Industry leaders from satellite, space, and defense came together for the SATELLITE 2025 conference to tackle important issues and explore prospects from business investments to defense and space systems. Here are a few top stories from the event:
Innovations in Multi-Orbit Services
Intelsat’s Chief Commercial Officer, Mike DeMarco, emphasized progress in multi-orbit services, particularly in the in-flight connectivity (IFC) sector. Two years prior, Intelsat began work on multi-orbit electronically steered antenna (ESA) tailored for aviation. DeMarco announced that by the end of the year, approximately 700 aircrafts are to be equipped with this ESA technology.
“We have really targeted this market [IFC]. We will have 700 planes by the end of the year [with this ESA]. Overall, multi-orbit is an incredibly important part of our strategy going forward.” – Mike DeMarco
DeMarco predicted previously that multi-orbit architectures will be essential for the future of satellite communications, enabling businesses to seamlessly integrate GEO, MEO, and LEO networks for increased flexibility, coverage, and dependability. This focus is in line with his predictions. In addition, strategic investments in businesses like Greenerwave and hiSky place the organization at the forefront of antenna development as the demand for ubiquitous connectivity rises, ensuring that its service offerings stay competitive and flexible in a market that is evolving quickly.
Further underscoring its growth in the IFC sector, CEO David Wajsgras revealed during Tuesday’s opening General Panel session that Intelsat has secured IFC contracts with two international airlines, with formal announcements forthcoming.
While Intelsat’s efforts are advancing, industry peers, including Ian Canning, President and CEO of Eutelsat America Corp and Steve Gizinski, CTO of Viasat, have been evaluating the pace of progress in satellite broadband development, expressing mixed feelings about the progress of terminal and multi-orbit services. Canning gave terminal development a 4/10, stating that significant improvements were still needed. Gizinski was more critical, rating terminal development a 3/10.
Technology & Infrastructure Advancements
As satellite connectivity evolves, ground technology and launch infrastructure will undergo significant transformations. The “Global Operator CEOs on Improving the Customer Experience” panel emphasized the value of multi-orbit resiliency, with leaders from Eutelsat, Intelsat, and SES discussing the integration of various orbital assets to improve network reliability and performance.
In addition to advancements in aviation, leaders are also making strides in land mobility. One example is Intelsat in collaboration with CNH Industrial. Together, the organizations are equipping satellite connectivity to agricultural equipment, with testing almost finished in the U.S. and Brazil. On top of this collaboration, Intelsat is making a major move into border security solutions and recently announced a contract with the Cochise County, Arizona, sheriff’s office. “We see that as a very good first step into border security more broadly… think that’s going to be a very big deal for the company,” said Dave Wajsgras, Intelsat’s CEO. As the company expands into new sectors, Wajsgras also addressed concerns about competitors’ dominance, expressing confidence about the connectivity market’s overall growth and Intelsat’s competitive positioning.
Eutelsat Group’s CEO Eva Berneke emphasized the importance of furthering industrialization in satellite production, stating that cost reduction and continuous improvement in the supply chain are critical for advancing satellite technology. Berneke said, “We need to get into an industrialized setting of producing multiple satellites. In constellations, that’s the name of the game.”
Furthermore, SES’s CEO Adel Al-Saleh challenged the narrative that competition dominates the satellite communications industry, pointing out that all operators are experiencing significant growth. “There is a narrative in the market that every time Starlink wins a deal, it’s amplified. Yet if you look at the performance of every company here — we’re all winning our fair share of big deals…There is incredible demand in the market. It’s growing.” He said, reflecting a broader trend of optimism and competition within the satellite industry.
Hughes Network Systems has also been successful with their Fusion technology, which combines GEO and LEO capacity to optimize their user experience. EVP & COO Paul Gaske emphasized that the integration of different technologies is key to the future of satellite communications.
These perspectives highlight the satellite industry’s ongoing transformation, as operators advance technology and expand their reach in response to the rising market demand.
