September/October 2017
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September/October 2017 Cover.pmd 1 16/10/2017, 22:41 Untitled-2 1 16/10/2017, 23:56 View From The Top What does the future hold? It’s that time of year again when we need to start gearing up for the social season – we’ve got three months of social events geared around Halloween, Editor - Amy Saunders Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and everything in between. Children are returning to school, students are on their way back to university, and those of us in the satellite industry have recently returned from IBC 2017. This has been my second year at the show, and it didn’t disappoint. There’s far more on offer than any one person can possibly tackle on the show floor, which was reflected in the increased visitor numbers. As well as catching up with key players in the satellite and communications sector, I make it a priority to take stock of the show as a whole, to check out the latest trends and technology, and to assess the general feeling in the air. It was clear from this year’s IBC that 4K and HDR continue to be a major focus; many stand to benefit from a more extensive roll-out, from those selling the latest TVs, to the content creators, broadcasters and satellite operators. On a related note, content security seemed to have ranked up to a higher level of importance this year, likely due to a combination of growing 4K roll-out and the increasing piracy threat. It’s certainly a topic I’ll be looking into on a deeper level in future issues. Virtual and augmented reality, too, were well represented at IBC 2017, although there wasn’t anything as visually stunning at first glance as IBC 2016. On the Saturday morning, 16 September, press were invited to a conference with David Hanson of Hanson Robotics Ltd. While not within the satellite communications field, the technology on display was truly dazzling. ‘We bring robots to life’ is more than just their tagline – Hanson brought along two of his creations, Professor Einstein, an educational robot designed to teach children, and Sophia, an advanced robot designed in Audrey Hepburn’s image. During the event, press interacted with Sophia to test her intelligence, with extremely impressive, if unnerving, results. So, watch this space – human-like robots with artificial intelligence are getting closer than ever before. The general mood of the attendees was mixed this year. The exhibitors I spoke to were pleased with the event, and with their presence on the show floor – IBC remains a key show to be seen at. Visitors, too, were happy with the exhibition, and particularly pleased with the quality of the conference itself. However, there was also an air of concern about the status of the industry; finances are becoming increasingly pressed for many, and no one is entirely sure what the future holds. Nevertheless, in the next three months of social and professional engagements, we’re sure to get a better idea of what to expect. The grapevine is a wonderful way of gathering casual information, and everyone enjoys a little scuttlebutt. Photo courtesy of Boeing Photo courtesy of Shutterstock www.satellite-evolution.com | September/October 2017 1 editorial.pmd 1 16/10/2017, 20:53 ContentsContents September/October 2017 - Vol.14. - No.5. 1 Editorial 4 Satellite news What does the future hold? News and Views 6 Cellular backhauling over satellite: The smart way to do it Extract of a white paper produced by ND SatCom Photo courtesy Shutterstock Editor Amy Saunders [email protected] Myth Buster - 3rd Edition Q&A RSCC Circulation Manager - page 8 - page 12 Elizabeth George Publisher Richard Hooper [email protected] Managing Director David Shortland [email protected] SALES High Throughput Satellites Smart Cities CEO CAMS - page 16 - page 22 Christopher Ayres [email protected] Whitehill Media Sam Baird [email protected] No part of this publication may be transmitted, reproduced or electronically stored without the written permission from the publisher. DS Air Publications does not give any Satellite Interference Q&A Cobham SATCOM warranty as to the content of the material - page 26 - page 32 appearing in the magazine, its accuracy, timeliness or fitness for any particular purpose. DS Air Publications disclaims all responsibility for any damages or losses in the use and dissemination of the information. All editorial contents Copyright © 2017 DS Air Publications All rights reserved ISSN: 1745-5502 DS Air Publications 1 Langhurstwood Road Tracking LEO Constellations Smarter Shipping Horsham - page 36 - page 40 West Sussex, RH12 4QD United Kingdom T: +44 1403 273973 F: +44 1403 273972 Email: [email protected] www.satellite-evolution.com Printed by: Times Printing Singapore Q&A NSLComm Tricolor TV Broadband Service - page 42 - page 46 2 www.satellite-evolution.com | September/October 2017 contents.pmd 2 16/10/2017, 23:00 Untitled-2 1 16/10/2017, 23:56 News Review & Analysis Air quality-monitoring satellite in orbit to year demonstrates not only the well-coordinated work The first Copernicus mission dedicated to monitoring our of our team, but also the growing demand for satellite atmosphere, Sentinel 5P, has been launched from the communications. Today, our Company participates in Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia. The 820kg almost all government and social telecommunications satellite was carried into orbit on a Rockot launcher. projects in Russia. At the same time, RSCC is vigorously The mission is expected to begin full operations six operating in all geographically accessible markets, months from now. increasing the number of international contracts, and “Launching the sixth Sentinel satellite for the serving customers in over 50 countries of the world.” Copernicus programme is testament to the extensive In February 2016 the Express-AMU1 satellite was competence we have here at ESA, from its moment of commissioned, marking the completion by RSCC of the conception to well into operations,” said ESA Director satellite constellation upgrade program for 2009-2015. General Jan Woerner. “The Sentinel-5P satellite is now The Company has almost completely revamped its space safely in orbit so it is up to our mission control teams to fleet, which has more than doubled the capacity of the steer this mission into its operational life and maintain it Russian state-owned satellite orbital group. From 2009 for the next seven years or more.” to 2016, seven new spacecraft were built and put into Sentinel-5P - the P standing for Precursor - is the orbit: Express-AM5, AM6, AM7, AM8, AT1, AT2 and first Copernicus mission dedicated to monitoring our AMU1. In March 2016, the Government of the Russian atmosphere. Federation approved a new Federal Space Program for The mission is one of six families of dedicated 2016-2025. The Program envisages the building and missions that make up the core of Europe’s Copernicus orbiting of seven geostationary satellites for RSCC, environmental monitoring network. Copernicus relies on providing FSS, television and radio broadcasting, as well the Sentinels and contributing missions to provide data as mobile communications for the Office of the President for monitoring the environment and supporting civil and for the Government. Also, four satellites in the highly security activities. Sentinel-5P carries the state-of-the- elliptical orbit Express-RV are scheduled to be launched. art Tropomi to do just that. The plan is to build the new GEO satellites based on Developed jointly by ESA and the Netherlands Space extra-budgetary funds. Office, Tropomi will map a multitude of trace gases such as nitrogen dioxide, ozone, formaldehyde, sulphur ViaSat to pursue legal action against Ofcom dioxide, methane, carbon monoxide and aerosols - all Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator, has granted of which affect the air we breathe and therefore our Inmarsat a license for its European Aviation Network, a health, and our climate. move ViaSat strongly opposes. Sentinel-5P was developed to reduce data gaps The relevant radio spectrum was initially awarded to between the Envisat satellite - in particular the Sciamachy Inmarsat in 2009 to create a mobile satellite system that instrument - and the launch of Sentinel-5, and to could be used by the emergency services. As a result, complement the GOME-2 sensor on the MetOp satellite. the change of use of the spectrum into a commercial “Having Sentinel-5P in orbit will give us daily and opportunity creates an unfair competitive advantage and global views at our atmosphere with a precision we never could create a monopoly in the European inflight had before,” said Josef Aschbacher, ESA’s Director of connectivity market – ultimately, consumers will be the Earth Observation Programmes. “Our historic data ones who lose out as they end up restricted to a good- records, together with the long-term perspective of the but-not-great service, at best. Copernicus satellite programme, opens the doors for ViaSat has frequently opposed this misuse and is generating datasets spanning decades - a prerequisite now looking to pursue legal action against Ofcom as a to understanding our ever-changing Earth. “ result of its decision. ViaSat’s President and Chief In the future, both the geostationary Sentinel-4 and Operating Officer Rick Baldridge has issued the following polar-orbiting Sentinel 5 missions will monitor the statement: “We are extremely disappointed by Ofcom’s composition of the atmosphere for Copernicus decision to grant Inmarsat authorization to operate its Atmosphere Services. Both missions will be carried on EAN. The facts are clear: Inmarsat is abusing the initial meteorological satellites operated by Eumetsat. grant of the 2GHz spectrum, as set forth by the European Until then, the Sentinel-5P mission will play a key Commission (EC) by changing the original tender role in monitoring and tracking air pollution.