Advanced Television

US satellite builders prepare for sales bonanza

The US satellite industry is about to get a few billions-worth of order for new craft. The new satellites will provide the fresh bandwidth to replace the C-band frequencies being given up as a result of the FCC’s push for 5G adoption in the US. Maxar Technologies has already said it has received a “multi-satellite” […]

June 12, 2020

Busy bankruptcy court for Intelsat

As well as approving a $1 billion ‘debtor in possession’ loan, Intelsat’s bankruptcy court had an extremely busy ‘omnibus’ day on June 9th dealing with dozens of applications and motions. The court approved the rate of interest that Intelsat must pay to the lenders Credit Suisse on the $1 billion loan. Intelsat has to pay […]

June 11, 2020

Musk targets 100 people per Starship

Elon Musk’s SpaceX is normally focused on launching satellites into orbit, plus a couple of astronauts now and again. But now he is targeting his all-new ‘Starship’ super-rocket, and flights carrying up to 100 people. Musk’s Starship is the vehicle which he wants to use to get missions to the Moon, and eventually Mars. He […]

June 10, 2020

Intelsat rejects ITSO claim

Last month it was reported how the organisation which supervises Intelsat’s public service obligations, the International Telecommunications Satellite Organisation (ITSO), had complained to Intelsat’s bankruptcy court that Intelsat had not been paying its dues to ITSO. ITSU had asked the court to authorise a special payment to fund its costs and services. Intelsat responded ahead […]

June 9, 2020

Telesat & Telefónica prove LEO capability

Telesat is working with Telefónica on a series of in-orbit broadband and video tests on Telesat’s first-generation Low Earth Orbiting satellite. The tests, described by the pair as “rigorous”, were designed to explore the performance and feasibility of leveraging LEO satellites for high-end services. Testing demonstrated that Telesat LEO could be a viable option for […]

June 5, 2020

Baikonur to be economic ‘Freezone’

The Russian leased rocket launch site at Baikonur in Kazakhstan is to be turned into an economic Freezone with help from investors from the United Arab Emirates. The TASS news agency is reporting that Kazakhstan’s president Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, said the spaceport – now named after Russia’s first cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin – would also be further […]

June 4, 2020

SES to extend ‘Simplify and Amplify’ consolidations

As reported on June 1st SES is restructuring its European locations and staff, retraining some, redeploying some and making others redundant. SES is looking to trim €40-€50 million annually from its costs by 2021 and to “simplify operations and maximise efficiency”. SES plans to close its offices in Brussels, central London, the Isle of Man, […]

June 3, 2020

Intelsat wants Court to modify BlackSky loan

Last October Intelsat made a $50 million “synergistic” loan to BlackSky, owned by Spaceflight Industries. Now it wants the Court to amend the loan obligations and permit certain sales plans to proceed despite the bankruptcy. Spaceflight describes itself as a ‘next generation’ space company with launch facilities, and its BlackSky division specialises in images from […]

June 1, 2020

Telesat ups LEO plans

Notwithstanding the financial challenges head – and a string of bankruptcies from those pushing for satellite mega constellations – Ottawa-based Telesat is asking US regulators to approve a significant expansion of its planned 209-craft constellation. Now it wants 1671 satellites. Earlier this week it was reported that OneWeb, despite being in Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, […]

May 29, 2020

Eutelsat’s Video built on “sound foundations”

A report to clients from investment bank Berenberg says that Eutelsat’s cash-flow stability remains undervalued and underappreciated. It has issued a “BUY” note to investors and gives a target price of €13,30 (Eutelsat’s current share price is about €9.25). Berenberg says Eutelsat’s core broadcast business – representing over 60 per cent of revenues – remained […]

May 27, 2020