Giraffe GPS satellite tracking project in Africa

VVVolVolVolVol o6 o6 66l l. .No. NoNo. No79 N N 55 oo5.. 3 March 2018 2021

AFRICA

SPECIAL EDITION The space industry in Nigeria 2021 2021 Africa leaps into A new leader and player i5Gn the ecosystemaerospace industry

C O N T E N T S Vol.9 No. 3

The era of 5G network in Africa Giraffe GPS satellite tracking project in Africa Editor in-chief Aliyu Bello Expanding the boundaries of space insurance Executive Manager Tonia Gerrald Satellite based solutions fighting COVID-19 SA to the editor in-Chief Ngozi Okey Space against youth unemployment Head, Application Services M. Yakubu CONAE's leading women share experiences Editorial/ICT Services John Daniel working in the space industry Usman Bello Still on healthcare networks Alozie Nwankwo Singapore initiative makes progress in encouraging more young women Juliet Nnamdi to learn about engineering Client Relations Sunday Tache Industry players brace up as NCC Lookman Bello opens up Virtual Network market Safiya Thani Why digital inclusion matters Marketing Offy Pat Aiming for the stars with Europe's Tunde Nathaniel Ariane 6 launch vehicles Wasiu Olatunde 2021: Africa leaps into 5G ecosystem Media Relations Favour Madu Big data in the shipping industry Khadijat Yakubu What to do when GPS is compromised Zacheous Felicia The story of Chinese lunar mission Finance Folarin Tunde Defence industry 'must rise to the challenge' in 2021 The future progression of Space Watch Magazine is a publication of in-flight Wi-Fi market Communication Science, Inc. All correspondence should be addressed to editor, space Watch Magazine. Abuja office: Plot 2009, Awka Street, UTC Building, GF 11, Area 10, Garki, Abuja, Nigeria Tel: 234 80336471114, 07084706167, email: [email protected]

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1 EDITORIAL

The era of 5G network in Africa

5G, or fifth Generation, is the latest wireless whole communications environment - terrestrial mobile systems move into the mobile phone technology, first widely deployed instead of thinking that competition comes millimetre wave bands above 6 GHz, where two years ago is on the upswing. From Angola, to from the four main operators (in the case of satellite systems have been operating for many South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya and Egypt, 5G UK), we should take a broader look. The years, consideration needs to be given to the technology has become the buzz word of IT competition comes from a mix of WiFi and co-existence needs of both sectors. A rapid revolution.5G will enable faster communications multiple operators providing connectivity to deployment of 5G is best served by focusing and network management in a more versatile the home, the business, the public space the spectrum needs of terrestrial 5G networks way, especially in terms of mobility and the ability and so on - all providing an ecosystem that to bands other than those used by satellite to connect numerous devices at the same time. needs to work nicely together.“ So, he says, already. This approach will also ensure that In Agriculture, 5G networks, with their low latency indoor high speed data coverage will both technologies can work together, each characteristics, much higher data transmission increasingly be WiFi and self-provided (at enabling part of the value chain to ensure speeds, robustness, greater sustainability and home or at work) or amenity based, with reliability, reach and quality of service. low energy consumption, will play a decisive role cellular picking up where the WiFi signal in the transformation of the agricultural sector. drops off. That seems unlikely to change - so Although the US has the most robust and looking at just one part (the cellular part) in extensive VSAT sites, hosting over 50 per cent Also, the implementation of 5G networks will isolation is going to lead to bad results. One of the global VSAT sites, as such, Africa does allow innovative solutions that facilitate the other important mission for 5G might be the not in our view share similar spectrum crisis as production, transmission, distribution and use of delivery of IoT nationwide alongside the the United States of America. Besides, the energy, enhancing technological progress in delivery of the “consistent connectivity”. recent clearance of the 280MHz portion of the numerous areas.5G will facilitate the day-to-day That, he judges, would be appreciated by C-band in the USA for 5G, or a similar process activities of companies, enabling smart almost all mobile phone and Internet users. in South Korea in the 28GHz band in 2018 have production, through collaboration, quality, raised the question of compatibility between efficiency and flexibility. 5G requires a Mix of Technologies to deliver individual national approaches and global In the media industry, 5G will significantly consumer needs. Therefore, growth of one harmonisation of spectrum allocations. transform the audiovisual and entertainment sector especially terrestrial 5G/IMT network industry, thanks to its leverage of applications in cannot be at the expense of another, Satellite operators need to be resolute in the area of ?virtual reality, augmented reality, particularly satellite. fighting off the continue pressure by MNOs in online games, video and music, while also spectrum affairs that has no end in sight yet. contributing decisively to boost the advertising According to one industry report, a stable, While the recent ITU's World Radio market digital. However, 5G promised to facilitate resilient, inclusive 5G ecosystem requires Conference (WRC) in 2019 greatly expanded the use of “drones” to distribute postal items, in the adoption of policies that ensure available frequencies for mobile particular parcels, which may be particularly competition among platforms. Policies that networks in the 17.25 GHz compared to 1.9 relevant in the case of urgent deliveries in rural focus solely on the fibre core of 5G GHz available before, other satellite areas. It can also facilitate the tracking of postal networks, or that equate 5G access solely frequencies such as the Ku-band in 10.7 - 11.7 objects and contribute to the optimization of with terrestrial wireless technologies, will fall GHz are now being considered for repurposing storage and distribution operations.In the health short of making 5G successful across the to mobile networks as well. sector, 5G promises to play an important role in globe. Accordingly, it is critical that the health sector in facilitating remote policymakers take the time and effort to The big question now is, should spectrum procedures and also in the development of new understand how different technologies can allocations be decided upon on pure economic diagnostic and treatment technologies. and should interwork – trying to integrate an grounds alone? If so, then a further decrease of essential component like satellite later, as the SATCOM business might lead to an Again, 5G will surely represent a turning point in an add-on, will be inefficient and additional repurposing of spectrum rights from the evolution of smart cities, due to the effective burdensome and will impose unnecessary satellite services to terrestrial wireless use of the opportunities offered by very high additional cost to providers and users alike. operations. This raises concerns regarding the speed connectivity, low latency, longer To this end, policy makers must avoid long-term perspective for satellite equipment battery life and capacity to handle a making assumptions or interventions that communications if deprived from strategic massive volume of communications. lead to the creation of blanket 5G asset of spectrum, according to a recent EU requirements for features such as high industry paper. The question then is, has the 5G mission been speed or low latency that will only result in an blown so wildly off-course? Much of the problem, underperforming or over-engineered 5G Satellite network will complement as well as William says, is that the vision of what's required network that serves few use cases and the compete with other technologies in meeting the for next generation cellular seems to have lost resulting few people. Fostering and needs of users worldwide. The satellite “sweet touch with the reality of usage patterns and user incentivising the emergence of common spots” of trunking, back-haul, mobility, and behaviour. “The fact is that in the UK and in other standards from the start to enable an hybrid multiplay will be used to complement countries, we've gradually been making more integrated and interworking eco-system of other high-bandwidth connectivity links, such use of WiFi. My guess is that about 95 per cent of network technologies so that interfaces can as broadband fibre optic, xDSL, Wi-Fi, WiGi all our traffic is now WiFi and most people have a seamlessly communicate with different a n d e v e n L i - F i o p t i c a l w i r e l e s s 'WiFi first' (use cellular only when WiFi isn't technology solutions (e.g. both GEO,LEO communications. Only by this ecosystem of available) behaviour pattern. “The regulators, and MEO satellite systems), will further technologies, including satellites in their however, spend most of their time on thinking promote the 5G vision. multiple orbits and frequency ranges, can 5G about cellular - but in the consumer market, that's achieve its vision of bringing next generation not where the action is.” Again, spectrum is an issue for all wireless connectivity to all users across the globe. “I think we need a fundamental rethink of the systems, whether terrestrial or in space. As

5 APPOINTMENTS

Astroscale U.S. Appoints Sandor Nemethy as Director, GEO Spacecraft Systems

Astroscale U.S. Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Astroscale Holdings Inc., the market leader in securing long-term orbital sustainability, today announced the strengthening of its team with the appointment of Sandor Nemethy as Director, Geostationary orbit (GEO) Spacecraft Systems. Nemethy joins Astroscale with more than 20 years of experience spanning satellite manufacturing, propulsion engineering, launch operations and program management. Most recently, he was the Vice President of Spacecraft Engineering and Operations at DISH Network, leading a team of engineers, spacecraft controllers and network administrators in operating a fleet of spacecraft. In addition to being responsible for the health of the fleet, in 2019, he led his team thru the Andrea Minton acquisition process, moving the spacecraft operations team and several satellites from Masood Sharif Mahmood's appointment to the EchoStar to Dish. Prior to that, Nemethy held lacking reliable internet access Board will ensure that the Group will continue to several positions at MAXAR (formerly Space benefit from his extensive experience and Systems Loral), including design of the Yahsat Announces New longstanding leadership in the satellite industry propulsion system on NASA's Lunar and his role as a senior stakeholder in several Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer Board Appointments and UAE and international entities. Through this (LADEE). Chief Executive Officer role, Masood will work closely with the Working closely with Executive Vice President, management team to ensure a seamless Dr. Clare Martin, Nemethy will drive the transition and to support the Group in furthering development of Astroscale U.S.' on-orbit Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat) has announced the appointment of its strategic objectives as it embarks on the next servicer technology and products to deliver stage of growth and development. solutions to customers in the commercial and three new members to its Board of Directors. g o v e r n m e n t s p a c e a n d t e c h n o l o g y Musabbeh Al Kaabi, CEO of the UAE communities. Investments platform at Mubadala Reaction Engines Investment Company PJSC (Mubadala), will assume the position of Chairman of the announces the appointment Bengt Jonsson joins Board, and Badr Al Olama, Executive of new Non-Executive Director of the UAE Clusters unit within Forsway's Board of Mubadala's UAE Investments platform, will Director Directors join as a Board member. Masood Sharif Mahmood will also join the The Board of Reaction Engines announces the Board of Directors, stepping down from his appointment of Andrea Minton Beddoes as a Forsway, a leading provider of innovative Non-Executive Director. solutions tapping satellite and existing current role as CEO of Yahsat Group with effect from 18th April, after nearly 9 years in Andrea has over 25 years' experience in terrestrial technologies to enable cost-efficient corporate communications, reputation and broadband services, today announced that the role. Ali Al Hashemi, The current CEO of Thuraya Telecommunications Company and stakeholder management across a broad range Bengt Johnson has joined its Board of of businesses including strategy consulting, Directors. A long-time investor in the company, the General Manager of Yahsat Government Solutions, will take over as the new Chief banking and insurance. She is currently a Non- Bengt brings extensive experience to the Executive Director of Bates Wells, a leading UK Forsway BoD. He has previously served as Executive Officer of Yahsat Group from 18th April, 2021. law firm and a trustee of the international Managing Director at Forsway. “We are very charity, Railway Children. excited to welcome Bengt to the Forsway BoD,” Commenting on the announcement, Musabbeh Al Kaabi said “Today's change is Commenting on the appointment, Reaction says Tobias Forsell, CEO, Forsway. Engines' Chairman Nigel McNair Scott said, “I His strong background, particularly from testament to Yahsat's dedication to strengthen the company's position as a am delighted to welcome Andrea to the Board, emerging markets, and senior positions in the she will bring with her outstanding experience global technology arena furnishes great added- robust market leader and globally recognized ICT champion and its effective and a balance of skills to support the value to our long-term goals and expansion Company's future plans and growth. plans.” “I am very excited to join the board and succession planning to build talent suitably placed to drive the future growth of the Following an early career in the financial sector support Forsway in its next stage of business at Zurich Financial Services as Director of the development,” said Bengt Jonsson. “Enabling company.” Through his role in Mubadala, Musabbeh Al CEO's Office, Andrea undertook high profile broadband services is a human rights issue and roles at McKinsey & Company as Director of Forsway's solutions, using existing technology Kaabi oversees the portfolio that supports the UAE's continued acceleration and Communications within the UK. Within that and infra structure, is by far the most cost- role, she transformed the company's approach efficient way of bringing Internet to the transformation by investing in national champions, fostering vibrant industrial and to reputation building in the UK, and established underserved areas of this planet.” Bengt a network for professional women across the Jonsson is SVP Solutions at Irdeto , leading commercial clusters, and partnering with world-class global entities. public, private and voluntary sectors. She holds global provider of software security technology a degree from Oxford University and undertook and cyber services for protecting digital Badr Al Olama's addition to the Board brings a wealth of expertise through his capacity as postgraduate studies at Harvard University, platforms and assets for video entertainment, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. video gaming and for the connected transport, an Executive Director of the UAE Clusters unit within UAE Investments Platform in Mark Thomas, Chief Executive Officer at manufacturing, and healthcare industries. He Reaction Engines said, “Andrea is a fantastic has also served in senior positions for Nokia Mubadala, overseeing a diverse portfolio of assets in multiple sectors including addition to the Board. She has as intuitive and Technicolor in Asia and Europe.Forsway understanding of people and leadership, brings provides innovative solutions for combining technology, aerospace and healthcare, as well as incubating new sectors to further diversity of thought and a fresh approach to satellite with existing terrestrial technologies – communications that I embrace. I look forward enabling broadband services for the large diversify the UAE's economy such as clean energy and life sciences. to working with Andrea as we continue to grow demographics of users in emerging markets the business."

Giraffe GPS satellite tracking project AFRICA

CONSERVATION Giraffe GPS satellite tracking project in Africa

In a remote area of Eastern and West Africa, a team of conservationists and other partners from across the globe are using GPS satellite tracking system to better understand giraffe movements throughout their range and gather in-depth information on the habits of Africa's threatened giraffe population. According to researchers, by understanding giraffe spatial ecology across Africa, Giraffe Conservation Foundation is developing innovative conservation strategies for protecting giraffe and their habitats.

Though diminishing in numbers and sizes, Giraffe also recently changed from Vulnerable to essential for the development and are vital to ecosystem function, as they disperse Endangered on the IUC Red List. The range maintenance of reserves and for the seeds, create open habitat, stimulate the growth of of Giraffa reticulata is now restricted to development of animal movement new forage, and indirectly pollinate various plants northern Kenya and parts of Ethiopia and corridors, while also providing baseline during foraging activities. The iconic giraffe Giraffa Somalia, whereas Giraffa tippelskirchi is information for assessing changes over camelopardalis, one of the world's most now found only in southern Kenya, time and insight into the factors driving recognizable animals and the tallest land mammal, Tanzania, and the Luangwa Valley in those changes. Scientists believe that have already been declared locally extinct in seven eastern Zambia. accurate distribution estimates are African countries. In December 2016, giraffe were According to research report, the rapid important for highlighting where further reclassified by the International Union for decline in many giraffe populations and the conservation and management is Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of reduction in the species' geographic range necessary, especially in giraffe range Threatened Species from “Least Concern” to is widely attributed to habitat loss, land countries where populations are isolated “Vulnerable.” New population surveys estimate an degradation, climate change, and illegal and disconnected. overall 36-40% decline in the giraffe population poaching, all of which have significantly from approximately 150,000 in 1985 to 98,000 in altered and reduced the geographic range Historically, giraffe geographic range maps 2015 and today, the figure is declining further. of giraffe throughout Africa, according to have varied greatly between sources, researchers. Giraffe historically existed ranging from a coarse view characterised Throughout the African continent, many giraffe largely outside of public and private by a wide geographic distribution across populations are declining in abundance, and protected lands, and thus directly most sub-Saharan countries to granular giraffe are now absent from much of their historical overlapped with human activities, such as depictions with only small fragmented geographic ranges. Combined, giraffe populations agriculture and livestock rearing, says the pockets in West, East, and Southern have declined by approximately 40% in the past 30 report. Africa. Overall, the 2016 IUCN Red List years alone, resulting in the recent change of Assessment of the geographic range of category for the species Giraffa camelopardalis However, projections indicate that the giraffe requires an update to incorporate from Least Concern to Vulnerable on the IUCN human population in Africa will double by direct observational data and the most up- Red List of Threatened Species. 2050, so giraffe habitat is likely to continue to-date information on the species. In addition to competition from one another, the to be impacted by anthropogenic giraffes are under threat from poaching, droughts alterations, and unfortunately, Giraffe have and habitat loss, which is often due to local people already been extirpated in at least seven Satellite-derived GPS undertaking illegal wood-cutting. The giraffe's countries in the last century including telemetry data roaming area includes one of the most heavily Burkina Faso, Eritrea, Guinea, Mali, In order to obtain location data of the populated in Niger, and much of the conservation Mauritania, Nigeria, and Senegal, and much giraffe population, scientist and effort over recent years by groups such as the of their remaining geographic range is conservation efforts relied on location data Association for Saving the Giraffes of Niger, a local becoming increasingly fragmented. acquired from giraffe fitted with satellite NGO, has focused on educating locals and tracking devices in northern Kenya and in compensating them for crop losses caused by Despite their iconic stature, giraffe suffer Uganda. A combination=n of satellite giraffes. Killing a giraffe is also punishable with a from a lack of scientific research, which has receivers and a GPS transmitter were five year jail-term. been a major concern and challenge for used o monitor the Giraffe movements. Two subspecies of giraffe, Giraffa camelopardalis mapping their geographic distribution and The tracking unit attached to the Giraffe antiquorum and Giraffa camelopardalis designing conservation strategies, said a had a GPS receiver and a VHF radio camelopardalis, are now restricted to small researcher familiar with the project. transmitter incorporated in to the collar. fragmented populations in nine countries in the According to the researcher, much of giraffe The unit on the Giraffe was set to obtain northern half of Africa, and were officially listed as ecology has remained relatively and transmit a single location signal at Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List in understudied, including distribution, noon each day. In addition, the location 2018. abundance, and occupancy. data were mapped and analysed using The conservation status of two other species, Researchers argued that understanding the ArcGIS ArcMap 9.2 with spatial Analyst Giraffa reticulata and Giraffa tippelskirchi, were distribution of giraffe and their habitat is and tracking Analyst extensions. AFRICA

The transmitters used were AST GPS near real white legs. Mostly concentrated in an area to laptop or smart phones in the field. These tools time data collars. The units weighed 12.5kg the east of Niamey, Niger's capital, the animals have already proven valuable in Uganda and including a 6.5 kg lead ballast to keep the roam from areas of alternating open land and Namibia, allowing field teams to easily track transmitters upright. They were designed to last vegetation in Kouré to the Niger river's Dosso giraffe as part of post-translocation monitoring for 24 months at three reading per day powered reserve. Some have recently been spotted in programmes. These data are critical to by ten D0cell lithium batteries. During the study, new areas, including close to the border with monitoring efforts on the ground and are freely they were set to record a single GPS reading Mali. shared with wildlife authorities in the range per day at midday, hereby extending the lifetime The Giraffe Conservation Foundation, has states. of the batteries to three years. worked with the Kenya-based manufacturers Over the past few years, conservationists have The science team, made up of personnel from of GPS tracking technology to design units worked tirelessly to track and count giraffe multiple conservation organizations including optimised for tracking all species of giraffe. The species—analyzing existing data and the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, Northern current versions of these tracking devices are conducting giraffe counts. Assessing giraffe Rangelands Trust, Kenya Wildlife Service, The smaller than a deck of cards and feature solar populations can be challenging and expensive Nature Conservancy, Loisaba Conservancy, panels for recharging. These so-called 'ossi- work, requiring aerial surveys and long hours the Smithsonian Institution, Lewa Wildlife units' are linked to the Iridium satellite network, in the field monitoring and counting giraffes, Conservancy, Senckenberg BiK-F, Goethe allowing two-way transfer of data so that they often in remote areas with rough terrain. University, Savannah Tracking andGlobal can be remotely reprogrammed and can relay Through these efforts, researchers have Conservation Foundation has attached solar- the recorded locations of the tracked giraffe to discovered that the world's population of powered GPS satellite tracking devices to 11 any Internet linked device. giraffes continues to decline at an alarming reticulated giraffes in the region. The units will Using the data collected from the ossi-units rate, with just under 100,000 individuals left in provide the science team with real-time data on requires sophisticated analytical techniques, their native habitats. That is a decrease of giraffe movements, the size of their home so Giraffe Conservation Foundation has nearly 40 percent over the last 20 years. These ranges, where they travel during seasons and partnered with leading research institutions findings led the International Union for the travel corridors they use over the next two like the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to change years—making this the first time such a large Institute and other partners to develop rigorous giraffes' status last year to Vulnerable, on the group of giraffes will be tracked for multiple scientific studies to learn more about how IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.To date, years in East Africa. Apart from a small pilot giraffe interact with their habitats. Using cutting Giraffe Conservation Foundation has tracked exercise, the task of fitting the collars has never edge geospatial analyses in association with nearly 200 giraffe representing all four species before been attempted, and is unusually satellite imagery, GCF and affiliated across 10 different countries. The ambitious challenging due to the giraffe's long neck. It researchers are investigating how giraffe scope of this study and innovative approaches means anaesthetising the animals, but if their interact with their environments across space required to conduct research at this scale hearts are slowed for more than around half an and time. Looking at giraffe habitat use at the necessitates collaborative approaches with hour, then not enough blood reaches the brain, landscape scale provides key insights into the leading conservation researchers and and the giraffe could die. To fit the collar – which valuable resources for giraffe and will help to practitioners. looks like a large leather belt camouflaged with guide conservation initiatives throughout Scientists believe the startling downward trend giraffe markings – a team of seven researchers Africa. is due to poaching, habitat loss, habitat holds down the animal and puts a hood over its The real-time visualisation of giraffe fragmentation and disease, leading to head. movement data provides a valuable tool to situations where certain giraffe subpopulations There are nine African sub-species of giraffe, conservation managers and rangers on the have decreased so rapidly, they are now which are differentiated by the colour, pattern ground. GCF and partners have developed extinct in seven African nations. and shape of their spots. The Niger species specialised computer applications to access have large orange-brown spots, fading into pale and visualise the latest locations of giraffe from PROFILE

AESIR SPACE Expanding the boundaries of space insurance

Aesir Space is a London-based specialist space insurance MGA. The facility provides 'A+' rated protection worldwide for launch, in-orbit and associated space risks developed by underwriters with a strong working knowledge of the sector.

Led by Morten Pahle, a leading figure in the space Aesir Space a unique perspective on the market, Aesir Space applies a rigorous approach space insurance market. During his Associated covers based on technical, commercial and industry underwriting career, he was Founder and Aesir Space's insurance remit extends beyond experience to the underwriting and construction of Managing Director of VIVet Limited, an MGA the standard reach of most space policies, its coverages. Providing both risk-specific policies focused on space, aviation and energy. He providing protection for investors, as well as and fully integrated umbrella coverages, solutions was also UK Branch Manager at Glacier encompassing launch delay, engine testing are available for every phase in the application Insurance now Starstobe Insurance and a and a range of contingency-related covers. lifecycle, from AIT, manufacture and transit Space Underwriter at Assicurazionl As the space market evolves at a rapid rate in through to launch, in-orbit and de-orbit, as well as GeneraLL.His risk management credentials response to growing data demands placed on for third party liabilities. stem from his work as Group Risk and satellites, advances in the underlying With new entrants, new technologies and Insurance Manager at EADS Atriums technology and the increase in countries and NewSpace rapidly expanding the boundaries of Satellites now Airbus Defence and Space and companies entering the space sector, investor the space market, Aesir Space's technical has started his career as a Reliability Engineer interest is rocketing. foundations support its ability to closely monitor on LEO meteorological satellites. At Aesir Space, we recognise the heightened and respond to the evolving risk environment. risk potential of these emerging technologies, Working with brokers and clients to develop capabilities and market participants, and offer customised cover, the team's risk remit extends Launch vehicle flight investors the necessary financial protection to from standard manufacturing, testing and launch The number of orbital launches continues to support their drive to invest.The scope of our covers, to more innovative products to cater for increase in response to increasing data umbrella solutions is expansive and our space new hardware such as smallsats and compact d e m a n d s . I n v e s t m e n t i n s m a l l s a t risk management experience means we are launchers, including alternative missions and development rockets and the global launcher able to build comprehensive programmes that unique payloads. fleet expands to encompass new launch span the many potential issues and incidents Aesir Space provides the broadest possible range vehicles and payloads and the demand for that may arise that could delay or prevent of space covers in the most flexible packages. Launch Vehicle Flight Only (LVFO) insurance launch or result in a failure of an application to Based on technical underwriting foundations we grows in tandem. Nevertheless, launch achieve its commercial goals. apply commercial, scientific and technical rigour to failures keep occurring and their effect can be every policy to ensure that the right cover is devastating to start-ups and established Launch & in-orbit operators' available. We recognise the value in good service operators alike. Aesir Space provides and transparent communication at all levels of comprehensive LVFO to insureds for damage liabilities underwriting and claims handling. to satellites which occur after intentional Launch failures or in-orbit anomalies or Aesir understands that clients want to protect their ignition of the launch vehicle and up to the operational errors are a constant risk facing business plans and not merely insure their assets. point where they separate from the launcher. satellite operators and create the potential for We see insurance as an enabler; protecting Our data-driven underwriting approach means damage to third party property or, in extreme clients' business plans enables them to obtain that every LVFO policy is built on high- cases, injury or loss of life. finance and grow their venture. 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Data-driven delivery In-orbit Combined flight Accurate risk assessment is based on the capture In-Orbit failures, whether due to technical Combined Flight (or CF) cover combines a and analysis of high-resolution industry data on faults, human error or the constantly evolving launch vehicle flight only policy with an In orbit aspects ranging from advances in satellite design space environment are a constant risk factor. policy to provide a seamless policy which to the latest launch failure statistics down to the Our In-Orbit (IO) insurance provides covers a satellite for launch and one-year post individual component level.The Aesir Space protection in the event of a loss of performance separation. Subsequent IO covers are placed platform is built on an advanced data-rich, highly of a satellite in orbit. The coverage responds in on an annually renewing basis. Our product efficient technology platform that connects every situations including the failure or degradation suite is constantly evolving to reflect the component of the workflow, supporting enhanced of on-board equipment, loss of fuel, damage changing dynamics of the space market. As decision making and speedy submission caused by operational error or collisions with new boutique manufacturers enter the arena, response, and enabling rapid policy production. foreign objects etc. The policies reflect our the sector expands with the development of Offering consistent risk assessment based on technical knowledge of the various smallsat technologies, new payloads and technical underwriting insight, Aesir Space applications involved and the associated risks. smaller launch vehicles, our combined delivers the scientific rigour that the space industry In-Orbit cover applies after the satellite has coverage options expand to encompass the demands. separated from its launch vehicle and ends at unique risk parameters these applications the end of nominal life. In instances where generate. The chief executive officer is Morten Pahle. Morten sufficient data is available, we can provide has over 20 years o risk management experience policies for spacecraft operated past their in the space industry and over 15 years in the design lifetime. Insurance market. His technical knowledge gives

INDUSTRY REPORT

Satellite based solutions fighting COVID-19

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COVID-19 crisis has affected the global space potential during emergencies. The project and death rates were accurate. sector in terms of revenues, productivity and was jointly financed by the ESA's Navigation operations and the effects of the pandemic will Innovation and Support Programme Also, the Greek Centre of EO Research & very likely produce its effects also in the future. (NAVISP) and RISE. Alexandru Pandele, Satellite Remote Sensing BEYOND, As reported by ESPI, in a Northern Sky RISE GNSS Manager, declared that launched a global GIS web-platform Research survey, on the COVID-19 impact on originally a commercial future for CovTrack informing on COVID-19 outbreaks along satellite and space markets, it has been was not actually foreseen especially due to with demographic, environmental, and estimated that the demand for space services the need for continuous close collaboration atmospheric parameters. Over the last 10 will be likely negatively affected in specific with national authorities, core to provide years, the Centre gained expertise on the sectors like energy or aviation. These losses updated data. Although RISE experiences topic of epidemics, originally focusing on can be balanced by growth for cellular backhaul some difficulties in collaborating with public mosquito-borne diseases. BEYOND and consumer broadband as a consequence authorities, a consortium including RISE has developed an Early Warning System for more solid connectivity. These changes in won a governmental competition for the relying on EO to forecast and map the demand and market structures in the rapid development of an integrated spread of these diseases. By considering downstream segment of the space value chain informatics system aiming to address environmental parameters such as may, in turn, have consequences for industrial COVID-19 issues. atmospheric pollutants, humidity, and activities at a later stage. The COVID-19 crisis temperature, the platform provides new has proven the potential contribution also of EO In addition, European Space Imaging is indications such as how weather data. According to EU Space Imaging, the another private company based in Germany, influences the spread of the disease. scarcity of available funding for EO solutions supplying global very high-resolution These observations are critical for the could explain why mobile app developers rely satellite imagery up to 30 cm resolution. evaluation of measures and behavioural more on satellite navigation data, which is During the lockdown, the company provided patterns, assisting further decision making freely available in any mobile device that images to public institutions and media to contain the spread of the virus. The open receives the GNSS signal. Including outlets. Satellite imagery of deserted portal merges Copernicus data with in-situ commercial satellite imagery, on the other touristic hotspots, empty car parks, or limited sensors, crowdsourcing, and public health hand, might be a financial hurdle. airport operations made the economic and logistical impact of the global crisis very data from official sources, specifically, the European Centre for Disease Prevention Romanian In Space Engineering (RISE) is a visual. The company utilised its core and Control (ECDC), the Johns Hopkins start-up founded in 2017 as a spin-off of the business to help governmental agencies Coronavirus Resource Centre, the World Institute of Space Sciences in Romania. RISE coping with these extreme situations and Health Organisation (WHO), as well as the core business is centred on transferring space was eventually approached by the European Worldometers statistical website. technologies down-to-Earth, as well as to spin- Commission to strengthen its policy in in terrestrial once to develop cheaper solutions response to COVID-19. In support of the So far, technology has been to the forefront for space. It developed the Romanian mobile Copernicus Emergency Management since the beginning of the pandemic app, CovTrack, that aim at identifying potential Service, the company collected imagery with enabling solutions to halt the contagion. In transmissibility vectors of COVID-19 relying on the WorldView satellite constellation this context, also the space sector Bluetooth and satellite positioning. The concept showing long traffic jams on several provided its support to fight against of CovTrack is to use Bluetooth technology to motorways at the border crossing between COVID-19 by making available to different determine whether close contact has been different European countries. industries space technologies or, in some made, recording where it was made. The app This supported European political decision- cases, several space companies only saves the location where close contacts makers to find a fast and unified European temporarily reconverted their businesses occurred, without actively tracing the users' solution to the traffic issues, assisting to to being part of the collective effort to fight location. Through an online database of keeping the balance of protecting citizens the virus. confirmed COVID-19 patients addresses, whilst also ensuring that the necessary Furthermore, EO providers should managed by governmental authorities, the app exchange of goods and freedom of travel welcome the possibility of integrating informs users and institutions. If a contact with within the Union was upheld. Furthermore, GNSS to provide geo-referenced data an infected person has been identified, the user satellite imagery assisted authorities in resulting in a highly effective risk is notified. The app has been published for finding unused spots of urban areas to be assessment solution. With its post-COVID open-source usage on GitHub and provided repurposed for temporary hospitals or urban sustainability initiative, the the basis for an integrated informatics system testing facilities. Finally, governmental European GNSS Agency (GSA) aims to do developed for the Romanian government. agencies also utilised Very High Resolution (VHR) imagery as a verification method for exactly this.25 Space services are playing a key role in the modernisation of cities, by CovTrack has been developed building on country statistics about COVID-19. For exploiting synergies between Galileo and AGORA, a mobile app primarily used by large example, satellite imagery showing mass Copernicus our cities could become event organisers to improve the management graves and cemeteries in remote areas healthier, greener, more resilient and more of available resources from staff allocation to helped to determine whether figures sustainable. vendor products, also demonstrating a huge provided by countries concerning infection

EUROPE

Space against youth unemployment

It should be a commonplace by now that propagation effect on the national level and from space industry, who would be willing to something targeted has to be done regarding this is important for drawing the youth into invest part of their time to give a new youth unemployment in the European active involvement in the economy on a generation a chance and serve as role-models 'periphery'. Sustained youth unemployment of sustainable basis. and dispensers of seasoned advice. Of course, 30 to 60 percent in Greece, Spain, Portugal and not every Euro invested in a youth-orientated Ireland will ultimately lead to a lost generation Greece, Spain Portugal and Ireland have space project would ultimately go to the youth; and a brain drain, unless something probate is well-educated youths, deployable in space most investment would still go to the general done soon. A lost generation is, of course, activity with only modest training space industry. morally indefensible and would introduce investment, and particularly Spain has But since the projects would serve scientific unbearable social tension for many years to significant untapped space expertise and general application goals just like all other come. The European house that has been built among its young. Hence a good foundation space projects the only real discriminator since WWII is perhaps more solid than we give it for creating targeted space activities for the would be that a youth project would give youth credit for, yet 'he who sows wind shall reap the youth of the 'periphery' exists. How could and industry from the 'periphery' an extra whirlwind' and it is certainly inadvisable to invite such projects look? The answer to that is chance. A youth project would not be a 'bridge the whirlwind to test the strength of our that the youth in the affected countries to nowhere' employment scheme, but a moorings. should be asked. Crowd-sourcing, and genuine space project with societal utility – and associated prizes for best ideas, is a the added benefit of giving employment and Clearly space is not a panacea for what is powerful tool to engage a broad segment of hope to the youth that has been put in such a ultimately a huge European problem. But a population, even if it will not be on a full- perilous situation. macroeconomic crisis must, to some extent, be time basis. Project objectives and the met by micro-economic counter-measures, and architectural definition of missions could Alliances would have to be built between hence it would appear incumbent on all very well be crowd-sourced from the youth funding authorities, such as the European European economic sectors to analyse what under expert guidance from European Commission, the space agencies and space they individually can do to help, even if it may institutions which would safeguard both industry in order to be able to provide a not be much! Space has the potential to be an project integrity and that the project would fit workable environment. So, all necessary uplifting contributor towards amelioration, well in the overall space portfolio. Space actors would have to go the extra mile to make because space already has strong pan- science and Earth observation missions such projects a success. Yet, they should have European institutions and industry and because could be imagined as particularly likely to every incentive to do so, as they would serve space activity can target very precisely a given capture the imagination the young. the future interests of space, and, more demographic. The sector is not huge – but it is importantly, societal goals that will define iconic. The signal effect of space coming to the After mission definition, suitable facilities whether we can build a cohesive European aid of youth in the periphery should not be would then have to be identified in the society in the face of centrifugal forces which under-estimated. countries, preferably from existing are not only divisive but leading to greater and institutional and industrial resources. greater regional inequality. Space is appealing to youth because it is hi-tech Thereafter, core teams of engineers and and pioneer. Furthermore, increased youth support staff at system and subsystem level Many arguments can be fielded against involvement in space builds skill sets that can would have to be built based on periphery- initiatives like the ones suggested here, but b e e a s i l y d e p l o y e d a l s o i n o t h e r wide competition between professionals of none would seem to trump the moral and futureorientated segments of the economy. less than 35 years of age. With the key societal imperative of doing something And, importantly, space inspires and can bring teams and facilities in place the projects effective for a generation which has no guilt in new students to the critical disciplines of would subsequently be undertaken in the current troubles of their societies, but stand science, technology, engineering and math classical project mode, possibly involving the risk of being the one to pay the heaviest (STEM). Hence, space activity has a significant 'mentors' drawn from retired senior people price! AMERICA

ARGENTINA CONAE's leading women share experiences working in the space industry

Thirty seven years old María Fernanda and a native of La Calera, Córdoba, García Ferreyra is an expert in air quality although in order to get to work in this area, issues of the Emergency and Early she first decided to train in computer science Warning Unit of the Technological Linkage and obtained a degree at the UNC (FaMAF) Management of CONAE. She learned her .“During my degree, I chose two elective vocation in science and in particular for subjects related to the spatial field, chemistry during high school. Later, at the especially processing of satellite images. Faculty of Chemical Sciences of the Then I did the Master of Space Applications National University of Córdoba (UNC), she of Early Warning and Response to became interested in chemistry, although Emergencies from the Gulich Institute . I at that time she did not think that in the was part of the first cohort, which graduated future she could direct this training to the in 2011 ”, she recalled. space area. That same year she joined CONAE, first in "At that time I was more prepared to work in the operational commissioning of map a laboratory," she recalled, and explained servers for the risk stratification of dengue that while doing an internship in Brazil, she and chagas cases at the local and national applied for "Master of space applications of level, and in the development of modules for early warning and response to the processing of satellite data integrated an impressive fascination ”. In Jesús María, emergencies", from the Gulich Institute of into the chain production of the CONAE Córdoba, where she is from, she attended CONAE and the Faculty of Astronomy, User Segment Service. In 2014, she joined secondary school with a computer Mathematics, Physics and Computing of the SAOCOM project, where she still works, orientation. “There I learned to program, but I the UNC. "In this field, I worked with models at the age of 36, working on the automatic felt like I wanted to know more. It was at the to predict what happens to pollutants in the planning system of the Mission Operations National University of Córdoba where I atmosphere and we use satellite Center. “Considering the requests of users, discovered that the answers to my questions information to validate the operation of the passes over stations and other resource were in Physics.” She commented. “Space these models." During this period, she restrictions of each satellite, the planning has always fascinated me as well, out of obtained a scholarship to work at CONAE system must generate a sequence of curiosity to know what lies beyond, but my to develop products aimed at improving air commands to be executed by the satellite in arrival at CONAE was accidental. She was quality, hitherto unpublished in the the next 24 or 48 hours ”, she explained. doing a doctorate in neuroscience and the institution. This marked a decade of that “In a way I think I started my career possibility of taking a remote sensing course moment. backwards, because image processing is came up that caught her attention. As a result García Ferreyra works with a group of related to the final stage of a space mission. of this link, a job proposal emerged to work in professionals in the development of Working in this area helped me understand the SAC-D / Aquarius Mission ”. satellite applications and models to the requirements associated with user evaluate air quality in Argentina and in the requests, which are part of the inputs to the Carolina has worked at CONAE since 2009. satellite monitoring of environmental planning system ”, she explained. In At the age of 40, she is currently the principal emergencies, such as fires, floods, addition, De Elía is a member of a research investigator of the SABIA-Mar Mission , avalanches and volcanic eruptions. She is and development group whose objective is which is in the development stage and also a professor at the Gulich Institute's to participate in other projects that are part of expected to be launched in orbit in 2023. Her Master of Spatial Information Applications. the National Spatial Plan , for example the task is to guide the scientific objectives of the In 2020, during the first months of the Sabia-Mar Mission. "I am very proud and mission, which implies guaranteeing that the COVID-19 pandemic, she prepared a satisfied to be part of these projects that are satellite information is available to the user study that showed the reduction in pollution so important nationally and internationally," community and arrives as a contribution to levels in the main cities of the country due she said, and stressed that the possibility of society . "There is a very strong research to the lower circulation of vehicular traffic. interacting with professionals from different component that involves all the processes Fernanda highlighted the work she does disciplines also helps her grow. and algorithms that are applied to the data with professionals from different Regarding the role of women in science, she obtained by the satellite about 700 km from disciplines: "Each person has a different argued that when she studied computing at Earth, to obtain information on the way of approaching a problem, from where university, she found a large majority of male composition and characteristics of the sea we can learn and complement ourselves ." colleagues, and although this situation was surface," she explained. Regarding gender, Fernanda considered repeated at work, for some time there were that " many times there are difficulties in positive changes: “ In the workplace there “I am pleasantly surprised and very proud of interpersonal bonds at work or maternity were always fewer women, but I never felt a my professional career . It was a long road to situations that are complicated , probably differential treatment. At CONAE it surprises get here, always growing, beyond the ups due to the difference between the number me for good that in recent years there have and downs and difficulties. The balance is of men and women." In this sense, she been many important and relevant roles that positive ”, she assured. “Personally, I never stressed that although during her are being filled by women ”, she concluded. felt that being a woman conditioned me, university studies women were the even in college, where I only had two or three majority, this relationship was reversed Curiosity for knowledge classmates. At work, although the presence when she began to work. From a very young age, Carolina Tauro was of men is also imposed, luckily I began to Professional satisfaction attracted to science. “I was always curious. I have more female colleagues and I was “Different themes of spatial development was interested in how things worked. At lucky enough to generate beautiful bonds always caught my attention,” said home, I read the popular science magazines with them, "he concluded. Estefanía De Elía , another professional that my parents bought and they generated REPORT

Still on healthcare networks

iTrinegy, a world leader in Software Defined Test And the Hospitals issues that, if not properly anticipated before Networks has released a new report on the As the major healthcare centers for large launch, will prevent the application from current state of hospital networks across the regions across the globe, hospitals are one of performing its intended task, making it virtually world. In the report, iTrinegy highlighted the the most important focal points of any society, useless for the clinician attempting to use it. problems that healthcare networks face on a and as a consequence are typically the first to day-to-day basis, exploring why these incorporate new technologies or applications in The report went further to argue that upgrading conditions negatively impact application an attempt to provide better healthcare to their the network infrastructure is very difficult and performance, and ultimately offer a cost- patients. However, despite their importance, very expensive. With the importance that effective, easy to use solution that will help hospitals across the globe still frequently hospitals have within any society, it would be ensure that these highly-stressed networks experience detrimental connectivity issues understandable to assume that these crucial won't prevent your applications from providing which negatively impact their ability to provide healthcare centers have a sophisticated, quality care once deployed into healthcare high-quality healthcare, and are significant cutting-edge infrastructure to support their environments. roadblocks for those attempting to modernize or work. However, for many institutions, this is not digitize healthcare. the case, and many hospitals have to operate As world populations continue to expand, and According the report, hospital networks are over poor-quality networks that will provide new risks to personal health continue to evolve, poorly designed to support the digital age. devices and applications with slow, intermittent healthcare organizations across the globe are When initially modernizing the largely analogue connectivity, which can become even worse at investing huge amounts of funding and labour or totally non-digital healthcare centers in peak visitation hours. into new technologies and applications to countries across the globe, many did not have provide a modern, digitized, fully connected the funding to invest in high-quality networks, Naturally, according to the report, upgrading healthcare system that is better prepared to instead having to implement and upgrade their the network infrastructures that these hospitals provide the care people need to live comfortable, wireless capacity piece by piece to save on rely on is a constant goal of the governing fulfilling lives. There is a hugely supported drive costs. In addition to this, nobody could have bodies; however, this is a very difficult and in both public and private healthcare sectors to anticipated the explosion of the digital age when complicated task, and it can often take a long leverage technology to augment existing designing these low-budget networks when time to achieve properly. In addition to this healthcare services to provide better they were implemented 10-15 years ago, difficulty, the hospitals can very rarely afford for performance for crucial healthcare devices, to meaning that it was impossible to truly future their existing, sub-par networks to become provide better remote patient care, to improve proof these networks for the massive increase unavailable, even for a day, due to the large clinician efficiency, and to ensure all hospitals or in devices that they would need to support in number of patients depending on them for life- surgeries are connected and can easily access years to come. As a consequence, saving care. In addition to this, upgrading WAN important records and data. incorporating new technologies into these and LAN Networks in hospitals can be a very fragmented, poorly-optimized networks can be expensive task, and these hospitals will very However, as more devices are being added to a huge challenge, and many applications will rarely have the budget to finance such an Hospital networks, IoT becomes increasingly experience poor connectivity throughout their important and extensive procedure. involved with the world of patient care, more operational life as a result. Subsequently, there is very rarely a 'good patients are being treated with the aid of moment' for the networks to be upgraded, technology, and the push for remote treatments meaning that hospitals will often require becomes increasingly prioritized, these already Highly congested networks devices entering them to be tested, and critical healthcare networks are being put under The report said, “Due to the consistently optimized, for the poor conditions that they will an increasing strain that leaves the applications increasing population size and improvements in face. or devices using them exposed to vulnerabilities healthcare allowing people to live longer than Several remote locations or branches still lack and weaknesses. These consequences can, they used to, hospitals have to accommodate both the funding and larger populations of the and very often do, have instant impacts on a more patients, more staff, and more visitors on cities and large towns that will host hospitals, healthcare organization's ability to offer high a daily basis than ever before”. many of the rural locations that will host these quality patient care. All of these people will be attempting to access smaller branches will have network and use the hospital networks, from the doctor infrastructures that provide only the slower, Today, degraded network conditions are so attempting to access patient data, to the visitor more fragile connections to all of the users in prevalent in healthcare centers, and so attempting to watch Netflix with a patient, and all the area, including hospitals. In the UK, this can commonly disrupt approved applications, that of this activity spread across the thousands of often be capped at around 11Mbps, and can be many countries now have regulated compliance people within a hospital can put the networks hugely stifling for the applications attempting to standards specifically regarding poor network under an immediate strain that can prevent work in these locations to provide quality qualities, meaning that all companies aiming to crucial applications from operating properly at patient care. These poor quality infrastructures sell products into the healthcare sector are peak hours. In addition to this, and in an attempt will often include high latency, lower available required to prove that their products are resilient to provide better healthcare to an increasingly bandwidths, and an increased likelihood of to low-quality networks. large patient base, there is a constant increase packet errors, all of which can interrupt with the the amount of healthcare devices & flow of information to and from the devices that applications being added to hospital need to operate over them. Why healthcare networks fail infrastructures, meaning that every device in Despite the considerable feats that modern the network has even more competition for the technology can achieve, a large percentage of Upgrading these networks is, naturally, hugely crucial bandwidth and connectivity that they desired by the services that utilize them, but health centers suffer from connectivity issues, a need to operate at a sufficient level. problem that will only be exacerbated further as with the lower funding available to the digital healthcare is increasingly incorporated governing bodies that manage them, this is And, finally, hospitals are in a constant need to almost always a very long-term goal. Instead of into the modern healthcare system. But what connect to data centers, and receiving and issues in particular do different healthcare optimizing the networks for the applications, it is sending information is a crucial part of their IT almost always the case that the applications providers face? What causes these issues? requirements, and this must be possible at all And why does any company desiring to sell into must be optimized for the networks that they will times of the day. Ultimately, what this means is have to endure. the healthcare industry need to take them into that during the peak hours of the day, many consideration? devices and applications will suffer connectivity ASIA

Singapore initiative makes progress in encouraging more young women to learn about engineering

A series of virtual events has successfully taken place to encourage more girls in Singapore to take an interest in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), as well as basic computer programming and coding.

The 'She Solves' engineering challenge was University Glasgow Singapore on the 28th girls completing the challenge in Singapore. launched in Singapore in 2019 by Girl Guides January. Through our long standing partnership with Singapore and was developed by a team of Singapore, including our cyber business female engineers from BAE Systems in the UK. On hosting the Girl Guides and the initiative based there, we hope to continue to The challenge involves completing a number of generally, British High Commissioner to encourage Singapore's future pipeline of STEM activities in order to earn the 'She Solves' Singapore, Her Excellency Kara Owen, talent to take an interest in engineering.” badge and was intended as an initiative to help commented: “As a mother of girls I've loved girls gain a better understanding of engineering hearing the Girl Guides talk about the On the success of the 'She Solves' badge in subjects and important contributions made to contributions of women in engineering, and how Singapore, Mrs Koh-Teh Yi Wen, Chief society by inspiring engineers. the 'She Solves' challenge has sparked off their Commissioner of Girl Guides Singapore, interests and ambitions in the STEM field. commented: "The 'She Solves' badge Following the successful launch in 2019, Girl These girls will be tomorrow's researchers, reinforces Girl Guides Singapore's mission Guides Singapore and BAE Systems hosted scientists, mathematicians and engineers. to engage girls through fun and enriching two large virtual events at the end of 2020 to There's every chance they can change our learning programmes that empower them to help make the badge accessible to as many world. reach their fullest potential. Hands-on girls in Singapore as possible and inspire them “Researchers and scientists from the UK and experimentation or "learning by doing" is to learn more about engineering. Singapore collaborate closely across many extremely effective for girls to experience fields, tackling some of the world's most firsthand how interesting and exciting STEM To date, nearly 800 girls in Singapore have pressing problems such as climate change, and concepts are. Not only do they enjoy coming completed the engineering challenges to earn initiatives like 'She Solves' help to inspire our up with solutions to solve real-world their badge, with more than 220 doing so during countries' next generations of women STEM problems, it is also exciting to consider how the recent virtual events. The participants were specialists and leaders”. STEM can be used to help people lead better also set a challenge to get creative and produce lives. Furthermore, the opportunity to learn a poster showing how much they had learnt BAE Systems launched a similar engineering directly from female engineers and see their from their engineering activities. With some challenge badge with Girl Guides Malaysia in achievements has inspired many more girls incredibly creative and insightful entries 2020 following the success of the Singapore to consider pursuing a career in engineering - covering everything from how cyber security initiative and plans to continue working closely a traditionally male-dominated profession.” impacts daily life in Singapore, to the important with the Girl Guides organisation to encourage These girls will be tomorrow's researchers, work of engineers throughout history, three more young girls to complete the engineering scientists, mathematicians and engineers. competition winners were selected and invited challenge badge and take an interest in STEM There's every chance they can change our to attend afternoon Tea with British High subjects. world.Her Excellency Kara Owen , British Commissioner to Singapore, Her Excellency BAE Systems Managing Director Asia, Natasha High Commissioner to Singapore Kara Owen and Dr Cindy Goh, Director of Pheiffer said: "It is great to see more and more AFRICAN REPORT

Industry players brace up as NCC opens up Virtual Network market

The Nigerian Communications Commission (SBP) while in Singapore they are known as (NCC) has denied speculations in the media S e r v i c e s - B a s e d O p e r a t o r ( S B O ) . that it has concluded work on the licensing Internationally, VNOs have focused mainly for framework that will open Nigerian telecoms provisioning of mobile access services; and market for the launch of Mobile Virtual Network are known as Mobile Virtual Network Operators Operators (MVNO). The MVNO licence (MVNOs); however, there are other services framework, an important precursor to the also where VNOs can be useful to increase licensing of this category of telecoms players, their penetration. is not yet concluded, contrary to the statement in the said media report. For example, VSAT operators like Telstra A Virtual Network Operator (VNO) including Global (Australia), Orbit Research (UK) and Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) is a VSAT Systems (USA) are providing satellite Service Delivery Operator who does not based VSAT services by leasing hub space to necessarily own the underlying network(s) but VNOs in some of the countries. The VNO relies on the network and support of the needs to purchase only a line card to establish infrastructure providers, telecommunication a High Throughput Satellite (HTS) service and suppliers/operators for providing telecom has full control of its own network and end s e r v i c e s t o e n d u s e r s / c u s t o m e r s . users. This is an attractive model for VNOs for VNOs/MVNOs have a lot of potential in terms getting quick access to the HTS market at low of providing customized products for highly investment and expansion of their network penetrated markets, improving penetration in based on demand. Prof. Danbatta rural areas and Tier2 and Tier 3 cities, M2M According to one industry expert, terrestrial and Cloud play and a pivotal role in Digital India solutions remain the largest challenge for and Smart Cities. satellite-based virtual network solutions, including both network operators themselves, technology providers, advertising and As these operators do not necessarily have and Mobile Virtual Network Operators Pascalemarketin Ehrenfreundg agencies, SIM and re-charge their own networks, they are termed 'Virtual (MVNOs). Airtime pricing is generally lower coupon distribution channels. Network Operators'. In other words, VNOs are than satellite usage, but what is more striking is simply a reseller of network services from other the significantly lower cost of terrestrial Is Virtual Network Operator a telecommunications suppliers that do not own terminals the telecommunication infrastructure. The In addition, eSIMs have the potential to grow new competitor? VNO concept has gained a lot of traction in the the market in competition with satellite telecommunications industry as the cost of services. By being embedded, they can be Since the business case of VNOs revolves creation of core infrastructure is very huge and shipped with OEM devices and equipment, and around a reseller concept, Network Service beyond the reach of small, innovative new increase utilization of virtual services. eSIMs operators (NSOs) are likely to continue their entrants. A VNO typically leases telecom can also be provisioned over the air, and be dominance in their respective telecom markets services at commercially agreed terms and updated to be used on multiple networks, to and the question that VNOs will be a c o n d i t i o n s f r o m v a r i o u s t e l e c o m avoid roaming and prevent other more competitor perhaps does not arise. Network operators/infrastructure providers in order to complex support issues. operators have built their own infrastructure provide telecommunication solutions to the and are providing services using either their end customers. VNOs can provide any Regulation own infrastructure or shared infrastructure. In telecom service being provided by the network In 2003, the European Commission issued a contrast, VNOs will synergize their operations providers' viz. Teleservices (voice, data and recommendation to national telecom and add to their parented NSOs revenue video), internet/broadband, IPTV, Value Added regulators (NRAs) to examine the stream and reach. Actually the VNOs Services, content delivery services, etc. competitiveness of the market for wholesale complement the NSOs in the areas where they access and call origination on public mobile are either not interested or don't see a Many countries across have licensed Virtual telephone networks. The study resulted in new business case, and hence VNOs are their Network Operators within the existing regulations from NRAs in several countries, Value Added resellers. licensing framework itself especially in many including Ireland and France forcing operators The VNO model will work in tandem with the subsectors like basic connectivity, voice to open up their network to MVNOs. Jordan's operating model of the NSO and is expected to services, data services, content services etc. TRC issued its first MVNO regulations in 2008 follow certain guidelines that will help the The VNO model has been found highly facilitating the entrance of the first MVNO in the industry sustain a competitive environment. successful in many developed regions like Arab world in 2010. Internationally it is seen that MVNOs are Europe. Europe, which is home to more than In Thailand, five MVNOs were given a Type II successful only when they served the niche two thirds of global MVNOs, has surpassed license to operate as MVNOs on the 2100 MHz segment and added to the revenue of the more than 100 percent penetration based on 3G network of state telecom operator TOT MNOs. Some of the examples of these kind of number of connections. The MVNO concept is Public Company Limited (TOT) in 2009. The partnerships which are Win-Win are the gaining popularity in Americas as well. VNOs Oman telecom market consists of five Mobile “Managed Hotspot Service Providers” of a r e c a l l e d d i ff e r e n t l y i n d i ff e r e n t Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) and two BSNL, who are providing Wi-Fi based regions/countries across the world; in Saudi Mobile Network Operators (MNOs). MVNOs broadband access in rural areas, by using the Arabia they are called Service Based Provider have also sealed their deals with MNOs, existing backhaul infra of the main TSP.

26 REPORT

Why digital inclusion matters

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Over the past decades, digital technology has is left unaddressed, large parts of the experiences, reducing social isolation and permeated into every part of the economy and population will miss out on the opportunities increasing fulfilment and independence. individuals' livelihoods, creating irreversible that digital technology presents. The interdependencies and a need for people to consequences of neglecting digital inclusion Governmental impact: participate in the digital space. Yet nearly half of the are twofold: Efficient services world's population is unable to tap into this key 1. Reduced economic growth due to the Digital inclusion acts as a governance resource. Digital inclusion remains a particular immobilization of a portion of the workforce stabilizer. Increased civic outreach, coverage problem in emerging regions, such as Southeast 2. Weakening social cohesion as the digital of citizens and access to public services aid Asia. divide grows the administration of good governance. Those Digital inclusion is defined as the empowerment of Working to address digital inclusion therefore who are digitally included benefit from greater individuals and societies to effectively use brings immense upside and opportunities. It is access to government services, and save information and communication technologies estimated that at least USD 15 billion per year time when using them. In addition, e- (ICT), enabling them to contribute to and benefit can be unlocked in SEA by bridging the digital government services offer greater efficiency from today's digitalized economies and societies. divide. The impact can be measured across and reduced costs for governmental This includes having access to the internet and three areas: economic, social and organizations. being able to harness digital tools. Digital inclusion governmental. The same applies to other public-sector is critical to both personal income growth and services such as healthcare. Digital inclusion macro-economic development. Digital skillsets Economic impact: Wealth means more individuals can utilize digital improve an employee's competitiveness and platforms that optimize, automate and wages, while at the macro-level, the digital sector generation accelerate traditional healthcare processes, is outpacing growth in other sectors. Therefore, Digital inclusion acts as an economic enabler. leading to increased efficiency and reduced emerging nations cannot afford to ignore the digital ICT tools and digital skills provide new healthcare spending. Realized cost savings sector if they aspire to increase their share of opportunities to increase revenues, labor can then be used to benefit other under- global trade. Digital inclusion is key to creating an productivity and employment. Digitally invested segments. Roland Berger equitable and sustainable digital society. However, included individuals and businesses have projections suggest digital inclusion in there is a growing "digital divide" between the greater access to both local and global Southeast Asia has the potential to reduce "haves and have nots" among and within some markets through online channels and digital government costs by USD 45 to 128 per countries, such as those in Southeast Asia (SEA). transactions. For example, product and capita. Depending on the country, this works This is detrimental to robust and sustainable digital service offerings can be made available via out at USD 7 million to 3.3 billion of taxpayer development. Both public and private actors will online platforms, and data and software can savings per year. need to advocate for the integration and unification improve the reach of marketing and customer of digital capabilities to overcome this divide. relationship management (CRM) or make them better targeted. Digital tools also Digital inclusion and COVID- Socio-economically disadvantaged individuals increase labor productivity. They can add 19 significant value in terms of efficiency and and groups are most susceptible to digital The need for greater digital inclusion has performance, and facilitate the ongoing exclusion. They include low-income households, become more apparent during the COVID-19 transition towards a future where an estimated rural communities, the elderly, the illiterate and pandemic, with digital tools increasingly 50% of the workforce will be affected by persons with disabilities (PwD). On an enterprise replacing physical interactions and digitalization such as automation. Studies level, micro, small and medium enterprises transactions. For example, offices and predict that digital-related emerging (MSMEs) are at greater risk than to larger schools have been shifted into the living room, professions will make up an increasing share businesses. According to a UN report in October and overnight, e-commerce has become a of employment. In Southeast Asia, Roland 2019, nearly half of the world's population remains crucial retail channel. Today, digital inclusion Berger projections suggest digital inclusion excluded from the benefits of digitalization.1 In is no longer merely a privilege but a necessity. has the potential to unlock USD 16 to 307 per Southeast Asia: 50% of the total population live in This has highlighted the inequalities between capita in new revenue streams from the rural areas with a potential lack of internet access; the digitally included and excluded. For technology, media and telecom (TMT) sector 10% of the adult population live below their example, excluded communities lack support and financial services, as well as increasing national poverty line and are unlikely to be able to and access to crucial updates regarding the labor productivity. This translates to USD 19 afford internet access and digital devices; 5% of COVID-19 situation, leaving them more million to 2.9 billion depending on the country the adult population are illiterate and face vulnerable to misinformation and the disease difficulties using digital communication tools; 7% itself. Daily life is further challenged by limited of the total population are aged 65 or over and may Social impact: Leveling effect access to retail, education and even social not be familiar with new technologies In total, an interaction. The pandemic also revealed estimated 150 million adult individuals in SEA are Digital inclusion acts as a social equalizer. Communications, virtual content and devices digital transformation failings within currently digitally excluded, or about 31% of the businesses, especially MSMEs. Those adult population. Governments and wider society can play an important role in ensuring equal access to education, diversity of opinion and caught unprepared were unable to execute need to actively and urgently work together to effective business continuity plans or evolve close this divide. consumer choice. One of the main attractions of digital technology is its leveling effect. their business models. This has culminated in Digitally included individuals and communities significant revenue losses and, for many, Economic, social and can take advantage of a wealth of online bankruptcy. It could also lead to a severe governmental benefits resources and expand their knowledge unemployment crisis as skillsets fall behind Digitalization, including the automation of factories sources, heightening social mobility through the needs of future jobs. The lesson from (Industry 4.0), has upended the economy and the development of new personal or COVID-19 is that digital is the future. The dynamics of global industries, including in professional skills. This in turn democratizes pandemic has heightened the need to Southeast Asia. Digital skills and capabilities are education and bridges the gap between social address digital skills and access mismatches, now fundamental to successful participation in backgrounds. Digital platforms also enable especially as the new normal will require a societal and economic activities. If the digital divide individuals to access and share more varied digital-ready society.

SPECIAL PUBLICATION Voices on 2030 The future of space INTERNATIONAL

Investing in space is investing in humanity

developing the technologies for people to What do you think we can 4 remain in space for sustained periods of time. achieve in the space industry Astronauts on board the International Space in the next ten years? Station are around two to three hours from home and protected by the Earth's atmosphere. We need to keep astronauts I think that we will definitely see the return of comfortable, healthy and safe and this humans to the Moon. This is very achievable requires systems to manage water, energy based on the investments we are seeing and food. We've been to the Moon before globally, specifically by NASA and the European and can reuse the technology to get there but Space Agency. I also think countries like the staying there for a sustained period is the UAE that have formed space agencies more biggest challenge. The next ten years will recently, will play a role in these programmes. play a big part in developing technologies to that has never been produced before and will Furthermore, achieve sustained journeys into space, but I be ground-breaking data in assisting our think actually achieving these solutions might mission. The more we are able to study the I see the industry's reliance on governments be further than ten years away. Martian atmosphere, the more you're able to decreasing over the next ten years. With understand it and potentially this information companies like SpaceX and Boeing coming into What is UAE's vision for the will be key in our goal of setting up human play, we can already see how space is colonies on Mars. becoming more commercialised. space industry for 2030? Another focus area is water, energy and food; I also believe space tourism companies such as Currently, the UAE is investing. in space; we three components vital to supporting human Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin will be quite look at space as a way of investing in science life anywhere. These areas line up with active by 2030, however, actually achieving and technology in a way that it can come international challenges here on Earth where commercial space tourism will be difficult and back and benefit people on the ground, not securing our own food, water and energy are might be further than ten years away. Finally, the just in the UAE but humanity in general. Our common challenges. Any technologies or number of people that have gone into space will major vision is the 'Mars 2117 Project' – a research that is done towards that aim for deep drastically increase in the coming ten years. In 100-year vision for the UAE to lead space exploration can directly benefit humanity the history of human spaceflight (the past 60 international efforts in establishing a human on Earth. years) there have been approximately 500 colony on Mars. There are many steps people that have gone into space. I see this involved in achieving this goal and we have a Essentially, I see countries like the UAE, with number doubling or even tripling by 2030. number of missions already in train as a more modest investments in Space compared means to reaching this goal. to say Russia and the USA, working What do you see as some of the collaboratively with the international space challenges we will face in One of these is the Emirates Mars Mission industry to achieve big objectives. By 2030 I where we aim to launch an orbiter to Mars by definitely see the UAE playing a significant role getting humans into space? 2021. The probe will conduct analysis on the within the international community of space. atmosphere of Mars hoping to give insight I believe that one of the biggest challenges is into its Martian atmosphere. This will be data INTERNATIONAL

What role do you think to Mars, the Emirates Mars Hope Mission, has Emirate. Hundreds of degrees in various fields governments have to play in opened the door and given a chance to are offered, and both astronomy and space the space industry in the next hundreds of young Emiratis to excel in the field sciences represent an integral part of the of space engineering as well as space university program. A Bachelor degree in ten years? sciences. To ensure that the UAE new space Applied Physics and Astronomy is offered, program is not just an advertisement program, and an MSc program in Astronomy and Space I think it's very important for governments to the UAE Space Agency has set four main Sciences is under process as a unique help nurture a space industry in their countries objectives: to organize and develop the UAE program of its kind in the UAE. in the upcoming years. With the space sector; to promote and support the The Sharjah Center for Astronomy and Space commercialisation of the industry with small to efforts of scientific research and innovation; to Sciences (SCASS) is one of the main medium enterprises coming into the equation attract and prepare national cadres to become research centers established to reinforce the and contributing significantly to the industry, I pioneers in the field of space science; and to university new space sciences program. believe that it's important for governments to focus on ensuring that all the Agency's Established in 2015, its vision is to be a invest and support businesses. Governments services are in accordance with worldwide national center working in the areas of should see that these investments will help quality, efficiency and transparency astronomy and space sciences. Figure 1 sustain growth and ultimately come back into standards. shows the overall structure of the center. One the country in their contributions to the space These objectives are helping both the of its main aims is to develop and promote missions. educational and the industrial sector in the education about these fields in the Arab World Salem Humaid Al Marri is the Assistant UAE to set their priorities to be an integral part in general, and the UAE in particular. It is Director General for Scientific and Technical of the space program and to fulfill the UAE striving to be a center Affairs and Head of the UAE Astronaut Space Agency goals. The United Arab dedicated to education, science, research, Program at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Emirates is home to tens of government and Islamic heritage, and open to educators, Center in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). He private universities as well as several research school students, university students, has over ten years' experience in the space centers that form the educational core. The researchers and families of all ages. The industry and one of his major goals is to Emirate of Sharjah is one of the seven center holds tens of workshops for students as achieve domestic satellite development Emirates of the UAE and Sharjah city is known well as for professionals at all levels the whole through Emirati engineers. as the cultural capital of the UAE. Besides its year long. It had the privilege to receive the various cultural centers, the University of visit of many dignitaries, presidents, About UAE space Sharjah (UoS) and the Sharjah Center for ambassadors, famous scientists, astronauts By announcing the institution of a space Astronomy and Space Sciences (SCASS) and paramount space agencies directors. agency in 2014, the United Arab Emirates has represent the main centers of education in entered a new age of excellence and Sharjah. UoS is one the largest university in uniqueness in the Arab world: the space the UAE with more than 16,000 students exploration race. Its 2020 unmanned mission spread all over its many branches across the

INTERNATIONAL

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“In 2030, we expect to see the rapid uptake and use of space data by everyday people.”

by Agnieszka Lukaszczyk Senior Director for European Affairs at Planet

When it comes to Earth observation and what it as how many trees have disappeared in the means for humanity, we are still figuring out what Australian bushfires? How many people we can do. At the end of the day, satellites are just reside in a particular country or region? And, a tool. They are not an end, they are simply a how many trees in the north east Amazon means to an end, and we are only just at the have been cut between March and April? beginning. Space data will even help us answer the In 2030, we expect to see the rapid uptake and trivial but still deeply relevant questions. use of space data by everyday people. Our hope These capabilities will be facilitated by the is it will become a regular commodity where growth of on-board processing of satellite anybody will have access to it, like the way data which means when the data is people currently access the internet on their downloaded it will be pre-processed, phones. containing only the essence of the information. However, the key to unlocking the vast potential Traditionally, when we think of sectors who rely on Earth observation data we think of a g r i c u l t u r e , e m e r g e n c y s e r v i c e s , government and forestry. But new frontiers in IF THERE IS NO space data will also bring with it a whole new clientele who are not necessarily interested in AGREEMENT, UK-BASED the images per say but are interested in BUSINESSES, ACADEMICS answers that the images provide. As a result, by 2030 Earth observation companies will not AND RESEARCHERS WILL be reliant on only a handful of sectors to away from classified data. survive. Two challenges still facing the Earth BE UNABLE TO BID FOR observation industry are the trade-off of Secondly, space sustainability is a key privacy and transparency and the need for issue that will need to be resolved within the FUTURE COPERNICUS space sustainability. Firstly, the resolution for next ten years – if not sooner. The growth of commercial satellite imagery is set at thirty Earth observation has seen the rise of CONTRACTS TENDERED centimetres due to regulations not because mega constellations and the space of technology limitations. Satellite image environment is becoming crowded and THROUGHpresented by Earth THE observation EU data will be resolution could be much higher, though it is potentially dangerous. artificial intelligence (AI). The combining of these not necessary and personal privacy will two elements will be what brings value to the continue to be important. My hopeful vision for 2030 is that we can data. harness the true power of Earth observation There are so many satellites in space collecting At the same time some actors are concerned to help us solve global issues. The next ten data, it's impossible for the human eye to find the about the transparency of open space data, years are crucial for addressing climate needle in the haystack. We would need an army though people are moving away from these change and space will play a vital role in of people to be able to make use of the data. views. At Planet, we believe in a transparent that. In order to achieve this, our approach That's why AI is essential. With AI we will be able and open world, as the more we know, the towards how we address global problems to index the Earth the way Google has indexed better informed we are and therefore the needs to shift from one of national the internet. We will be able to find, quickly and better decisions we can make. By 2030 we protectionism (i.e. 'America first' or 'buy easily, the answers to a range of questions such will see more transparency, with a move European') to an 'Earth first' attitude. INTERNATIONAL

The future of space tourism

| “ Reduction in price will be crucial for space tourism to take off, but so will proving the system and the experience.”

What do you see as some of The Chinese will also continue their steady pace towards more human space flight. While I don't the biggest challenges in the see the Europeans launching humans in the near by Ariane Cornell coming ten years? term, they will continue having a strong astronaut There are two key challenges ahead for corps for others to launch into space. Do you think space tourism space tourism. First of all, the companies in will be a reality by 2030? the market are going to have to prove What is a key technological I think in the next ten years, suborbital space themselves from a reliability standpoint. Also, I think that ultimately for space tourism development you think we'll tourism will have hit its stride, by which point need in the next ten years to the price point will come down. Suborbital to really take off, the price point is going to space flights will be available from different have to come down. With that said, I'm really drive the industry? locations and from a couple of different optimistic that even if the price stays high, companies. Not only will more people be able with more people experiencing space travelORBE ReusableX rocket technologies will be a game to experience space, but I think that suborbital and seeing how transformative and cool it is, changer in the industry. There was a landmark space tourism will also bring space into market interest will grow. When we look at moment recently where two companies made people's periphery – not merely as something who our potential customers are, there PareRO theirVIDING landings andAC subsequentlyCESS T reusedO their that is there but as something that is attainable, numerous people who have the means,SP but ACErockets. I think this marked the beginning of touchable and can be experienced, and you need to have the money and the interest. changing access to space. The development of So, the reduction of price will be crucial for eventually as something that they can use. Orbex isreusable a small sat rocketellite launchtechnologies provider would really bring space tourism to really take off, but proving down the costs of space flight, and this in turn, specialising in micro-launch vehicles, taking This will have significant importance, in the the system and the experience will also be will allow us more access into space. In the next same way that Boeing creating United Airlines key. payloadsten betw years,een 100k we'reg and going 220k gto int geto much better at about 100 years ago did. I think it's going to lay orbit. Obex’reusabilitys launch vandehicle thishas anwill inno reallyvative change the the seed for orbital space tourism in a prolific What role do you see the architectureindustry enabling. it to overcome the way. government playing in the fundamental mass challenge of small launchers While I don't think orbital space tourism will be and take PocketQubes and CubeSats into space. attainable in the next ten years for most people sector in 2030? beyond high-net worth individuals, we're going I think that governments have always and Together with Lockheed Martin , Orbex received to see more of it as more companies are will always play a very important role in getting into orbital human space flights. space – and I don't see this diminishingfunding in (£23.5m and £5.5m respectively) from either the civil or military side. However,gov theernment in 2018 to develop the UK’s frst ver - kind of role they play may alter by 2030. ticalFor launch Space Hub in Sutherland, Scotland. 31 instance, we might see the growthOrbe of x was chosen for its expertise in launching commercial space companies, which is small satellites into orbit, as small satellites will great, but there will always be an exchange between the private and public sectors.underpin the development of the UK’s new space There will be commercial companies pullingsector and small satellite launch will enable ac - in commercial revenue, but I still think cessthat to the commercial space industry for many they'll also be pursuing governmcompanies.ent contracts. As our space capabilities increasingly benefit our lives on Earth, we'reCombining the capability of large companies, going to see more government interest, and governments doubling down on their ownsuch as Lockheed Martin, to deliver the infra - capability. This also means doubling downstructural outlay with the innovation capabilities on securing space and securing access toof it. startups proves to be a successful model, with companies such as Astrocast and Elecnor What nations do you thinkDeimos in already contracting launch serviced from the next ten years will be theOrbe x in Sutherland. main players in human space flight? I think there will be several players in the international space community continuing to develop human space flight. Definitely the United States will continue to be a strong player and I don't think Russia is ever going Ariane Cornell to give up their human space flight capability.

INTERNATIONAL

“ A trillion dollar space economy.”

by Dylan Taylor, Chairman and CEO of Voyager Space Holdings

In the range of ten to 20 years' time, we are expecting to see a trillion dollar space SPACE economy. Now that we have reliable, inexpensive launch, we effectively have Orbex built the space elevator which enables permanent capital structure, where we take a specialising in micro-launch vehicles, taking many new business models to be viable, majority stake in companies, without the need to particularly those with data and analytics have far reaching implications. payloads betwconstantlyeen 100k raiseg and money 220k gand into return it to our as foundational components. From here, we have a relatively quick path to a investors within five years. The dream is that we multi-trillion dollar space economy. The way I can undertake any mission that people conceive. think about it is, we have roughly anarc US$80hitecture With enabling this model it to o verwe comecan push the the envelope of I see the use of space data and the products and trillion global economy. If you havefundamental nearly what's mass possible, challenge particularly of small launchersin building space- services you can derive from it taking about ten perfect, real-time information about nearly all based infrastructure. years to fully build out. This is very similar to the elements of the Earth, and it is continuously The missions already being undertaken in the internet phenomenon and the time it took to being fed into a cloud to process the space sector are going to result in people living on develop. In 2030 we will have a hyperspectral, information in real-time, you are ableT toogether make withthe Moon in 2030 and I think, Orbe thatx isreceiv goinged to be ubiquitous, always on data collection mechanism predictive recommendations. Could you very powerful. When people look up at the Moon through all of the constellations of satellites which make the global economy three percent more and think that there are actually humans living up are currently being developed. efficient as a result? The answer is pretty there, I think that will dramatically shift our world- The convergence of all of the data these assets clearly yes and right there you have US$2.4 view. It will create inspiration for STEM education31 generate, with better cloud infrastructure and the trillion in value creation. addition of better AI and machine learning will I see the investment landscape in the space enable better products and services that are sector evolving over the next ten years as predictive and thus hugely value creating. This will well. Retail investors are going to seek have profound impact on Earth. The extensive cell opportunities in space, and we have already - infrastructure we have today is likely to be greatly seen that through the excitement that Virgin Galactic's stock has generated. Venturecess t ois the commercial space industry for many essentially growth equity that sits companies.between angel capital and traditional private equity and the public market. I believe the role of venture will remain, however the industry will be less reliant on it, while private equity will remain - largely unsuited to the space sectorstructural as you outlay with the innovation capabilities are dealing with an operational challenge rather than a purely capital one. of startups proves to be a successful model, There are still some challenges in achievingwith companies such as Astrocast and Elecnor that scale. Many companies in theDeimos space already contracting launch serviced from sector are smaller, founder-led companies with highly technical people, but theyOrbe don'tx in Sutherland. always know how to build a US$1billion business. Obviously if you have a launch capability, space craft capability and data and analytics capability all as part of the same enterprise, you are capable of doing much more valuable missions than just launch for example. There are bonus points for building capability and diminished in ten years' time, with almost all data building scale. transmission being space-based. We have recently created Voyager Space Today we are dependent on space – most of the Holdings to address this challenge. We plan to business plans built in the tech community for the build base infrastructure and get multiple iPhone are reliant on the GPS constellation. In companies to fly in formation in a way that is Dylan Taylor 2030, the vast majority of our commerce will be more elegant. The Voyager model is to have a facilitated through space-based assets, and this will

Deep space exploration could help us discover the origins

of life on Earth by 2030

by Elizabeth Jens

timeframes to develop hardware, overcome technology challenges and embark on the that life on our planet could have originated missions themselves. from Mars – and that in fact we're all fundamentally Martian! Beyond Mars, there are These new players will transform the space When I look ahead to 2030, and what could other missions and areas of space to explore sector in the next ten years, pushing be the biggest impact of us as a species, I that could make us rethink our place in the boundaries beyond just what we do here on believe that there's a reasonable chance of universe. Take Europa Clipper as an example, Earth and likely making exploration progress us knowing if we are alone in the universe our next mission to the Jupiter system and – much faster. A major challenge that we must and discovering the origins of life on Earth. more specifically – to Europa, one of Jupiter's address in the years ahead will be to ensure Moons. Europa is particularly interesting as it collaboration and alignment between space agencies globally and the commercial sector, That's a big statement, I know. But we're already has an ice shell, and there is evidence that especially as everyone will have different making huge progress in the deep space exploration there is a salty ocean that could have enough to ambitions and priorities. For instance, how do field. In July 2020, NASA JPL will launch our heat and energy from tidal flexing to support we align our research for finding life on Mars Perseverance Rover mission, which will – for the first life. with projects to send humans to the planet, time since the Viking missions in 1975 – actively which could impact these discovery missions search for life on Mars. Life there might also be similar to some forms of by introducing life? Planetary protection will be And we have a much better idea today of what we're life on Earth. And then there's Titan, one of the crucial to ensure we don't record false looking for than ever before. For instance, we know moons of Saturn, on which the conditions are positives. We will need to work together that Mars was a much warmer and wetter planet, had near the triple point of methane, just like water across companies and countries. If we can a magnetic field to give protection from radiation and here on Earth, suggesting that this moon could maintain the alignment for human exploration could have been habitable. We are also enhancing support life as well. If this is true, life there would between governments and commercial exploration capabilities, including taking a helicopter likely be very different and completely alien to entities, together we can achieve more – and with us. This will be a whole new way to explore the us. The impact of these discoveries on how we see ourselves and the universe more broadly there's so much that can learn and discover in will be very interesting. space in the next ten years.

Deep space missions could also provide us with solutions to challenges we face on Earth. Venus, for example, has conditions resulting in an extreme runaway greenhouse effect. Studying the planet can help us to understand what, if the worst happens, the future could hold for Earth and, more optimistically, what we can do to avoid it from happening here.

Space research on improving life-support systems can also have huge value on Earth, from water recycling to CO² removal, or any technology that can facilitate a closed system, where we use our resources in perpetuity instead of wasting them. We are a long way away from this but if we work towards it, we can make progress to both preserve our planet but planet and may enable us to cover a much broader also enable these longer space missions. area than we have been able to before with rovers, giving us more scope for new discoveries. We humans are explorers by nature, whether it's historically been within our own little It will be exciting to see what we learn from this celestial body or beyond with the Apollo mission. And the samples that we're able to take programme. And it's this passion to explore and discover that triggers a lot of commercial back and study on Earth could give us insights into what constitutes life itself. We may discover that life entities to drive their own space programs. This on Mars is similar to that of Earth and perhaps even passion also makes them commit to the long The sky is no longer the limit

“By 2030, many more people will want to and be able to fly on sub-orbital, orbital and maybe even lunar orbital flights. They may even land on the Moon”.

Space travel is no mean feat. It takes possibility – and potential opportunity – of tremendous energy to hurtle your body growth of new organs and the repair of others from IV fluids to surgical tools that can also be through space at 17,500 miles per hour in space. Treatments for medical conditions used to repair broken equipment. This is the and then you need to dissipate this that accelerate in space may also lead us exciting part, using what we know from the towards prevention and a cure for these past through the use of technology to find new energy when you return. How do you do diseases. Astronauts can lose one percent of solutions. that safely? their bone per month when they don't exercise, Finally, psychosocial support is something that and when they do exercise the bone may is overlooked, but it is an important issue. We By 2030, many more people will want to and be position itself in a new manner into the cortex send people to extreme environments in able to fly on sub-orbital, orbital and maybe even of the bone. This may be similar to the impact dangerous and isolated locations. Space can lunar orbital flights. They may even land on the of when people are bed ridden, and elderly be lonely and communication often difficult. Moon. 'Astronauts' will no longer be the young, fit people who are at risk of fractures. So Think of how much we communicate through and healthy; rather older people, and even understanding and treating this will not only touch and smell. How we deal with mental people with medical conditions will be flying in have a benefit for space travellers but health will be vital. In the absence of a physical zero gravity. Space travellers will go further and terrestrial benefits as well. counsellor, AI may have a role. Changes in Presuming you have avoided colliding with behaviour can be picked up by AI with the space debris you have now landed on the potential of developing appropriate and Moon, what do you need to do to keep effective support. When it comes to the future healthy? of space, the sky is no longer the limit. I'm The Moon is dusty, not dusty like your home, excited about what the next ten years will bring but rather Moon dust is produced from – and with the medical progress we make in micrometeoral hits, space, we will see tangible benefits on Earth. which occur regularly. Other 'dust' is sharp and To make it successful, we need to ensure if this gets into your lungs or eyes it could cooperation between all players. The cause damage. It's hard to defend yourself opportunities for cooperation and peace are against those. If it hits your spacesuit, how are absolutely paramount and that's what got me you going to repair it instantly? And then excited way back when I saw the Apollo Soyuz. there's radiation. On Earth, we're protected by As long as we cooperate on an international the Van Allen belt and also by our own level, we'll have more chance for peace and atmosphere. On the Moon, there are no the human race will advance. protections. We will have to find a way to defend against not only background radiation, but also the constant risk of coronal mass ejection or other events from deep space which may deliver a more lethal exposure. I believe there are four steps to mitigate these risks. First of all, prevention – identifying potential risks early on and keeping everyone who is space missions will be deeper and longer with going to fly healthy. Next, we need to prepare advancements in medicine and technology for what we cannot prevent. AI and other enabling these people to fly. The space travel we technologies will play a key part here, looking envisage in 2030 means people, who would at past medical issues in orbit and on land, previously be 'disqualified' as astronauts, will augmenting our ability to recognise potential now be fee paying tourists. medical issues through diagnosis, testing and The increase in space travel will open up potentially assisting with treatment. We also unbelievable benefits and opportunities. Zero need to empower and support our astronauts, gravity is actually a good analogue for how the equipping them with the skills and knowledge body develops. In the womb, the foetus is in zero to be able to make quick decisions and act fast gravity and it is here that the heart, lungs and when issues arise. And finally, when packing kidneys develop. Understanding how the cells for a trip, AI can help us prepare, analysing come together to form tissues and how the from past missions and from reams of tissues form structures and then how they available health data informing what we need interact with other organs in the body all and what can be used for multiple purposes, happens in zero gravity. This introduces the EUROPE REPORT

Aiming for the stars with Europe's Ariane 6 launch vehicles

Europe's new launcher, Ariane 6, is nearing – which Ariane 6 will ensure after Ariane 5 is first half of 2022. completion. Like its predecessor, Ariane 5, the phased out – is not only geopolitically important, A journey across the Weser, upper stage of the new European Space but also relevant for the future of Germany as a Waal, Rhine and Neckar rivers Agency, ESA rocket is being built at high-tech country," explains Walther Pelzer, The first Ariane 6 upper stage is scheduled to ArianeGroup in Bremen. On the night of 28 to Member of the DLR Executive Board and arrive at DLR's Lampoldshausen site on 7 29 January 2021, a fully functional, full-size test Director General of the German Space Agency February and will be thoroughly tested during model, identical to the model that will be used within DLR, which manages the funding that the coming months. "The container weighs 57 for Ariane 6 launches, began a very special Germany provides to ESA on behalf of the tonnes including the upper stage. It will first journey to southern Germany in a transport German government. travel via the Weser and the North Sea to the container that is 14 metres long, almost seven deep sea port of Rotterdam. From there it will metres wide and six metres high. "With the The next two Ariane 6 upper stages are also continue south via the Dutch river Waal into departure of the first upper stage from the nearing completion in Bremen. The Combined the Rhine. In Mannheim, the container ship factory in Bremen, we have initiated the Test Model (CTM) will be used for joint tests with will turn right and enter the river Neckar, before countdown to the first launch of Ariane 6. the main stage at the European spaceport in Kourou in the second half of 2021, and the Flight its journey ends in Bad Wimpfen in the German state of Baden-Württemberg. According to DLR, the upper stage is the heart Model 1 (FM1) will be used for the first flight of of Ariane 6, and it is being both built and tested Ariane 6, which is expected to take place in the here in Germany. Independent access to space EUROPE REPORT

There, the container will be loaded onto a stage of the future European launcher, Ariane 6, world's third country to launch a satellite, h e a v y t r a n s p o r t e r h e a d i n g f o r DLR is demonstrating its scientific and using the Diamant A launcher to place a L a m p o l d s h a u s e n , " r e p o r t s D e n i s technological expertise in space research," says spacecraft affectionately named “Asterix” Regenbrecht, Ariane 6 Programme Manager Professor Anke Kaysser-Pyzalla, Chair of the (after the French comic book character) into at the German Space Agency within DLR in DLR Executive Board. "Our new P5.2 test rig low-xEarth orbit. Leading France into the elite Bonn. "The fact that progress is being made meets the requirements of modern space “club” of space powers were three in the development of the upper stage and transport; it is cost effective and can be quickly companies: SEREB (as prime contractor), the associated tests is an important adapted. We are harnessing the potential of Nord Aviation (responsible for the first stage) milestone. After all, the new European flexible testing facilities and working alongside and Sud Aviation (second and third stages). launcher – selected at ESA's Ministerial industry to lay the groundwork for the future of The three were later merged into Council meeting in Luxembourg in December European space transport." Aerospatiale – one of the Airbus predecessor 2014 – was due to launch into space in 2020," "Thanks to its test facilities, DLR is able to validate companies. says Walther Pelzer. With the tests in not only engines and individual launcher Lampoldshausen, we will move a significant components, but also entire cryogenic upper A total of 12 Diamant vehicles were launched step closer to the first flight of Ariane 6. stages," says Hansjörg Dittus, Member of the through November 1975, placing 11 DLR Executive Board for Space Research and payloads into orbit – including one double Technology. passenger mission, foretelling the future of The upper stage, the heart of the dual-payload missions that were to every rocket become a trademark of European launch The Ariane 6 upper stage is 11.6 metres high Cryogenic upper stage – low services with Ariane. France's successful and has a diameter of 5.4 metres. Without it, temperatures, major challenges experience with Diamant was an essential the rocket could not reach space. This is Lasting several months, the test campaign will credibility factor when Europe moved to the because its newly developed cryogenic Vinci involve a clean fuelling and defuelling test and framework of a multinational space engine, with its propellant made of liquid four 'hot-firing' tests. In the fuelling and defueling programme under management of the oxygen and liquid hydrogen, provides the test, the focus will be on filling and emptying the European Space Agency (ESA). The creation necessary thrust to release the on-board tank safely. The test is designed to build of ESA was driven in part by the failure of payload at a precise location in orbit. The experience and facilitate the development of safe Europe's first multinational launcher effort – burn time lasts more than 14 minutes and methods for carrying out such processes but also called Europa – which was collapsed under Vinci can be fired up to four times. This allows for aborting them if necessary. The fact that this is the weight of a flawed technical and multiple payloads to be placed into different a cryogenic upper stage makes this no simple organisational structure. orbits. In addition, the control electronics that task. The hydrogen and oxygen that serve as the set and maintain Ariane 6's course through fuel must be cooled to extremely low The first Ariane 1 was launched in 1979 from space are housed in the upper stage. temperatures –minus 183 and minus 253 the Guiana Space Centre, providing the degrees Celsius respectively. These framework for a family of vehicles that were to On 14 February 2021, the German temperatures require the use of specialist become a benchmark in the world's launch Aerospace Center Deutsches Zentrum für materials that must be handled very carefully. service industry. To ensure its commercial Luft- und Raumfahrt, DLR received the first Ariane 6's Vinci engine is ignited up to three times viability, Europe formed an organisation to upper stage of the European Ariane 6 during the hot-firing tests – which simulate market the well-entrenched U.S. launcher. As launcher. The fully functional test module will different flight scenarios – with the thrust and a result, Arianespace was created in 1980, be subjected to extensive testing at DLR's duration of the ignition varying from test to test. with offices set up next to the launcher Lampoldshausen site over the coming With this flexibility, Ariane 6 will be able to deploy division of France's CNES space agency – months. The aim is to verify that the rocket's its payloads in different orbits. which has the Ariane programme's lead upper stage is fit for flight – a major milestone technical and managerial responsibility. on the way to its first launch, which is planned "With the P5.2 test rig and the test programme for for the second quarter of 2022.After being the Ariane 6 upper stage, DLR has all the test Europe's Ariane product line evolved during manufactured at the ArianeGroup factory in facilities it needs in Lampoldshausen to the 1980s with the more powerful Ariane 2 Bremen, on 29 January 2021 the upper stage comprehensively test all the space engines that and Ariane 3 versions – ultimately leading to was dispatched in a specially designed Europe will require in the future," says Stefan the Ariane 4 family, consisting of six versions container. With the upper stage inside, the Schlechtriem, Director of the DLR Institute of using a core vehicle with a mix of solid and container weighed approximately 57 tonnes. Space Propulsion, describing the unique test rig. liquid boosters that offered payload lift It is roughly 14 metres long, seven metres "In addition, new development programmes and performance of more than 4,000 kg. into wide and six metres high. Its journey has standardised acceptance tests of Ariane flight geostationary transfer orbit. Ariane 44L, the been split into several stages – being carried engines can take place in parallel. This makes it most powerful version of the Ariane 4 family, by ship then by heavy transporter – via the the most flexible and efficient test centre for rocket on the launchpad in Kourou, French Guiana, Weser, Hunte, Ems and Ijsel rivers, then the engines in Europe.” some hours before liftoff of of flight V34, Rhine and Neckar rivers, before reaching its carrying Intelsat VI-F2, in 1989. Photo: ESA. final destination of Lampoldshausen, near Ariane 6 – a promising rocket Heilbronn. As with its predecessors, Ariane 6 will be a Ariane 4 earned its reputation as the Ariane dynamic launcher that is intended to evolve family's workhorse. With designed-in Following the arrival of the upper stage, it will continuously. At Space19+, ESA's last Ministerial versatility, Ariane 4 proved ideal for launching be integrated into the new P5.2 test rig. The Council, participating states decided on a further communications and Earth observation launcher will be lifted by a crane, hung on the development programme to make Ariane 6 even satellites, as well as those for scientific test rig and fastened in place. The upper more powerful and cost-effective. A core element research. Its core first stage could stage measures 5.4 metres across and is of this programme is an additional small kick accommodate up to two or four strap-on more than 10 metres high. It weighs stage, ASTRIS, which, like the upper stage, will boosters, or a combination of the two, in “plug approximately seven tonnes without fuel, but be developed and built in Germany. This special and play” configurations, capable of 38 tonnes once fuel has been added. P5.2 rocket stage should make it possible to carry delivering satellites weighing from 2,000 kg. was specially designed and constructed by several satellites with completely different target to nearly 4,300 kg. into geostationary transfer DLR for the purpose of testing the upper orbits in one launch, or to reach targets far outside orbit – nearly three-times as much as the stage of Ariane 6. The upper stage consists of Earth's orbit. For this stage, a new compact Ariane 3 version. A trademark of the Ariane the Vinci engine, which can be ignited engine called BERTA is being developed in launcher (and in particular, Ariane 4) was the multiple times, the tanks for the liquid Ottobrunn and will also be tested at DLR's ability to carry multiple passengers on a hydrogen and liquid oxygen, piping, valves Lampoldshausen site. single launch – a capability regularly used and the electronic and hydraulic control and with commercial telecommunications steering systems. satellites, enabling customers to share the Ariane family launch costs. On November 26, 1965, France became the "By launching its test campaign for the upper DEFENSE

What to do when GPS is compromised

In modern military conflict, the Global Positioning System is a prime target.For the U.S. armed forces, it's the main source of positioning, navigation and timing. They depend on it not only to find their way but to synchronize their movements and ensure the accuracy of guided weapons. It's very good at all those things, which is why adversaries want so badly to take it away. The strategy is this: Jam a GPS signal, or hijack it with false information, and you essentially control the other side's ability to operate. Anti-jamming and anti-spoofing capabilities, such as those produced by Raytheon Intelligence & Space, are a common feature of navigation receivers. But there's more work to do. In the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, for example, the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee instructed the Defense Department to ensure more resilient and survivable positioning, navigation and timing capabilities.

In the spirit of the mandate, RI&S is now doing exactly that. The business is developing resilient receivers for alternative navigation through fusing signals and sensors, using advanced techniques Jarrett Perry, RI&S program area chief anti-jamming antennas sound an alarm when the like machine learning and employing the Markov engineer for Resilient Navigation and data they receive appears untrustworthy, warning decision process, a framework for modeling Reconnaissance Systems. “That's where users about possible spoofing and enabling them decision-making where outcomes are partially algorithms and machine learning come in, to double-check the integrity of the information. random and partially under the control of the user. determining which signals are accurate and Landshield can also give users a greater which ones aren't.” understanding of the threat scenario by identifying Sending mixed signals the direction and characteristics of the multiple “We are working to bring to bear all the Keeping time and operational jamming sources, including whether there is capabilities across Raytheon Technologies to spoofing interference and what that interference is ensure our customers can complete their mission tempo doing. in any environment, whether that's GPS-enabled, Military reliance on Global Navigation Satellite Low cost, low size, weight and power solutions are GPS-contested or GPS-denied,” said Ben Systems, or GNSS, for operations has led to an central to Raytheon UK technology innovation in Graham, an RI&S director in Resilient Navigation increase in both intentional and unintentional this area to enable the fitment of Landshield and and Reconnaissance Solutions. “For us, signal interference, using Global Positioning System, Landshield Plus AJ systems to a wider range of and sensor fusion is a key enabler for our or GPS, jammers to undermine and disrupt space-constrained platforms including land customers to achieve resilient navigation so they enemy positioning, navigation and timing vehicles, helicopters, weapon systems and can complete their missions under the most systems. Parallel to this threat is the rise of UAVs.Weighing just 1 kilogram, Landshield challenging electronic warfare conditions.” spoofing, the use of sophisticated techniques to houses a four-element controlled reception At the core of RI&S' resilient navigation work is make systems appear to drift off their pattern antenna and anti-jamming processing in a the Application-Specific Integrated Circuit, or navigation position. single, integrated, compact and affordable ASIC. The ASIC is the key to processing and solution. protecting navigation signals, and it's only about “This is well recorded in the commercial piracy the size of two quarters stacked on top of each environment, where ships get spoofed off- It is the first product to enter production at other. course, hijacked and pirated," said Sean, Raytheon UK's recently opened Livingston facility “The minimal size, weight and power of the ASICs business development executive, Assured in Scotland; three international customers have allows us to get a lot of processing punch into a Positioning, Navigation and Timing at chosen Landshield to protect air platforms, handheld, battery-operated device,” Graham Raytheon UK. “An example in the military weapons system and land platforms. said. “This is a capability that used to be in a context could be spoofing an incoming missile Raytheon UK has been at the forefront of GPS package the size of shoebox, and now it's in a such that it doesn't reach its primary target. anti-jamming technology development for 25 device the size of an iPhone that U.S. Army troops “Spoofing is undermining confidence in current years and says the market is evolving. Sam, head can carry in the palms of their hands on the military systems, and our next-generation of of Assured Positioning, Navigation and Timing for battlefield.”GPS is the gold standard. It's reliable anti-jamming products are being designed with Raytheon UK said: “Our APNT team is and it's accurate, meaning it's always the first this in mind,” he said. researching and developing alternative choice for the U.S. military and many of its allies. technologies to augment GNSS in contested or But even great technologies need a backup, so Landshield, Raytheon UK's next-generation denied environments such as exploiting signals of RI&S is looking at both alternative signals and GPS anti-jamming system, has been opportunity, developing smarter antennas and sensors to ensure trusted navigation, which can developed to null the effects of a full range of researching innovative quantum technologies to be processed through ASICs. hostile jammers. The shielding technology not assess whether these would benefit our product only alerts users to the presence of interfering line in the future.”In the military user community, “For alternative navigation signals, we're looking signals, it also provides critical, real-time Raytheon UK is seeing the desire from platform at the European Union's Galileo, Japan's Quasi- situational awareness data to support integrators to avoid integrating multiple sensors, Zenith Satellite System, new low-Earth orbit operational success in GPS-contested antennas and receivers. systems, and other military and commercial environments.Raytheon UK's intelligent GPS constellations in the works and flying today,” said ible spoofing and enabling them to double- INDUSTRY REPORT

2021: Africa leaps into 5G ecosystem

Fifth generation wireless network technology, communications, and security, to name just a transport and industry. The advanced commonly referred to as "5G technology," is few. 5G will lead to a huge shift towards a communications of 5G are expected to bring expected to drastically change the way society landscape dominated by wireless connectivity. enhanced mobile broadband, ultra-reliable operates by providing ubiquitous connectivity Major architectural changes are already taking communications, and massive machine- with ultra-reliable low-latency communication. place to accompany this shift. Virtualization is type communications. 5G, according to industry reports, has the power key. Architectures leveraging Network In line with these developments, some to accelerate the digital transformation of not just Functions Virtualization (NFV) and Software operators have already plan to switch off the telecom sector, but businesses across Defined Networking (SDN), both at the core their 2G network. This means that 2G, GPRS industries. Sectors that will benefit from the and edge of the network, are being deployed. and EDGE services will not be available. increased resiliency and efficiency that 5G They will provide increased computing power, Consumers still using 2G with, for example, a technology affords include manufacturing, scalability, reduced operation costs, and 2G-only mobile phone, a 2G only modem for mobility, healthcare, energy, and IT, though the creative business models to enable M2M (machine-to-machine) applications or platform is also expected to support new differentiation. a 2G-only SMS module will need to replace business models. Hitachi is taking a multi- their devices. pronged approach to developing technology Space-based networks transmit multimedia solutions for the various layers of 5G, content via broadcast and multicast streams, Satellites will play a vital role in future 5G accommodating for regionally available which are important capabilities for enabling networks, and the benefits to users, infrastructure and needs. the 5G use cases – not only for consumer including consumers, governments and Space-based networks are vital to today's global multimedia services, but also a variety of industry, will come not from individual communications infrastructure, providing applications that require edge caching and technologies, but from the quantum services including mobile backhaul, broadband, local distribution. By broadcasting data or difference these services will make to linear and non-linear TV and IoT. In the 5G era, media to the network edge, whether it is for mankind. ESOA's members will make a the advantages of satellites are even more local content caching or software updates for valuable contribution to these cutting edge profound – namely, ubiquity, resiliency and edge servers, network operators can more developments. mobility as well as broadcasting. efficiently scale services and network capacity. Satellite broadband, based on a latest 5G is the next generation of wireless access report, promises fast, flexible internet access 5G is set to radically transform our lives. If 4G technology that much of the world is moving from anywhere in the world with major was essentially about higher throughput and towards. By supporting a world in which satellite operators already deploying next- capacity, 5G will push these boundaries further “anyone and anything will be connected at generation satellites with high data to enable newer types of applications and anytime and anywhere”, 5G is expected to throughputs. To enable the widespread services in the domains of health, transport, enable new applications in various domains, adoption of satellite broadband, especially e n t e r t a i n m e n t , m a c h i n e - t o - m a c h i n e including entertainment, health, automotive, INDUSTRY REPORT

for mobile users, the satellite industry is developing next generation terminals using, among other things, a new reconfigurable antenna technology, known as Metamaterials Surface Antenna Technology (MSA-T), offering the electronic beam-steering performance of a typical phased array antenna, with much lower power consumption offering a dramatic cost reduction compared to mechanical products and many of the size, weight and power challenges associated with the existing techniques are alleviated. No longer will accessing satellites require traditional equipment with high power requirements for the user; new technology is unlocking the full potential to track satellites while also being portable enough to attach to a vehicle or take into the field.

5G will be a network of networks - an ecosystem - with multiple technologies supporting a global infrastructure: satellite, Wi-Fi, small cells, and traditional mobile wireless networks, among Innovations in antenna technology and design, others. Satellites have a particularly important such as phased-array antennas, have made it “If 2019's focus role to play bringing services to users quickly, no easier to access high-throughput satellite matter where they are located and no matter the capacity on the move. New satellite antennas was on proving the availability of terrestrial infrastructure. Satellites are smaller, easier to install and more powerful have three key characteristics that are critical for than previous generations. These antennas are feasibility of new the success of 5G: wide area coverage, cost- ideal for supporting 5G broadband on the move effectiveness, and reliability. to planes, ships and trains, for example. 5G assurance tools Role of Satellite in the 5G and 2020 was about Ecosystem Just as in today's networks, space-based systems will facilitate 5G broadband The dividing lines between satellite and rushing them into connectivity to underserved areas where it is not t e r r e s t r i a l n e t w o r k s a r e s o f t e n i n g . feasible to deploy terrestrial infrastructure, such Developments in terrestrial wireless networks real deployments, as remote villages, islands or mountainous and services are influencing the prospects for regions. This also includes broadband services satellite services. In the past, the establishment 2021 will be spent on board aircraft or ships, as well as in suburban and configuration of services across satellite and rural areas. Satellites will also support and terrestrial segments was mostly performed ramping for scale”. community 5G Wi-Fi services, where there is manually and in a static way. Today, the delivery limited or non- existent broadband. Space- of services and content over networks, operated A single geostationary satellite can provide based backhaul will also provide disaster relief by different entities, call for new types of communications downlinks over wide services, support emergency response teams partnership arrangements and for a unified end- areas, such as entire countries or as well as deliver broadband connectivity for to-end control and management. The transition continents, including to rural areas with no one-off entertainment or sports events to network function visualization (NFV) and terrestrial connections. Further, a single anywhere in the world. software defined networks (SDN) not only satellite in geostationary orbit can deliver facilitates the integration of network functions of high-bandwidth, high-reliability services to a Satellite-based networks are the only means for different vendors, it also potentially facilitates the large number of connected devices, delivering 5G broadband to users on board integration of different technologies onto the whether fixed or in-motion, simultaneously moving vessels, including cars, ships, airplanes same platform to enable the delivery of high across a wide geographic region. and high-speed trains. The capability not only quality end to end performance to the final users; In addition, constellations of non- applies to the eMBB use case but also mMTC, differentiate business models for example by geostationary satellites can deliver high- as satellites can aggregate traffic from IoT introducing inherent flexibility to enable the capacity services to localized areas with the sensors installed in moving vehicles. This support of new and innovative services and low latency that some applications require. supports applications for fleet management, applications that were not envisaged when the Such satellites are operating already, with navigation and connected cars. In addition, network infrastructure was planned and more constellations being planned for the space-based broadcast capabilities support deployed; improved business performace 2020 timeframe, in time to participate fully in over-the-air software updates for connected including reduction of operations costs and end the 5G ecosystem. Leveraging these varied cars anywhere in the world. user terminal pricing. strengths, according to ESA report will expands the range, capacity, and In critical communications, space-based As countries look forward to deploy 5G, satellite- capabilities of 5G systems. systems provide a resilient backup to terrestrial based solutions will be fluidly integrated in into In terms of trunking, satellite can addresses networks anywhere in the world. As IoT scales Next Generation Access Technologies, enabling high speed trunking of video, IoT and other to massive connectivity in the 5G era, satellites a broad range of use cases where the benefits of data to a central site, with further terrestrial will deliver the service continuity needed for satellite can be leveraged. Not only can satellites distribution to local cell sites, for instance critical communications as well as future provide ubiquitous, anytime coverage, but they neighbouring villages. A very high speed industrial control applications. It is important to can provide cost-effective coverage to many satellite link (up to 1 Gbps or even more) note that since 5G is an evolution and will be areas of the globe, which might otherwise go f r o m g e o s t a t i o n a r y a n d / o r n o n - combined with existing 4G infrastructure in the unserved. Satellites are the only means to geostationary satellites will complement short- to medium-term, network operators don't provide truly ubiquitous geographic coverage existing terrestrial connectivity. have to wait for 5G to start supporting many of and mobility. This feature is critical to the Over 5G network, satellite can offer high the above use cases. Space-based solutions successful deployment and operation of 5G speed backhaul connectivity to individual can be deployed as part of 4G network include complimenting connectivity for mobile cells, with the ability to multicast the same strategies and will then be ready to support nodes such as ships, airplanes, vehicles and content (e.g. video, HD / UHD TV, as well as future 5G services. trains; offloading a temporarily congested other non-video data) across a large network; providing backhauling services to fixed coverage (e.g. for local storage and or moving base stations; and providing consumption), as shown in the graph below. emergency response and disaster recovery The same capability also allows for the communications. efficient backhauling of aggregated IoT INDUSTRY REPORT

traffic from multiple sites. A very high speed, multicast-enabled, satellite link (up to 1 Gbps or even more), direct to the cell towers, from geostationary and/or non-geostationary satellites will complement existing terrestrial connectivity.

Satellite will also support high speed backhaul connectivity to individual in-motion terminals on planes, vehicles, trains and vessels (including cruise ships and other passenger vessels), with the ability to multicast the same content (e.g. video, HD / UHD TV, FOTA, as well as other non- video data) across a large coverage area (e.g. for local storage and consumption). The same capability also allows for the efficient backhauling of aggregated IoT traffic from these moving platforms. A very high speed, multicast-enabled, satellite link (up to 1 Gbps or even more), direct to the plane, vehicles, train or vessel, from geostationary and/or non-geostationary satellites will complement existing terrestrial connectivity where available.

Satellite systems will also support, connectivity for remotely deployed battery activated M2M/IoT with long battery life. At the same time, the 2021.At the moment, industry players are sensors, or handset devices with messaging network must also have flexible capacity to actively conducting comprehensive testing on voice capabilities via satellite for example fleet support variable amounts of data traffic as the 5G Standalone networks that began rolling management, asset tracking, livestock some devices may need to intermittently out in the past year. Iterations are happening management, farms, substations, gas pipelines, send larger amounts of data (for example, a on the fly as a hyper-optimized feedback loop digital signage, remote road alerts, emergency traffic monitoring camera in a smart city quickly identifies bugs so that patches can be calls, mission critical and public safety scenario). rapidly developed and deployed. communications. In the utility sector, for example, energy and So far, there had been multiple government- water companies need accurate, real-time related proofs of concept initiatives during 5G market dynamics data about their critical infrastructure to keep 2020 as defense departments started to 5G and the Internet of Things (IoT) have supplies flowing as well as support more experiment with 5G, security agencies looked emerging as the third wave in the development of efficient smart metering applications. From to better understand risks and commerce the Internet. The 1990s' fixed Internet wave remote windfarms to municipal water departments looked to accelerate national connected 1 billion users while the 2000s' mobile supplies in large cities, 5G-connected innovation. All signs point to government wave connected another 2 billion. The IoT has the sensors can secure and modernise utility initiatives accelerating this year. potential to connect 10X as many (28 billion) grids. In manufacturing and mining sectors, In order to actualize a fully connected and “things” to the Internet by 2022, ranging from the ability to have reliable, remote wireless world, we have to depend on satellite bracelets to cars. Breakthroughs in the cost of connectivity and processing can enable technology as it is the only option for optimized sensors, processing power and bandwidth to factory automation and remote control of coverage across land, sea and air. That's why connect devices are enabling ubiquitous critical infrastructure and heavy machinery, IoT backed by satellite networks – or 'satellite connections right now. Early simple products like which will reduce their cost of operations and M2M' – is increasingly relevant, as it ensures fitness trackers and thermostats are already increase productivity. uninterrupted communications in inaccessible gaining traction. Personal lives, workplace Next- generation satellite technology, like areas that lie outside the range of terrestrial productivity and consumption will all change. HTS systems, deliver up to 10 times more coverage, says Jassem Nasser, Chief Plus there will be a string of new businesses, from throughput using the same amount of Strategy Officer, Thuraya. those that will expand the Internet “pipes”, to frequency on orbit compared to traditional those that will analyze the reams of data, to those fixed-satellite service (FSS). Throughput can Ahead of the 5G network, Eutelsat, has that will make new things we have not even exceed 100 Mbps. HTS systems feature developed the SmartLNB, an innovative thought of yet. high power density, which allows mobile solution that provides highly efficient IP operators to leverage smaller VSAT connectivity via satellite, optimised for low By the time the pandemic ground the world to a antennas, which are easier to deploy and throughput applications with low-cost user halt in 2020, 5G has spiralled ahead of the install. For 5G use cases, HTS systems for equipment and low-power consumption. The moving cloud to be stopped. For nearly a decade GEO, MEO or LEO installations can support SmartLNB is a new generation of consumer the number of devices connected to the internet mobile operators in delivering high-capacity grade bidirectional terminals, providing IP has outnumbered the total number of humans broadband and broadcast services bidirectional connectivity for thousands of and has reached 50 billion units in 2020.Build it anywhere in the world. HTS systems also remote and isolated terminals/ sites. It is and they will come! The extensive transport dramatically lower the cost-per-bit for turning the legacy VSAT terminals into low network and field testing revealed that operators delivering services. cost and low power systems capable to will spend this year and those ahead aggressively With M2M/ IoT and cloud/fog computing directly access the satellite segment from expanding coverage footprints. 2020 showed us expanding the challenge arises for anywhere in the world and at hardware and glimpses of what 5G could be. 2021 will start to connectivity companies to build out their service cost compatible with consumer grade reveal the much bigger picture. networks to reliably gather data from the services. Applications range from IoT most remote sites across the world. This is a backhauling to monitoring and control of The industry is currently grappling with the nitty service where satellites are a natural fit and it production sites notably in the energy and gritty details of getting the infrastructure to work, is turning into a significant growth area for agriculture markets, according to Antonio which means certifying and deploying equipment our industry as it enables a wide variety of Arcidiacono, Director of Innovation, Eutelsat. and software at scale and at speed. Operators applications – from connected cars to The SmartLNB provides a low-cost solution for won't be able to monetize investments with value- service reliability, continuity and real-time all traditional M2M applications that are based added applications unless the infrastructure monitoring of critical systems in remote on small volumes of data per terminal from works.Industry players envisions significant areas. large networks of terminals. Typical numbers of sensors or other devices connected applications include oil & gas wells monitoring via 5G and transmitting low volume of traffic that While 2020 was slogged by pandemic- & control, energy industry, intelligent farming, is not sensitive to latency delays. It requires induced delays, the acceleration of network e n v i r o n m e n t a l m o n i t o r i n g , S C A D A coverage in urban as well as very remote areas to deployment trends have positioned the (Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition). As connect devices that are typically low-powered industry at large for meaningful progress in the SmartLNB offers a large broadcast INDUSTRY REPORT

capability on the forward link, the collection of N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 9 t h e F e d e r a l of the 280MHz portion of the C-band in the remote data can be combined with professional Communications Commission (FCC) USA for 5G, or a similar process in South broadcast distribution to head-ends with decided for clearing of lower 280 MHz of the Korea in the 28GHz band in 2018 are but monitoring capabilities. 3.7 – 4.2 GHz range. Historically, the 3.7 – few examples of this trend. It raises the Today, three continents are already covered with 4.2 GHz band has been instrumental for question of compatibility between individual SmartLNB services: Europe extending to Middle SATCOM business. n a t i o n a l a p p r o a c h e s a n d g l o b a l East) on EUTELSAT 10A, Sub-Saharan Africa on It is forecast that there may be 1 to 2.5 billion h a r m o n i s a t i o n o f s p e c t r u m EUTELSAT 7B and the Americas on EUTELSAT cellular machine connections operating on allocations.Space will probably continue to 113 West A and on EUTELSAT 8 West B. The licensed spectrum by 2020. It is assumed in face difficulties competing with terrestrial on SmartLNB networks will soon be extended to Report ITU-R M.2290 that services delivered commercial terms, despite its essential role other part of the world, leveraging on Eutelsat's over mobile networks can be classified into in addressing some markets such as global fleet of satellites. SmartLNB units are today several service types. One of the assumed connectivity to air and sea or acceleration a v a i l a b l e f r o m m u l t i p l e i n d e p e n d e n t types is called 'super-high multimedia'. and extension of global 5G coverage. manufacturers and two independent chipset According to § 3.4.1.1 of Recommendation vendors are providing baseband chipset with a ITU-R M.1768-1, this service type includes When allocating spectrum rights, economy SmartLNB compatible reference design. The high data rate applications, such as is certainly an important factor as it fosters SmartLNB are FCC and CE certified. multimedia video streaming with a peak data growth and prosperity. The value of the rate of 30 Mbit/s to 100 Mbit/s, or even up to 1 space-based services and applications is According to Alan Crisp, Senior Analyst, NSR Gbit/s. In Annex 2 of Report ITU-R M.2290, very quickly increasing to a point that a terrestrial solutions remain the largest challenge which contains the assumed real values of Morgan Stanley study speaks of a trillion for satellite-based M2M/IoT solutions, including market attributes used in the spectrum USD value of space-based services by 2040 both network operators themselves, and Mobile requirements calculation, a number of against USD 350 billion in 2019. In that Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs). Airtime entries are found in Tables B.1 and B.2 with respect, space-based services will be as pricing is generally lower than satellite usage, but the mean service bit rate in excess of 400 much needed as terrestrial services what is more striking is the significantly lower cost Mbit/s, without giving any further because of their social and societal of terrestrial M2M/IoT terminals. This is especially explanation. leverage. However, arbitrating between important when being rolled out to large It is unclear what kind of application would economy-led and societal-oriented transportation fleets. In addition, eSIMs have the require such high data rates in practice. For applications requires political vision and potential to grow the market in competition with comparison, a multimedia application with decisions. As a common good, the spectrum satellite services. By being embedded, they can one of the highest known data rate will have to serve all applications, space- be shipped with OEM devices and equipment, requirements is a full HDTV signal based and terrestrial, fixed and mobile, and and increase utilization of M2M services. eSIMs (1080p/50) which requires a data rate of less regulations will have to make it accessible. can also be provisioned over the air, and be than 10 Mbit/s using the H.264/AVC While African countries are working towards updated to be used on multiple networks, to avoid compression standard. With the recently launching 5G mobile networks, and like roaming and prevent other more complex support approved H.265/HEVC standard the other countries, African regulators have also issues. This will be yet another form of disruption required data rate will be much lower. recognized the importance of C-band in to the satellite M2M/IoT sector, especially for Furthermore, even the emerging new Ultra expanding available frequencies for 5G. transportation, as satellite is one key way to avoid HDTV services (4K) are likely to require less However, a scenario comparable to the U.S. roaming charges on terrestrial networks. than 30 Mbit/s per programmev. It can be one, in terms of the scale of C-band OEM partnerships and greater levels of expected that in the future the data rate repurposing or financial incentives for distribution with satellite M2M will be key to grow requirements will further decrease. The accelerated clearing, is unlikely to markets against this backdrop, especially for the above mentioned applications are already materialize. transportation and heavy machinery sectors. This well covered by the service type 'high The agreement reached (at WRC-19) falls includes partnerships with hardware and auto multimedia' that assumes a peak data rate of far short of ensuring 5G applications do not manufacturers such as Caterpillar and John < 30 Mbit/s.Spectrum requirements also interfere with weather observations at 24 Deere, which integrate M2M solutions into their depend on the state of motion of the mobile GHz... It is worrying and disheartening to equipment at the OEM level. This is especially terminals. As a general principle, everything watch history repeat itself and science important to reach customers in construction and else being equal more spectrum will be losing to other societal pressures. agriculture, where aftermarket solutions have required to serve fast moving terminals then Extract from the ECMWF statement on the reduced take-up rates. While terrestrial networks the stationary ones. WRC-19 outcomes. Nonetheless, space will are generally considered a threat for M2M and IoT Finally, in late 2019, the ITU's World Radio probably continue to face difficulties via satellite, opportunities do remain, especially Conference (WRC-19) took place in Egypt, to competing with terrestrial on commercial with dual mode terrestrial-satellite services. Such adjust the rules of global coordination of terms, despite its essential role in universal combined terminals have their role in specific spectrum utilisation and accommodate them provision of public services to the society applications, most notably in mobile applications. to new global realities. The WRC-19 agenda such as in science, meteorology, The Connected Car market is one where nearly all extensively addressed the anticipated rollout connectivity in disaster management when units are expected to be dual-mode, both of 5G mobile networks and in this sense, terrestrial networks go down or coverage of narrowband MSS solutions and FPA (Flat Panel allocated more than 17GHz of new spectrum rural and less inhabited areas, although it Antenna) broadband solutions, for the significant for cellular 5G. Additionally, frequency bands might not be particularly profitable. airtime cost reductions that are offered. However, were identified for High Altitude Platforms In allocating spectrum rights, economy is once LPWA networks are fully rolled out, the (HAPS), which can become yet another certainly an important factor as it fosters potential for cost reduction will be even greater. competitor for satellite in some applications. growth and prosperity. The value of the Thanks to the intense and successful work space-based services and applications is achieved by the satcom community, these very quickly increasing. In that respect, Fiercer competition for access to new spectrum allocations have not come at space-based services will be as much spectrum the cost of drastic reduction of spectrum needed as terrestrial services because of The idea of utilising the 3.4 - 4.2 GHz C-band rights that are essential to commercial their social and societal leverage. However, spectrum in enabling the roll-out of 5G mobile satellite operators. arbitrating between economy-led and networks, on top of other commonly recognized WRC decisions and related updates to the societal-oriented applications requires bands for 5G, such as 700 MHz or 26 GHz, has Radio Regulations are not easily enforceable political vision and decisions. As a common yielded quarrels among satellite operators, if not adhered to. However, concrete good, the spectrum will have to serve all mobile network operators (MNOs) and regulatory regulatory arrangements and enforceability applications, space-based and terrestrial, authorities. The most prominent case has been remain with states. States might also create fixed and mobile, and regulations will have lately playing out in the USA. After few years of national spectrum regulations irrespective of to make it accessible, according to EU discussions and authorizing the 3.55 - 3.7 GHz for WRC decisions or before ITU / WRC actually space policy report. commercial wireless operations in 2015, in deals with new issues. The recent clearance ASIA

The story of Chinese lunar mission

Moon mining China's Moon rover will survey for 4179-Toutatis, finding its a pile of rocks, shaped spherical bodies, and like planets, can minerals on a dusty, barren crater named the like a ginger root. The close flyby, at an altitude of undergo differentiation with heavier elements Bay of Rainbows, but experts say any 'pot of just 770 meters, provides new insights into the such as iron moving to the core, leaving gold' may prove too costly to recover. The formation, size and surface features of the 4.74 lighter materials such as silicates to form a potential to extract the Moon's resources has kilometres wide object. The images, captured by surrounding mantle.” been touted as a key reason behind the China's the chang'e-2 spacecraft and published in the space programme, which made its latest Nature Journal allowed the authors to develop a China's lunar missions breakthrough recently with the landing of its first 3D image of the asteroid, showing it has two lobes, The new images of Toutatis were taken by lunar rover. It was the first of such mission for 40 one much larger than the other. one of Chang'e-2 onboard engineering years, after the United States and former Soviet “we have high resolution images indicating the cameras, originally designed to monitor the Union did so, and the first soft landing on the asteroid consist of two major parts, forming a deployment of the spacecraft's solar panels lunar surface of any kind since 1976. It marked contact binary,” say he study's lead author and photograph objects, such as the Earth the latest step in an ambitious space programme Professor Jianghui Ji of the Chinese Academy of and Moon.Chang'e-2, was launched on 1 which Beijing sees as a symbol of China's rising Sciences, in Beijing. “It looks like a ginger root, with October 2010 to explore the Moon and stature and technological advancement, as well the big lobe, the body, and the smaller one the search for lunar minerals resources. This was as the Communist Party's success in reversing head.” Beijing's second mission to the Moon, and the fortunes of the country. Contact binaries are asteroids made up of two also photographed candidate landing sites China's space exploits are covered widely by the smaller objects held together by gravity. Its for the Chang'e-3 mission now underway, country's media and have become a source of irregular, surface is prepared with more than 50 which is carrying China's first lunar rover, pride to the ordinary Chinese. The Chang'e-3 impact craters including an 800-meter wide basin known as Yuyu, or Jade Rabbit. mission is named after goddess of the Moon in at the end of the large lobe. After completing its primary mission, Chinese mythology, and the rover vehicle is Chang'e-2 was sent on an extended mission called Yutu, or Jade Rabbit, after her pet. Luan studying the space environment, before Enjie, a senior advisor to China's lunar Long journey “This asteroid comes from the main asteroid belt, eventually intercepting Toutatis and programme said the ultimate aim was to use the performed a close flyby on 13 December moon as a springboard for deep space where it was affected by the gravitational perturbations of the Jupiter,” says Ji. Toutatis 2012. Chang'e-2 is still operational and is exploration. Doing so according to space now more than 50 million kilometres from the commentators implies that China build a base in tumbles on an orbit that brings it close to Earth every four years. Previous studies concluded the Earth. the moon. The Earth's natural satellite us also Nonetheless, the cost of such exploration believed to hold uranium, titanium and other asteroid's tumbling rotation is primarily caused by the gravitational influence of the Earth/ A second would be phenomenal. China has already minerals resources, as well as offering the poured tens of billion of dollars into its space possibility of solar power generation. Even the contributing effect is heat from the Sun being absorbed and re-radiated unevenly from the programme. The current Chang'e-3 mission seemingly far-fetched prospect of using the comes ahead of a second rover landing Moon as a military facility from which missiles asteroid's irregular surface. The warmed areas radiate photons, which carry momentum and act Chang'e-4, and China is expected to bring could be launched against “hostile military samples back to Earth closer analysis within targets on Earth” was raised by the Beijing as tiny thrusters. “This is part of an emerging picture of smaller five years from now. The next stage is to do newspaper citing relevant experts at a state something that the Americans haven't done, body. asteroids being rubble piles, rather than single distinct bodies,” says Dr. Craig O'Niel from the to do a bit of mining. Said Richard Holdaway, University of Southern Queensland, who was not director of Britain's RAL space laboratory. Near Earth asteroids involved in the research. “Large asteroids have A Chinese spacecraft has given astronomers sufficiently strong gravity to form as single large their closest view of the near Earth asteroid INDUSTRY REPORT

Big data in the shipping industry

An accusation sometimes levelled at the shipping industry is that is has looked to solve tomorrow's problems with yesterday's solutions. The industry has relied on outdated systems and processes to manage and mitigate risks. Today, increased connectivity and data availability are driving a revolution in how decisions are made in our day-to-day life and working environments.

The commercialisation of the space sector and the rapid advancement of location-based technologies have led to an overwhelming volume, variety, and velocity of precise data. More and more sensors, which collate and deliver faster quantities of data, are being developed and brought online.

Thanks to increased connectivity and cloud- based processing, large volumes of data are now fed to end users in near real time. The enormous size and diversity of this virtual information brings new challenges: it is no longer possible to store and process data t h r o u g h t r a d i t i o n a l m e t h o d o l o g i e s . Organisations have had to discard antiquated information management systems and embrace change, or risk falling by the wayside. To stay relevant and protect business operations, the industry has recognised that deriving insights from near real time data is the way of the future.

A clear paradigm shift is now sweeping through the shipping industry as the huge potential of advanced data-processing and analysis techniques are realised. Shipping companies “West are now at the launched in October 2020, provide those are recognising the utility of data to bring about Members with access to a multitude of enriched insights in support of decision-making forefront of data integrated data sets which are geographically processes to help predict, understand, and referenced and automated. This will enrich improve business operations and resilience. discovery” their situational awareness and enhance maritime safety by providing critical loss The growth in demand for transportation of It is also widely understood that data will start to play an essential role in the future design of prevention and operational information in an goods and the support required to maintain accessible format. Combining claims supply chains will present exciting ships. This will be made possible by analysing findings gathered through the platforms and experience with exclusive bunkering alerts opportunities in many areas. This growth will and reports, live weather forecasts, major increase the need to make best use of time and sensors of industry specific vendors and existing vessels. Data that has been collected storm events, maritime crime, port create cost efficiencies to have the most assessments, and many more data layers, profitable shipping processes. Innovation in and analysed throughout a vessel's lifetime will be useful for improvement of designs and Neptune has taken a market-leading advanced data-processing techniques to assist approach to sharing knowledge with with more informed decision-making will services. Previous data sets can assist in testing a ship's proposed design without Members, brokers and correspondents. The ensure the shipment of goods will become system cuts through the noise to provide the safer and more resilient. physically developing it. That is a major advantage for the shipbuilding industry and most relevant and timely information, giving assured parties insights to better understand With these new dynamics comes more can also be an opportunity to embed professional services products into the design and mitigate risks and threats to business opportunities for professional service providers operations. to enhance and expand their services. To considerations. satisfy a rapidly changing sector, the service Partnering with specialist data integration providers that can enable more traditional Geollect are intelligence and software industry offerings need to be equally experts, using machine learning and artificial innovative, presenting opportunities to create companies to innovate will become the norm. West are now at the forefront of data discovery intelligence to interpret data to reveal new and market-leading services and relationships and patterns of rapidly evolving products. Being bold and taking the opportunity in the P&I industry, actively taking new and innovative approaches in how they share data issues to help identify emerging risks in near to do things differently could be a significant real-time. We take live data and map it in a differentiator for a company. and knowledge with their Members on a global scale. Platforms such as Neptune, which was space and time. MILITARY AND DEFENCE

Defence industry 'must rise to the challenge' in 2021

The beginning of 2020 was an exciting time to increased spending on defense in countries deliver a next generation future combat air for our company; we had just announced we such as Australia, the UK and a number of system. Working with our partners and supply would acquire two high-performing new European nations, the defense industry must chain, we're using cutting-edge technologies to businesses out of the Raytheon and United rise to the challenge. transform how we design, develop and Technologies merger. None of us could have manufacture, helping to reduce time and cost. predicted that just weeks later, the majority of Our sector not only provides critical capability We'll ramp up the number of people we have our 88,000 employees around the world for a nation's security, we deliver real benefits working on the program through 2021, including would be working from home as, like so many to the economy by sustaining and creating apprentices and graduates, as part of our companies, we grappled with the highly skilled jobs, through investment in commitment to recruit 1,250 trainees across the unprecedented impact of a global pandemic. research and technology and through exports. UK, despite the pandemic. I strongly believe we can have a key role to play Like all businesses, we've experienced in restoring the economies of the countries in In Australia, we're excited to have begun work on challenges in 2020, especially in the areas which we operate. the prototype for the Hunter Class frigate – an that support civil aviation. We've had to adapt Australian version of the UK's Type 26. The and make difficult decisions but, thanks to the For our part in 2021, we'll continue to invest in program continues apace with new facilities actions we've taken to enhance the resilience skills and in new technologies that are vital to completed. We recently recruited the 1,000th of our business and the remarkable fortitude maintaining our strong positions on next- Hunter employee and expect to recruit up to 1,000 of our people we've continued to deliver on generation capabilities across the air, more people, including apprentices and our customers' priorities, whilst keeping our maritime, land and cyber domains. graduates, in 2021 as the program continues to people safe. Whilst COVID-19 clearly caused ramp up. Working with our partners and customer, disruption in the second quarter, since then In the U.S. market, we continue to stay well we're supporting Australia to develop its most of our defense businesses have been aligned to the U.S. National Defense Strategy sovereign defense capability to deliver on the operating with well over 90% of employees and are investing heavily in modernizing country's recently published 10-year defense working. The willingness of our customers to facilities and utilizing new technologies. For strategy. maintain cash flow into our businesses also example, we're deploying new virtual enabled us to support our suppliers – manufacturing and robotic welding in our It's been challenging trying to stay connected including small and medium-sized companies combat vehicle production. While the new whilst maintaining physical distance; the inability – through the pandemic. Administration's priorities are not yet clear, we to travel to our businesses around the world and expect to stay well aligned, given our work meet our people and our customers is something Collaborative partnership with our customers focused on combat vehicles, precision-guided I've found frustrating at times. But if we continue has been essential to the defense industry's m u n i t i o n s , n a v a l s h i p r e p a i r a n d working closely with our partners to use the ability to press ahead over the past year. It m o d e r n i z a t i o n , e l e c t r o n i c w a r f a r e , lessons we've learned in 2020, particularly remains essential as we move forward into hypersonics, space resilience and security. regarding our agility, resilience and efficiency, this 2021 and face an uncertain global industry can play an increasingly important role in environment with complex threats. It's only by In the UK, the announcement of increased restoring our battered economies, while keeping industry and government working closely, funding for the Ministry of Defence provides citizens safe and economies prosperous. understanding each other and maintaining welcome stability. The submission of the trust that we'll be able to innovate quickly to outline business case for Tempest is another Charles Woodburn, Chief Executive, BAE Systems outpace the threats. As governments commit significant step in this hugely exciting project to AVIATION

The future progression of in-flight Wi-Fi market

I

In the 1990s, accessing the internet meant waiting speed in-flight connectivity service, Connexion of the service required big, clunky cords, but and listening for a dial-up tone on your home by Boeing, which the US aircraft manufacturer there was also an undeniable excitement to computer before you could enjoy the thrill of having first announced in 2000. A downturn in the US browsing the Internet and sending emails at an entire world of information at your fingertips. airline industry in the early 2000s meant 30,000 feet.”The seed had been well and That thrill was often short-lived and replaced with domestic airlines that had considered truly planted, even though Boeing ended up frustration when the connection timed out and the launching the service pulled out, and Boeing pulling the plug on its Connexion service in dial-up process had to be repeated. It might seem had to “change its plans and delay its 2006. At the time, Boeing chairman and like a long time ago, given the ease with which we commercial introduction,” according to a chief executive Jim McNerney said the are all now constantly and instantly connected via statement on the manufacturer's website. market for in-flight Wi-Fi had “not our smartphones and other devices. But internet materialized” as the company had hoped. service on the ground has come an incredibly long Passengers on that first connected Lufthansa This was, arguably, a badly timed exit from way in a relatively short space of time. flight from Munich to Los Angeles were the in-flight connectivity market. The charged just shy of $30 to access the service following year, Apple released its first The same thing is now happening 35,000 feet in for the duration of their journey, or $10 for 30 iPhone and the smartphone rapidly became the air. In 2004, several years after we began minutes and then 25 cents per minute the ubiquitous accessory it is today. dialing up to patchy internet connections in our thereafter. As Paul Metselaar, chairman and The next wave homes, Germany's Lufthansa became the first chief executive of Ovation Travel Group, wrote commercial airline to provide in-flight connectivity After Boeing's exit, a wave of in-flight in his publication for U.S. business publication connectivity providers started to water the to its passengers. This was made possible through Inc., those early in-flight internet connections an agreement with Boeing for its pioneering high- seed it had planted, and the airborne Wi-Fi were “generally slow and spotty, and initial use market started to grow. One of those

21 AVIATION

providers – Viasat – had a key advantage: It had supplied the broadband terminals used by Boeing for its Connexion service. This early involvement, together with Viasat's development of the SKYLink communications system for what was then ARINC's Ku-band connectivity service for business jets, helped create the skillsets needed to launch its own commercial aviation in- flight broadband service with JetBlue Airways in December 2013. JetBlue's revolutionary Ka-band broadband service, branded by the airline as Fly-Fi and powered by Viasat's service, represented a step change in the speed and quality of in-flight Wi-Fi. It proved for the first time that passengers could access the internet in the air without having to compete for bandwidth with their fellow passengers. Changing expectations Fast forward to today and, for most, airborne Wi- Fi is no longer considered a luxury. Instead, airline passengers not only expect it when they board a plane, they expect it to work as well as it does on the ground. In the future, they may also expect it to be free of charge, as it is on JetBlue's flights.There's some precedent for changing better plan their routes to avoid adverse 260 Gbps). This means that fast, reliable, expectations when it comes to internet service. conditions and congestion. This not only high-quality, global Ka-band in-flight Not too long ago, Wi-Fi in hotels was spotty and reduces delays but can also result in the plane broadband—and all the opportunities for expensive to access. This is no longer deemed burning less fuel by finding more efficient corporate sponsorship and free access for acceptable. Hotel guests now take it for granted routes - a win-win both in terms of cutting costs passengers that go with it — will get even that they will be able to access the internet in their for the airline and cutting carbon dioxide better. rooms to catch up on work or browse their social emissions. In the meantime, airlines in regions not yet media feeds, without first having to hand over covered by Viasat's Ka-band network can still their credit card details. This same trend is More satellites, more access its service through a hybrid Ku-/Ka- band antenna. This provides a global solution expected to sweep the in-flight connectivity opportunities market, and high-capacity satellites like those today aimed at being forward-compatible with In the future, it is expected that sponsorship operated by Viasat will make it possible. tomorrow's ViaSat-3 technology. All this opportunities will enable airlines to satisfy capacity also opens up new opportunities for passenger demand for complimentary in-flight The capacity, quality and speed ushered in to the how passengers will entertain themselves on Wi-Fi. It has been proven on airlines that airborne connectivity market by improved flights in the not-too-distant future. For already offer free broadband access – such as satellite technology is also having a profound instance, virtual reality goggles could one day Viasat customers JetBlue and Qantas on its impact on in-flight entertainment. It is allowing become a common sight in aircraft cabins, as domestic flights – that take-up rates increase passengers to be active rather than passive in passengers immerse themselves in a world of dramatically when passengers don't have to the type of content they consume. In the past, an live entertainment content. pay. overhead monitor showed movies to everyone When more people tune in, opportunities for on the plane – regardless of personal taste. If you In-flight connectivity will become even more advertising to this captive audience increase. didn't like what was on, you were out of luck. The important in a post-COVID world where the This gives rise to the potential for external onset of seatback screens and stored libraries of desire to remain connected at all times is likely companies to sponsor the service, thereby movies and TV shows later gave passengers to be even greater than the already strong offsetting the cost for airlines and allowing more choice in their entertainment content – if demand that existed before the crisis. Shelter- them to provide free access to their they scrolled through the options for long in-place orders aimed at stemming the spread passengers. This is already happening at enough, they were more likely to find something of the disease have made the internet an even JetBlue through a value-added sponsorship that interested them. bigger part of people's lives, as we have all deal with Amazon. The online retailing giant been forced to work, school, shop and offers JetBlue passengers who access the in- The rise of high-speed, satellite-based in-flight entertain ourselves from home via our flight Wi-Fi a 30-day free trial of its Prime connectivity brings a whole new dimension of broadband connections. service. This is a three-way win: passengers choice when it comes to entertainment. It allows enjoy free streaming; Amazon gets access to airline passengers to stream their own content to While the airline industry has been hit hard by potential new Prime customers; and JetBlue is their own devices in their own time, just as they COVID-related travel restrictions, demand for able to offset the cost of providing in-flight do on the ground. It enables them to watch live air travel will return and it will go hand in hand connectivity. None of this can happen without sporting events in the air and to communicate in with an increased desire to stay connected – a fast, reliable internet connection enabled by real time with friends, family and co-workers not just for work and social interactions but a high-capacity satellite constellation. Viasat is while they travel. And it's not only passengers also for personalized entertainment. The nearing the launch of its next constellation, who benefit. A connected aircraft helps cabin options for using in-flight Wi-Fi in the future to ViaSat-3, which, when complete, will enable it crew better serve their customers. Whether it is pass the time on long flights are limitless, and to offer full, global Ka-band coverage for conducting real-time debit card transactions in a far cry from the slow, unreliable connections airlines. The first ViaSat-3 satellite is expected the air, providing detailed, up-to-the-minute flight that have characterized airborne broadband to launch in 2021. transfer information ahead of landing, or services in the past. The sky really is the limit providing a more personalized service based on and Viasat, which has been there from the Each of the three ViaSat-3 satellites is individual preferences, fast, reliable internet early beginnings of in-flight Wi-Fi, will expected to offer over 1 Terabit per second of access makes it all possible. A connected cockpit continue to play a dominant role in the future total network capacity – a substantial jump provides pilots with access to the latest weather progression of this exciting, rapidly from ViaSat-1 (approximately 140 Gigabits per and air traffic updates, which can help them developing market. second, or Gbps) and ViaSat-2 (approximately

IN THE NEWS ASIA

NIMR Collaborates with ST and will fly in this orbit for about three months integrated, tested and operated by Brazil. The before releasing its landing capsule, said the satellite will be at a height of 700 km and will Engineering to Build Hybrid China National Space Administration. provide remote sensing data in the form of Electric Vehicles The spacecraft, which has entered a crucial images to observe and monitor deforestation, stage in China's first interplanetary especially in the Amazon region. As of today, NIMR, the leading manufacturer of combat- exploration mission after seven months of the Amazonia 1 satellite fully mounted on the proven wheeled military vehicles, today lengthy space voyage, conducted its third separation system of the launch vehicle, as signed a memorandum of understanding near-Mars deceleration maneuver at 6:29 am shared by the official Twitter handle of the (MOU) with ST Engineering, a global and then moved into an orbit with a perigee of Brazilian Embassy. technology, defence, and engineering group, about 280 kilometers, the administration said Th2 project is being coordinated by the Ministry to build innovative hybrid electric drive (HED) in a brief statement. of Science, Technology and Innovations of systems to underpin NIMR's commitment to All of the seven mission payloads on the Brazil, and has been developed by the National HED technology, aspiring to be the first probe's orbiter will be gradually activated Institute for Space Research in partnership with manufacturer in the Middle East region to during the probe's three-month stay in the the Brazilian Space Agency. Last week the integrate the game-changing power systems orbit to carry out scientific tasks and also to technical team from the Brazilian Space to reinforce its leading status as a pioneer in observe and analyze the landforms and Research Institute wrapped up the preparation the armoured vehicle industry. weathers of the optimal landing site, it noted. of the Brazilian satellite Amazonia-1 at SDSC in Abri du Plessis, CEO of NIMR and Daniel Lam, Tianwen 1, the country's first independent Sriharikota. Head, Middle East of ST Engineering signed Mars mission, was launched by a Long March the MOU at the ongoing International Defence 5 heavy-lift carrier rocket on July 23 from the Exhibition and Conference (IDEX 2021) that Theangle and ABS extend Wenchang Space Launch Center in Hainan runs until 25 February at the Abu Dhabi province, kicking off the nation's planetary p a r t n e r s h i p t o s e r v e National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). The exploration program. signing of the MOU marks the beginning of a customers in the MENA The 5-metric ton probe, which consists of two new era of collaboration and great major parts – the orbiter and the landing region. technological advancement, during which we capsule- has flown for 215 days and about ABS, a leading satellite operator and intend to study and design HED components 475 million km on its journey to Mars. The TheAngle, a specialized network services for NIMR vehicles. average flight speed was about 100,000 km integrator, announced today they have Besides offering improved range, acceleration per hour. extended their partnership in the MENA region, and stealth capabilities, the HED systems also Currently, it is about 212 million km away from serving customers across the ABS' MENA provide sustainability benefits such as lower Earth, the space administration said. coverage at 75 degrees East. emissions, compared to a typical diesel engine The Tianwen 1 mission's ultimate goal is to The expanded and upgraded services focus on system. The decisive advantage of the HED land a rover in May or June on the southern the provision of secure and reliable systems is that they are much quieter than part of Mars' Utopia Planitia-a large plain communications services for government, conventional engines, a crucial requirement for within Utopia, the largest recognized impact military institutions, and energy companies – oil silent watch operations and covert basin in the solar system-to conduct scientific and gas especially in the GCC countries and maneuverability in combat operations. surveys. Iraq. For such industries, satellite remains NIMR and ST Engineering envisage to meet Tianwen 1 is the world's 46th Mars strategic and the preferred solution to ensure the most demanding duty-cycle requirements, exploration mission since October 1960, quality communications, notably from/to to take advantage of the HED systems boasts when the former Soviet Union launched the remote locations and offshore facilities. allowing increased vehicle efficiency, providing first Mars-bound spacecraft. Only 18 of those In general demand for satellite services in the power for all required equipment including missions were successful. MENA market remains robust, driven by communications, situational awareness, and increased activities in the traditional verticals of weapon systems. corporate data services and governmental Alongside delivering multiple technical and ISRO PSLV-C51 to Launch applications, key applications carried over ABS operational enhancements, the introduction of B r a z i l i a n S a t e l l i t e satellites and TheAngle networks. hybrid technology is set to ultimately reduce Paolo Pusterla, MD of Europe, Middle East and military reliance on fossil fuels – a step that Amazonia-1 and 20 Other Africa (EMEA) for ABS said, “This renewal and aligns seamlessly with the UN's Sustainable Satellites expansion of MENA capacity on ABS-2 Development Goals, as well as the UAE's confirms the trust that TheAngle has in ABS, as National Climate Change Plan. ISRO PSLV-C51 is all set to launch its strong and reliable partner, to support the Speaking on the occasion, Abri du Plessis, Amazonia-1 and 20 co-passenger satellites growth of its business and customer base with CEO, NIMR, said: “We are very excited to work on 28 February 2021 from Satish Dhawan the most adapted and bespoke service side-by-side with ST Engineering to become Space Centre solutions.” the first manufacturer in the region to integrate ISRO has just officially announced its next Hassaan Karim, General Manager of TheAngle hybrid electric drive systems into our armoured launch mission. ISRO PSLV-C51, which added, “Our extensive knowledge of the region, vehicles. The synergy reiterates NIMR's marks the 53rd mission of the Polar Satellite coupled with ABS' solid service offerings, consistent efforts to bring to market the latest Launch Vehicle, will launch on 28 February enable us to provide attractive and flexible technologies and push the boundaries of 2021 Brazilian Satellite Amazonia-1 as the offerings to meet with satisfaction even the military innovation to meet the evolving primary satellite and 20 Co-passenger m o s t c h a l l e n g i n g c o m m u n i c a t i o n s operational requirements of our customers.” satellites from Satish Dhawan Space Centre requirements of our customers.” Dr Lee Shiang Long, President/ Head, Land (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota. The launch has ABS is a global satellite operator and offers a Systems of ST Engineering, said: “Originally been scheduled at 10:23 am IST subject to complete range of tailored solutions including designed for commercial applications, our HED weather conditions. broadcasting, data and telecommunication system which we intend to integrate on NIMR's PSLV-C51 is the first dedicated commercial services to broadcasters, service providers, military vehicle, is testimony to our engineering mission of the newly formed NewSpace India enterprises and government organizations. and design capabilities. The hybrid system will Limited (NSIL), a Government of India ABS operates a fleet of satellites; ABS-2, ABS- prove to be an asset in military operations company under the Department of Space. 2A, ABS-3A ABS-4/Mobisat-1 and ABS-6. The where speed and stealth count. In addition to NSIL is undertaking this mission under a satellite fleet covers over 93% of the world's enhanced mobility, it is both efficient and built to commercial arrangement with Spaceflight population across the America, Africa, Asia support the energy requirements for future Inc. USA. The 20 co-passenger satellites Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, CIS and technologies.” include one from ISRO (INS-2TD), four from Russia. Headquartered in Bermuda, ABS has IN-SPACe (three UNITYsats from a offices in the United States, UAE, South Africa Tianwen 1 probe enters consortium of three Indian academic and Asia. ABS is owned by Permira, a preset parking orbit institutes and One Satish Dhawan Sat from European Private Equity firm. Space Kidz India) and 15 from TheAngle quickly forged a reputation as a China's Tianwen 1 robotic probe entered its Amazonia-1 is the first Earth observation reliable provider of satellite connectivity. Today preset parking orbit above Mars on Wednesday satellite that has been completely designed, TheAngle supported by its licensed partners in 28 IN THE NEWS ASIA

the region is becoming a leading provider of testing in the dusty and hot conditions of the transportable terminal in Australia to support managed and turnkey VSAT solutions across Helmand desert before being deployed on India's GAGANYAAN programme the Middle East and North Africa for operations. Foxhound has been specifically customers engaged in the marine, military, designed and built in Britain to protect against Fujitsu develops AI and oil and gas sectors. TheAngle provides the threats faced by troops in Afghanistan. flexible solutions to meet the ever-changing However, this is an agile and versatile vehicle technology to automatically demands of its customers, including the that will be a mainstay in the Army for years to differentiate between work design, build and operation of networks. Its come. Being lighter and smaller than other state-of-the-art control centre and hubs are protected vehicles such as Mastiff and tasks in video data for complemented by a highly qualified and Ridgeback, Foxhound brings a whole new employee training and quality experienced team of engineers, project capability to the Army and is ideal for soldiers managers and customer service personnel. operating in mentoring and partnering roles. control purposes General Dynamics Land Systems: Force NHK WORLD-JAPAN Protection Europe (GDLS:FPE), who Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd. today announced the produced Foxhound, worked with engineers development of a technology that automatically extends multi-year contract from the World Rally Championship, McLaren detects different work elements—for instance, with SES on ASTRA 19.2 F1, Ricardo and BMW to incorporate motor “removing a part,” “tightening a screw,” or racing technology. Foxhound has a top speed “installing a cover”—from video data consisting degrees east of 70mph but can still protect against of a series of tasks from manufacturing lines improvised explosive devices thanks to its v- and other places of manual work. Japan International Broadcasting Inc. (JIB), a shaped hull. Other innovative design features Conventionally, in workplaces like factories, subsidiary of Japan's sole public broadcaster mean that the Foxhound?s engine can be efforts to improve productivity and enhance NHK and official distributor of NHK WORLD- removed and replaced in just 30 minutes and quality have included recording the work of staff JAPAN, has renewed its multi-year contract it can drive away from an ambush on only and identifying and improving upon problems in with SES for satellite. The agreement will three wheels. different work elements from the data. To permit NHK's free-to-air, English-language measure the time required for each work element news and information channel in High Funding for innovative proposals covering from the video data, however, it's necessary to Definition (HD) to continue to be distributed in integration of composites, adhesives for divide video data into separate work elements SES's prime orbital neighbourhood at 19.2 structural joining, joining high temperature manually. This often means that the man-hours degrees East to over 45 million satellite TV- structures and improving armour systems. required to measure the time for each work equipped homes across Europe. Defence research and development ties element is several times to several tens of times NHK WORLD-JAPAN provides the latest between the UK and Australia are already more than the total length of the video. information on Japan and Asia through strong, but have been strengthened further Fujitsu has expanded upon its “Actlyzer” television, radio and online to a global under a bilateral international program to technology for detecting human movement and audience. During the COVID-19 pandemic, accelerate the integration of advanced behavior from video data, and developed an AI NHK WORLD-JAPAN has observed a materials into military platforms. Nine teams model that takes into account the variation of growing interest in its news and other of partners across both nations have received each movement and the difference in individual programming as viewers seek trustworthy Phase 2 funding worth a total of £1.48 million workers' movements, using work data from one sources of updates as well as compelling new (A$2.82 million) from the UK and Australian person and the data divided by each work entertainment, underscoring the importance governments to develop innovative element as training data. When this technology of satellite-delivered content. proposals covering integration of was applied to the analysis of operations at “NHK WORLD-JAPAN is available as a 24- composites, adhesives for structural joining, Fujitsu I-Network Systems Limited's Yamanashi hour news and lifestyle channel in joining high temperature structures and Plant (Location: Minami Alps City, Yamanashi approximately 380 million households in 160 improving armour systems. Prefecture), it was confirmed that work tasks regions and countries worldwide,” said could be detected with 90% accuracy and that the Masaru Shiromoto, President and CEO of JIB. results could be used to improve the efficiency of “The growth has been dramatic since the operations analysis. channel's founding, and we are continually I n d i a n S p a c e s e a r c h By leveraging this technology, Fujitsu will working to expand its availability. The renewal Organisation signs with continue to contribute to the promotion of work of service with SES at Astra 19.2 degrees East process improvement activities and the passing ensures that NHK WORLD-JAPAN will Australian Space Agency on of specific skills for more efficient work at continue to be widely available in Europe with various sites. the high-quality transmission that our viewers Dr. K. Sivan, Chairman, ISRO/Secretary, expect.” DOS had a meeting with the new Head of Mu space and airbus have “JIB has been a valuable partner to SES for Australian Space Agency and signed an several years now as we continuously deliver amendment to the existing India – signed MOU to drive satellite NHK content across several international Australia MoU for space cooperation Dr. K. and space technology markets,” said Steve Collar, CEO for SES. Sivan, Chairman, ISRO/ Secretary, “We are delighted to extend our long-term Department of Space had a virtual meeting development in Thailand partnership with JIB and NHK WORLD- with Mr. Enrico Palermo, Head, Australian An advanced space technology company, mu JAPAN to bring prime Japanese content and Space Agency on February 17, 2021. Both Space announced in February 2021 that the reliable news to vast audiences across leaders signed an Amendment of the '2012 company has signed a cooperation agreement Europe and ensure seamless viewing India – Australia Inter-Governmental MoU for with Airbus Defence and Space, a global leader experiences.” cooperation in Civil Space Science, in aeronautics, space and related services, to Technology and Education' in the presence of cooperate on spacecraft and space technology U K a n d A u s t r a l i a Indian High Commissioner to Australia and in Thailand. Australian High Commissioner to India. This This memorandum of understanding creates a collaborate to accelerate Amendment makes Department of Space path for mu Space to embark and have an impact a d v a n c e d m a t e r i a l s and Australian Space Agency as the on global satellite business and technology. It Executive Organisations and provides scope marks the beginning of an evolution of future integration for other related entities to conclude small satellite missions which includes Earth- A Foxhound Light Protected Patrol Vehicle on implementing arrangements for specific observation, Space Situational Awareness operations in Afghanistan. The Foxhound is at cooperation activities. (SSA), Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite the cutting edge of protected patrol vehicle Both leaders have also reviewed the status constellations, Science and technology and technology and provides unprecedented of on-going cooperation activities in earth Planetary missions. levels of blast protection for its size and observation, satellite navigation, space The cooperation between Airbus and mu Space weight. These patrol vehicles underwent final situational awareness and establishment of is expected to significantly influence Thai space

29 IN THE NEWS ASIA

and the satellite industry, to support future its technology and will actively pursue lucrative platforms. The company also integrates Thai satellite missions and push forward mu space sector opportunities – leveraging its differentiated technology offerings that provide Space as a strong and reliable space nanosatellite technology and the expertise of its smarter ways to communicate and distribute company in the region. space-proven software engineering team. content, manage network and remote mu Space's founder and CEO, James The effectuation also advances the Company's operations, protect and secure investments, Varayuth Yenbamroong said “In the next 2-3 plans for reinstatement of its securities on the and improve the crew and guest experience. years, technology is expected to mature Australian Securities Exchange*, and its With a passionate customer focus and a strong commercially worldwide, mu Space needs to strategic partnership with the Virgin Orbit Group safety culture, Speedcast serves more than establish new revenue streams in the long w h o b e c o m e a s i g n i f i c a n t 3,200 customers in over 140 countries. term, and added that “Based on this shareholder. Commenting on the DOCA agreement, mu Space and Airbus will act as effectuation, SAS Chairman Xavier Kris said: partners to support satellite component and “We are very excited to introduce Sky and Space ANYWAVES opens up the space technology development, which will Company to the market today. Our business has Indian market doors! influence the satellite and space industry in strong industry support around the world and we the near future”. continue to work on a number of opportunities to ANYWAVES opens up the Indian market doors The collaboration between mu Space and g e n e r a t e thanks to a contract signed with Pixel, a Airbus is a great opportunity for Thailand to revenue and further strengthen our position as a cutting edge NewSpace startup with receive support and cooperation from a global pioneer in the sector. The new board would like to operations in India. Make India a key market leader in aeronautics and space in terms of thank all of our stakeholders – in particular the and establish long term collaboration with sharing and exchanging experience, know- Company's employees, creditors, shareholders Indian NewSpace companies was one of the h o w, a n d r e l e v a n t p r o c e s s e s o f p a s t a n d p r e s e n t , main objectives set by ANYWAVES in early manufacturing, including contributing to drive Virgin Orbit, the ASX and all our advisors – for 2020. Today, the challenge is met since we Thai's space industry to international t h e i r s u p p o r t i n r e c e n t m o n t h s . recently got an order for two flight models of standards. Sky and Space Company remains committed to our S-band TT& C antenna. They will equip a its mission to launch a constellation of low earth microsatellite planned to be put into orbit by “Airbus remains fully committed to the orbit nanosatellites, providing global satellite Pixxel in late 2021. Thailand 4.0 initiative and we are excited at telecommunications solutions, and we look Symbol of an historic cooperation initiated by this joint development opportunity with mu f o r w a r d t o p r o v i d i n g CNES and ISRO, the collaboration between Space to further the country's space goals. information in relation to our trading activities in ANYWAVES and Pixxel exemplifies how Airbus has been supporting Thailand's space the near term.” ambitious the new space industry players are. industry since the early 2000s, with the This contract is a new commercial success for development and launch of THEOS-1 in 2008 Speedcast Connects Kinross ANYWAVES, paving the way to future and production on-going for the THEOS-2 developments in India. Earth observation satellites. As a world leader Russia Far East Mining in turnkey Earth observation systems with Development Project unrivalled expertise across the space value Gilat Shipped Initial Aero chain, we are well positioned to offer our Speedcast International Limited (ASX: SDA), the Modems Out of a Multi- support in the development of the Thai Space world's leading communications and IT services economy,” said Johan Pelissier, Head of Asia Million-Dollar Potential in provider, has launched a high-capacity very Pacific, Airbus Defence and Space. small aperture terminal (VSAT) service for China Udinsk Gold LLC, a subsidiary of Canadian- Mr. Varayuth also said “We are very excited to based Kinross Gold Corporation – one of the Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. (NASDAQ, TASE: welcome Airbus as a strategic partner and world's leading gold mining companies. GILT), a worldwide leader in satellite support the company's future growth. With The corporate networking solution connects a networking technology, solutions and services, our dedication and hardwork, we are currently regional office in Magadan, Russia, with the announces that Gilat has shipped initial aero developing advanced satellite and space Company's open pit mining development project, modems, out of a multi-million-dollar potential technology to respond to the future demand of Chulbatkan, located in the Far East. The end-to- in Cina. A leading Chinese system integrator, international usability and services, including end connectivity solution is fully managed by to install Gilat's aero modem, for the Ka-band generating a thousand employment Speedcast's local operations support and will In-flight Entertainment and Connectivity opportunities for Thai people.” scale up bandwidth quickly and efficiently as site (IFEC) system, on the entire fleet of the first After closing Series B, financial analysts development progresses. This high-capacity, airline in China and on additional domestic stated the company's valuation has increased resilient and secure communications service airlines. higher than $ 300 million US and projected to manages SD-Wan and transmits data, voice and become the first $ 1 billion in the next round, video traffic, and is vital to the project's safety and IFEC on-board the first aircraft is already also pushing forward Thai's economic growth efficiency. operational, providing commercial service with to be one of a space technology “Given the site's location, reliability of service was remarkable performance, enabled by Gilat's manufacturing bases in the future. of primary importance,” said James Trevelyan, aero modem, Taurus. The Chinese airline is Senior Vice President of Enterprise and the first fleet out of a potential of 3,500 Sky and Space recapitalize,China launched E twome satelliterging forMa itsrk eGPSsystemts at Sp (Source:eedcas tChina. “In Daily that commercial aircraft operating in China. relaunched and rebranded environment, the technology on the ground and “Gilat is most appreciative of the close connectivity in the sky has to offer extreme partnership with the Chinese integrator, and dependability to prevent downtime and costly the joint effort of ramping up the airline's fleet of Sky and Space Company Limited (formerly service calls. That was a key factor in the aircraft with Gilat's proven aero modem, Sky and Space Global Limited) (ASX: SAS, company's decision to select Speedcast.” Taurus,” said Yuan Si, China Country Manager 'Sky and Space Company' or the 'Company'), for Gilat. “We are pleased to see the in-flight is pleased to announce the effectuation of the Speedcast International Ltd (ASX: SDA) is the connectivity business moving forward in China D e e d o f C o m p a n y world's most trusted communications and IT and look forward to equipping additional Arrangement ('DOCA') to recapitalise and services provider, delivering critical airlines with Gilat's high-performance aero relaunch the business, and the change of its communications solutions to the Maritime, modem, enabling passengers an excellent name to Sky and Space Company Limited, Energy, Mining, Media, Telecom, Cruise, NGO, IFEC user experience.” following shareholder approval. SAS is a Government, and Enterprise sectors. With more satellite company regulated by the UK Space satellite capacity than any other provider, Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. (NASDAQ: GILT, Agency with significant aerospace, satellite, Speedcast enables faster, seamless pole-to-pole TASE: GILT) is a leading global provider of spectrum and software industry assets and coverage from a global hybrid satellite, fiber, satellite-based broadband communications. expertise. Now recapitalised, the Company cellular, microwave, MPLS, and IP transport With 30 years of experience, we design and will seek to fasttrack the commercialisation of network with direct access to public cloud manufacture cutting-edge ground segment

30 IN THE NEWS ASIA

equipment, and provide comprehensive targets more than 40 space to further invigorate their mental state and solutions and end-to-end services, powered steadily advance various tasks with a careful and by our innovative technology. Delivering launches in 2021 meticulous work style. , Striving to win every high value competitive solutions, our space launch mission. portfolio comprises of a cloud based VSAT On January 29, China Aerospace Industries network platform, high-speed modems, high used the Long March 4C carrier rocket at the performance on-the-move antennas and Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center to successfully Intertek to launch their high efficiency, high power Solid-State launch the Remote Sensing 31st Group 02 Minerals Global Centre of Amplifiers (SSPA) and Block Upconverters satellite into the air, and the satellite entered the (BUC). predetermined orbit. This is the first space Excellence, a state-of-the-art Gilat's comprehensive solutions support launch mission carried out by the Jiuquan new laboratory in Perth multiple applications with a full portfolio of Satellite Launch Center in 2021. This mission products to address key applications was a complete success, marking the center's including broadband access, cellular new annual space launch has achieved a “good Intertek, a leading Total Quality Assurance backhaul, enterprise, in-flight connectivity, start”. provider to industries worldwide, is pleased to maritime, trains, defense and public safety, announce the construction of a new Minerals 2021 is another peak launch year for all while meeting the most stringent service Global Centre of Excellence, located in Perth, China Aerospace. According to the aerospace level requirements. Gilat controlling Western Australia, a key global centre for the mission plan disclosed by the China Aerospace shareholders are the FIMI Private Equity minerals and mining industry. This new bespoke Science and Technology Corporation: the Funds. space consolidates our operations into a construction of the space station, the Tianwen-1 19,000m2 facility housing over 500 employees. landing on Mars, the launch of several Fengyun The state-of-the-art laboratory will support our Fujitsu Named to satellites, and the number of launches are customers in the mining and oil & gas industries, FORTUNE Magazine's expected to exceed 40 times… The major giving them access to trusted expertise in mineral events in China's space industry in 2021 are testing, oil and gas testing, inspections and 2021 List of “World's Most quite promising. analysis. Providing a broad portfolio of services Admired Companies” for Zhou Jianping, chief designer of China's under one roof significantly enhances delivery of manned space project, said that in the spring of our Total Quality Assurance (TQA) customer Third Year Running 2021, my country will launch the core module of promise and streamlines our superior customer the space station first, and then launch the service. Fujitsu today announced that it has been Tianzhou-2 cargo spacecraft and the As regulations change and technology is created named to FORTUNE Magazine's 2021 list of Shenzhou-12 manned spacecraft to complete or innovated, our knowledge and leading industry “World's Most Admired Companies” for the rendezvous and docking and related key experts assist customers in meeting these ever- third year in a row. technologies in orbit. verification. changing demands. Intertek is constantly evaluating new instrumentation and technology This year, 670 companies were nominated According to the space station construction to continuously improve quality, safety and from 30 countries as the “World's Most mission plan, my country will continue to efficiency and deliver value for our customers. As Admired Companies,” of which 332 were implement 11 missions this year and next, the leader in operating automated robotic selected (15 of which were Japanese including 3 space station section launches, 4 laboratory systems for the mining industry, companies). Fujitsu was selected in the cargo spacecraft and 4 manned spacecraft Intertek's new facility includes eight robotic category for the IT Services industry and launches. The space station will be completed in automated systems, including sample was highly-evaluated in areas including orbit by 2022 to achieve China The mission goal preparation, XRF and wet chemistry systems. Global Competitiveness and Innovation. of the third step of the development strategy of Utilising advanced technology and innovation the Human Aerospace Engineering three-step with a strong focus on automation, Intertek Conducted through a partnership between development strategy provides our customers with faster, more efficient Fortune Magazine and Korn Ferry (1), the On January 17, the China Academy of Space analytical options that increase production annually published “World's Most Admired Technology under the Aerospace Science and without compromising on quality. Companies” list is determined based on a Technology Corporation held an expedition survey of a combined 15,000 executives, ceremony for the space station mission test True to our purpose, Bringing Quality, Safety and directors at global companies, and analysts. team in Beijing. Prior to this, the space station's Sustainability to Life, this new facility will feature Companies are evaluated based on nine Tianhe core cabin and the Tianzhou-2 cargo 3030 x330W solar panels making it one of largest c a t e g o r i e s : I n n o v a t i o n , P e o p l e spacecraft have successfully passed the factory rooftop solar installations in Western Australia. Management, Use of Corporate Assets, review, marking that the space station's The facility will also capture and recycle Social Responsibility, Quality of construction will soon be transferred to the laboratory wastewater to conserve this precious Management, Financial Soundness, Long- mission implementation stage. resource. Term Investment Value, Quality of A key feature of the new Intertek Minerals Global P r o d u c t s / S e r v i c e s , a n d G l o b a l At present, the Tianhe core cabin and the Centre of Excellence is MineralSpace, a unique Competitiveness. Companies that receive Tianzhou-2 cargo spacecraft have completed multifunctional dedicated customer space. This high evaluations in these categories are various development, production and testing collaborative, immersive and multiple selected for inclusion in the list. tasks; the core cabin mission products of the configurational venue is available to our space application system have completed the customers and industry bodies for presentations, Fujitsu will continue to advance business prototype development and the technical status technical seminars, workshops and events. activities from the perspective of the is under control. Customers will have access to state-of-the-art AV environment, society, and governance With the “opening” of the space launch mission and video conferencing technology to help them (ESG) in order to realize Our Purpose as of the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on connect with the world. MineralSpace will feature stated in the Fujitsu Way-“to make the world January 29, the center also disclosed the a 4.8-metre interactive screen allowing 32 more sustainable by building trust in society progress of the space station mission: At separate touchpoints where customers and through innovation”-and further increase its present, the Shenzhou 12 and Shenzhou 13 visitors can immerse themselves in the world of efforts to contribute to the sustainable spacecraft and the Long March 2 F carrier used Intertek and interactively explore the services development of society and the Earth. for launch The rocket is undergoing final available at the Minerals Global Centre of assembly tests and will perform two manned Excellence. Customers can access our world- China Aerospace usher in space missions in 2021. class global technical experts and services at the According to the news from the Jiuquan Satellite touch of their fingers. its launch peak year Launch Center, the vast number of scientific and The new facility's construction is on track to again: the space station technical personnel in the launch center will take commence commissioning in Q1 2021, with a the successful launch of the remote sensing seamless transition into the new space occurring starts construction, to 31st group 02 satellite mission as an opportunity in multiple phases. We expect to formally 31 IN THE NEWS ASIA

celebrate the grand opening with our satellites. Most of the Thaicom 5 satellite's data throughput requests. Additionally, with the customers by June 2021. customers were migrated to Thaicom's other M80's Connected Mode DRX (C-DRX) satellites, including to the rented ones, although technology the modem will regularly remain John Fowler, Intertek's Senior Vice some cannot be migrated, i.e., some foreign and powered in connected standby even when President of Minerals and Exploration & retail customers. For broadband satellite, the there is no data activity. Production said “This exciting new facility will Thaicom 4, the utilization rate was 19%, down provide our customers with instant access to from 23% as at the end 2019, mainly from the MediaTek works closely with operators and world class technical expertise, technology, decrease of bandwidth consumption and partners around the world to bring consumers pioneering innovation and services all in one foreign customers churn. faster and more reliable 5G experiences. As a location. By combining the Intertek Global result, company's 5G technology has been Minerals HQ and the Centre of Excellence Lao Telecommunications Co., Ltd. (LTC), validated by operators in more than 100 this site will not only be home to the largest Thaicom's telecommunication and mobile markets. MediaTek is also a founding member Intertek Minerals laboratory in the world, but service provider subsidiary in Lao PDR, of the OpenRF Association, which was founded it will also offer on-site access to other major reported total mobile subscribers of 1.72 million to help to speed up time-to-market for 5G Intertek Business Lines. With a strong focus and still maintained position as the country's device manufacturers with interoperable 5G RF on technical excellence, sustainability and leading mobile network operator. Front-End (RFFE) solutions. superior customer service, this endeavor signifies Intertek's investment in the future as well as our commitment to our customers China Mobile Shanghai and and the mining industry” MediaTek Unveils New M80 5G Modem with Support for Huawei Debuted the World's Intertek provides mineral testing services First 5G 4.9 GHz Indoor throughout the mining life cycle from mmWave and Sub-6 GHz 5G exploration geochemistry, mine site Networks Network with an Above 3 laboratory services, minerals inspection, Gbps Peak Rate sampling and analysis, robotic laboratory Mediatek announced its new M80 5G modem solutions, environmental services and which combines mmWave and sub-6 GHz 5G China Mobile Shanghai and Huawei deployed metallurgical testing services across the technologies onto a single chip. The M80 the world's first 4.9 GHz commercial LampSite mining supply chain. supports ultra-fast speeds on both non- network in Shanghai, China. This is the first standalone (NSA) and standalone (SA) time that an aggregate bandwidth of 200 MHz Thaicom reports results architectures, with a peak rate of 7.67 Gbps in on the 2.6 and 4.9 GHz bands and distributed the downlink and 3.76 Gbps in the uplink. The Massive MIMO have been simultaneously 2020 M80 also supports dual 5G SIM, dual 5G NSA implemented in digital indoor networks. With and SA networks, and dual Voice over New the peak rate exceeding 3 Gbps, the Thaicom Public Company Limited Radio (VoNR) for more reliable connectivity. performance is comparable to that of an active (THCOM), satellite operator, announced antenna unit (AAU), satisfying the network its yearly financial results ended 31 “As 5G rollouts accelerate, mmWave is requirements to provide premium service December 2020. becoming increasingly important, especially in experience at large stadiums where the traffic The Board of Directors meeting no. 2/2021, the U.S. MediaTek's new 5G modem integrates demand and user density are high. dated 5 February 2021, approved proposing support for both sub-6 GHz and mmWave to the shareholder's meeting for approval of networks to address this opportunity and give This deployment was completed at the the dividend for 2020 of Baht 219 million, or device makers more flexibility,” said JC Hsu, Shanghai New International Expo Center equivalent to Baht 0.20 per share from the Corporate Vice President and General Manager (SNIEC) where Mobile World Congress (MWC) net profit of Baht 514 million. of MediaTek's Wireless Communications Shanghai, an annual telecom industry event, is Thaicom reported revenue from sales and Business Unit. “To advance users' 5G hosted. In 2019, nearly 60,000 people attended services for 2020 of Baht 3,557 million, down experiences, the new modem supports the this event. The latest 4.9 GHz LampSite units by 23.7% from 2019 due to the decrease of latest global cellular standards and supporting a bandwidth of 100 MHz were revenue from satellite and related services, specifications and it packs MediaTek's signature adopted to work together with the incumbent which was due mainly to the Thaicom 5 power savings technologies along with ultra-fast 2.6 GHz band to ensure a bandwidth of 200 satellite deorbit in February 2020. This speeds.” MHz through carrier aggregation. This resulted the service termination, especially MediaTek's 5G modems are ideal for a range of enhances the coverage of indoor networks at for foreign customers that were not able to devices, including smartphones, PCs, Mi-Fi capacity-demanding indoor hotspots, including migrate to Thaicom's other satellites. The hotspots, broadband customer premise stadiums, airports, and railway stations, to decrease of revenue was also the results of a equipment (CPE), industrial IoT applications deliver premium experience to mobile users. decline of satellite television channels, and more. MediaTek's first generation 5G LampSite serving indoor hotspots with a high together with the decrease of broadband modem, the M70, is built into MediaTek's user density services to foreign customers. Dimensity series of powerful and power-efficient China Mobile Shanghai has been a leading chipsets for 5G smartphones. The company's telecom carrier in developing 5G networks. To Thaicom's consolidated net profit for 2020 5G portfolio also includes the MediaTek T700, date, it has constructed more than 13,000 5G was Baht 514 million, improving from the net which will power 5G PCs set to hit the market in sites, basically achieving continuous coverage loss of Baht 2,250 million in 2019, which was 2021, along with MediaTek's T750 chipset for in the city. due mainly to the impairment of satellite 5G fixed wireless access routers (FWA) and This telecom carrier boasts leading networks assets. The net profit of Baht 514 million mobile hotspot devices. and evident technological advantages. It has already included the revenue and cost from been working with Huawei to explore innovative extra items. The M80 integrates MediaTek's 5G UltraSave solutions to guarantee mobile excellent user The overall utilization rate as at the end of technologies which improve on the single-chip experience in various scenarios. 4.9 GHz is an 2020 of the Company's conventional design to provide another layer of extensive ideal option for telecom carriers to enhance satellites, the Thaicom 6, Thaicom 7 and power-saving enhancements. MediaTek's coverage in indoor hotspots, ensuring premium Thaicom 8, was 64%, decreased from 55% UltraSave Network Environment Detection and indoor experience for toC services. This band is as at the end of 2019, mainly due to Thaicom U l t r a S a v e O TA C o n t e n t Aw a r e n e s s also important to ensure 5G coverage in high- 5 satellite deorbiting. The utilization rate of technologies dynamically adjust power quality toB applications. the conventional satellites was adjusted configuration and operating frequency based on China Mobile Shanghai will continue to work from total capacity of 111 transponders to 71 the network environment. The M80 also with Huawei to accelerate the deployment of 5G transponders, resulting to an increase of the integrates MediaTek's Dynamic Bandwidth Part sites to deliver the continuous coverage committed utilization for conventional (BWP) technology which is designed to optimize required to ensure premium service experience bandwidth use to accommodate light or heavy

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across the city. It will also continue to promote the remote location.” the end of this year. collaboration of the telecom industry with other The MNO business implemented diverse industries, such as finance, shipping, and trade to Under the USO-funded Project, BSNL will customer-friendly marketing activities fit for cement Shanghai's leadership in applying 5G to make it possible to deliver a broad range of the pandemic situation such as non-face-to- vertical industries by leveraging their respective applications to these Indian islands, from face 24-hour service activation, and opened T leading advantages. cellular backhaul and enterprise connectivity to Factory to share its ICT vision and maritime and remote community Wi-Fi, as well innovations. Through these efforts, SKT ST Engineering iDirect's as the ability to connect with other Indian topped all three major satisfaction surveys in states. Korea – i.e. National Customer Satisfaction Dialog® Platform Deployed by Index (NCSI), Korean Customer Satisfaction BSNL to Connect Remote “Through the Dialog platform, BSNL can take Index (KCSI) and Korea Standard-Service advantage of its unique benefits, such as Mx- Quality Index (KS-SQI) – for 23 consecutive Indian Islands DMA return technology which allows more years. efficient sharing of satellite capacity across a Following the successful launch of 'V ST Engineering iDirect, a global leader in satellite group of remotes, therefore lowering total cost Coloring,' a video ringback tone service, in communications, has been awarded a contract by of ownership,” said Sjoerd De Clerck, Regional 2020, the MNO business will focus on offering system integrator Shaf Broadcast, Pvt. Ltd, on Vice President of Asia, ST Engineering iDirect. subscripttion-based services powered by b e h a l f o f t h e I n d i a n s t a t e - o w n e d “The multi-service capability offered by Dialog artificial intelligence (AI) technologies this telecommunications company, BNSL, to augment will enable BSNL to develop creative service year. It is set to introduce a wide variety of satellite bandwidth to the offshore Indian islands of plans to meet many different requirements, subscripttion-based services that go beyond Andaman, Nicobar and Lakshadweep under a such as 2G, 3G and 4G services through the field of mobile communications to serve a Universal Service Obligation (USO) project embedded optimization and acceleration and much broader customer base. f u n d e d b y t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f high-speed, high-performance broadband The year 2020 was marked by strong Telecommunications. Utilizing the award-winning services to every resident. We are delighted to performance of the New ICT business areas. Newtec Dialogue platform to provide internet and offer this advanced suite of capabilities to The combined total operating income of the 2G, 3G and 4G services, the connectivity will accelerate development of these islands.” New ICT businesses stood at KRW 326.2 boost social and economic activity to islands that billion, accounting for 24% of the company's previously had limited access to bandwidth. total operating income. Lakshadweep is a tropical archipelago of 36 atolls SKT Announces FY 2020 and coral reefs off the coast of Kerala, South West Results The media business served as the main driver India, with a total population of some 70,000 for earnings growth of the new business people. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are SK Telecom (NYSE:SKM, hereinafter referred areas. SK Broadband's revenue for 2020 located at the juncture of the Bay of Bengal and the to as “SKT”) announced its earnings for the increased by 17.2% YoY to KRW 3.714 trillion Andaman Sea, and are home to some 380,000 year 2020 on a K-IFRS 16 consolidated basis: affected by its merger of T-broad and growth people scattered over 38 inhabited islands. Both revenue of KRW 18.625 trillion, operating in the number of IPTV subscribers. Its archipelagos are Union Territories, which the income of KRW 1.349 trillion, and net income of operating income expanded by 59.2% YoY to Central Government of India is keen to develop as KRW 1.501 trillion. stand at KRW 230.9 billion. tourist destinations and economic hubs. SKT's consolidated revenue increased by SKT's security business reported an annual Existing Single Channel Per Carrier (SCPC) links 5.0% compared to the previous year. This revenue of KRW 1.339 trillion, increasing by across the islands are in need of further upgrades comes as a result of a 15.3% year-on-year 12.2% YoY thanks to the even growth of its to support the growth of required applications that (YoY) revenue growth of its 'New ICT' business key business areas, including dispatch will enhance socio-economic activity across the areas including media and commerce, along security and information security, and new islands. The deployment of the Dialog multi- with a 2.8% YoY revenue increase posted by business areas like home security, parking service platform will deliver cost effective, fiber- the MNO business thanks to 5G subscriber and non-face-to-face solutions. like connectivity to meet the high demands of additions. island users, ensuring a connectivity experience Operating income expanded by 21.8% The annual revenue for the commerce that is on a par with communications on the Indian compared to the previous year. In particular, business – 11st and SK Stoa – grew by 12.1% mainland. Dialog promotes the optimal utilization based on pay TV subscriber number increase, YoY to KRW 814.2 billion on the back of the of available satellite resources through more gross merchandise value (GMV) expansion of increased online shopping trend and GMV. efficient use of bandwidth thanks to its dynamic the commerce business, and growth of new The operating income for the year 2020 stood return technology Mx-DMA, driving down costs security services such as home security and at KRW 11 billion, recording a surplus for two and offering BSNL the capability to scale and parking, the operating income of the New ICT consecutive years. expand when required to meet future needs. businesses increased by 27.5% YoY. T Map Mobility, a specialized mobility Net income jumped by 74.3% YoY to KRW company launched in December 2020, is set Shaf Broadcast examined many different 1.501 trillion due to increased equity method to become a Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) technologies looking for the optimum in high- gains from SK Hynix. provider with car sharing, rent-a-car, taxi, and speed connectivity, scalability and efficiency of the In 2021, SKT will speed up its growth as a public transportation-related service satellite bandwidth and concluded that the Dialog leading ICT company by applying artificial offerings. T Map Mobility plans to launch an e- platform is best suited to serve BSNL's current and intelligence (AI) technologies to all products hailing joint venture with Uber Technologies in future needs. and services, while the app market One Store the first half of this year. “This project is critical as it meets the growing pushes for initial public offering (IPO). SKT The mobile app market One Store saw its connectivity requirements of these important expects to achieve an annual revenue of KRW GMV grow for 10 consecutive quarters island states,” said Sanjay Kumar, General 19.5 trillion for year 2021. backed by constant increase in the number of Manager (Radio), BSNL. “It was integral to the On a non-consolidated basis, SKT's annual users, and reported net income surplus in project that we selected the right partner and revenue increased by 2.8% YoY to KRW 2020. One Store is expected to continue its technology in order to meet the stringent timelines 11.747 trillion affected by the growth in the growth this year and become the first SKT as this will be closely monitored by the Ministry of number of 5G subscribers and their mobile subsidiary to promote IPO. H o m e A f f a i r s a n d D e p a r t m e n t o f data usage. Operating income made a Through the merger between SK Broadband Telecommunications. The Dialog platform will turnaround, expanding by 7.5% YoY from KRW and T-broad, launch of T Map Mobility, and allow us to dynamically allocate bandwidth as 951.8 billion in 2019 to KRW 1.231 trillion in merger between ADT Caps and SK Infosec, demand varies from island to island and offers 2020. SKT has secured stronger growth engines flexibility as well as the capability to run many and turned itself into a company with five key different types of applications, both fixed and The MNO business sustained its 5G market businesses. This year, SKT is set to speed up mobile. We look forward to offering those living leadership in 2020. The number of SKT's 5G its growth by innovating all products and and working on the islands the connectivity that subscribers was around 5.48 million as of the services with AI and expanding its will enable them to grow and prosper despite their end of 2020 and is expect to reach 9 million by collaboration with diverse global companies. IN THE NEWS AMERICAS

global fleet by 2035. Integrated EAP concepts time and directly projects information needed Amazonia Series 1: are rapidly emerging as potentially for surgery. A few years ago, a new Brasilsat, Latin America and transformative solutions to significantly technology known as ICG fluorescence improve the environmental sustainability of imaging techniques was introduced to help the 1982 World Cup the next generation of subsonic transport navigate while performing liver surgery. vehicles. EAP electrical systems are being However, doctors had to keep looking back Before the Data Collection Satellites (SCD 1 developed to replace or boost fuel-burning and forth between the surgical field and the and 2), the first Brazilian communication aircraft propulsion systems, analogous to monitor. satellite, Brasilsat A1, was launched. how electric or hybrid motors are used in Manufactured by Spar Aerospace Ltd., from automobiles. To tackle this problem, Panasonic teamed up Canada, under license from Hughes Space, “The release of this request for proposals with Kyoto University and began developing a Brasilsat A1 had one of the biggest incentives represents an important next step as NASA surgery assistance system combining its for its construction and launch: football. It was partners with industry to further mature knowledge base in medical cameras and 1981, when the Brazilian soccer team qualified critical EAP technologies through image projection technology. This new for the World Cup that would take place the demonstrating integrated megawatt-class system makes infrared light, which is following year. powertrain systems in flight,” said Lee Noble, ordinarily invisible to the naked eye, visible in During the preliminary disputes, two games of NASA's Integrated Aviation System Program the surgical field for surgeons. Images the Brazilian team should be broadcast at night, director. “These flight demonstrations have captured by the infrared camera are on national network. However, there was no strong applicability to sustainable and highly- processed and projected onto the patient space on the Intelsat satellite, used by the state- efficient aircraft powertrain systems that will nearly in real-time in the format specified by owned telecommunications company Embratel facilitate continued U.S. competitiveness for doctors. for transmission. The games were the next generation of commercial transport The system has to be extremely vibration retransmitted without the images, only with the aircraft.” proof and easy to move with little force, so voiceover. The debate then began on the need Though partnerships with U.S. industry, that surgeons can project the necessary for Brazil to have an exclusive satellite for its NASA intends to accelerate integrated information onto the surgical field without communications. megawatt-class powertrain system feeling any stress. To achieve this, Panasonic The launch of Brasilsat A1, in 1985, provided maturation and transition to the global fleet, also collaborated with Mitaka Kohki, a stimulus for the sector in Brazil. The following as well as identify and address gaps in company that specializes in the surgical year, Brasilsat A2 was launched, identical to the regulations and standards and acquire microscope business. first and able to also serve other users in South necessary ground and flight test data to America. Years later, in 1994 and 1995, when advance design and modelling tools pertinent the useful life of the first generation satellites to future aircraft products with an EAP CONAE unveils spatial was close to depletion, Brasilsat B1 and system. Brasilsat B2 put into orbit . These new tools for state legal communication satellites were larger and more NASA and industry studies have shown that counsel powerful than the satellites of the previous EAP concepts can reduce energy use, generation. In addition, they also had some carbon and nitrogen oxide emissions, and An agreement was signed with the Office channels available to Mercosur countries. direct operating costs resulting in benefits for of the Treasury of the Nation for the both the public and the airline operators. provision of spatial information to the With the launch of the third generation of NASA and its industry partners have National State, in order to promote its use artifacts in February 1998, Brasilsat B3 identified turboprops, regional jets, and single by the State Lawyers Corps and in judicial connected cities in the Amazon to the rest of aisle aircraft serving the thin-haul (very short disputes. Brazil and the world. flights), regional, and single-aisle markets as The National Commission for Space On July 29, 1998, Embratel was privatized, and targets of opportunity for this technology.To Activities (CONAE), dependent on the the company's satellite area became a turn the promise of EAP benefits into reality, Ministry of Science, Technology and subsidiary called Star One (now Embratel Star NASA's Aeronautics Research Mission Innovation of the Nation, and the One). With this, the last satellite of the Brasilsat Directorate has made a critical commitment Procuration of the National Treasury, the generation, the B4, was launched in 2000. to demonstrate practical vehicle-level highest legal advisory body of the National In the fifth text of the Amazonia 1 series, learn integration of megawatt-class EAP systems, Executive Power, signed a cooperation about the privatization of Embratel and the leveraging advanced airframe systems to agreement for the use of science and replacement of Brasilsat satellites by Star One. reinvigorate the regional and emerging space technology in the legal services of The Brazilian Space Agency is an autarchy smaller aircraft markets, and to strengthen the State for the defense of the rights of linked to the MCTI and central body of the the single-aisle aircraft market. The the Nation . In addition to the use of satellite National System for the Development of Space Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration information, the agreement includes training Activities (SINDAE). He is responsible for project directly supports retaining U.S. actions and technical and legal assistance, formulating, coordinating and executing the leadership in the aerospace manufacturing as well as joint research activities. Brazilian Space Policy. Since its creation, on sector, the largest net-exporter of all U.S. February 10, 1994, the Agency has worked to manufacturing sectors. The agreement was signed by the Executive make the Brazilian State's efforts to promote the and Technical Director of CONAE, Raúl well-being of society via the sovereign Kulichevsky, and the National Treasury employment of the space sector viable. This Could Revolutionize Attorney, Carlos Alberto Zannini . the Medical World: Participating in the meeting were the Minister NASA Takes Steps to Panasonic's Medical of Science, Technology and Innovation of the Reduce Aviation Emissions, Nation, Roberto Salvarezza ; the Secretary Imaging Projection System of Planning and Policies in Science, Invigorate US Economy Technology and Innovation, Diego Hurtado ; Carolina Catani of Legal Affairs of CONAE, NASA is seeking proposals for ground and Image projection technology has been the Deputy Attorney for the Treasury, Horacio flight demonstrations of integrated megawatt- utilized mainly for projection mapping on Diez , and the Director of the School of the class powertrain systems for subsonic aircraft. buildings and in theaters, but the Medical Body of Lawyers, Guido Leonardo Croxatto The deadline for proposals for this solicitation is Imaging Projection System (MIPS) may . 5 p.m. EST April 20. revolutionize the field of medicine. The new “ This framework agreement opens up The demonstrations will help rapidly mature and surgery assistance system developed by endless possibilities in terms of training transition integrated Electrified Aircraft Panasonic in cooperation with Mitaka Kohki and assistance that CONAE can provide Propulsion (EAP) technologies and associated Co., Ltd. and Kyoto University tracks changes related to data, to understand the satellite EAP vision systems for introduction into the in the shape and position of organs in real world and the opportunities that are opened

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thanks to this type of information that currently N o r t h r o p G r u m m a n ' s g a t e w a y machine learning and secure and ethical has a lot of weight in all the activities of the State offerings—communications systems that help artificial intelligence, among other capabilities. and that does not escape the legal framework ”, the DOD securely share mission information Another example of Northrop Grumman's affirmed Minister Salvarezza . across military branches—are one example of JADC2 offerings can be found in the For his part, Kulichevsky assured that “This is how the company is already enhancing the flow company's Communications, Navigation and another step in the democratization of of data and strengthening the overall Identification (CNI) system. Northrop access to information of satellite origin as a command-and-control structure of the DOD. Grumman pioneered the design of its CNI knowledge tool for use for the benefit of the Northrop Grumman's gateway systems have system—currently used across a number of Nation “, and added: “With this initiative we an extensive track record of helping high-profile DOD platforms—to provide more seek to further strengthen the relationship that interconnect branches of the military. The than 27 fully-integrated communications, have been maintained for many years by the company's leading Battlefield Airborne navigation and identification functions. Argentine space agency and a fundamental Communications Node (BACN) gateway Over the years, the company's CNI systems institution such as the Treasury Attorney, system recently reached 200,000 combat have been battle-tested and proven to promoting the use of satellite information by operational flight hours since its first enhance warfighters' situational awareness; lawyers who defend the interests of our country deployment with the U.S. Air Force in 2008. improve interoperability across platforms; ”. Northrop Grumman's BACN offerings have adapt to emerging mission demands; and “We believe that one of the main tasks that the been one of the Defense Department's most securely distribute critical information needed Treasury Office must carry out, in addition to enduring capabilities, delivering interoperable for mission success. training and accompanying legal services, has voice and data communications between boots The software-defined nature of Northrop to do with providing them with the best tools and on the ground and pilots in the sky since 2008. Grumman's CNI system allow for continuous resources available to the State in order to Northrop Grumman's BACN gateway system enhancements and its signature design will enhance the work that they carry out, ”said and sustainment efforts, combined with both open up the company's CNI offering to provide Attorney General Carlos Zannini . “This is why manned and unmanned aircraft, provide new functionality, such as the use of third-party we consider this strategic partnership with warfighters an essential round-the-clock capabilities that will help meet the advanced CONAE to be essential, since it will allow the c a p a b i l i t y — e n a b l i n g t h e e n h a n c e d networking needs of JADC2 efforts. entire Body of Lawyers to access vital communications and situational awareness A third example of Northrop Grumman's information for the defense of the interests picture needed to defeat threats in the most JADC2 offerings is tied to the U.S. Air Force of the State and advice on the daily tasks that challenging battlefield environments. Advanced Battle Management System the public administration performs ”, he added. (ABMS) initiative. According to the Air Force, Northrop Grumman's BACN offering is a high- ABMS is the services' primary contribution to Northrop Grumman altitude, airborne communications gateway Joint All-Domain Command and Control that translates and distributes imagery, voice efforts. Communications Systems a n d t a c t i c a l d a t a f r o m d i s p a r a t e In support of ABMS, Northrop Grumman is Provide Foundational elements—enhancing situational awareness rapidly working on developing and fielding a communications and coordination for joint gatewayONE prototype by leveraging its Elements for JADC2 warfighters operating across space, air, land proven Freedom Radio and gateway and sea. It is also one of the first battle-tested technologies. Freedom multifunction, Anticipating how adversaries are likely to gateway systems to enable warfighters and software-defined radios are the heart of the F- employ new operational concepts and systems platforms to effectively communicate and 22 integrated avionics suite and F-35 has always been important, but in an era of securely share data across all branches of the communications, navigation and identification rapid digital transformation, it's fundamental DOD. system. and critical to all U.S. Department of Defense On December 9, 2020, Northrop Grumman's (DOD) efforts. Understanding how these Over the course of more than 15,500 missions, Freedom Radio supporting ABMS efforts, adversaries are harnessing new technology, enabled by sustainment support that delivers successfully integrated with an attritableONE responding with new operational concepts and uninterrupted mission readiness, the BACN platform and enabled 5th-to-5th generation enhanced lethality in accelerated timelines is gateway system has a mission availability rate aircraft communications. According to the Air how DOD intends to retain a strategic greater than 98 percent. Northrop Grumman Force, “…this test was the latest demonstration advantage on the battlefield. takes an agile approach to introduce new of the transformative warfighting impact of the There is no doubt that we are facing new and capabilities on the BACN gateway system such open architecture underpinning the Advanced increasingly sophisticated threats from near- as the integration of new automation software, Battle Management System.” peer adversaries, underscoring the importance implementation of agile software development The signature design and open architecture of innovation in order to maintain an advantage processes, and the incorporation of enhanced functionality of the Freedom Radio supporting in an age of technology-driven warfare. m i l i t a r y s t a n d a r d c o m m u n i c a t i o n s gatewayONE will enable 5th– to-4th One DOD initiative, Joint All-Domain Command protocols—all to meet emerging mission generation platforms to communicate and and Control (JADC2), sits at the center of demands. extend capabilities to enable multiple 5th technology-driven modernization. The DOD generation platform types to share and summarises JADC2 as “an effort to integrate The open architecture design and cyber- integrate data, helping make network-centric sensors with shooters across all domains, secure processing of the BACN gateway operations and JADC2 a reality for the DOD. commands and services.” system, coupled with its ability to easily As the DOD moves forward to network-centric With its focus on integration, it is clear that integrate advanced technologies and proven operations, Northrop Grumman is well suited to communications and networking capabilities track record of success, make this system well strengthen the DOD's ability to maintain a will be essential to help DOD realize its vision for suited to meet the needs of JADC2. strategic advantage in the new age of JADC2. As JADC2 seeks to connect According to david Deptula, dean of the technology-driven warfare, supporting the communications nodes, shooters and platforms Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, open and integrated communications across all domains and branches of the military, “BACN's operational success suggests that it, architecture needed for JADC2. cyber-secure, integrated, open architecture or similar data translators, could help build an communications capabilities will be critical. ethereal nervous system for JADC2.” For 60 years, Northrop Grumman has been a Northrop Grumman is also bringing forward a Ultra awarded Canadian leader in the design, development and delivery new family of gateway systems that are Surface Combatant of end-to-end communications and advanced designed to enable communications and cross networking capabilities sought out by U.S. and domain translations between multiple beyond subcontract to provide Hull- allied military forces. Today, the company's line-of-sight and line-of-sight networks and Mounted Sonar communications systems are already bringing datalinks—inclusive of 5th-to-4th generation forward the integrated, open and advanced capabilities. The development of these Ultra is delighted to announce a contract award networking capabilities needed to support the systems includes a focus on cyber-secure and to commence work on the S2150-C Hull- foundation of JADC2. integrated functions such as cloud computing, Mounted Sonar (HMS) system for the

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Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) program. fully certified to the highest ORBCOMM's advanced Fleet Edge, Zachry This award comes soon after Ultra's recent can track its fleet with real-time position award of a contract to provide the CSC Variable standards by the U.S. reports and set geofences to send alerts Depth Sonar (VDS). These subcontracts move National Security Agency when machines enter or leave worksites to the development of CSC's anti-submarine optimize utilization and prevent unauthorized warfare (ASW) capability from the program (NSA) use. By accurately tracking operating hours, definition phase into the substantive idle ratios and service alerts, Zachry can manufacture and delivery of the vessels' suite of ensure their equipment is working effectively Ultra's WiFiProtect solution is now fully sonars. and efficiently onsite and drive maintenance certified to the highest standards in the The Ultra HMS selected for CSC is part of the intervals to avoid costly breakdowns, reduce industry by the U.S. National Security Agency world's most advanced HMS product family, with unplanned downtime and increase machine (NSA) and all relevant certification boards. a level of operational performance that meets life and performance. Zachry can also These certifications indicate that WiFiProtect stringent Canadian technical requirements. leverage these valuable operational metrics access points meet the requirements set forth Additionally, its innovative design provides to improve job costing and accountability of by stringent guidelines for ultra-secure WLAN significant ship design advantages as well as equipment usage. In addition, ORBCOMM's in classified and sensitive operational logistical benefits and cost-savings in the agile platform is integrated with Zachry's environments. maintenance and upgrade of the system through Enterprise Resource Planning system to its operational life. streamline internal processes focused on Most recently, WiFiProtect was granted billing, project costing and preventive admission to the NSA Commercial Solutions The S2150-C HMS system is a prime example of maintenance schedules. for Classified Program Components (CSfC) the inward technology transfer and sovereign list, signifying that the solution was validated capability that the CSC program is building for “ORBCOMM is a long-time leader in heavy by an independent testing laboratory to fulfill Canada. The system was originally designed for equipment telematics, and we're excited to be the reference architectures and configuration the UK Type 26 platform, meaning it is optimized chosen by an industry pace-setter like Zachry information found in published Capability for the vessel design that has been selected for Construction to extend their digital footprint Packages. This certification comes on the the CSC program. This technology will now be across their fleet,” said Christian Allred, heels of WiFiProtect's certification under the transferred to Canada, with Canadian workers ORBCOMM's Senior Vice President and Common Criteria evaluation process. and Canadian suppliers being skilled up to General Manager of Global Sales. Common Criteria evaluation ensures that a provide significant material elements of the “ORBCOMM's solution enables Zachry to product meet National Information Assurance system, as well as to conduct design gain the information they need from all makes Partnership (NIAP) protection protocols. customization, system integration, installation, and models, while improving businesses WiFiProtect was already certified as Federal acceptance and in-country support. processes, reducing costs and providing a Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 140- Furthermore, due to the same HMS system unique advantage in a competitive 2 L2 compliant, as well as being included on family being present on the UK program as well marketplace.” the Department of Defense Information as the Australian Hunter Class frigate program, Zachry expects to complete the installation of Network Approved Product List (DoDIN APL). Canadian suppliers will have the opportunity to ORBCOMM's telematics solution by the end Michael Murray, President of Ultra's Cyber be considered as suppliers to these programs, of the first quarter of 2021 and is exploring d i v i s i o n , s a i d : thus lifting the export potential Canadian industry ORBCOMM's other IoT offerings as part of “With this latest admission to the NSA CSfC as a result of CSC. their efforts to expand their deployment. list, Ultra's WiFiProtect solution is now widely ORBCOMM (Nasdaq: ORBC) is a global available across U.S. government agencies at More broadly, Ultra is proud that its work on the leader and innovator in the industrial Internet the highest security levels. WiFiProtect Access CSC program is proving to be an important vector of Things, providing solutions that connect Point offers secure networking in harsh for growth of Canadian jobs, innovation and businesses to their assets to deliver environments, making it ideal for a wide range investment. In the two years since having been increased visibility and operational efficiency. of applications. Ultra is pleased to offer this originally awarded program definition studies for The company offers a broad set of asset solution through CSfC and other government CSC, working in close partnership with Lockheed monitoring and control solutions, including accepted offering lists.” Martin Canada and Irving Shipbuilding Inc, seamless satellite and cellular connectivity, Ultra's Canadian team has grown by over 150 unique hardware and powerful applications, employees, with another 80 high-tech roles Zachry Construction all backed by end-to-end customer support, expected to be made available in 2021 alone. Selects ORBCOMM's from installation to deployment to customer The program is also triggering major Canadian care. ORBCOMM has a diverse customer investment decisions by Ultra in terms of Telematics Solution to base including premier OEMs, solutions facilities, inward technology transfer and Monitor Mixed Fleet of customers and channel partners spanning research partnerships which will be announced transportation, supply chain, warehousing through the course of 2021. Overall, Ultra's role Heavy Equipment and inventory, heavy equipment, maritime, on CSC is a very good example of the Industrial natural resources, and government. and Technological Benefits that the program is ORBCOMM Inc. (Nasdaq: ORBC), a global providing to Canada, and of the enduring impact provider of Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, Through Strong that the program will have on sovereign naval announced that it has been selected by Zachry capability for the nation. Construction Corporation (Zachry), which Collaboration with specializes in turnkey heavy civil construction Eutelsat, Hughes Delivers Isabel Tassé, Ultra's Senior Program Manager and engineering projects, to track and monitor for CSC, noted, “I am very proud to be leading their mixed fleet of heavy equipment. KONNECT Ground System Ultra's team in the delivery of the CSC sonar ORBCOMM's comprehensive solution Despite 2020 Hurdles suite. We are providing the Royal Canadian Navy provides wireless connectivity through its with a world-leading capability in anti-submarine industry leading hardware and advanced warfare, and at the same time bringing FleetEdge analytics platform for optimal asset In May 2019, Eutelsat Communications technologies, jobs, innovation and investment management across multiple types of selected the Hughes JUPITER Systems to into Canada. Alongside our partners on the CSC equipment. enable services on its KONNECT new- program – most notably Irving Shipbuilding Inc. Zachry is using ORBCOMM's telematics generation High-Throughput Satellite (HTS) and Lockheed Martin – we are laying the solution to help manage their diverse fleet of for Western Europe and Africa. The Hughes foundation for a sustained sovereign naval assets, including bulldozers, excavators, role was to supply a significant part of the capability for the nation”. forklifts, telehandlers, and pavers, enhancing ground network system for KONNECT, which visibility of their operations and enabling more launched in January 2020, for an entry into Ultra's WiFiProtect solution informed business planning. Through service later in the year. Then COVID hit. And the Hughes teams – 38 IN THE NEWS AMERICAS

from Manufacturing and Operations, shouldered throughout the process by the technology company MDA to manufacture the Network Engineering, Software Engineering Eutelsat teams and their partners, who worked cutting-edge phased array antennas to be and Hardware engineering – faced a sizable hand-in-hand with us every step of the way.” incorporated into the Lightspeed satellites. In problem: how to test and deploy this ground Despite the hurdles that came with 2020, a manufacturing these revolutionary antennas, network in a remote environment. With united front and a “can do” spirit from both MDA will leverage 3D additive manufacturing and Eutelsat teleports in Turin, Cagliari, Madeira Eutelsat and Hughes shone brightly. And by will incorporate advanced beam hopping and Rambouillet and partners hosting November, Hughes delivered one of the world's technology that will allow the Lightspeed equipment in four other teleports spread most advanced and powerful networks. constellation to dynamically and flexibly focus throughout Europe, Hughes staff in the U.S. high capacity broadband links into rural and and elsewhere, and Eutelsat offices remote communities and other demand hot spots worldwide, coordination for the KONNECT Telesat Lightspeed to around the world. effort would span time zones and lock downs. Receive $400 Million Telesat's prime contractor, Thales Alenia Space, Investment from the will establish the final manufacturing of the An Advanced International advanced Lightspeed satellites at an assembly, Government of Québec integration and testing facility in Québec and, in Network this regard, is in discussions with Québec-based Eutelsat's Ka-band KONNECT satellite is partners. This state-of-the-art facility will leverage designed to deliver direct-to-user consumer Telesat, one of the world's largest satellite next-generation manufacturing capabilities to and enterprise broadband services and will operators, announced today that it has entered deliver on average one Lightspeed satellite per also be used for community networks into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) day. Lightspeed satellites are the most advanced connected to Wi-Fi hotspots. It is one of the with the Government of Québec for an LEO broadband satellites ever conceived, most advanced international networks investment of $400 million into Telesat incorporating a wide range of cutting-edge, utilizing JUPITER System technology from Lightspeed, Telesat's highly advanced Low disruptive technologies. Hughes, including the latest software with Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite network. Telesat will “Telesat welcomes and appreciates the strong new advanced features specified with invest $1.6 billion into Québec, both directly and support and participation of the Government of Eutelsat. This JUPITER deployment through its supply chain, which will include a Québec as we embark on Lightspeed, the most supports such new features as: significant portion of Lightspeed manufacturing ambitious and consequential program in our more Multibeam Virtual Network Operator and operations. The Lightspeed program will than 50-year history,” said Dan Goldberg, (VNO)–which enables a VNO to subscribe create 600 high-paying STEM jobs, leverage Telesat's President and CEO. “The vast bandwidth over a group of satellite beams Québec's substantial aerospace expertise and aerospace expertise resident in Québec, coupled served by a single gateway. Bandwidth infrastructure, and allow the province to with the Government's leadership and vision for managers residing at each gateway enforce harness the significant economic growth from the fast-growing New Space Economy, provides subscription limits. the burgeoning New Space Economy. an overwhelmingly compelling rationale for A 1:N gateway backup switchover capability Lightspeed, the most innovative, cutting-edge Telesat to make substantial investments in the to support improved (and faster) redundancy. broadband satellite network ever conceived, province, including the manufacture of the The backup gateway can switch in for any of will bridge the Digital Divide both in Canada and Lightspeed satellites and the establishment of our the designated primary gateways. Hughes throughout the rest of the world. All $ amounts extensive technical operations. We deeply value continually improves reactive switching time referenced in this release are in Canadian the world-class talent and capabilities in Québec to minimize outages. dollars. and we are excited to welcome that talent into the Centralized bandwidth management, with Telesat family.” functions hosted in the data center. Virtual Agreement with the LAN (VLAN) Tagging for improved routing “Today's news is extraordinary, both for Québec's and traffic flow management. Government of Québec aerospace sector and for Québec as a whole. The preservation of 650 jobs and the creation of a Building Racks in Under the terms of the MOU, the investment by further 600 jobs at about $100,000 a year is an Unprecedented the Government of Québec will consist of $200 example of how Québec will bridge the wealth gap million in preferred equity as well as a $200 with neighbouring jurisdictions. I am in politics to Circumstances million loan. It is expected that a final agreement achieve this goal. The pandemic will have an will be completed in the coming months. This ongoing impact on aircraft construction, and this is “As 2020 began, many of the gateway collaboration comes on the heels of Telesat's the ideal time to accelerate the pace of satellite deployments were underway. Unable to selection of Thales Alenia Space as prime development, a new and promising field for the travel to Europe to advance on the project as contractor for Lightspeed and its recently aerospace industry. Your government will previously planned, we needed to determine completed $600 million partnership with the continue to invest to create better-paid jobs in how to test new capabilities remotely from the Government of Canada to affordably bridge Québec, to build a more prosperous Québec, and engineering labs, and enable Eutelsat to Canada's digital divide through Telesat ensure a prouder Québec!” witness, approve and sign-off on the testing,” Lightspeed. explained Archana Gharpuray, Vice As a result of this agreement and given President, Software Engineering at Hughes. Québec's world-class expertise and AEB, Ecuador strengthen ties That involved multiple acceptance test competencies in the aerospace sector, Québec phases, including factory acceptance, site will be a key partner for the manufacturing and for partnership in the space acceptance, over-the-air, and feature operations of Lightspeed. Specifically, the sector tests.The Hughes team first simulated and province will be home to a large Telesat campus rehearsed the tests remotely on Hughes that will house a broad range of Lightspeed Last Month, the Brazilian Space Agency (AEB) platforms. With most of the staff working from technical operations, including the Network received the visit of the Aeronautics Attaché of the home, team members were able to Operating Centre, a Satellite Control Centre, Republic of Ecuador in Brazil, Mr. Colonel Víctor collaborate effectively across the the Cybersecurity Operations Centre, the Nieto Barros. The meeting pointed to new organization, using Microsoft Teams to Engineering Lab and an advanced Landing perspectives of partnership between Brazil and carefully plan resources. Station providing secure, high-capacity Ecuador. “ We w e r e b u i l d i n g t h e r a c k s i n communication links to the Lightspeed On the occasion, the institutions presented unprecedented circumstances, with staging constellation. This new campus will host information from each country and identified and development from both the hardware approximately 320 new, highly skilled Telesat points in common to promote possible activities and software engineers,” she explained. “It jobs, largely in STEM. and joint actions aimed at the space sector. was an outstanding effort in field deployment In light of their world-class expertise, Telesat According to the head of the International by our network engineering team, has selected leading Canadian space Cooperation Advisory, Alessandro Carvalho, the

39 IN THE NEWS AMERICAS

focus of the conversation was to narrow information and exponentially increasing the government agencies to strengthen the space cooperation opportunities in the sector, distribution of SAOCOM products in the world. program ”, added the technologist. including the training of human resources . and the development of projects and Likewise, the signed agreement contributes INPE's Planning, Budget and Evaluation applications, among other relevant issues. significantly to the strong business cooperation coordinator, Marco Antônio Chamon, The Brazilian Space Agency, central body of relationship between Argentina and Italy ”, presented the complexity in the conception, the National System for the Development of stated José Luis Randazzo, General Manager engineering, assembly, testing and Space Activities (SINDAE), is an autarchy of VENG . transportation of Amazonia 1. According to his linked to the MCTI, responsible for participation in the webinar, the materialization formulating, coordinating and executing the Paolo Minciacchi, CEO of e-GEOS and of the satellite began in 2018, having many Brazilian Space Policy. Director of the Geographical Information demands in the process, efforts of the teams Since its creation, on February 10, 1994, the Business Line of Telespazio, added: “This involved and financial investments. “All of this Agency has worked to make the Brazilian agreement, which confirms the long-lasting shows that a Mission is much more than a State's efforts to promote the well-being of industrial cooperation between Italy and satellite”. society via the sovereign employment of the Argentina, further enriches the e-GEOS data Finally, the head of INPE's Strategic Project space sector viable. offering and It represents an opportunity to Division, Cláudio Almeida, addressed confirm our ability to build new services and expectations regarding the national satellite. CONAE expands export of applications by combining SAOCOM data with According to him, with Amazonia 1, in full data from the first and second generation of operation, there will be a huge gain in terms of high value-added satellite COSMO-SkyMed satellites. Furthermore, the monitoring the national territory, with images result of this collaboration can be improved and information and daily spatial data. disseminated through eGEOS subsidiaries Based on an agreement between the “The Brazilian state needs to be independent around the world ”. companies VENG SA of CONAE and e- in its capacity for spatial monitoring. This daily GEOS of Italy, the information generated data, for example, can help a lot in the fight by the national satellites SAOCOM 1A AEB and INPE discusses against deforestation in the Amazon (…) It is and 1B is expanded to more countries. importance of Amazonia 1 necessary to consider that Amazonia 1 is a The National Commission for Space project of several government agencies, Activities (CONAE) within the scope of the for Brazil academia and industry. The success of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Last Month, a webinar took place to address the launch is awaited by all these sectors ”, Innovation of the Nation, will increase the importance and challenges of Brazil in highlighted Almeida. presence abroad of the information conducting the launch of the Amazonia 1 The Amazonia 1 satellite is a development generated by the Constellation of Argentine satellite – the first Earth observation satellite coordinated by the Ministry of Science, Earth observation satellites SAOCOM , completely designed, integrated, tested and Technology and Innovations (MCTI) and based on a commercial alliance reached operated by Brazil. The launch is scheduled for conducted by the National Institute for Space between the company VENG SA , with the next Sunday (28), at 10:24 am, local time in Research (INPE / MCTI) in partnership with majority capital of the national space agency, India – at 1:54 am in Brazil. the Brazilian Space Agency (AEB / MCTI). and the Italian firm e-GEOS . This initiative Participated in the online event, representing includes the global distribution of data the Brazilian Space Agency (AEB), President Brazil Space Agency acquired outside Europe by the satellites Carlos Moura and the substitute coordinator for SAOCOM 1A and 1B, within the framework Satellites and Applications, Adriana Elysa reviews successes of of the Italian-Argentine Satellite System for Alimandro Corrêa; and representing the CBERS program Emergency Management (SIASGE) , National Institute for Space Research (INPE), created by CONAE and the Italian Space the head of the Strategic Project Division, The partnership between Brazil and China Agency (ASI ). Cláudio Almeida, and the coordinator of was renewed in 2002, to build two more The information provided by the satellites of Planning, Budget and Evaluation, Marco satellites under the CBERS Program (China- the SIASGE system, which combines L- Antônio Chamon. Brazil Earth Resources Satellite – Sino- band radar data from the Argentine Brazilian Earth Resources Satellite ) . SAOCOMs with X-band data from the Italian The webinar was an initiative of AEB together CBERS 3 and 4 were designed to have new COSMO Skymed satellites , offers a wide with the Foundation for Space Science, payloads and investments equally divided range of applications for the agricultural Applications and Technology (FUNCATE), with between the two countries. sector and the management of natural moderation and transmission by MundoGEO. However, in order to enable the launch of the resources, as well as better daily coverage, At the opening of the meeting, Carlos Moura, third artifact of the Sino-Brazilian partnership, with high-quality data and unique analysis who is in India to accompany the launch of it would be necessary to close CBERS 2 capabilities . Amazonia 1, stressed the importance of Brazil's activities, in order to avoid losses of progress in the construction of satellites and the information for countries and other users of the “The agreement between VENG SA with e- development of remote sensing. “We have satellite. GEOS, a world leader in the distribution of advanced a lot in these aspects and we are Thus, between 2004 and 2007, the CBERS satellite products and services, is a new step already preparing for new missions, even more Program opted for the launch of the CBERS to position SAOCOM products worldwide in challenging and inspiring. I believe that, with this 2B satellite, intended for monitoring and the competitive space information market. advance, our designers, scientists and capturing terrestrial images. The artifact was And it reaffirms the possibility of giving industries will be able to contribute even more to operational until 2010. continuity to the Italian-Argentinean Satellite the Brazilian Space Program, already System for Emergency Management demonstrating this history of development and Subsequently, the production of the CBERS 3 (SIASGE) with a second system, SIASGE II, projects that are flying and providing services to and 4 satellites incorporated the technological made up of the future satellites SAOCOM II the nation ”, evaluated the president of AEB. evolution of the sector. For this reason, both and Cosmo-Skymed Second Generation ”, Adriana Corrêa highlighted the need for were designed with four cameras: said Raúl Kulichevsky, Director Executive investments in national satellites. “Brazil is a Panchromatic and Multispectral Camera and Technical of CONAE . large country, with a vast territorial extension. (PAN); Regular Multispectral Camera (MUX); “This commercial alliance offers, both for National satellites are fundamental for our Multispectral and Thermal Imager (IRS); and VENG and Argentina, a great opportunity to environmental and territorial protection, in Wide Field Camera (WFI). Brazil is show our technological capacity with high addition to offering practical, economic returns responsible for the MUX and WFI cameras, added value, enabling joint work with a and benefits to society. The Agency has while China is responsible for the IRS and PAN leading international company in satellite increasingly sought to integrate several cameras. The four imagers give CBERS 3 and IN THE NEWS AMERICAS

4 a complexity in terms of imaging. At the same variations in repair materiel availability for the progress of the work of the “AtlaCom-1, the first time, these imagers complement each other c o m p a n y ' s A c c e s s o r y D r i v e Mexican Nanosat through virtual event. and provide users with a very interesting range Gearbox—ranging from too many parts in At the event headed by the general director of of attributes. The orbit of the two satellites is the stock to too few—and the readiness rates of the AEM, Salvador Landeros Ayala, and the same as that of CBERS 1, 2 and 2B. its F-16 and B-2 fleets were suffering as a mayor of Atlacomulco, State of Mexico, Roberto result. The gearbox acts as the heart of the Téllez Monroy, it was reported that the CBERS 3 and 4 aircraft's transmission system, used for conception of the project began on December 5, 2019, during the launch of the Nanosatélite CBERS 3 was launched on December 9, 2013, changing rotational speed. Rather than AztechSat-1, from Cape Canaveral, Florida, in however, there was a failure in the Long March approach the USAF request from a traditional the United States. 4B launch vehicle, which prevented the MRO perspective, Collins Aerospace's newly They pointed out that, in February 2020, the first satellite from being placed in the predicted created Defense Sustainment team turned it course for the training of young people began, orbit. The result of this was the re-entry into the into an opportunity to collaborate with the which was taught by the AEM, at the Earth's atmosphere. The incident made Brazil Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) to forecast Universidad Politécnica de Atlacomulco, and China anticipate, in almost two years, the future gearbox repair materiel needs as part of followed by another, managed by the launch of the fourth satellite, CBERS 4. the company's Beyond Break Fix strategy. European-American technological ally of the Thus, on December 7, 2014, CBERS 4 was project, ” NanoAvionics ”, after the visit to successfully launched from the Chinese base As a result, Collins Aerospace, a unit of Atlacomulco by its CEO, Engineer Brent Abbott. located in Taiyan, 700 km from Beijing. Raytheon Technologies Corp. (NYSE: RTX), has received a 10-year, $34 million contract Abbott, in his participation, expressed that in the In order to avoid or minimize the interruption in from the DLA to provide gearbox repair global space community there is great the supply of data to users of CBERS Program materiel for the USAF F-16 and B-2 fleets. confidence in Mexico, and endorsed the deep images, Brazil and China signed, on May 19, Under the Supplier Initiated Ordering commitment of NanoAvionics with our country, 2015, the protocol for the development and program, a new Department of Defense with its experience of more than 75 successful launch of a new satellite, CBERS 4A. The practice, the DLA has provided Collins space missions, with organizations such as the measure was necessary due to the useful life Aerospace access and insight to its materiel European Space Agency and the POT. of CBERS 4 (three years). demand profile. In turn, the company will use Por su parte, el Ejecutivo de la División de For the development of the CBERS 4A its proprietary demand profiling process, Sistemas Avanzados de Exploración de la satellite, Brazil again contributed 50% of the world-class supply chain management and NASA, Andrés Martínez, rememoró el éxito que mission, that is, half of the investments were manufacturing resources to drive an tuvo el Nanosatélite AztechSat-1, que detonó la the Brazilian responsibility. Brazilian optimized materiel support plan. Collins era espacial en nuestro país, y que comienza a companies supplied various equipment, such Aerospace aims to maintain a guaranteed reflejarse en nuevos proyectos, como ahora lo as power generation and conditioning on level of materiel availability to Hill Air Force es el proyecto AtlaCom-1. board the satellite (solar panels, conditioning Base at all times, rotate all inventory regularly Avanzando durante la pandemia con unit and batteries), the satellite structure, the to reduce the DLA's carrying costs throughout capacitaciones de jóvenes en la materia communication system and respective the period of performance and double espacial, mediante plataformas virtuales, por antennas, the on-board computer and MUX inventory turns. ejemplo, con el apoyo del Dr. Joel Contreras, y and WFI cameras, as well as test and support “This performance-based support approach el apoyo de la empresa Space JLTZ, señaló su equipment, such as containers for transporting represents a new level of collaboration CEO, José Luis Terreros Corrales, con la the satellite. between Collins Aerospace, the USAF and presencia del CEO de Iusacomm, Alejo Peralta. Although the premise for the development of the DLA,” said Aaron Maue, executive CBERS 4A was to keep the technical director, Defense Sustainment for Collins characteristics as close as possible to those of Aerospace. “By working together, we devised the CBERS 3 and 4 satellites and to make use a solution that significantly enhances MRO Chile: 5G tender raises USD of the remaining equipment from these efficiency, while improving fleet readiness. It's 453 million in total for the satellites, there were significant improvements the first win under our Beyond Break Fix in the CBERS 4A project. The PAN and IRS program, a company-wide wide sustainment State cameras of CBERS 3 and 4 were replaced by and support initiative that focuses on materiel the WPM camera. As a result, it was necessary availability instead of transactional parts, Last month, the Undersecretariat of to manufacture a new payload module (PM) thereby enabling us to better support the Telecommunications (SUBTEL) reported that structure, use a new data transmitter (DT), warfighter by increasing aircraft readiness the Public Tenders for the development of 5G increase the capacity of the data recorder rates.” networks raised a total of the historic sum of (DDR), increase the pointing accuracy (AOCS) Collins Aerospace, a unit of Raytheon USD 453 million for the State. This figure far and changes in the on-board supervision Technologies Corp. (NYSE: RTX), is a leader exceeds the USD 74 million obtained in subsystem (OBDH), using the CCSDS / AOC in technologically advanced and intelligent spectrum tenders carried out throughout history communication protocol. In addition, due to the solutions for the global aerospace and at the national level. lower altitude of CBERS 4A, compared to defense industry. Collins Aerospace has the In this way, Chile, in addition to being the first in CBERS 4, it was found that the spatial extensive capabilities, comprehensive the region to bid for spectrum for 5G and the resolutions of their cameras are better. portfolio and broad expertise to solve South American country that has made the In the fourth text of the Amazonia 1 series, customers' toughest challenges and to meet largest amount of spectrum available to bid understand how the Soccer World Cup the demands of a rapidly evolving global (1,800 MHz), now establishes a new collection influenced the development of Brazil's first market. mark in the sector. telecommunications satellite . “Today we close a successful contest for 5G Work on Mexican first n e t w o r k s , w h i c h w i l l n o t o n l y b e Collins Aerospace wins $34 transformational for the citizens of our country, nanosatellite ATLACOM-1 but will also deliver important resources to the million contract for USAF F- progresses fiscal coffers, which are always important, 16, B-2 sustainment especially in times of pandemic. Our mission as The Mexican Space Agency (AEM), a a ministry is to connect the country and, without decentralized body of the Ministry of a doubt, that the new 5G network, together with In 2017, the USAF approached Collins Communications and Transportation (SCT), other of our initiatives, will be transformed into Aerospace looking to improve readiness. Hill in conjunction with the Government of high-speed roads that will improve the quality of Air Force Base was experiencing large Atlacomulco, State of Mexico, announced the life of our users ”, said the Minister of Transport and Telecommunications, Gloria Hutt. and monitor deforestation, especially in the are rocky asteroids, like Vesta and Kress, and Amazon region. The satellite will also about 10% – we just do not know. They are For her part, the Undersecretary of contribute to the advancement of applied called M-type asteroids, because we assume Telecommunications, Pamela Gidi, indicated that technologies to diversify agriculture and align from the way they reflect back sunlight that “today we are finishing one of the objectives that the activity with environmental programs these are asteroids rich in metals. “Hypothesis we set ourselves from the beginning of this throughout the national territory. The data only. To this day, humanity has visited rocky Government, which is to tender spectrum for the generated will be useful to attend, also, the and gaseous worlds and ice worlds, but we development of 5G networks, which will directly monitoring of the coastal area, water have never visited a metallic world. We just do benefit the citizens, academia and the different reservoirs, natural and cultivated forests, not know what we will discover there.” productive sectors of the country. After three environmental disasters, among others. The years, today we can say that we are facing a information collected will be available to the T h e o r i g i n o f m e t a l l i c contest that has exceeded all expectations, scientific community, government agencies contributing a considerable amount to tax and users interested in a better understanding meteorites falling on Earth collection, which speaks of the attractiveness of of the terrestrial environment. As its name implies, Psyche 16 is the 16th the Chilean telecommunications sector ”. asteroid discovered. The Italian astronomer Anibala de Gasparis discovered it in 1852, and Spatial autonomy - Amazonia 1 puts decided to name it after the goddess of the 3.5 GHz band tiebreaker the country on a new scientific and soul in Greek mythology (from which words Likewise, SUBTEL announced that the technological level for space missions. With such as “psychology” were also derived). companies Movistar, Entel and Wom won the 3.5 the launch of the satellite and the in-flight Psyche 16 is the most massive M-type GHz band tiebreaker bidding. This, after validation of the Multimission Platform asteroid, and its mass is 1% of the total mass presenting the highest economic offers, whose (PMM), Brazil will have mastered the in the entire asteroid belt. The surface area of amounts amount to about 117 billion pesos complete cycle of design, manufacture and ?Psyche 16 is about 165,800 square kilometers (about USD 163 million) , 100 billion pesos (about operation of space systems for satellites – about the size of the state of Texas – and USD 139 million) and 32 billion pesos (about stabilized on three axes. This means Psyche's mission team intends to test whether USD 45 million), respectively. autonomy to act in missions of this category it is no less than the core of an ancient planet. In this sense, the firms Movistar, Entel and Wom and training to advance to other types of “A large part of the meteorites that fall on Earth were awarded 50 MHz each, totaling the 150 missions. In this way, the possibility of working are asteroid fragments, and they are divided MHz available for said tender. in all stages and in all subsystems of a mission into rocks and metals,” explains Dr. Oren. “It It should be noted that in the previous tenders of in national partnerships is created. As a should be understood that a meteorite is a this band, the spectrum was assigned to the legacy, the Brazilian space industry will pure metal block. Therefore the question different operators with no revenue for the State receive the inheritance of flight in the arises: how is a lump of iron and nickel formed and without coverage and quality requirements, equipment manufactured for the satellite, for example? Iron is a rare element in the solar so this process is registered as the first to ensure which opens perspectives for the supply of system. The sun itself has a fraction of one these elements. technology to other countries and space percent iron. If we find on Earth lumps of metal 5G tender agencies. that have fallen from outer space, it means As part of the social considerations that the Technical data - that there was some process that companies that are awarded the 5G Public concentrated these metals. We currently have Tenders will have, 366 locations will be benefited To capture images, the satellite has a wide- only one hypothesis for such a process and for the first time with high-speed mobile Internet view optical imager (camera with 3 frequency that is that metallic meteorites are fragments and 199 hospitals will be connected to the new bands in the visible spectrum - VIS and 1 band from a planetary core. We have no other network. Likewise, outside urban areas, various near the infrared - Near Infrared or NIR), explanation for the presence of metallic airports, centers of scientific interest and capable of observing a band with meteorites on Earth. On the other hand, we seaports will also be favored. approximately 850 km wide, with 60 meters of have not yet visited a single metallic asteroid. However, it must be considered that, in addition resolution. In addition to the final objectives, To that end, NASA is launching the “psychic to what is offered by companies, in the short term the initiative has an important objective from a mission.” there will be an investment of millions of dollars in technological point of view: the validation of the country associated with the installation of the PMM Multimission Platform as a system. Failing planets infrastructure suitable for the operation of 5G Psyche Mission was born out of an article networks. NASA psyche mission become published in 2011 by Lindy Elkins-Tenton of the first spacecraft in history the University of Arizona and Ben Weiss of Amazonia 1 Series: satellite MIT. The article, published in the journal Earth to visit metallic asteroids in and Planetary Science Letters, suggested a designed entirely in Brazil is 2022 new approach to the study of rocky launched on February 28 meteorites. Until then it was assumed that The Psyche mission has received a green rocky meteorites were completely primitive, light from NASA to begin integrating the simply remnants of the solar system's With the experience acquired in the CBERS various parts of the orbit, ahead of its launch in formation , but Elkins-Tenton Weiss proposed mission, the Brazilian Space Program will now 2022 – and the mission team also has an a scenario in which a planetesimal – an have the first Earth observation satellite Israeli researcher. ancient planet from the early solar system – completely designed, integrated, tested and Psyche will be the first spacecraft in history to underwent a process of partial differentiation operated by Brazil. Amazonia 1, launched on visit a metallic asteroids – 16 Psyche. The of elements: the body was massive enough for February 28, at 1:54 am (Brasília time), in asteroid Psyche is the largest metallic heavy elements like Metals will sink to its core, Sriharikota, India, will orbit between the poles of asteroid in the asteroid belt between Mars and but its membrane remains unchanged. Thus the Earth, in a trajectory called the synchronous- Jupiter, and researchers hope the mission will there may be a situation where a rocky polar Sun orbit. Along this path, Amazonia 1 will shed light on a long line of scientific mysteries: meteorite and a metallic meteorite originate generate images of the planet with updates every from the formation of planets, through the from the same ancient planet: Rocky asteroids five days. possibility of life on other planet to the origin of are the crust and metallic asteroids, like The work related to the launch of the satellite and metallic meteorites falling on Earth. Psyche 16, are nothing but bare cores of the collection of data generated by the equipment “An estimated orbit between Mars and Jupiter “failed” planets. is coordinated by the Brazilian Space Agency is between 700,000 and 1.2 million asteroids, NASA announced in 2017 that Psyche orbiter, (AEB / MCTI), through the National System for some a few centimeters in size and some together with the spacecraft Lucy , chosen for the Development of Space Activities (SINDAE). hundreds of miles in size,” said Dr. Rona Oren the mission Discovery 13 and 14 – The conception of the mission, development and of the Department of Atmospheric and respectively. Psyche is expected to teleport to execution of the Amazonia 1 project fell to the Planetary Sciences at the Massachusetts the Kennedy Space Center in August 2022 on National Institute for Space Research (INPE). Institute of Technology (MIT) and Society. On type Falcon Heavy launch of the company Remote sensing will make it possible to observe NASA's mission team. “About 90% of them SpaceX , perform gravity assist around Mars

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