begins testing rover digital transformation.” The ELSA-d mission will demonstrate KP Goh, Head of Indonesia at Nokia, multiple dynamically complex capture that will study the surface said: “This project with Pelindo 4 marks activities necessary to remove defunct of the Martian moon Nokia's first entry into the Indonesian objects from orbit using an innovative Phobos seaport. To support this project, Nokia is approach consisting of a servicer (~175kg) Since last year, the Japanese space delivering a flexible solution that can and a client (~17kg), launched together. agency JAXA has been working on the meet a variety of business case The servicer, equipped with proximity Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) objectives, especially in asset-intensive rendezvous technologies and a magnetic mission, which will aim to visit the Martian industries. We are glad that forward- capture mechanism, will repeatedly release moon Fobos, the largest of the two that thinking companies like Pelindo 4 are and dock with the client, which has been orbit the Red Planet, to seek answers embracing new technologies to make its prepared with a ferromagnetic docking about the mysteries of their formation . operations more efficient, sustainable plate. Astroscale intends to prove the For this, the mission will have an orbiter and safe for its workers.” capabilities required for debris removal, and a rover – which is already undergoing Nokia has deployed solutions for including client search, inspection and tests for the team to land, a very maritime that include private wireless rendezvous, and both non-tumbling and challenging moment of the mission. networks at the ports of Antwerp and tumbling docking. The rover – which still has no name – is Zeebrugge in Belgium as well as Astroscale will operate ELSA-d out of the still under development by a French and UK using the In-Orbit Servicing Control and Oulu in Finland. German team. To descend to the surface HaminaKotka Centre National Facility (IOCC) developed Nokia's solutions for maritime provide a of Phobos, the rover will likely face a 40 to by a team led by Astroscale. The IOCC, 100 meter free fall, and the procedure is platform for modernizing container located at the Satellite Applications terminal, port and shipping operations. being tested by the mission team at the Catapult in Harwell, Oxfordshire, was facilities of the Landing and Mobility Test developed specifically for satellite servicing Facility, of the German Aerospace Center Astroscale Announces missions. “Astroscale UK is proud to be (DLR). In addition, the rover will also have March 2021 Launch Date operating this exciting mission,” says John to face extreme environmental for World's First Auburn, Managing Director of Astroscale's conditions, as temperatures in Fobos UK office. “ELSA-d will be groundbreaking range from -150 ° C to 50 ° C throughout Commercial Active Debris in so many ways — it will demonstrate the the day. To resist all this, the vehicle's Removal Demonstration first semi-autonomous capture of a non- interior will have to maintain a constant Mission responsive, tumbling client, as well as the temperature to guarantee the integrity of first identification of a client located outside the collected data. “Therefore, tests of the servicer's sensor field of view.” how the rover will behave at different Astroscale Holdings Inc. (“Astroscale”), While ELSA-d will most notably temperatures will be done in 2021, with a the market-leader in securing long-term demonstrate the technical capabilities thermal model”, comments Markus orbital sustainability, today announced needed for orbital debris removal, the Grebenstein, project manager for the that its End-of-Life Services by mission also highlights Astroscale's efforts MMX rover. Astroscale-demonstration (ELSA-d) to drive the global conversation on policies Thus, a preliminary development model mission will launch on a Soyuz rocket and the business cases behind the on-orbit was created for engineers to determine operated by GK Launch Services from servicing ecosystem. With a space how to design the rover to withstand Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, in segment developed in Japan, a ground impact, imitating the gravitational March 2021. segment in the UK, launch from conditions of Phobos. “Under laboratory “We now have the launch in our sights,” Kazakhstan, ground station support in conditions, we dropped the preliminary China launched two satellite for its GPSsystem (Source: China Daily says Seita Iizuka, ELSA-d Project multiple countries, and a team that spans model of the MMX rover from a height of Manager. “Publicly announcing this five countries, Astroscale epitomizes five centimeters on a changeable significant milestone is possible thanks international collaboration. Additionally, the surface, at varying angles,” explains to years of teamwork. The ELSA-d company's global supply chain and Michael Lange, test manager at the DLR program demonstrates complex and discussions with a growing list of potential Institute of Composite Structures and innovative capabilities that will support customers are evidence of the commercial Adaptive Systems. This preliminary test satellite operators in realizing options for viability of this part of the space economy. model already looks like the final version their post-mission disposal strategies “Our passionate and dedicated global team of the MMX rover: the model has two and establish Astroscale as a global is excited to get closer to the launch of wheels assembled, two for testing only leader in the on-orbit servicing market.” ELSA-d,” says Nobu Okada, Founder and and a mechanical safety system for Decreased launch and satellite CEO of Astroscale. “We're on the brink of a launch and landing. Thus, the model is development costs, an increasing global new chapter in on-orbit servicing, and being used to detect and identify possible dependence on data from space and the Astroscale is eager to take this important problems in the project structure, in rise of large commercial satellite next step in demonstrating technical addition to providing as much detail as constellations have led to a rapidly innovation, advancing the discussion on possible. One of the challenges of these increasing population of objects in low international policies and proving the tests is that, as the rover is going to free 30 IN THE NEWS ASIA

fall, the orientation in which it will fall is a rockets from the Northern Territory's Vista in the space propulsion company, mystery – not to mention the possibility of Arnhem Space Centre; and co- Aliena, and our venture capital impact with rocks. “The exact location of investment in innovative space and tech investment in the Arnhem Space Centre. the landing on the surface of Phobos is a companies that add value to the space Both these projects are tremendously matter of chance, and we are using these supply chains in the respective locations. exciting and position the Darwin analyzes to prepare for the possible This MoU signing in the midst of the global Innovation Hub as a valuable new player varied scenarios,” says Michael pandemic signifies both countries' firm in the Asia Pacific space sector. We hope Wrasmann, of the DLR Institute of Space commitment to move ahead with this that Project Cyclotron will open doors for Systems. In addition to the analyzes, international partnership in spite of these increased research and development computer modeling is also being done, extraordinary circumstances. and facilitate launch and testing and this work will help to form the final Project Cyclotron focuses on building opportunities for the Arnhem Space design of the rover, which should be less regional space and deep tech companies, Centre,” said Harley Paroulakis, CEO of than 60 cm in length. The MMX mission by providing them with highly customised Darwin Innovation Hub. is due to launch in 2024 and will enter support for commercial success, Mars orbit the following year. The main including potential investment, business SpaceX to launch a Turkish targets of the mission are the moons and technical insights, marketing Phobos and Deimos, which will be platforms and resources and market newest satellite studied to better understand their origins. access in Asia Pacific. Turkey's satellite launch with SpaceX by The MMX rover is expected to land in “As Space is a niche sector, SpaceTech year-end has put the country among the Fobos in late 2026 or early 2027. The companies require significant support to league of nations with a strong vehicle will spend about 100 days catalyse their growth across various understanding about space missions. analyzing the properties of the surface of industry and geographical sectors. We The last decade has been a turning point Fobos in detail – and will be able to are delighted to be deepening our for Turkey's space ambitions as the record images in 8K of what to see there relationship with the Australian's Northern country strengthened its indigenous – in addition to to discover essential Territory Government and Darwin space-related know-how, moving up as a information for understanding the Innovation Hub to work together to competitive player in the global arena. formation of Martian moons. collectively benefit the SpaceTech As part of Ankara's space program, ecosystem in the Asia-Pacific region”, RASAT and Gokturk 2 were launched in Pandemic does not slow said Chng Zhen Hao, CEO Cap Vista. 2011 and 2012, sending the two Turkish- “This collaboration with the Northern made satellites into orbit for earth Singapore-Australia's Territory Government and Darwin observatory missions. Northern Territory Space Innovation Hub is valuable for our To strengthen the country's production and Deep Tech startups, who would benefit from output in the space industry, the connections to the Australian space government was quick to establish collaborations industry and physical sites to test their state-of-the-art space systems at the technologies. Project Cyclotron state-funded institution called Assembly, On 19 November 2020, the Australia's companies like Aliena, which is Integration and Testing (AIT) centre in Northern Territory Government and the developing ultra low power electric Ankara, which has been operational Darwin Innovation Hub signed a propulsion systems, is currently since 2015. The AIT operates Turkey's Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) partnering with the Darwin Innovation mid-size satellite projects. with Cap Vista Pte Ltd and Singapore Hub. We also plan to collaborate on The head of Turkey's Presidential Digital Space & Technology Ltd (SSTL) for a projects for other companies in the Transformation Office, Ali Taha Koc strategic partnership to collaborate on portfolio, like Bifrost, which generates announced on Tuesday that SpaceX will space activities through Project labelled synthetic data for AI training for launch the fourth Turkish satellite to orbit Cyclotron, Cap Vista and SSTL's joint geospatial companies. To be able to push by the end of this year. It is being built by venture-building programme for space this MOU through in the current COVID- Germany-based Airbus Defence and and deep tech companies. 19 climate speaks of our strongest Space, which is among the pioneers in Due to the Covid-19 restrictions, the commitment to make the collaboration aerospace technology. successful signing ceremony took place work” said Lynette Tan, Chief Executive of “With Turksat 5A, Turkey will have a over a hybrid event; on-site in Australia, SSTL. coverage area that encompasses the at the Darwin Innovation Hub and in “Project Cyclotron recognises the aligned Middle East, Europe, North Africa and Singapore, at the High Commission of objectives of Singapore and the Northern South Africa,” said Koc. Australia, and virtually over Zoom. The Territory Government to grow and The satellite will be carrying 42 Australian High Commissioner to strengthen the space industry in our transponders and will be located at a Singapore, His Excellency Bruce region. The Northern Territory has somewhat unused Turkish orbital slot at Gosper, hosted the signing event in geographic advantages for space 31 degrees East. Singapore, while the First Secretary at activities and we are perfectly positioned Another satellite, Turksat 5B, is also the Singapore High Commission in to benefit from the space economy and under construction by Airbus and it will be Canberra, Abigail Ho, was a witness to the jobs it will bring.” shared the Northern ready for launch next year – again by the signing event in Australia. Territory Deputy Chief Minister, the Hon. SpaceX. The MoU aims to establish a strategic Nicole Manison MLA. Ankara has also been working on collaboration between Australia's “Project Cyclotron will provide the Darwin building its own Turksat 6A craft which is Northern Territory and Project Cyclotron I n n o v a t i o n H u b t h e h i g h - l e v e l expected to be launched in 2022. that could enable a two-way deal flow of Government and institutional framework Turksat AS began the project of Turksat space startups between Australia's needed to deliver more projects and 5A and 5B in 2011 but it was delayed until Northern Territory and Singapore. private sector capital to the Northern Airbus Defence and Space were Opportunities for collaboration include Territory space sector. It will provide selected as prime contractor in October test-bedding and market validation; capacity to build upon our established 2017, with Turkish Aerospace Industries launch of Singapore-built payloads and investments; a co-investment with Cap (TAI) acting as the local industrial partner.

31 IN THE NEWS ASIA

Turksat 5A, 5B and 6A become a competitive space systems November 29, 2020. Turksat 5B is a geostationary high- manufacturer, and will become a throughput communications satellite built stakeholder for manned and unmanned for Turksat AS by Airbus Defence and space missions in the near future. We University of Philippines to Space, but is being partially assembled expect the satellite market to become and integrated (approximately 25 percent much more competitive in the coming train 8 new Filipino satellite of the build) in Turkey. years. But Turksat will be more than makers Turksat 5B is also built on the all-electric ready for any competition with its six The University of the Philippines (UP) Airbus Defence and Space Eurostar- satellites,” he explained. Electrical and Electronics Engineering 3000EOR bus and will weigh about 4,500 Institute (EEEI) will be training the second kg and will feature Ku- and Ka-band high- Japan's first StriX satellite batch of Filipino satellite builders in throughput (HTS) payloads offering to launch on Rocket Lab's nanosatellite engineering under the satellite broadband speeds of up to 50 Space Science Proliferation through Gbps. Electron University Partnerships or STeP-UP With the aim of strengthening its arsenal Japanese Earth-imaging company Program, at the core of which is the UP of space capabilities, Turkey has also Synspective will launch its first of 30 StriX EEEI's Masters in Engineering program. started building its own communications satellites on Rocket Lab's 17th Electron satellite called Turksat 6A, the vehicle, its seventh mission of the year, The second landmark batch of STeP-UP culmination of local technology Rocket Lab announced. scholars met virtually last November 6, powerhouses Tubitak Space, Turkish The Synspective mission is scheduled 2020 with the pioneering STeP-UP Class Aerospace, Aselsan, and CTECH, as well for lift-off during a 14-day launch window of 2019 their successors in a kick-off as state-owned satellite operator Turksat. opening on 12 December UTC and will ceremony over Zoom. Turksat 6A is scheduled to be launched in launch from Rocket Lab Launch The event was attended by many 2022. Complex 1 on New Zealand's Māhia prominent names in the Philippine space Turksat 6A is being developed by the Peninsula to a targeted 500km circular science and technology industry, Spacecraft Assembly, Integration and low Earth orbit, the company said. including Department of Science and Test Centre located in Ankara which was The mission is named 'The Owl's Night Technology (DOST) Secretary Fortunato ordered by Turksat AS in 2014 from Begins' in a nod to Synspective's StriX dela Peña, Philippine Space Agency Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI). It is a family of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) (PhilSA) Director General Joel Marciano, domestic satellite project and will be the spacecraft developed to be able to image Jr., DOST Science Education Institute product of a collaboration between the millimeter-level changes to the Earth's Director Josette Biyo, and UP Diliman ministry and organisations and surface from space, independent of Chancellor Fidel Nemenzo, among companies such as defence firm, weather conditions on Earth and at any others. ASELSAN, Turkish Aerospace Industries time of the day or night. Strix is also the The STeP-UP Scholarship is a component (TAI) and CTech, along with Turksat and genus of owls, Rocket Lab explained. of the STAMINA4Space program, which the country's top scientific body, the The StriX-α satellite onboard this mission aims to build a healthy and vibrant space Scientific and Technological Research will be the first of a series of spacecraft infrastructure in the country. With the help Council of Turkey (TUBITAK). deployments for Synspective's planned of UP's partner, the Kyushu Institute of The satellite will feature 16 Ku-band constellation of more than 30 SAR small Technology (KyuTech), the first batch of transponders for commercial and civil satellites to collate data of metropolitan STeP-UP scholars was trained in the first communications and two X-band centers across Asia on a daily basis that ever Master's in Engineering in Electrical t r a n s p o n d e r s f o r m i l i t a r y can be used for urban development Engineering program, with a special focus communications. planning, construction and infrastructure on nanosatellite engineering, at the UP Talking about the importance of the monitoring, and disaster response. Electrical and Electronics Engineering Turksat 6A project, President Recep Institute (EEEI). The pioneering class Tayyip Erdogan in January said: “With this Calling all astrophiles! used the knowledge they gained to create project, Turkey will become one of 10 Philippine Space Agency is the first locally built nano- or cube countries in the world that produces its satellites, Maya 3 and 4. own telecommunication satellites.” hiring While barely being over a kilogram in The project of Turksat 6A marks the Ever dreamed of working for a space mass each, the satellites can contribute biggest space-related milestone in the agency? This dream is now closer to considerably to the country's economic, country's history, and was the yield of the reality as the Philippine Space Agency territorial, and disaster risk reduction establishment of the Turkish Space o p e n s 2 2 j o b p o s i t i o n s — f r o m efforts. Their predecessor, Maya 1, for Agency in 2018. The agency is administrative and human resource instance, which was built by two Filipino responsible for the preparation and management officers, to legal assistants students at KyuTech, had the capacity to implementation of Turkey's National and information officers. The company communicate with ham radios on the Space Program and is to be the key also announced its plans to hire ground and carried two cameras with catalyst in the growth of Turkey's space scientists and engineers soon. wide-angle and narrow-angle lenses to capabilities and the coordination between In a Facebook post, the agency provided capture photos and videos when it was institutions. detailed job description for each position. launched back in 2018. Earlier this summer, the CEO of Turksat Interested applicants can send in a letter “Though it is very much smaller than its AS, Cenk Sen, said that the reinforced of intent addressed to agency chief Joel predecessors, its importance to positioning and a strengthened arsenal of Joseph Marciano Jr., an updated communication and disaster-related capabilities are necessary to survive and personal data sheet, school records, concerns is not diminished,” said UP thrive, especially since the global market certificate of eligibility/license/rating, College of Engineering Dean Ferdinand is becoming an increasingly competitive training certificates, and employment G. Manegdeg. According to him, landscape. certificates, if applicable. Those photographs taken by these smaller “Turkey is ambitiously moving forward to interested can send in their applications satellites can very much be used by to [email protected] until

32 IN THE NEWS ASIA

policymakers and stakeholders to craft educational content, mentorship from to the “Two-ship Combination” in 2019, policies that will impact the environment. senior college students and additional Harbin engineers and students painted “Saying that these nanosatellites are presentations.. Any middle or high school ocean dreams on the snow. “Snow Aircraft essential to the economy is an student, parent, or teacher interested in Carrier” has gradually been built into the understatement.” STEM fields can visit the website for the Harbin Project's ice and snow While the piomeering c;ass of STeP-UP opportunity to explore careers paths. characteristic cultural brand activities. scholars are in the process of finnishibg “A variety of STEM-related content was From 20 people in 2018, to 400 people in their degrees —in addition to Maya 3 and developed to help female students who 2019, to 700 people this year, more and 4, which they plan to hand over to JAXA for choose career paths in science and more students are participating in snow launching in February 2021—the second engineering,” said Hye-yeon Ahn, The construction of the ground aircraft batch will be hard at work in applying their president of WISET. “As the demand for carrier is coming. knowledge to launching Maya 5 and Maya science, technology and engineering 6. According to STAMINA4Space personnel increases in the era of the 4th The design of the “Snow Aircraft Carrier” Program Leader Gay Jane Perez, they industrial revolution, we will continue to this year is ingenious and profound. The hope to finish their pair of nanosatellites by support female students and their interest students from the School of Mechanical 2022. in science and technology.” and Electrical Engineering of Harbin Engineering University designed a fleet Coming from a broad range of “Northrop Grumman is proud to partner that symbolizes the inheritance of the backgrounds, these upcoming STeP-UP with WISET for the second year and “Military Spirit”, starting from China's first scholars also come from various regions in support this virtual WOMEN@STEM manned submersible vehicle-7103 From the country. They include: Gio Asher Career Day,” said Dong Ha, chief lifeboats to the deep submersible “Striver” Tagabi from Quezon City; Chandler Timm executive, Northrop Grumman South that successfully sat on the bottom of the Doloriel from Surigao del Norte; 2nd Lt. Korea. “We are committed to helping Mariana Trench, from the domestic aircraft Genesis Remocaldo from Clark Air Base inspire the next-generation of Korean carrier “Shandong” in the distant ocean to Pampanga; Anna Ruth Alvarez from female leaders who dream of working in the Guozhihe 095 nuclear submarine in Misamis Oriental; Angela Clarisse Chua science and engineering, and provide the depths of the ocean, students will from Manila; Joseph Jonathan Co from them with opportunities for career share several different ages The fleet Valenzuela City; Ronald Collamar from experiences through STEM activities.” combination presents a vivid picture of Bulacan; and, Khazmir Camille Valerie With an office in Seoul for almost 30 “making a sword with loyalty, why be afraid Macaraeg from Quezon City. years, Northrop Grumman is proud of its of the deep and far of the ocean”, depicting According to STeP-UP Project Leader l o n g - s t a n d i n g p a r t n e r s h i p a n d the mission and responsibilities of Paul Jason Co, scholars like those in the commitment to South Korea and the generations of engineers “for ships, for the upcoming batch are essential if the Republic of Korea's Ministry of National sea, for national defense” on the military Philippines is to build its capabilities in D e f e n s e . I n a d d i t i o n t o t h e playground. satellite building, and in space technology WOMEN@STEM events, the company in general. also participates in several STEM Compared with previous years, this year's “Capable scientists, researchers, and initiatives for South Korean youth. fleet has integrated a number of engineers must be trained to sustain the technologies that will be applied in ecosystem,” he said. And while both Northrop Grumman solves the toughest scientific research in the ship and sea field. batches have hit understandable rough problems in space, aeronautics, defense The biggest highlight is Beidou navigation. patches in their progress due to the and cyberspace to meet the ever evolving Qi Mingyang, a graduate student of the COVID-19 pandemic, Co remains needs of our customers worldwide. Our School of Intelligence, said: “In previous confident that the scholars will be able to 90,000 employees define possible every years, the snowship was built using make their mark in Philippine space sci- day using science, technology and manual tracing methods. This year, the tech history on schedule. engineering to create and deliver Beidou RTK combined with UWB advanced systems, products and positioning technology developed by the services. Intelligent Navigation and Detection Northrop Grumman and Laboratory was used to provide WISET Hold Virtual STEM China successfully deploys continuous and stable centimeter-level Beidou satellite to positioning. The positioning accuracy of Program for Korean the key points of the snowship has been Students accurately locate Harbin improved to ensure that the snowship is in Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: engineers the correct position. The entire positioning NOC) and the Korea Center for Women in process has been shortened twice as long Science, Engineering and Technology On November 22, on the 10 cm thick as before.” (WISET) host the '2020 WOMEN@STEM snow in the military playground of Harbin Career Day Program'. The virtual event Engineering University, more than 700 The day before the snow fleet was built, the will be held Nov. 26 to Dec. 18 for female students from multiple colleges waved positioning team and the industrial design high school students interested in science, their shovel to clear the snow and major of the School of Mechanical and technology, engineering and mathematics transport the snow, leveling and shaping. Electrical Engineering came to the scene (STEM). Three hours later, they were in the snow. in advance. Within 5 hours, 168 feature “Shandong Ship”, “095 Nuclear points and 1200 wiring were located on the Sponsored by Northrop Grumman and Submarine, “7103 Lifeboat”, and “Fighter 230-meter-long and 112-meter-wide hosted by WISET, the WOMEN@STEM Submersible” have been built. military playground. Duomi outlines the Career Day is a career exploration embryonic form of the'snowship' program designed to cultivate future talent This year is the third consecutive year formation, and realizes a perfect fusion of in the era of the Fourth Industrial that Harbin engineers have “opened” the art and science. “ Revolution. snow aircraft carrier into the industrial This year's virtual event provides STEM playground. From the “Liaoning” in 2018 33 IN THE NEWS AMERICAS

NASA Awards Contract for carried out by professionals qualified by operations in Europe. Flexjet is the fleet Flight and Integration the program and fulfilled the following launch customer for the Praetor models, schedule: having received the first Praetor 500 Services On the 1st day, the tools and resources less than a year ago, in December 2019. available on the GLOBE website and its The deal, valued at approximately USD NASA has selected Virgin Galactic LLC of applications were presented, as well as 1.4 billion, was announced at NBAA- Las Cruces, New Mexico, and Masten the study of atmosphere protocols, with BACE 2019 and comprises a fleet of Space Systems Inc. of Mojave, California, the presence of Prof. Dr. Rodrigo Reis, Praetor 600, Praetor 500 and Phenom to provide flight and integration services from the Federal University of Paraná 3 0 0 . for payloads chosen by the agency's Flight (UFPR), who spoke on the topic “Air Opportunities program, which is managed Pollution and its Impacts on Health”. C 'We are honored to continue to execute at the agency's Armstrong Flight Research On the 2nd day, the invited speaker was our commitment to Flexjet, our Center in Edwards, California. The two P r o f . M á r c i o E l o i , f r o m t h e esteemed partner of more than 17 companies join four others to provide Geoenvironmental Nucleus of the State years, with the delivery of this first service under commercial indefinite- University of Maranhão (UEMA), who Praetor 600,' said Michael Amalfitano, delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) dealt with “Climate Change and President & CEO of Embraer Executive contracts with NASA. Sustainable Development in Schools”. Aviation. “It is a privilege to collaborate in The new IDIQ base contract awards run Then, presentations were made on introducing not only the most disruptive through July 31, 2023, and have no aerosols, cloud types and how to use the and technologically advanced super- options. The multiple award contracts are GLOBE Observer App for cloud medium jet in the world, but also in firm-fixed-price orders with a total observation. In addition, it was taught delivering the latest generation of combined value of $45 million. how to perform the “Cloud in the Bottle” business aviation to Flexjet jet owners in experiment, so that teachers were able Europe.” The government intends to acquire to reproduce it with their students. “We have spent the past three years payload space on commercial flights, strengthening the foundations to including payload integration services, to On the 3rd day, the visiting professor become a powerhouse in European fly technology payloads on platforms that was the meteorologist Kleber Ataíde, private aviation and we are proud to provide high altitude, reduced gravity, or from the National Institute of exceed the expectations of this valuable other relevant environments required to Meteorology (INMET), who gave the market,” said Michael Silvestro, CEO of test and advance the technologies. lecture “Meteorology by Satellites: the Flexjet. 'The Praetor 600, with its The Flight Opportunities program works use of satellite imagery products”. Then, unrivaled technology, comfort and toward maturing flight readiness of new the themes were “Observations and category leader in performance with cross-cutting technologies that advance or Satellite Match, tools and curiosities”, intercontinental reach, completes the enable multiple future space missions. “Earth as a system: Bundle sphere of fleet that will help us to meet all the Since 2011, the program has provided observations”, and about what needs and desires of Flexjet owners in opportunities to fly more than 700 possibilities GLOBE can provide to the Europe.’ technology payloads on flight platforms classroom. that provide relevant environments Embraer and Flexjet form a long required to test technologies in order to GLOBE is flexible to the school successful partnership. In 2003, Flight advance their technology readiness. The curriculum and can be adapted to meet Options – which merged with Flexjet in program is part of NASA's Space the individual needs of educational 2015 – became the first shared Technology Mission Directorate. institutions. The program allows ownership program to introduce the students – under the guidance of their Legacy business jet to its fleet. In 2010, AEB holds second edition of teachers – to develop skills, including they introduced the Phenom 300 and, in GLOBE 2020 Training critical thinking, scientific research 2012, the company received the 100th methodologies, data analysis and unit produced of the Phenom 300. In independent learning, promoting 2015, Flexjet became the first jointly The Brazilian Space Agency (AEB), an autonomy in the process of building owned company to offer the Legacy 500, autarchy linked to the Ministry of Science, students' knowledge. later receiving the 1,000th jet. executive Technology and Innovations (MCTI), held delivered by Embraer, a Legacy 500, in the 2nd GLOBE Training on-line, due to The GLOBE Observer application, 2016. The Legacy 450 then joined the the isolation measures imposed to prevent available on the AppStore and Google fleet of Flexjet jets in 2016. the spread of Covid-19, in the days Play, allows the observation of November 18, 19 and 20, 2020, with the environmental data through four With Embraer's commitment to theme “Cloud Protocol, Atmospheric protocols: clouds, mosquitoes, ground continuously improve each of the four Sciences and the GLOBE Program”. In cover and trees. Be a citizen scientist executive jets in the portfolio, category these three days, classes and lectures and follow the GLOBE program in Brazil! leaders, recent updates have been were broadcast live, starting at 5:30 pm, . made to the Praetors, which include The training was aimed at elementary and improvements in cabin safety – making high school teachers from public or private Embraer delivers first the HEPA air filter standard, approval of Brazilian schools. praetor 600 to flexjet, fleet the use of the MicroShield360 ™ owner launching the cleaning coating and certification of the With 100 places available free of charge, new electric toilet door – in addition to those interested in participating in the praetor the Synthetic Vision Guidance System training were able to register until Embraer delivered the first jet of a (SVGS) certification. November 13th, through the link posted on Praetor 600 fleet to Flexjet. The aircraft \ the AEB website. The GLOBE training is will be used to expand the company's

36 IN THE NEWS AMERICAS

New in Satellite-Cellular custom applications for a variety of Along those lines, SpaceX is now Technology: The industries. This allows easy customization hopefully set on launching Starship SN8 of any IoT solution, and ORBCOMM also within the near future. First, though, the Programmable ST 9100 for provides out-of-the-box terminal apps that company apparently plans to attempt Custom IoT Solutions help accelerate solution development, another Raptor engine static fire test on The latest in ORBCOMM's line of next- allowing solution providers to get to Monday, November 30th. Scheduled market faster. ORBCOMM further generation IoT devices, the ST 9100 is between 7 am and 9 pm CST, the test has supports partners with a comprehensive been described as a “handoff” static fire, the most advanced terminal yet, boasting development kit that includes hardware, referring to the process of switching each multi-network connectivity and a flexible s o f t w a r e d e v e l o p m e n t t o o l s , Raptor engine's propellant feed from programming environment for custom IoT documentation, accessories and support Starship's main tank to much smaller solutions. The ST 9100 is purpose-built for to write and test IoT solutions and facilitate 'header' tanks reserved for landings. use by ORBCOMM's vast partner network, deployment. enabling them to develop applications in a variety of industries. Why broadcast C-band Delivering cellular and satellite SpaceX sets dates for users need to take action connectivity, this dual-mode telematics Starship static fire, high- now device is designed for monitoring and altitude launch debut controlling assets in some of the most 5G – mobile technology's future and the remote geographies around the world. CEO Elon Musk says that SpaceX is set to most radical driver of transformation The ST 9100 can be used for a wide attempt one final Raptor engine static fire today – promises to both create exciting variety of IoT applications such as vehicle test before putting Starship through its new opportunities while posing fresh security, fleet management, vessel high-altitude launch debut later this week. challenges for broadcasters and content monitoring, fisheries management as well Liable to begin as soon as November 30th providers. The significantly enhanced as the remote monitoring of equipment in Musk says that Starship serial number 8's network infrastructure becoming the oil & gas, construction and utilities (SN8) launch debut – both Starship's first available through the rollout of 5G sectors. fully-assembled flight test and first high- networks will massively improve the altitude launch attempt – is now production of live sports, music, and other The ST 9100 is designed to be future scheduled no earlier than (NET) 8 am to 5 arena-based content. It will also enable proof. On cellular networks, the terminal pm CST (UTC-6) on Wednesday, far greater bandwidth, high data speeds, has 4G LTE capabilities, along with 3G December 2nd. connection density, and much lower and 2G fallback. The satellite network November 30th will instead host what is latency. provides low-latency connectivity that is believed to be a unique kind of static fire This connectivity will, in turn, create new cost-effective, reliable and ubiquitous. The test for Starship SN8, hopefully proving in-event experiences and an overall ST 9100 comes with an ORBCOMM that the rocket has a decent shot at improvement to streaming quality. At the Global SIM, which provides access to over surviving its risky launch debut. same time, the need to create spectrum 565 cellular networks, allowing solution In fact, delaying SN8's launch to try to capacity to support those same 5G providers to deploy solutions with this refine the rocket in situ and better ensure services will impact current users of that device in nearly any region of the world. success could actually be to the detriment spectrum, creating a need to either There is also a secondary SIM slot for of successive prototypes and the Starship reduce or eliminate the spectrum bring-your-own-SIM solutions. program in general. If, for example, a required. This has the potential to The device also comes with a long-lasting fundamental design flaw is revealed in radically transform the approach to some backup battery, which allows for Starship SN8 only after the prototype's broadcaster and programmer systems. uninterrupted operation when an external first test flight, SpaceX could be forced to 5G deployments are only just starting to power failure has occurred, for a minimum scrap a huge amount of work done on as take place at scale; 'found that by 2025, of 48 hours for reliability and performance. many as six, seven, eight, or even more 5G networks will carry 45 percent of The device is enhanced with inputs, subsequent prototypes. In that since, global mobile data traffic. This compares outputs and serial interfaces, onboard while it may seem like caution maximizes to less than 10 percent in 2020. Video is memory as well as a dual CANbus that the value any single Starship prototype becoming an increasingly large allows customers to monitor and control can provide SpaceX, that's only true as percentage of this traffic, set to make up different electronic control units over long as the Starship design is mature more than three-quarters by 2025. This various protocols. A ruggedized, enough that new fundamental flaws are insatiable demand for 5G data will drive environmentally sealed enclosure allows unlikely to arise. multiple cycles of spectrum allocation, so the ST 9100 to withstand extreme Given how young SpaceX's agile Starship even if an application has not been temperatures, shock and vibration and is development program is, it would make affected to date, there's a strong chance rated to IP67 for ingress protection. very little sense to hinge months of work that there will be change coming around and more than half a dozen rocket the corner. A Bluetooth 5.0 connection enables the prototypes on the quality and success of a integration of a variety of sensors for any less mature prototype unless all the Firehawk Aerospace Raises solution, including door, temperature, vehicles in question are identification and more. Using mobile As such, the Starship program is probably New Round of Funding applications, users can also visualize key better off if SpaceX pushes vehicles to Firehawk Aerospace, a fast growing data from the field or send messages from failure as quickly as reasonably possible. rocket propulsion startup, announced mobile devices through the device via Having now spent more than two months today that it has closed a $2 million seed Bluetooth. Technicians can use their at the launch pad while no less than three round. The round is led by members of the device in the field for wirelessly full-scale prototypes rapidly approach a Victorum Capital Club and includes configuring, troubleshooting and ensuring similar level of completion, Starship SN8's additional investments from Achieve that devices are properly installed and test flow is likely an overcorrection from a Capital and Harlow Capital Management. functioning. haphazardly rushed schedule to extreme “Firehawk Aerospace has achieved a new The ST 9100 uses the Lua framework, caution. level of performance for hybrid rocket allowing solution providers to create engines through our patented 3D-printed 37 IN THE NEWS AMERICAS

rocket fuel,” said Will Edwards, Co- payments and contactless store to process an average of 464 visits and Founder and CEO. “Firehawk Aerospace payment technology. 19 purchases per second. It also will provide a safe, reliable, and affordable Mercado Libre selected AWS to support leverages Amazon DynamoDB (AWS's rocket engine to power the next-generation the development of a common platform key-value database that delivers single- o f s a t e l l i t e l a u n c h e r s , g u i d e d to gain insights from more than 20 years digit millisecond performance at any reconnaisance systems, lunar transport of data gathered from its marketplace, scale with built-in encryption and data systems, and manned space systems.” digital payments, logistics, advertising, recovery) to support secure purchase Firehawk Aerospace is providing and software services divisions. As part and payment transactions for its customizable propulsion systems to make of its transformation into a data-driven customers, as well as manage billing, the future of space transportation safer and organization, Mercado Libre is building shipping, and logistics. more accessible. The funds will be used to MeliLake, a data lake built on Amazon test Firehawk's engine at operational scale, Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3), “Mercado Libre has grown dramatically grow its partnerships with leading to ingest data from sales, payments, o v e r t h e p a s t t w o d e c a d e s , government and commercial entities fulfillment, and shipping transactions democratizing the benefits of trade and around the world, and expand its research and make it available for analysis by digital payments to entrepreneurs, small and manufacturing facilities to Texas and teams throughout the company. and medium- sized enterprises, Oklahoma. MeliLake leverages Amazon EMR businesses, and millions of customers (AWS's industry-leading cloud big data throughout Latin America. Working with Firehawk Aerospace was hand-picked service for processing vast amounts of AWS, we aim to further exceed our among thousands of applicants to data using open source tools) to customers' expectations by leveraging participate in Startup Battlefield, the world's facilitate the processing and analysis of data to continuously improve our preeminent startup competition, at more than 25 terabytes of transaction operations and innovate new services,” TechCrunch Disrupt 2020. The Company data each day. The company also said Sebastian Barrios, Tech Vice was selected as one of five finalists by a leverages tools from AWS partners President of Mercado Libre. “Mercado panel of judges including multiple venture Tableau and MicroStrategy to Libre employees use data in their daily capital and tech leaders. automatically tag, search, share, tasks to make better business decisions “Firehawk Aerospace has developed a transform, and analyze that data. and stay ahead of buying trends. We major advancement in rocket propulsion Mercado Libre employees can now look forward to expanding our use of technology – providing a safer and more discover and query datasets and AWS machine learning and analytics cost effective solution than other high- uncover customer purchase patterns or services throughout the company to performance rocket systems in use today,” types of payments, helping to improve develop deeper insights that will sustain said James Roller, Managing Partner of operational efficiency and drive the Mercado Libre's position as a growth Victorum Capital. “We are excited to development of new customer engine for Latin America.” partner with Firehawk as they scale their experiences. technology and reshape the aerospace “As one of the leading innovators in the industry.” In addition, Mercado Libre applies AWS e-commerce, finance, and technology machine learning services to enhance industries, Mercado Libre is leveraging Mercado Libre Selects AWS security across its divisions and deliver the unmatched scale, performance, and a better customer experience. The fraud breadth and depth of services of the as Its Primary Cloud Provider detection team for Mercado Pago (the world's leading cloud to rapidly develop to Accelerate Growth and platform responsible for payments and implement new ideas that raise the Transformation into a Data- inside Mercado Libre) leverages bar for customer experiences,” said Amazon Rekognition (AWS's video and Jaime Valles, Director of AWS Sales, Driven Company image analysis service) as part of its Latin America. “AWS not only powers identity verification process for Mercado Libre's vast backend Amazon Web Services, Inc. (AWS), an consumers seeking to buy through operations for its marketplace, but also Amazon.com, Inc. company (NASDAQ: Mercado Libre, helping to minimize any provides the services to enable AMZN), announced that Mercado Libre, type of fraud. To rapidly adapt its content Mercado Libre to gain predictive Inc. (NASDAQ: MELI), headquartered in to a multicultural region where most insights into business trends and Argentina and Brazil, has selected AWS as customers speak Portuguese or innovate new services to more its primary cloud provider to further Spanish, Mercado Libre uses Amazon seamlessly connect their growing transform the company into a data-driven Translate (AWS's machine learning community of buyers and sellers.” organization, improve user experiences, service for highly accurate language accelerate the launch of new services, and translation) to automatically translate support its regional expansion. Mercado product titles and descriptions when INPE Graduate Student Libre is the largest online commerce and vendors from other countries upload receives award on payments provider in Latin America and their catalogs. Electromagnetism, connects businesses across 18 countries Mercado Libre relies on AWS's highly with more than 76 million active users. secure, performant, and broad Microwave and Mercado Libre builds on the scalability, infrastructure including compute, Optoelectronics security, and proven performance of the storage, database, analytics, and world's leading cloud, as well as AWS's machine learning services for busy The MOMAG 2020, an event promoted unparalleled portfolio of services, to drive e- shopping periods such as holidays by the Brazilian Society of Microwave commerce and support the rapid growth of (when it processes more than 2.2 million and Optoelectronics (SBMO) and the its Mercado Pago digital payment platform transactions per second at peak) as well Brazilian Society of Electromagnetism and Mercado Crédito credit line. During the as unexpected events like the COVID- (SBMag), took place between 8 and 12 COVID-19 pandemic, Mercado Libre 19 pandemic when more people have November 2020 and awarded the leveraged AWS to extend its services to turned to e-commerce and digital student of the Graduate Engineering more small and medium businesses in payments. The company uses Amazon and Space Systems Management (ETE Latin America, giving them access to online Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2) / CSE) André Ferreira Teixeira as the

38 IN THE NEWS AMERICAS

best article of the event. environment and air refueling. We are usage scenarios. A minimized number of The event brings together the 19th acquiring a multi-mission transport fleet inspections and maintenance on demand, Brazilian Symposium on Microwave and for the Hungarian Armed Forces to combined with highly reliable systems and Optoelectronics and the 14th Brazilian sovereignly carry out the widest range of components, reduces aircraft time on the Congress on Electromagnetism, which is tasks at the national level, ”said Gáspár ground and total operating costs, the main electromagnetism meeting in Maróth, Government Commissioner for contributing to excellent levels of availability the country, held every two years. The D e f e n s e D e v e l o p m e n t . and low lifecycle costs. congress that would take place in person in Niterói – RJ, took place remotely due to “We are honored to have been selected United Launch Alliance COVID-19, being held by Universidade by the Hungarian Government and the Federal Fluminense / UFF, with support Hungarian Armed Forces to provide the Successfully Launches from COPPE / UFRJ. most advanced multi-mission transport NROL-101 Mission in Support The awarded student is part of the aircraft available on the market,” said of National Security Applied Electromagnetism (PELET) Jackson Schneider, President and CEO research group of the Coordination of of Embraer Defense & Security. Applied Research and Technological “Hungary is the second European A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V Development (COPDT), where they nation and a member of NATO to select rocket carrying the NROL-101 mission for study new devices for radio frequency the C-390 Millennium, a highly capable the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) g e n e r a t i o n , u s i n g N o n - L i n e a r aircraft that offers excellent productivity lifted off on Nov. 13 at 5:32 p.m. EST from Transmission Line (LTNL) technologies, through an unmatched combination of Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape operating in high frequencies and high s p e e d , p a y l o a d a n d r a p i d Canaveral Air Force Station. power. reconfiguration for multi-mission “Thank you to our mission partners, the With the title “Material Selection Applied operations.” NRO and the United States Space Force for to the Axial Magnetization of a Non- their continued confidence and partnership Linear Giromagnetic Transmission Line The KC-390 for the Hungarian Armed with ULA,” said Gary Wentz, ULA vice for Space Use”, the award-winning work Forces will be the first in the world with president of Government and Commercial also includes, in addition to André, co- the configuration option for the Intensive Programs. “This launch was the inaugural authored by Fernanda S. Yamasaki, Care Unit, an essential resource for the launch of our new GEM 63 solid rocket José O. Rossi, Joaquim J. Barroso, performance of humanitarian missions. motors, an instrumental step for ULA to Daniel A. Nono and Maria do Carmo A. T h e a i r c r a f t f u l l y m e e t s t h e build flight experience in preparation for the Nono, also receiving an RTC1000 requirements of the Hungarian Armed Vulcan Centaur, our next generation launch oscilloscope from Rohde & Schwarz. Forces and can carry out various types vehicle.” André Ferreira Teixeira is a master's of military and civilian missions, The NROL-101 mission was the first ULA student at the National Institute for Space including Humanitarian Support, launch flying the new Northrop Grumman Research (INPE), in the Postgraduate Medical Evacuation, Search and Graphite Epoxy Motors (GEM) 63 solid P r o g r a m i n E n g i n e e r i n g a n d Rescue, Cargo and Troop Transport, rocket boosters that burn solid propellant Management of Space Systems (ETE / Precision Cargo Launch, Parachutist and augment the lifting capacity of rocket's CSE) and is supervised by professors Operations and AAR . These KC-390s first stage. The GEM 63s measure 63 in. José Osvaldo Rossi and Joaquim José are fully compatible with NATO (1.6 meters) in diameter and 66 ft. (20.11 Barroso. operations, not only in terms of meters) in length. Each GEM 63 produced hardware, but also in their avionics and 371,550 pounds (1.6 mega-Newtons) of communications configuration. In max thrust to augment the 860,200 pounds Hungary signs contract for addition, the KC-390's refueling system, (3.83 mega-Newtons) of thrust produced by probe and basket, allows the aircraft to the RD-180 main engine to power the Atlas the acquisition of two KC- refuel the Hungarian JAS 39 Gripen, as V rocket skyward. At liftoff, the combined 390 millennium multi- well as other aircraft using the same thrust was nearly 1.8 million pounds or 8 technology million mega-Newtons. mission aircraft The mission launched on an Atlas V 531 The C-390 Millennium is fully that included a 17 ft. (5 meter) payload The Hungarian Government and operational and, since the receipt of the fairing. The Atlas booster for this mission Embraer today signed a contract for the first aircraft, in 2019, the Brazilian Air was powered by the RD AMROSS RD-180 purchase of two new generation multi- Force has used the aircraft in several engine. Aerojet Rocketdyne provided the mission transport aircraft Embraer C-390 critical missions in Brazil and abroad RL10C-1 engine for the Centaur upper Millennium , in the air refueling (AAR) with a high degree of availability. stage. configuration, designated KC-390. In Additionally, the Government of This was the 86th launch of the Atlas V addition, pilot and technician training, as Portugal signed a contract for the rocket and the 71st Atlas V to launch from well as other services and support, are acquisition of five C-390 Millennium in Space Launch Complex-41 in Florida. included in the contract. The acquisition 2019 that are currently on the ULA's next launch is the NROL-44 mission is part of the process of strengthening the production line and will be in service in for the NRO from Cape Canaveral Air Force Hungarian Armed Forces, specifically in 2023. Station. To date ULA has launched 141 the functions of tactical air transport, AAR The C-390 is a tactical transport jet times with 100 percent mission success. and medical evacuation, as well as other designed to set new standards in its missions of public interest. Deliveries are category. Some of the aircraft's OZMENS' SNC selected for s c h e d u l e d t o b e g i n i n 2 0 2 3 . strengths are mobility, robust design, nasa tipping point contract greater flexibility, proven state-of-the-art “After the acquisition of personnel technology and easier maintenance. for its groundbreaking airliners in 2018, the KC-390 aircraft will The C-390 Millennium and the KC-390 technology to produce be delivered to Hungary in 2023 and 24, variant fly faster and carry more cargo oxygen on the moon with the capacity to launch both large and are the ideal platforms for the main military cargoes in an operational Oxygen production capabilities would

39 IN THE NEWS AMERICAS

reduce launch costs for lunar missions decade, other regions are expected to and unlock the Moon as springboard to Satellite data to generate grow in their adoption of satellite big data Mars and beyond downstream value of $20.7 services too. Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), the billion in next decade global aerospace and national security NSR's Big Data Analytics via Satellite 4th leader owned by Eren and Fatih Ozmen, Edition report, published today, finds Viasat Phased Array has been selected for a contract as part continued growth for downstream Big Antenna Enters Final of NASA's Tipping Point solicitation to Data applications through the next Testing Phase for SES's further develop its carbothermal decade. NSR sees this growth driven by reduction process, which harvests applications built on Earth Observation O3b mPOWER System oxygen from minerals on the surface of and M2M/IoT satcom data across multiple the Moon. market verticals. Despite market Viasat Inc (Nasdaq: VSAT), a global downturns in specific verticals and the communications company, today “Oxygen is one of our most valuable COVID-19 pandemic, Big Data analytics announced that its solid-state, fully- resources for space travel and via satellite will generate close to $20.7 electronic phased array flat panel harvesting oxygen from local in-space billion in cumulative revenues by 2029. antenna, selected by SES for the O3b resources will be efficient and cost- The revenue generated from various mPOWER satellite communications effective for human exploration and applications developed using Earth (satcom) system, has entered the Test commercial activity in space. Our Observation satellite imagery is expected Readiness Review (TRR) stage of the Carbothermal Reduction Process is the to grow to nearly $2.2 billion by 2029. program. TRR is the final stage of testing result of decades of research and “Downstream data analytics in the to verify compliance with the antenna's development work that is focused on satellite industry is a highly fragmented performance requirements. Viasat both reducing launch mass from Earth market, with a value chain that continues expects the first phased array prototype drastically reducing mission costs, and to morph, as players try to find their niche for the O3b mPOWER network to be enabling long-term activity in low Earth and provide solutions to different delivered to SES early next year. orbit, cislunar and Mars,” said Fatih stakeholders”, states Shivaprakash Viasat's modular phased array antenna Ozmen, SNC's CEO. Muruganandham, NSR Senior Analyst design is scalable, customizable and will and report author. be offered in multiple sizes, enabling it to More than 40 percent of the moon is M2M and IoT communications via satellite be utilized for both fixed and mobile oxygen, but it is locked in the form of will continue to drive the more mature broadband applications. For SES's O3b minerals in the lunar surface rocks and markets of transportation (both land and mPOWER Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) p a r t i c u l a t e s ( r e g o l i t h ) . T h e maritime) and government and military system, the phased array antenna will carbothermal reduction process applications. “This demand exists across operate over the full ITU Ka-band concentrates heat into the lunar regolith verticals, whether in fleet management spectrum. A different version of the within a methane gas environment to solutions, financial indicators, competitive antenna can be made to operate on Ku- extract oxygen from the minerals while intelligence or business operation tools. band. continuously recycling the methane. The market is far from done with Viasat's phased array has the ability to This capability can efficiently operate at squeezing maximum value out of bits from dynamically steer beams for rapid, virtually any location on the moon or space”, he adds. accurate satellite position tracking and other planetary surfaces, including While the COVID-19 pandemic impacted seamless handover between satellites in asteroids and the moons of Mars. many industries negatively, the demand the O3b mPOWER network; and can for remote sensing and geospatial perform on-the-fly reconfiguration of “We are passionate about leveraging analytics was minimally impacted, even antenna characteristics to enable end- the diverse expertise we have enjoying a slight boost in the early months terminals to communicate in a hybrid developed over the course of hundreds of 2020 as pandemic-related concerns M E O - t o - G E O ( G e o s t a t i o n a r y ) of successful space missions to create a and travel restrictions drove this demand environment. sustainable and scalable platform for across verticals. Growth in the Enterprise “Back in 2018 Viasat became a partner in continual government and commercial Services market vertical is expected to o u r O 3 b m P O W E R i n n o v a t i o n activity in space. We are moving quickly outpace all other verticals, as newer ecosystem. Now with Viasat entering the to further develop this technology and datasets with improved resolution and final testing phase of its phased array make our vision a reality,” said Tom cadence come online. terminal technology, we are another step Crabb, vice president of programs for Market consolidation will continue, as closer to providing advanced levels of SNC's Propulsion and Environmental incumbents and startups alike roll out connectivity on a global scale,” said Systems. newer applications. NSR has already Stewart Sanders, Executive Vice stated that the line between EO and President, O3b mPOWER Programme As part of the Tipping Point contract, M2M/IoT data applications is expected to Lead at SES. “The flexibility designed into SNC will develop demonstration blur. This trend is further boosted by the the Viasat phased array antenna will hardware of the process that will be growing virtualization of satellite enable our current O3b constellation of 20 tested in a vacuum environment similar networks, as software-defined systems MEO satellites and next-generation O3b to the moon as a precursor to a flight on become more prevalent, further boosting mPOWER system to bring reliable, high- a commercial lunar lander to prove the interoperability and providing speed broadband communications for our viability of this process on the Moon. smoother data pipelines. government, enterprise and mobility Ultimately, SNC envisions constructing Overall, satellite big data analytics will customers.” a plant on the surface of the Moon that reach $3.5 billion in annual revenue Dave Ryan, president, Space and can serve as an oxygen fueling station opportunity in 2029, with 65% from EO Commercial Networks at Viasat added, for travel between the Earth and the applications and the rest, driven by “Viasat's flat panel antenna represents Moon, the Moon and Mars, and beyond, M2M/IoT satcom applications. While significant advancements in scalable as well as support human habitation. North America's presence as an phased array terminal technologies. It established market continues through the leverages years of investment in research IN THE NEWS AMERICAS

and development and commercial commitment to make Overture 100% to two metres in diameter and trial them in innovation. Entering the final TRR phase of carbon neutral to minimizing rocket flights, in an effort to reduce weight the program, we can help SES achieve community noise and emissions, and increase reliability. their goals to leverage a multi-orbit, multi- w e ' r e d e d i c a t e d t o m a k i n g Gilmour Space CEO Adam Gilmour said frequency, high-throughput, flexible and mainstream supersonic travel the company is excited to work with open architecture satcom system.” environmentally and economically Northrop Grumman on this opportunity. Senior engineers from Viasat and SES sustainable,” said Blake Scholl, “It is great to gain the support of Northrop discussed the phased array technology Boom founder and CEO. “We are Grumman who, through this investment, and O3b use cases during the 10th annual leveraging Collins' experience in have further demonstrated their Advanced Satellite Multimedia Systems developing more fuel efficient and commitment to grow Australian space ASMS conference, which was held noise attenuating technologies for capability.” virtually, on October 21, 2020. nacelles to help us develop Overture Northrop Grumman recently sought as an environmentally responsible expressions of interest from a range of Collins Aerospace and Boom supersonic jet.” Australian and New Zealand industry Boom's mission is to make the world members, through the Industry Supersonic announce dramatically more accessible by Capability Network Gaeway Portal strategic collaboration m a k i n g s u p e r s o n i c t r a v e l which included small businesses, with mainstream. Overture is in its design the goal to identify and collaborate with Collins Aerospace Systems, a unit of phase with plans to finalize the industry to develop Australian space Raytheon Technologies (RTX), has signed configuration and begin building the capabilities a collaboration agreement with Boom first airliner while XB-1 is flying Northrop Grumman remains committed Supersonic, the aerospace company supersonic. Boom will roll out the first to enhancing its business and building the world's fastest airliner, to completed Overture aircraft in 2025, g e o g r a p h i c f o o t p r i n t i n t h e advance nacelle technology on Boom's with entry into service planned for Commonwealth of Australia as a key forthcoming flagship supersonic airliner, 2029. contributor to the Australian Space Overture. Overture will be the world's industry. The company has a strong fastest airliner and is designed and Northrop Grumman and customer base in Australia where it has committed to industry-leading standards of Gilmour Space been supporting numerous defence and speed, safety, and sustainability. civil programs for more than 20 years. Collins Aerospace engineers will work in Technologies Work to Northrop Grumman solves the toughest concert with Boom to develop inlet, nacelle Grow Sovereign problems in space, aeronautics, defence and exhaust system technologies that Capabilities in Australia and cyberspace to meet the ever enable fuel-burn reduction and cutting- evolving needs of our customers worldwide. Our 90,000 employees define edge acoustics for cleaner and quieter Northrop Grumman Corporation supersonic flight. They will do this via possible every day using science, (NYSE: NOC) announced it signed a technology and engineering to create lightweight aerostructures and variable Memorandum of Understanding nacelle geometry. Collins Aerospace has and deliver advanced systems, products (MOU) with Queensland-based and services. been providing innovative nacelle rocket company, Gilmour Space technology for more than 70 years, Technologies, to support the including development of the first development of Australian sovereign Telenor Satellite announces commercial variable fan nozzle for high- space capabilities. approval of Intellian v100NX bypass-ratio geared turbofan (GTF) Northrop Grumman aims to lead engines. and v60Ka 2 antennas industry support in developing Telenor Satellite, Europe's most “Through improved acoustics and A u s t r a l i a n s o v e r e i g n s p a c e lightweight materials systems, we can versatile satellite operator, has capabilities to help meet the needs of announced its approval of two new provide the next generation of supersonic defence and realise the Australian propulsion systems with the nacelle Intellian antennas, the v100NX and Space Agency vision,” said Chris v60Ka 2, both of which will be used technologies that not only enable higher Deeble, chief executive, Northrop performance and lower fuel burn, but also with Telenor Satellite's Anker Maritime Grumman Australia. “Our approach is THOR 7 Ka or Ku band services. quieter operation,” said Marc Duvall, consistent with the Australian president, Aerostructures, Collins THOR 7 has long been established as government's recently announced the optimal choice for clients looking for Aerospace. “Having completed 19 nacelle Modern Manufacturing Strategy, to certification programs over the past high-speed high throughput VSAT make space hardware in Australia connectivity across Europe. Its high- decade, we're uniquely positioned to while securing sovereign capabilities collaborate with Boom Supersonic to powered spot beam technology makes it in priority areas that includes defence an ideal choice for a wide range of create new propulsion-system solutions and space.” that will be key enablers of Overture's vessels operating throughout the main As an initial task under the MOU, European sea routes, from the Barents success.” Northrop Grumman will join Gilmour The combined engineering team will be Sea in the north, to the Mediterranean Space as an industry partner on a Sea in the south. exploring the development of advanced previously announced Cooperative acoustics and variable inlet and exhaust v100NX Research Centre Project (CRC-P) to The v100NX is a future-proof antenna technologies required to minimize aircraft develop composite rocket tanks for noise for passengers and airport system with highly accurate satellite low cost space transport. tracking performance. It is designed for c o m m u n i t i e s w h i l e e n h a n c i n g The CRC-P, which includes Griffith performance. simple installation and maintenance, and University and Etamax Engineering, is easy to convert from Ku- to Ka-band so “Boom is taking an all-encompassing will manufacture composite tanks up approach to sustainability — from our that current users can take advantage of IN THE NEWS AMERICAS

the higher performance offered by the Ka- is targeting 11:39 a.m. EST Saturday, subsidiaries of Telesat Corporation band on Telenor Satellite's THOR 7 Dec. 5, for the launch of its 21st (Telesat), a new publicly traded satellite. The system comes with a commercial resupply services (CRS- Canadian incorporated and controlled standard 5W BUC in Ka (8W BUC in Ku), 21) mission to the Internationa Space company. The shares of Telesat will be and can be ordered with additional BUC Station from Launch Complex 39A at listed on the Nasdaq Global Select alternatives for even more powerful Ka- the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Market at the closing of the transaction, and Ku-band connectivity. The v100NX Florida. CRS-21 will deliver science the market on which Loral is currently offers a new integrated management investigations, supplies, and listed, and Telesat is also considering a control software, AptusNX, which provides equipment for NASA and is the first listing on a Canadian stock exchange in a responsive web user interface, intelligent mission under the company's second connection with the closing of the antenna diagnostics and reporting. Commercial resupply services transaction in 2021. Telesat Corporation Offering reliable and stable connectivity to contract with NASA. Live coverage will be headquartered in Ottawa and led support critical operations and handling will air on NASA Television and the by Telesat Canada's Chief Executive large amounts of data, the v100NX is ideal agency's website with prelaunch Officer Daniel S. Goldberg. Telesat's for use onboard merchant ships, offshore events Friday, Dec. 4, and Saturday, voting and governance provisions will support vessels, cruise ships and Dec. 5. ensure that the company is and remains superyachts. Canadian-controlled. v60Ka 2 The upgraded Dragon spacecraft will Perfect for smaller vessel operators such be filled with supplies and payloads, This transaction allows public market as fishing vessels or yachts where space is including critical materials to directly investors, including Loral's stockholders, limited, v60Ka 2 is light, compact and support dozens of the more than 250 to own Telesat directly, and, moreover, affordable. It delivers high performance science and research that will occur provides Telesat access to the public with a standard 5W BUC with a 10W BUC during Expedition 64 and 65. In equity markets to support its compelling option available for high bandwidth users in addition to bringing research to the growth initiatives, including its Ka. station, the Dragon's unpressurized revolutionary, highly advanced low Earth It is designed for easy installation and trunk will transport the Nanoracks orbit (LEO) satellite constellation. reliable connectivity for vessels operating bishop Airlock. The first commercially Telesat's state-of-the-art LEO network e v e n i n t h e h a r s h e s t o f f s h o r e funded space station airlock, the will enable affordable, reliable, high- environments. The v60Ka 2 uses Intellian's Bishop Airlock is an airtight segment speed broadband connectivity integrated AptusNX platform to provide a used for transfer of payloads between everywhere on Earth, positioning Telesat responsive web user interface to manage the inside and outside of the station. It to be a leader in this high growth industry. and control the antenna system. provides payload hosting, robotics “Today's announcement rationalizes our “We're very proud to have another testing, and satellite deployment while corporate structure and is another endorsement of our products with this also serving as an outside toolbox for important step in our efforts to execute certification from Telenor Satellite,” says astronauts conducting spacewalks. our exciting growth strategy, deliver the Jon Harrison, Intellian VP & GM Strategic most competitive and innovative Accounts and EMEA BU. “The company's About 12 minutes after launch, Dragon services to our customers, and create type approval for the v60Ka 2 and v100NX will separate from the Falcon 9 rocket's value for our shareholders and other key Ka marks another positive step in our second stage and begin a carefully stakeholders,” said Dan Goldberg, mutual quest to provide the best- choreographed series of thruster Telesat's President and CEO. performing, most flexible maritime mobility firings to reach the space station. VSAT service in Europe at the most Arrival to the space station is planned “Following the closing of the transaction, competitive price.” for Sunday, Dec. 6. Dragon will Telesat will have access to the public Jan Hetland, Director of Data services at autonomously dock to the station's equity markets, providing increased Telenor Satellite, said: “We are delighted to Harmony module with Expedition 64 flexibility and optionality to support our be able to approve both of these new Flight Engineers kate rubins and Vicort promising investment opportunities, antennas from Intellian for use with our Glover of NASA monitoring operations. including Telesat LEO, which will bridge Anker Managed Services. These flexible The Dragon spacecraft will spend the digital divide both at home in Canada antenna systems offer the very high about one month attached to the space and around the world, and give our standards of quality that we expect from station before it returns to Earth with customers the competitive advantage antenna hardware and are innovative and research and return cargo, with they need to be successful. We look technologically advanced, fully reflecting splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean. forward to engaging with our expanded our forward-looking service provision. It is shareholder base as we implement our imperative to us that our partner companies Telesat to Become Public growth plans with a focus on generating share our ethos of excellence and strong equity returns.” customer-led service and that is the case Company through with Intellian. Together with THOR 7, these Agreement with Loral The transaction is expected to close in new antennas will deliver outstanding ka- Space & Communications the second or third quarter of 2021, band ku band connectivity to our maritime subject to the receipt of required customers.” and PSP Investments regulatory approvals, the approval of Loral's stockholders (including a majority NASA TV Coverage Set for Telesat Canada announced that it has of Loral's stockholders not affiliated with entered into an agreement with Loral MHR Fund Management, PSP Next Space Station Resupply Space & Communications Inc. Investments or other transaction Mission with SpaceX (NASDAQ: LORL) (Loral) and Public participants) and other customary Sector Pension Investment Board conditions. (PSP Investments) pursuant to which NASA commercial cargo provider SpaceX Telesat Canada and Loral will become IN THE NEWS AMERICAS

N A S A ' s V i c t o r G l o v e r Relativity is focused on building the first and give consumers a seamless, b e c o m e s f i r s t B l a c k iteration of its Terran 1 rocket, which has access-independent service experience. 95% of its parts made using “the world's For operators, the network functions astronaut on the International largest 3D-printers” that the company required to operate their infrastructure Space Station developed in-house. Ellis emphasizes will be streamlined and common Navy Cmdr. Victor Glover arrived on the that 3D-printing essentially the entire technology, on-boarding, training, International Space Station Tuesday rocket allows them to be less complex services and subscriber management morning making history as the first Black and faster to build or modify, compared to between fixed and mobile divisions can crew member aboard the ISS. traditional rockets – which may only use be achieved. Furthermore, additional Glover was selected as an astronaut in 3D-printed parts for a few components. revenue streams will be created, with 2013 while serving as a legislative fellow in Additionally, Relativity says its simpler FMC extending the geographical reach the United States Senate. He served as process will eventually be capable of of 5G core networks and the service pilot and second-in-command on the turning raw material into a rocket on the offering of fixed networks.“As the global Crew-1 SpaceX Crew Dragon, named launchpad in under 60 days. adoption rate of 5G continues to Resilience, which launched Nov. 15. The proliferate, Broadband Forum's work trip to the ISS was Glover's first to space. Broadband Forum publishes represents a significant milestone for In the Navy, Glover is an aviator with 22 three new standards to operators as they seek to provide a years of service as a test pilot in the F/A-18 common and unified broadband Hornet, Super Hornet and EA-18G a c c e l e r a t e g l o b a l 5 G experience to their customer base. Growler. He has deployed during both war adoption Especially for operators who can count and peacetime. Broadband Forum has published three on a large mobile and fixed customer Even before his military service, Glover new standards, marking a major step base, the three new standards will demonstrated ambition and drive as a forward to unlock a new wave of 5G provide a great opportunity to offer the wrestler at California Polytechnic State innovation and prepare telcos for the revolutionary 5G services to households University where he earned a degree in mass adoption of 5G. too, maximizing the key benefits of engineering. Glover also played on Cal Building on the Forum's mission to drive a different access network assets and Poly's football team during his time there. future consolidated approach to 5G, the leveraging all the service platforms Glover is not the first Black man to visit the standards will reduce development time, which will be deployed to unlock the full ISS — others before him have spent short as well as capex and opex, from the potential that 5G promises.”~ Rosaria visits there completing a variety of tasks. traditional disparate fixed broadband and Persico, Principal Broadband Forum But Glover is the first proper crew member 5G networks. Ultimately, they will deliver Delegate, TIM who will spend months aboard the station. a common and managed broadband TR-456 describes the functional experience to the end-user whatever the requirements of the AGF. The AGF Relativity Space adds $500 final connectivity technology.“True resides between fixed access networks convergence requires the use of a single and the 5G core network to support 5G million to 'war chest' for converged 5G core network enabling us and wireline Residential Gateways, scaling production of 3D- to provide exciting services to customers, creating a truly converged deployment. printed rockets irrespective of whether they cannot to it Alongside this, Broadband Forum's via wireless or wireline technologies. It Device: 2 data model (TR-181 Issue 2 Relativity Space wants to use enormous Amendment 14), which is used by User 3D-printers to revolutionize the way also requires a single view of the customer to enable a common approach Services Platform (USP), has been rockets are built – and CEO Tim Ellis told extended to address 5G Residential CNBC that the company now has a “war to authentication credentials and associated network policies. This set of Gateways. The Device: 2 data model chest” of capital to do so. applies to all types of TR-069 or USP- “We're excited to announce a $500 million new Broadband Forum covergence standards is a significant step towards enabled devices, including end devices, Series D funding round at a valuation Residential Gateways, and other above $2 billion from top tier blue chip enabling the vision of seamless and consistent handling of customer n e t w o r k i n f r a s t r u c t u r e investors,” Ellis said. devices“Operators are keen to harness Tiger Global Management led the round, connectivity in the era of 5G and Gigabit access.”~ Santiago Tenorio, Head of and deploy fifth generation technology to which was joined by fellow new Relativity exploit new opportunities to enhance investors Fidelity, Baillie Gifford, ICONIQ Network Architecture at Vodafone There are three major sets of technical existing revenue streams and secure Capital, General Catalyst, XN Capital, new ones by launching new services and Senator Investment Group and Elad Gil. specifications that have been finalized, including 5G Wireless Convergence applications. Spanning the full scope of A d d i t i o n a l l y, e x i s t i n g R e l a t i v i t y the network, including CPE, these shareholders Bond Capital, Tribe Capital, Architecture (TR-479), Access Gateway Function AGF Functional Requirements specifications take a holistic approach to K5 Global, 3L Capital, Playground Global, network management and operation will Allen & Company, Mark Cuban and (TR-456) and Device Data Model TR- 181). Together, these documents greatly accelerate 5G deployments, Spencer Rascoff also participated in the ensuring operator confidence through an round. provide functions and interfaces for Fixed Mobile Convergence (FMC), the AGF, open ecosystem.”~ Broadband Forum “This really accelerates Relativity's CEO Robin Mersh momentum and scaling as we focus and customer premises equipment (CPE) such as 5G-enabled routers. In addition, the Functional Requirements beyond first launch on production and for Broadband Residential Gateway various infrastructure expansion projects,” TR-470 – produced in conjunction with 3GPP – describes the 5G FMC Devices (TR-124) specification is Ellis said. “Other exciting new initiatives expected to be finalized in Q4 2020. are underway – which we can discuss architecture, providing a high-level guide for network architects and planners and Moving from the network into the home, further next year – with this capital … but TR-124 has been extended to add we're not in the business of taking smaller enabling fixed and mobile functions to coexist over a shared infrastructure. This requirements related to the 5G swings in terms of where we think the Residential Gateway extending the 5G technology can go.” will facilitate multi-access connectivity IN THE NEWS AMERICAS

control plane to the premises to open up Northrop Grumman solves the toughest water, and iron, with more recent new service opportunities with real time problems in space, aeronautics, research focusing on continuous access fulfillment. defense and cyberspace to meet the to solar power, cold traps and frozen ever evolving needs of our customers water deposits, and even volatiles that Aviation Week Honors worldwide. Our 90,000 employees may exist in shaded areas on the surface Northrop Grumman with the define possible every day using of the moon. science, technology and engineering to Tony Milligan, a Senior Researcher with Laureate Award in Defense create and deliver advanced systems, the Cosmological Visionaries project at Manufacturing products and services. King's College London, and a co-author Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: on the paper said, “Since lunar rock NOC) is being recognized for Growing interest in Moon samples returned by the Apollo program revolutionizing the production of military resources could cause indicated the presence of Helium-3, the aircraft through human ingenuity and moon has been one of several strategic advanced digital tooling technology tension, scientists find resources which have been targeted.” within its F-35 Integrated Assembly Line An international team of scientists led Although some treaties do exist, like the (IAL). by the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard 1967 Outer Space Treaty–prohibiting Aviation Week honored Northrop and Smithsonian, has identified a national appropriation–and the 2020 Grumman with their 63rd Annual problem with the growing interest in Artemis Accords–reaffirming the duty to L a u r e a t e A w a r d i n D e f e n s e extractable resources on the moon: coordinate and notify–neither is meant Manufacturing for increasing its center there aren't enough of them to go for robust protection. Much of the fuselage production from six to 15 around. With no international policies or discussion surrounding the moon, and deliveries per month. The center fuselage agreements to decide “who gets what including current and potential policy for is the core structure of the F-35 Lightning from where,” scientists believe governing missions to the satellite, have II, which forms a significant portion of the tensions, overcrowding, and quick centered on scientific versus commercial aircraft internal weapons bay and internal exhaustion of resources to be one activity, and who should be allowed to tap fuel capacity. possible future for moon mining into the resources locked away in, and “Our integrated assembly line is designed projects. The paper published in the on, the moon. According to Milligan, it's a and built to manufacture at a very rapid Philosophical Transactions of the Royal very 20th century debate, and doesn't pace,” said Glenn Masukawa, vice Society A. tackle the actual problem. president and F-35 program manager, “A lot of people think of space as a place “The biggest problem is that everyone is Northrop Grumman. “When a facility of peace and harmony between targeting the same sites and resources: brings together talent, technology, and a nations. The problem is there's no law to states, private companies, everyone. But sense of mission – it's a winning formula regulate who gets to use the resources, they are limited sites and resources. We for our people, our customers and and there are a significant number of don't have a second moon to move on to. ultimately, the warfighter. The IAL team space agencies and others in the This is all we have to work with.” Alanna continues to push boundaries and set the private sector that aim to land on the Krolikowski, assistant professor of pace of military aircraft production moon within the next five years,” said science and technology policy at t h r o u g h o u r i n t e g r a t e d d i g i t a l Martin Elvis, astronomer at the Center Missouri University of Science and capabilities.” for Astrophysics | Harvard and Technology (Missouri S and T) and a co- Northrop Grumman's IAL plays a Smithsonian and the lead author on the author on the paper, added that a significant role in the company's paper. framework for success already exists approach to producing military aircraft, “We looked at all the maps of the Moon and, paired with good old-fashioned while addressing the customer's vision we could find and found that not very business sense, may set policy on the for progress and innovation to build the many places had resources of interest, right path. next generation aircraft. The company and those that did were very small. That “While a comprehensive international recently delivered its 700th center creates a lot of room for conflict over legal regime to manage space resources fuselage in August 2020. certain resources.” remains a distant prospect, important The advanced manufacturing capabilities Resources like water and iron are conceptual foundations already exist and of the IAL use digital tools to produce important because they will enable we can start implementing, or at least high-quality center fuselages on time. In future research to be conducted on, and deliberating, concrete, local measures to June 2019, the IAL began completing a launched from, the moon. “You don't address anticipated problems at specific center fuselage every 30 hours. want to bring resources for mission sites today,” said Krolikowski. Lockheed Martin is the industry lead for support from Earth, you'd much rather “The likely first step will be convening a the F-35 program, and Northrop get them from the Moon. Iron is community of prospective users, made Grumman plays a key role in the important if you want to build anything up of those who will be active at a given d e v e l o p m e n t , m o d e r n i z a t i o n , on the moon; it would be absurdly site within the next decade or so. Their sustainment and production of the F-35. expensive to transport iron to the first order of business should be In addition to producing the center moon,” said Elvis. identifying worst-case outcomes, the fuselage and wing skins for the aircraft, “You need water to survive; you need it most pernicious forms of crowding and the company develops, produces and to grow food–you don't bring your salad interference, that they seek to avoid at maintains several sensor systems, with you from Earth–and to split into each site. Loss aversion tends to avionics, mission systems and mission- oxygen to breathe and hydrogen for motivate actors.” planning software, pilot and maintainer fuel.” There is still a risk that resource locations training systems courseware, electronic Interest in the moon as a location for will turn out to be more scant than warfare simulation test capability, and extracting resources isn't new. An currently believed, and scientists want to extensive body of research dating back low-observable technologies. Click here go back and get a clearer picture of to the Apollo program has explored the resource availability before anyone starts to learn more about Northrop Grumman's availability of resources such as helium, digging, drilling, or collecting. role on the F-35 Lightning II. IN THE NEWS AMERICAS

“We need to go back and map resource hot subscriptions in spite of this. Delta II Heavy launches, and the GEM spots in better resolution. Right now, we Steve Nason, research director, Parks 60, which retired in August 2019 with 86 only have a few miles at best. If the Associates said: “So far the main battle motors flown over 26 Delta IV launches. resources are all contained in a smaller has been among the Big 3: Netflix, The GEM family has recently expanded area, the problem will only get worse,” said Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu, with with the development of the GEM 63XL Elvis. “If we can map the smallest spaces, other services primarily acting as variation to support ULA's Vulcan that will inform policymaking, allow for info- complements. Now other services from Centaur launch vehicle. sharing and help everyone to play nice major players are vying to become a The company also manufactured the together so we can avoid conflict.” core video service in US households, Atlas V rocket's Reaction Control While more research on these lunar hot which represents the first real threat to System propellant tanks at its spots is needed to inform policy, the the hierarchy established by the Big 3. Commerce, California, facility, and eight framework for possible solutions to “Clearly, the five main challengers to the retro motors at its Elkton, Maryland, potential crowding are already in view. Big 3 are having a direct impact on the facility that will assist first and second “Examples of analogs on Earth point to service stack of OTT consumers. These stage separation. mechanisms for managing these services are primarily responsible for Northrop Grumman solves the toughest challenges. Common-pool resources on building up the OTT video portfolio by problems in space, aeronautics, Earth, resources over which no single filling in important content gaps not defense and cyberspace to meet the actor can claim jurisdiction or ownership, currently being delivered by the Big 3 ever evolving needs of our customers offer insights to glean. Some of these are and other services. As these challengers worldwide. Our 90,000 employees global in scale, like the high seas, while continue to be more fully integrated into define possible every day using science, other are local like fish stocks or lakes to the market, their impact on the video technology and engineering to create which several small communities share consumer service stack will continue to and deliver advanced systems, products access,” said Krolikowski, adding that one grow.” and services. of the first challenges for policymakers will be to characterize the resources at stake at Northrop Grumman Rocket SpaceX going for new each individual site. “Are these resources, say, areas of real Boosters Help rocket reuse record on estate at the high-value Peaks of Eternal Successfully Launch 100th Falcon 9 launch Light, where the sun shines almost United Launch Alliance's continuously, or are they units of energy to Atlas V Canaveral on the 100th flight of a be generated from solar panels installed SpaceX Falcon 9 launcher, and the there? At what level can they can T h r e e o f N o r t h r o p G r u m m a n seventh flight of SpaceX's reusable realistically be exploited? How should the “fleet leader” booster. benefits from those activities be Corporation's (NYSE: NOC) 63-inch- diameter Graphite Epoxy Motors (GEM The Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled to distributed? Developing agreement on launch at 9:56:21 p.m. EST Sunday those questions is a likely 63) rocket boosters were used for the first time today to help successfully (0256:21 GMT Monday) from pad 40 at launch and deploy the National Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The SVOD stacking becoming the Reconnaissance Office launch 101 mission is set to blast off less than 34 norm in the US (NROL-101) on a United Launch hours after SpaceX's previous flight, a highlighting that almost two-thirds of Alliance (ULA) Atlas V launch vehicle. falcon 9 launch from California that Americans subscribe to multiple The GEM 63 strap-on boosters were hauled into orbit an oceanography streamers. developed under a cooperative satellite designed to measure sea level According to new figures from Parks agreement with ULA to provide rise. Associates, 61% of US broadband additional lift capability for the Atlas V The Falcon 9 launch with the Sentinel-6 households subscribe to two or more OTT launch vehicle. Each motor contributes Michael Freilich oceanography satellite services – up from 48% in Q3 2019. Almost 371,500 pounds of additional maximum Saturday was SpaceX's 22nd mission of half (45%) subscribe to three or more thrust, and up to five GEM 63 motors can 2020, breaking the company's record for SVODs, up from 27% in 2019, while 31% support a single Atlas V launch. the most launches it's performed in a subscribe to four or more, up from 14%. “The GEM 63 rocket motors were calendar year. Sunday's flight will extend The report should come as little surprise, developed to enhance the performance the record. with the past 12 months containing of the existing Atlas V launch vehicle While the Falcon 9 launch from launches of major streaming services from while incorporating our flight-proven, California flew with a factory-fresh first Disney, Apple, WarnerMedia and heritage designs that provide a stage booster, SpaceX's launch from NBCUniversal (Disney+, Apple TV+, HBO significantly lower cost for boost Florida Sunday night will use a booster Max, and Peacock respectively). The firm propulsion,” said Charlie Precourt, vice that's flown six times before. The notes that this could become even more president, propulsion systems, Northrop seventh flight of the rocket will set a new prominent in 2021 when ViacomCBS Grumman. record for SpaceX's rocket reuse relaunches CBS All Access in an expanded Northrop Grumman has been supplying program, breaking a mark set by the form as Paramount+ . rocket propulsion to ULA and its heritage same booster on its sixth mission in Also aiding stacking in 2020 has been the companies for a variety of launch August. Covid-19 pandemic, with viewers having vehicles since 1964. The GEM family of The rocket set for launch Sunday — been spending more time at home with strap-on motors started in the early known as B1049 — debuted in entertainment options outside the house 1980s with the GEM 40, which September 2018 with the launch of the limited. The pandemic has also had a supported 132 Delta II launches with Telstar 18 VANTAGE geostationary serious economic toll on Americans, byt 1,003 motors. The company followed communications satellite from Cape Parks Associates says that people have with the GEM 46, which flew 63 motors Canaveral. It launched again from been willing to maintain multiple OTT on seven successful missions on the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California

AFRICA

With advert placement, you support the publication of this magazine in Africa. Advertising in Spacewatchafrica will offer your institution/organisation a cost-effective platform to reach your potential clients and business partners. We offer you exclusive contact with your business partners, government officials, academic and industry sectors.

SPACEWATCHAFRICA MAGAZINE MOST CURRENT ADVERTISEMENT RATES

4-color Advertising Rates Colour Dimension Back Cover Full Page $3,000 9.5” x 13” Inside Back Cover Full Page $2,000 9.5” x 13” Inside Front Cover Full Page $2,000 9.5” x 13” Inside Full Page $2,300 9.5” x 13” Inside Half Page $1.250 4.75”x 13” Double Spread $5,000 Special page 2(inside front cover) and 3 $6,000 Two adjoining centre page $5,000 Front page earpiece $1,500 (One third) $750 4.75” x 6.5” Special Report (including editorial) $3,000 Full cover page spotlight (special) $15,000

Advertisement placements on African Satellite Communications Yearbook attracts discounted rates, 20% off the above rates.

Hurry now and book your advert on Spacewatchafrica (onine and hard copy edition) as well as the African Satellite Communications Yearbook and benefit from the industry lowest rates while helping your organization reach the widest audience possible across Africa, middle east and beyond.

An additional 30% discount off the advertising rates above will be given to an advertiser who reserves for a minimum of six months (6 advertisements) or more.

All dimensions are listed as width by depth in millimeters (mm). Build pages to trim size and if bleed, extend dimensions beyond page edge by 10mm. Keep live matter 6mm from trim size. Preferred file formats are EPS, JPG or PDF.

For placement enquiries, please email us at [email protected], or call +2348036471114, 7084706167