Worldwide Satellite Magazine

SatMagazine September 2023

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 Publishing Operations & Contributors Features

Silvano Payne The Forrester Report #1: SES—Much more cash to come from C-band..........................................................4
Publisher + Executive Author Author: Chris Forrester, Senior Contributor
The Forrester Report #2: Ariane 5 ends… but where is Ariane 6?.....................................................................8
Simon Payne Author: Chris Forrester, Senior Contributor
Chief Technical Officer LEO Satellites Orbit Estimations Using Precise Point Positioning...................................................................14
Author: James Bartle, Fugro SpaceStar
Bridging The Gap: Overcoming interoperability challenges.............................................................................18
Hartley G. Lesser Author: Alastair MacLeod, Ground Control
Editorial Director + Executive Author
Digital Twins In Action: How government can take flight in the virtual world................................................22
Author: Greg Porter, Sev1Tech
Pattie Lesser The Key To Delivering Change In Maritime Decarbonization Is… Collaboration...........................................26
Executive Editor + Executive Author Author: Inmarsat Maritime
Dynamic Predictive Routing For LEO SATCOM Networks................................................................................28
Donald McGee Author: Rob Hunter, CGI UK
Production Manager Enhancing Satellite Data With SDRs In Ground Stations.................................................................................32
Author: Brandon Malatest, Per Vices
An Alternative Software Development Approach For Evolving........................................................................34
Teresa Sanderson And Complex Space Systems
Operations Director
Author: Dr. Peter Mendham, Bright Ascension
Satellite-Based Earth Observation System Analysis And Trends....................................................................38
Sean Payne Authors: Allied Market Research Analysts
Business Development Manager 5G New Radio NTN: Why it will take the SATCOM market by storm...............................................................42
Author: Thorleif Astrup Holland, Gatehouse Satcom

Dan Makinster Evolving Connectivity At Sea + GTMaritime Update.........................................................................................44

Technical Advisor Author: Kirstie Williams, GTMaritime

Advertisers
Chris Forrester 2023 Milsat Symposium..........................................................................................................................................25
Senior Columnist
2023 Satellite Innovation........................................................................................................................................24
ACORDE Technologies, S.A...................................................................................................................................23
Karl Fuchs Advantech Wireless Technologies, Inc.................................................................................................................13
Senior Columnist
APSCC Asia-Pacific Satellite Communications Council.....................................................................................45
C-COM........................................................................................................................................................................7
Authors
Calian, Advanced Technologies.............................................................................................................................19
Allied Market Research Analysts Comtech.....................................................................................................................................................................1
James Bartle CPI Antenna Technologies.....................................................................................................................................29
Chris Forrester CPI SATCOM Products...........................................................................................................................................48
Es’hailSat.................................................................................................................................................................11
Thorleif Astrup Holland
Euroconsult: World Satellite Business Week........................................................................................................37
Rob Hunter
Hughes Network Systems........................................................................................................................................5
Lalit Katare
INTEGRASYS.............................................................................................................................................................9
Inmarsat Maritime Mission Microwave Technologies, LLC.................................................................................................................35
Alastair MacLeod ND SATCOM..............................................................................................................................................................2
Brandon Malatest Omnetics Connector Corporation.........................................................................................................................21
Resolve Optics.........................................................................................................................................................39
Dr. Peter Mendham
RF-DESIGN..............................................................................................................................................................17
Greg Porter
SatService GmbH....................................................................................................................................................31
Kirstie Williams
Space & Satellite Professionals International (SSPI)...........................................................................................43
STN STORITVE d.o.o...............................................................................................................................................47
Terrasat Communications Inc................................................................................................................................27
Tesat-Spacecom GmbH & Co. CG.........................................................................................................................41
W.B. Walton Enterprises.........................................................................................................................................33
Wavestream.............................................................................................................................................................15

SatMagazine is published 11 times per year by SatNews Publishers, 800 Siesta Way, Sonoma, California - 94576 - USA — Phone: (707) 939-9306 / Fax: (707) 939-9235 © 2023 SatNews Publishers
We reserve the right to edit all submitted materials to meet publication content guidelines, as well as for grammar and spelling errors, or to move articles to an alternative issue to accommodate publication space requirements, or remove
content due to space restrictions or unacceptable content. Submission of articles does not constitute acceptance of said material by SatNews Publishers. Edited materials may, or may not, be returned to authors and/or companies for
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the respective companies and/or named individuals. SatNews reserves the right to alter publication dates and print issue designations, based on industry event date changes and circumstances that are beyond the control of SatNews
Publishers or the company’s staff.

SatMagazine Page 3 September 2023

 The Forrester Report
#1
SES: Much More Cash To Come
From C-Band
However, tech problems
with mPOWER

Author: Chris Forrester, Senior Columnist

SES told analysts that, while the company was looking forward to
banking some $3 billion in cash from the FCC’s C-band compensation
scheme (and likely to be banked early to mid-Q4/2023) there was more
cash likely to be forthcoming, according to CFO Sandeep Jalan... and
to “stay tuned.”

Acting CEO Ruy Pinto and Jalan were briefing analysts after the
company’s results announcement which reported a near 10 percent rise in
overall revenues for the half-year. SES reported a very healthy rise of 9.8%
in overall revenues at 987 million feuros or the 6 months to June 30.

SES has — at least, to a certain extent — rebutted recent rumours of further

slippage in the launch schedule of next satellites in its important mPOWER
fleet. SES stated that two mPOWER craft (satellites 5 and 6) will launch during
Q3 — commercial service of the fleet will start later this year. mPOWER 7 and 8
will launch later this year. mPOWER satellites 9, 10 and 11 will launch in 2024.
However, there have been some issues (see below).

The key verticals revealed...

• Video division: 486 million euros, a fall of 5.2%, y-o-y. “Management suggested they are able to quickly recover function and
• Networks division 501 million euros, growth of 3.1% suggested it was not worried on any short or long term impact. On mPOWER 5
• (Mobility up 13.8%) and 6 craft management suggested the satellites were undergoing further tests
in Boeing’s facility and would be launched in Q3 for a late 2023 entry into service
Contract backlog for SES as of June 30, 2023, was 4.7 billion euros (5.7 billion date for mPower,” said equity analyst Sami Kassab from investment bank
euros gross backlog, including backlog with contractual break clauses). Exane/BNPP.

Pinto said, “The strong start to the year continued into Q2 resulting in a solid “Given the recurring postponement of mPOWER satellite launches and in the
H1 financial performance and confirmation of the 2023 financial outlook. context of today’s disclosure of sporadic electronic malfunction, it is hard not
Networks is growing on the back of strong performance in Mobility and robust see a causality link between these tech issues and the delayed entry into service
outturns in Government and Fixed Data. In Video, we have signed additional of the constellation,” added Kassab.
important renewals which underpin the long-term cash fundamentals and value
of our direct-to-home neighborhoods. With O3b mPOWER expected to be mPOWER is the new fleet for SES’s O3b segment, and by any measure there
in commercial service by the end of this year, customers will benefit from an has been slippage on the launch – and thus revenue-generating – satellites.
expanded set of capabilities for flexible, guaranteed, and high-performance However, on the more positive upside SES management argued that despite
connectivity to meet requirements in competitive, high growth segments,” increased competition from Elon Musk’s Starlink in Mobility, its maritime
revenues grew 30 percent and continued to perform well.
The prospects of more revenue, over and about the $3 billion, plus around $500
million in cost reimbursements from the refitting of filters and new reception Kassab’s comments on the overall position at SES stated: “SES H1 results
equipment for its North American clients and their head-ends, the prospects of were strong and marked by a return to positive group organic growth in Q223.
another slice of the C-band cake helped drive SES’ share price up more than It confirmed its FY guidance and while the C-band money is not yet in the bank,
15 percent on August 3 to around €6.68 and a welcome improvement on its management announced a surprise share buyback programme (of €150m) and
lacklustre performance recently. clearly suggested that more cash returns was on the agenda. Today’s share
price spike is deserved but as long as mPower is not proving a commercial
However, there was also bad news in the form of a sporadic malfunction of a success, shares are likely to remain volatile. We reaffirm our Outperform rating.”
fraction of the electronic components on board orbiting mPOWER satellites.

SatMagazine Page 4 September 2023

 Eutelsat Video revenues tumble 8.3% “The natural erosion of the backlog, especially in the Video segment, more than
Return to growth next year, helped by OneWeb offsets the contribution of the EGNOS contract in Government as well as other
incremental contracts in Mobility. The backlog was equivalent to 3.0 times 2021-
22 revenues, and Video represented 59 percent of the total,” said Eutelsat.
The position at Eutelsat is complicated by its impending merger with
OneWeb, and the cancellation for the next three years of any sort of dividend Eutelsat said its future Video revenues are expected to be broadly in line with
to shareholders. Eutelsat’s full year results – to June 30 - were mixed with its market trends of a mid-single digit decline, excluding the effect of sanctions
Broadcast Video division (62% of income) falling y-o-y by 8.3% (like-for-like, which will be embarked for a full 12 months versus six months in FY 2022-23.
or 6.3% as reported) and representing the seventh year in a row that Video has
declined. But on the more positive side its fast-growing Mobile Connectivity OneWeb’s revenues reached the $50 million objective at end-June 2023. For
segment grew 26.8% (like-for-like, or 37.9%). FY 2023-24, the later-than-expected availability of terminals for key verticals
will lead to a delay in revenue recognition when compared to the objective
The numbers failed to impress ratings agency Fitch which downgraded communicated in October of 2022. In other words, the company’s targets have
Eutelsat’s debt to BBB- (from BBB) and kept the business on been missed.
‘Rating Watch Negative’.
Eutelsat’s 2024 Outlook: Video revenues are expected to be broadly in line with
CEO Eva Berneke said that the expected merger with OneWeb would likely market trends of a mid-single digit decline, excluding the effect of sanctions
close at the end of September. She added that OneWeb had achieved a which will be embarked for a full 12 months versus six months in FY 2022-23.
secured backlog of $900 million as at the end of June, and up $300 million since
October of 2022. She said Eutelsat is revising down the revenue projection for Government Services will continue to reflect the outcome of past and upcoming
the combined group for the coming fiscal year by 2% following delays in the US DoD renewals and a tougher comparison basis with FY 2022-23 due to the
production and testing of OneWeb terminals for its satellites. abovementioned one-off DLR contract. Revenues will however benefit from the
EGNOS GEO-4 contract on HOTBIRD 13G, set to generate 100 million euros in
“Having the right terminals available with B2B customers is taking more time. revenues over 15 years.
And in some cases flat-panel terminals have been delayed, but they are now
there,” Berneke said. “The trajectory for the outer years remains unchanged. Our Both the Mobile Connectivity and Fixed Connectivity verticals are expected
market expectations, as well as the strong synergy potential, give us confidence to experience double-digit growth in FY 2023-24 on the back of the entry into
in the value-creation the combined entity can generate in the long run.” service of Eutelsat 10B and KONNECT VHTS, both with firm pre-commitments,
and positive commercial traction.
The lost revenues in its Video division reflected the end of contracts with
DigiTurk and the forced cancellation of contracts with Russia and Iran. Total Eutelsat now forecasts between 1.32 billion euros and 1.42 billion euros in
revenues were €1,131 million, down by 1.8% compared to the previous year. revenues from its operating verticals for the coming 12 months.
Russian distribution of satellite channels is probably now lost forever given that
Eutelsat’s Russian clients have found alternate platforms and the Ukraine war Berneke also said Eutelsat, as part of a group featuring Europe’s largest space
shows little sig of abating. companies, is preparing to submit a proposal for a role in the European Union’s
proposed multi-orbit connectivity constellation [by August 7th.]. The deadline
Berneke informed the market that this coming trading year would see a for the first round of proposals for Europe’s 6 billion euros IRIS² project
restructuring of its revenue divisions. “As of June 30, 2023, the breakdown (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite), is
of the Operating Verticals revenues will evolve to better reflect the respective August 7th.
end markets which they address. The new framework will be altered from five
verticals (Broadcast, Data & Professional Video, Government Services, Fixed Eutelsat and other satellite fleet operators Hispasat, SES and Airbus are part
Broadband and Mobile Connectivity) to four: Video, henceforth encompassing of a large consortium of companies that made the only application. However, it
Broadcast and professional Video, Fixed Connectivity, encompassing Data and is far from certain that the EU will permit Eutelsat to be part of the consortium
Fixed Broadband, Mobile Connectivity, and Government services.” given that the UK has a ‘golden share’ in OneWeb.

Q4 revenues stood at 286 million euros, down 2.3% like-for-like. Revenues of Eutelsat expects to receive $382m in compensation from the FCC under its
the five Operating Verticals stood at 283 million euros, down 4.1% y-o-y and up C-band agreement. Payment is expected in September and will be subject to a
4.7% q-o-q on a like-for-like basis. Eutelsat’s all-important contracted backlog 30% tax payment.
also fell back. The backlog stood at 3.4 billion euros as of June 30, 2023, versus
4.0 billion a year earlier.

SatMagazine Page 6 September 2023

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 The Forrester Report
#2
Ariane 5 ends...
but where is Ariane 6?
Author: Chris Forrester, Senior Columnist

Artistic rendition of the Ariane 6 launch vehicle on mission.

July 4th was a good day for Arianespace’s hugely successful Ariane 5 rocket March 2014, Ariane 6 was projected to be launched in July of 2020. That date
which flawlessly launched a pair of satellites, those being a French military slipped, and slipped... and slipped again. As this column is being written, the
spacecraft and a communications technology testbed for Germany. new Ariane 6 vehicle is not expected to make the inaugural launch until 2024,
years later than originally planned.
The Ariane 5 carried the Heinrich-Hertz
test craft and France’s Syracuse 4B Arianespace and the European Space Agency
satellites into a geostationary transfer and that organization’s various production
orbit (GEO) from the French Guiana Space partners wanted Ariane 6 to be dramatically less
Center in Kourou on the northeastern coast expensive to fly than Ariane 5. Ariane 5 typically
of South America. charged up to 150 million euros, depending on
the task required. The design brief for Ariane 6
The success was a justifiable moment of talked about achieving about 70 million euros
praise for Ariane 5’s longevity — its first per flight, about half of the Ariane 5 price.
flight took place back in 1996 — and,
despite a few initial hiccups, the various The fee was not an accident, but represented
versions of Ariane 5 have completed 116 a direct element of competition to Elon Musk’s
launches. However, inevitably, there was SpaceX Falcon 9 rockets.
also sadness, given that the July 4 launch
was the last for the Ariane 5 rocket. However, Arianespace had a few back-up
rockets in reserve. First, there was the long-
By now, there should have been an Ariane running relationship with Russia’s Soyuz rocket
6 launch vehicle ready to take over the family... however, the Ukraine invasion by
European, heavy-launch demands for Photo of the Heinrich-Hertz 4B An Ariane 5 lauch vehicle Russia ruined that scheme.
capacity — but it is late... very late. As of satellite, courtesy of OHB. liftoff. Photo is courtesy of
Arianespace.

SatMagazine Page 8 September 2023

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 Then there was Italy’s Vega suite of Arianespace says that by 2025, it could be flying 9 to 10 launches per annum
rockets. But in December of 2022, a (thanks to its ‘Block-2’ variant) and, specifically, that is stated with the Project
Vega-C launch failed shortly after Kuiper demands in mind. But Arianespace executives admit that the 9 to 10
take-off and that resulted in the rocket targets could slip to 2026 or 2027/28, “at the latest.”
being grounded.
As well as accepting delays, it is also becoming increasingly clear that
Worse, perhaps, a June test-firing of the Arianespace’s overall objective of reducing by 50 percent the cost of building
Vega’s engine was also terminated early. and launching these new versions will be missed. At best — according to the
Last year’s launch failure was blamed on European Space Agency —Arianespace will achieve a 40 percent reduction in
the rocket’s “throat nozzle” and its build and launch costs when compared to Ariane 5.
supplier (a Ukrainian company) cited as
being responsible. Josef Aschbacher, Director General of ESA, remains optimistic
and told journalists, “I have to say that it is too speculative to
Avio SpA is the Vega rocket’s builder and mention a certain inaugural flight date because we have to
the engine firing test was supposed to last master a number of technical challenges first.”
97 seconds, but the engine shut down,
losing pressure, after just 40 seconds. Aschbacher said Ariane 6 faces several key development
challenges: In the few next weeks, ESA has to make a
ArianeGroup is supplying a new Zefiro-40 decision on new, opto-pyro technology — a critical part of Joseph
Vega liftoff image is courtesy nozzle throat. Avio said in a June 29th. the rocket’s separation system. Aschbacher
of ESA. statement that the test showed no issues
with the new component. Then there’s the full, hot-fire test of Ariane’s
Vulcain engine is scheduled to take place in
“The new carbon-carbon material July; there are also reportedly problems with
showed a nominal performance, software development run by France’s space
closely linked to prediction,” agency, CNES.
Avio stated. “However, after 40
seconds into the test, another Once the engines are tested, it will be that much
anomaly was revealed, leading easier to firm up on a prospective launch date, the
to a reduction in overall pressure European space boss said.
performance of the motor.”
“We have made a lot of progress recently,”
The failure means it is back to ‘square one’ for Avio and ArianeGroup and Aschbacher said, while adding that the delays
means that the rocket is unlikely to return to launch duties this year. This remain “very serious” and that steps have been
delay only adds to the problems for Arianespace, given the long delays to the taken internally, including switching management
availability of the new Ariane 6 rocket. staff, to “get Ariane 6 onto the launch pad as
quickly as possible.”
Meanwhile, Arianespace has provided a detailed time-table for the
introduction of the new Ariane 6 version. Another update came from the Ariane 6
Launcher Task Force set up with ESA’s top
As mentioned, Ariane 6 is already extremely late and the original objective management, the launch base prime contractor Photo of the Vulcain
was for the rocket to seamlessly take over the launch missions from Ariane (CNES), the rocket’s builder ArianeGroup, and rocket engine during a
hot fire test, courtesy
5. While managers have stressed that there are no major development issues service provider Arianespace. However, the of ESA.
remaining, it is likely that the new rocket’s inaugural flight will not happen until news was not good, with one influential observer
the first half of 2024. saying the new timetable is “impossible” and means that any prospects of a
winter 2023-2024 launch is now under extreme pressure.
Launch vehicle assembly at its Kourou (French Guiana) launch pad is
scheduled for this coming November. This will be followed by a test flight as The statement from ESA stated that, while tests of various components
soon as possible this coming winter. will take place throughout this summer of 2023, the actual Launch vehicle
assembly — i.e., the rocket — will not commence before November 2023. The
Arianespace is in the happy position of having 28 launches pre-booked, of statement read, “Launch vehicle assembly and beginning of the inaugural flight
which an 18 launch contract from Amazon’s Project Kuiper broadband launch campaign — Following sea transportation of lower and upper stages
constellation is key. from France and Germany to French Guiana, this process will include in a full-
fledged flight configuration a final dress rehearsal.”

The Task Force has not offered any information as to a likely launch date for
the test flights. One contractor involved in the project (OHB) has publicly said
that the Ariane 6 debut launch would not happen until the early part of 2024.

In May of 2023, these problems came home to roost for Arianespace. It

emerged that Arianespace has lost an important contract to launch a major
satellite for Viasat. SpaceX’s launch of the massive ViaSat-3 Americas
satellite on April 30th seemed to cement Viasat’s loyalty toward SpaceX.
Amazon Project Kuiper terminals.

However, it is this Amazon contract that has generated worrying comments.

For example, industry consultant Tim Farrar (of TMF Associates) expressed
doubts that, by 2026, Arianespace will have achieved their target of 1,600
satellites on-orbit for Kuiper.

SatMagazine Page 10 September 2023

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 Dave Ryan, Viasat’s president of Musk, as of this writing, has his own challenges, not the least of such is with
space and commercial networks, his giant Starship project. But at least SpaceX has the ultra-reliable Falcon 9
in an interview with CBS News, (and Falcon Heavy) rockets, and at what might seem to be ‘bargain basement’
explained his dilemma and said, launch fees, when compared to Ariane 6 (and even U.S. competitors ULA and
“The Ariane, unfortunately, we had Blue Origin).
to change because they were having
difficulties getting the Ariane 6 ready Competition is healthy... and all of these rivals want to stay in business. But
to go, and then secondly, when the European industry, commercial operators, military and scientific missions all
[Ukraine] war broke out, some of the want to fly with a local provider. The fact of the matter is that Ariane can win
launches that they were responsible international contracts at competitive prices — not least among them being
for on Russian launchers had to Amazon’s Kuiper launches.
Artistic rendition of the Viasat-3 be transferred over to their Ariane
satellite, courtesy of Viasat. vehicles. That pushed us later in line. The world is watching Arianespace’s progress... and optimism is not exactly
So, it got so late that we had to put high at this moment in time!
that third satellite out for bid and we’re evaluating the proposals right now.”
Author Chris Forrester is a well-known broadcasting journalist,
Ryan’s comments suggest that there are only industry consultant and Senior Columnist for SatNews Publishers.
two possible alternates for the ViaSat-3 APAC He reports on all aspects of broadcasting with special emphasis on
satellite launch. They include another contract content, the business of television and emerging applications. He
for SpaceX or, possibly, a United Launch founded Rapid TV News and has edited Interspace and its
Alliance’s (ULA) Vulcan Centaur rocket. The successor Inside Satellite TV since 1996. He also files for
ViaSat satellite will be ready for launch around Advanced-Television.com. In November of 1998, Chris was
the middle of 2024. appointed an Associate (professor) of the prestigious Adham
Center for Television Journalism, part of the American
The ViaSat craft are heavy, with each weighing University in Cairo (AUC), in recognition of his extensive Chris Forrester
more than 6 tons. Viasat also wants each coverage of the Arab media market.
satellite to be orbited close to its target, orbital
position. SpaceX, on April 30th, used its Falcon
Heavy configuration which was comprised of
the main rocket and its booster, plus two ‘strap-
on’ additional boosters.

Image of a ULA Vulcan liftoff,

courtesy of the company.

SatMagazine Page 12 September 2023

 LEO Satellites Orbit
Estimations Using Precise
Point Positioning
Author: James Bartle, Business Development + Commercialization, Fugro SpaceStar

Quite common for satellites in Low

Earth Orbit (LEO) is for them to be
equipped with a Global Navigation
Satellite System (GNSS) receiver
to obtain real-time positioning,
velocity, and timing, used for orbit
determination of the satellite.

Additionally, GNSS data is commonly

used to enable and optimize onboard
remote sensing payloads, providing
position as well as precise timing
information.  Until now, however,
onboard GNSS positioning accuracy
has been limited in comparison to the
commercial offerings on Earth.

On Earth, global positioning

augmentation techniques, such as
precise point positioning (PPP) are
used to allow end-users to obtain
absolute, high accuracy positioning
in real-time by using precise GNSS
orbit and clock corrections, multi-
frequency GNSS observation data
as well as precise observation
modelling in the end-user positioning
engine. These techniques can
provide centimeter level accuracy,
in real-time, which enable a host of
innovative professional applications
across industries that range from
surveying to agriculture and maritime
and more.

In LEO, however, it is typical for

performances to range from meter
level in the best cases, although
more often accuracies that are in the
region of tens of meters. Currently,
where greater accuracy (sub-metre)
is required, raw GNSS data is
downlinked for post processing on
the ground to obtain a precise orbit
determination (POD) solution. While
desired levels of accuracy can be
obtained in this way, time latency is
incurred, and that adds additional
pressure to what is often limited, downlink capacity. positioning at sub-decimeter level, velocity at less than five millimeters per
second, and a sub five nano second timing solution, a tenfold improvement on
When improved mission performance is linked to enhanced data quality and existing GNSS solutions.
to reduced latency of information to the end user, there is an emerging trend
for satellites to have increased levels of onboard capabilities. With latency
reduction being a key driver of performance, Fugro, a leading supplier of Delivering PPP Corrections To LEO
satellite positioning services to the maritime industry, was inspired to leverage
the firm’s expertise in PPP to develop a high accuracy solution known as To generate corrections and to deliver them to LEO, Fugro leverages its existing
SpaceStar® to deliver high accuracy GNSS positioning in real-time onboard proprietary ground infrastructure that is designed to meet the demanding
LEO satellites.    requirements of its global satellite positioning business. This infrastructure
consists of a ground network of more than 100, globally distributed, reference
SpaceStar® was successfully demonstrated in orbit in Augustof 2022 with receiver stations that are all equipped with high-end, geodetic hardware
sub-decimeter positioning being achieved in real-time. This state-of-the-art that continuously observes the GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou and
technology was implemented on hardware with a low size, weight, and power QZSS constellations.
(SWaP) footprint and achieves nominal, real-time performance accuracies of

SatMagazine Page 14 September 2023

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 Onboard
Architecture
For the demonstration, the
architecture onboard the satellite
saw the SpaceStar® software
integrated onto a software defined
radio (SDR) and flown as a payload.
The expectation is that future
architecture options will also see
SpaceStar® integrated directly at
the GNSS receiver level. In both
cases, the hardware is integrated
with the Fugro L-band tracking
and demodulator software for the
acquisition and decoding of the
correction signal and the Fugro
SpaceStar® position engine.

Onboard, the L-band correction data

is decoded and forwarded through to
the position engine software which
Fugro reference receiver network used for GNSS multi constellation observations for generation of orbit/clock corrections applies the corrections to the raw
GNSS measurements that is received
Raw observation data from the network is processed at Fugro facilities, where it from the onboard GNSS receiver, to then output the high accuracy position,
is used to generate the GNSS orbit and clock corrections. The correction signal velocity, and time telemetry, in real-time, onboard the satellite
is then distributed to users in LEO on L-band via a network of geostationary
satellites that deliver global coverage. When the software is integrated at the SDR payload level, the system is enabled
to be receiver agnostic as long as the receiver meets the minimum, specified
requirements of being capable of receiving dual frequency,
observation data and compatible with more than one of the
major GNSS constellations.    
  
Potential Applications For
High Accuracy Positioning
As well as the incremental improvement of existing
applications that suffer from latency, real-time, high
accuracy, precise onboard orbit determination (P2OD)
has the potential to unlock areas of radical innovation
in nascent fields such as on-orbit servicing and other
automated applications where post processing and
associated latency is not an option.

RF remote sensing
Techniques, such as such as synthetic aperture
radar (SAR), radio-occultation, reflectometry,
and RF-geolocation, can all require precise, orbit
determination that necessitates the use of ground-
based post processing which has an inherent level
of built-in latency. For some end users, this is not
of concern; however, there may be other users who
are concerned predominantly with rapidly changing
events, where latency is undesirable and directly
diminishes the value of the information. Additionally,
some applications also use formation flying
techniques that can also benefit from precise real-time
positioning of each of the satellites.

Thruster calibration
Thruster calibration and precise orbital maneuvers
have the potential to be more efficiently enabled.
Direct measurements of delta-v can be observed
in real-time to levels of accuracy of less than five
millimeters per second. This, potentially, enables
better on-orbit characterization of on-board thrusters
and that could lead to more efficient fuel usage and,
potentially, longer mission life.

Distribution of corrections on L-band to LEO users via geostationary satellites

SatMagazine Page 16 September 2023
 Collision avoidance LEO-PNT  
Collision avoidance and fleet management in LEO has become an LEO-PNT systems will require accurate onboard orbit determination
important topic as the risk of conjunctions rise due to increasingly and time synchronisation (ODTS). It is anticipated that LEO
congested orbits. Highly accurate, real-time positioning onboard PPP solutions will play a role in providing a viable solution to this
the satellite has the potential to enable and improve the safety of challenge that is both effective and commercially viable.
autonomous satellite collision avoidance systems, reducing false
alerts and unnecessary avoidance maneuvers.    www.fugro.com/spacestar

Rendezvous and proximity operations

Emerging on-orbit servicing applications can significantly benefit
from precise onboard, orbit determination. In close approach and
docking application, it can help to enable the approaching spacecraft Author James Bartle leads the business development and
to safely achieve the desired relative position, alignment and velocity commercialization activities for Fugro SpaceStar.
during target approaches which, when combined with other onboard He may be contacted at [email protected]
sensors, can help to reduce the risk of collision.
Fugro is the world’s leading Geo-data specialist, collecting
Inter satellite laser link (ISLL) and analyzing comprehensive information about the Earth and
ISLL requires that, during initial acquisition, the transmitting satellite the structures built upon it. Adopting an integrated approach
locates the position of the receiving satellite before the laser that incorporates acquisition and analysis of Geo-data and
beam can be accurately pointed. Typically, this is done through related advice, Fugro provides solutions. With expertise
traditional RF; however, this could be enhanced and made more in site characterization and asset integrity, clients are
efficient with the use of accurate positioning technology. Precise, supported in the safe, sustainable and efficient design,
on-board position and time can also help in facilitating ground-to- construction and operation of their assets throughout the
James Bartle
space, laser-based communications, both in signal acquisition and full lifecycle. Employing approximately 10,000 talented people
increased bandwidth, owing to less uncertainty of the LEO orbit in 57 countries, Fugro serves clients around the globe, predominantly in the
and better time synchronization. energy, infrastructure and water industries, both offshore and onshore. In
2022, company revenue amounted to 1.8 billion euros. Fugro is listed on
Euronext Amsterdam.

SatMagazine Page 17 September 2023

 Bridging The Gap
Overcoming interoperability challenges: Keeping remote renewable assets connected
Author: Alastair MacLeod, Chief Executive Officer, Ground Control
The ability of different systems and devices to Real-time data exchange between different systems, allows for more accurate
communicate and work together seamlessly — and comprehensive data management. Given the inherent unpredictability of
interoperability — has transformed industry. In the wind, sun, and water patterns, the ability to improve the speed and accuracy of
renewables sector, interoperability is key to keeping output forecasting can be a game changer.
remote renewable assets including wind turbines, solar
installations, and energy storage systems connected. This data can also be used to inform predictive maintenance ensuring at-risk
parts are replaced before failure, avoiding costly downtime. The early detection
Renewables businesses face a number of challenges, of turbine damage, for example, can save wind farm owners millions annually.
especially when creating a network that is secure, And the same goes in myriad other examples in solar and other renewable
cost-effective and, ultimately, operates as one. settings and environments where early intervention is crucial.

The Internet of Things (IoT) has already enabled What’s more, interoperability makes it easier to add new systems and devices
unprecedented levels of connectivity, data collection, Alastair MacLeod to existing infrastructure, making it more scalable and adaptable to changing
and analysis across industry, and the renewables energy needs. This is especially important in the renewables industry, where
sector is no exception. IoT devices can be used to monitor the performance of new sources of energy are constantly being developed and added to existing
renewable energy assets such as turbines and generators, using real-time data energy systems — secure, stable connectivity with the grid is essential.
to improve efficiency and reduce downtime.
One of the most significant challenges to achieving interoperability is
However, these devices rely on interoperability to function effectively. IoT communication and integration issues between different hardware and
devices must be able to communicate with each other and other systems, software systems. renewable energy systems are often composed of different
such as cloud-based platforms and data integration tools, to deliver increased components and technologies that may not be compatible with each other. For
efficiency, cost reduction and improved sustainability. example, solar panels from one manufacturer may not be able to communicate
effectively with inverters from another manufacturer. This can result in
Why does interpretability matter? In the renewables sector, interoperability is inefficiencies, data silos and increased costs.
essential for ensuring that all hardware and software systems can communicate
with each other, regardless of the manufacturer or technology used. As Interoperability can increase the vulnerability of renewable energy systems
renewable energy assets are often located in remote locations, where terrestrial to cyber attacks. When different systems and devices are connected and
coverage is intermittent or unavailable, it can be difficult to maintain connectivity exchanging data, it can create new attack vectors that may not have been
and monitor performance. considered in the design of the original system.

SatMagazine Page 18 September 2023

Making space accessible, reliable
and competitive.
Companies around the world trust Calian for their Talk to Calian today.
communication systems, products and services. For Stop by stand 1.F47 at IBC 2023 and talk with our experts
over 50 years, we’ve excelled at: in person, or contact:
• Satellite, terrestrial wireless and wired application Dan Baril, SVP, Space
infrastructure [email protected]
• Antennas, RF systems, gateways and network 1-306-933-1585
management solutions
Darren Schlageter, VP, Communication Ground Systems
• End-to-end resource orchestration and service
[email protected]
management solutions
l-306-933-1471
• Electronics design, manufacturing, testing and
certification Peter Waskowic, VP, Satcom Products
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• Customized engineering solutions
1-306-933-1580
• Satellite operations and teleport services
Russ Palmer, VP, Software Defined Solutions
[email protected]
1-306-933-1485

calian.com/advanced-technologies
 In addition, currently there is no universally accepted standard for renewable
energy systems, which can make it difficult for different systems to
communicate and exchange data effectively. This can lead to inefficiencies,
reduced data quality, and increased costs.

What’s more, often renewable energy assets such as wind turbines or solar
farms, are located in remote areas. These areas may experience intermittent or
even complete lack of traditional terrestrial coverage, which can make it difficult
to establish reliable connection for data exchange and remote monitoring.

The can be little doubt regarding the importance of resilient and ubiquitous
connectivity. At present, a mere 15% of the Earth’s surface is supported
by conventional terrestrial communications infrastructure, some of which is
complex, vulnerable and expensive to maintain. Satellites, in contrast, can
provide global coverage and are comparatively resilient — unaffected by, for
instance, natural disasters. APIs (Application Programming Interface) provide a standardized way for
different systems to communicate and exchange data, while data integration
In our own blog “The role of 5G and Satellite technology in Industry 4.0,” we tools enable companies to consolidate and manage data from multiple sources.
discussed the three key areas where satellite can complement 5G and terrestrial By leveraging these tools, companies can improve data quality, reduce data
networks, augmenting network reach to include rural, remote areas, embedding silos, and streamline communication between different systems. Simply, APIs
redundancy and, of course, additional backhaul capability. and data integration tools are powerful tools for achieving interoperability.

As assets such as reservoirs and wind turbines are in remote, rugged Moreover, cloud-based solutions can play a critical role in enabling remote
environments often it’s not financially viable to build or maintain the infrastructure connectivity for renewable energy systems. By storing data in the cloud,
required to support these assets via terrestrial or fiber connectivity. In fact, companies can access data from anywhere with an internet connection, enabling
a recent survey by Inmarsat found that 91% of business leaders felt satellite remote monitoring and management of renewable energy systems. Cloud-based
connectivity was key to improving the effectiveness of IoT solutions. solutions also provide a scalable and cost-effective way to store and manage
data, enabling companies to optimise energy resources more effectively.
Perhaps, unsurprisingly then, satellite has become an increasingly popular
solution for assets outside traditional terrestrial coverage to ensure reliable, Managing growth and the related costs can be extremely challenging. In Europe
blanket network coverage. in 2022, solar and wind power generated 22% of all electricity, according to
European Electricity Review 2023, outstripping fossil fuel (20%) for the first
Important considerations for satellite integration include regulatory (spectrum time. However, according to Wood Mackenzie Power, $8.5 billion was being
allocation and licensing, for example), while others are capital, not least of spent on unplanned repairs and corrections caused by component failures in
which is the cost of deploying satellite-enabled devices. In short, hardware wind operations.
compatibility and power management are important considerations for anyone
looking to introduce satellite IoT modules into their network. Though the substantial growth in renewables demonstrates a clear appetite for
the global commitment to hit eco targets, this must be balanced with managing
Satellite IoT (satIoT) modules typically use different communication protocols economic investment. Given that many of these costs can be mitigated with
and hardware interfaces than traditional IoT devices.Therefore, ensuring reliable monitoring and control, preventative maintenance, especially for devices
the selected modules are compatible with existing hardware and software in hard-to-reach areas; it’s no great surprise that satIoT is becoming increasingly
infrastructures are extremely important. Selecting modules that support the popular within the renewables sector.
communication protocols and physical interfaces required by your network is a
key to success. Ultimately, the renewables industry has had to cope with managing remote and
harsh environments for many years and has done so adeptly, evolving with the
In addition, satIoT modules may require different power management strategies, technology to support remote management. There will always be challenges
due to their reliance on satellite connectivity and potentially, long battery life of course, but with satellite, issues associated with operation visibility and
requirements. Modules that are designed to operate efficiently in low-power control could be a thing of the past. With the availability of reliable connectivity
environments and able to implement power management strategies that minimize anywhere on the planet, renewables operators have the chance to turn what
power consumption and maximize battery life are also crucial selections. was once a major challenge into a cost saving and efficiency bearing advantage.

Finally—cost. Due to the added complexity and technology required to support

satellite networks, satellite modules and, indeed, satellite airtime, can be more
expensive. However, there are several ways this can be integrated within a
network to ensure the correct balance of performance and cost is obtained.
Author Alastair MacLeod is the Chief Executive Officer at Ground Control.
Just one such example — in the case of one of our customers managing a water He joined the company in October of 2020, having previously led the team
treatment works, sensors used LoRaWAN to transmit data to a hub. The hub at Teralytics, and had senior roles at Orange and Solera. With a background
then optimizes the data payload to reduce transmission costs and transmitted in tech, telco, SaaS, DaaS, and big data, Alastair is well equipped to guide
this via satellite only when cellular connectivity was unavailable. This solution Ground Control through the firm’s evolution.
has proven quite successful and stands as an impressive showcase of the Established 20 years ago in 2002, Ground Control uses satellite
possibilities available with integrated networks. and cellular technology to connect people and things, particularly within
hard to reach, remote areas — from wind farms to fishing fleets and first
Network integration must be seamless. Thinking about interoperability and responders to forestry workers. Ground Control designs and builds its own
integration more generally, it’s key that renewables organizations evaluate hardware covering the entire spectrum of connectivity requirements, with
hardware and software solutions and consider implementing systems and manufacturing facilities in the UK, and in the United States. The company’s
components that are designed to work together. Though not always possible, long—term partnerships with airtime providers such as Inmarsat and Iridium
it’s important to consider factors such as compatibility, data exchange mean that it has access to the most competitive and comprehensive airtime
standards as well as communication protocols. By selecting solutions that are plans, taking full advantage of their service evolutions in ways that make
designed to work together, companies can streamline communications and Ground Control’s customers’ challenges easier to solve. Ground Control
improve efficiencies. works within a multitude of Governments and industries, including Oil & Gas,
Utilities, First Responders, Maritime, the Environment and Agriculture from
all over the globe.

SatMagazine Page 20 September 2023

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 Digital Twins In Action
How government can take flight in the virtual world
Author: Greg Porter, Senior Systems Architect, Sev1Tech
Digital twin technology has revolutionized the manufacturing industry, The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report in February
creating a way for organizations to predict and solve for nearly every of this year as part of the agency’s spotlight series that dives into why this new
challenge from lifecycle management to unplanned work stoppages. tech matters and how agencies can use the technology.

Even though we don’t think of the federal government as a manufacturer, The GAO notes that the term digital twins was actually coined by NASA
agencies from the Department of Defense (DoD) to DOE and beyond, build, engineers in the 1960s — they applied the concept by building physical and
deploy and manage some of the most expensive and complex vehicles, computational models of the Apollo 13 mission vehicles on the ground that were
machinery and equipment on the planet. adapted to match the vehicles’ changing conditions in space.

Because of this, digital twins presents an opportunity to streamline government It has taken more than 50 years to arrive at our current iteration of the term
operations and maintenance, making them more effective and efficient, as well as also digital twin, but similar to some of the most foundational technologies since the
enhancing and emboldening everything from national security to lifesaving discoveries. dawn of computing, the concept was born out of federal innovation.

Defining The Digital Twin + The Role In Government Digital Twins In Action
Taking a step back, to understand the meaning and components of this NASA is still engaging with digital twins, but in a much more complex way than
technology is quite instructive. Simply put, a digital twin is a computer- the agency did around Apollo 13. The space agency’s Michoud Assembly
generated, virtual representation of a physical object, process, or environment Facility in New Orleans manufactures and assembles critical hardware
that mirrors its real world counterpart as a way to predict future behavior. components for exploration vehicles under development.

Using technology such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), The engineers building and maintaining the processes for these mission-
a digital twin replicates everything about the physical asset, including all of its essential parts will use digital twins as a virtual walk through the facility. This
functionality and behavior, using smart sensors that collect real time data. These means employees will be able to work at the facility without physically being on
virtual representations can use that incoming information along with simulation site, while still being fed real time information.
and modeling technology to game out real world, operating scenarios.
Some of the goals with the digital twin work for NASA are to improve the
Integrating any flow of changing information that changes in the physical efficiency and quality of maintaining the facility and managing the needs of the
twin will automatically update the digital twin. Because of that process, NASA program. This should ultimately lead to decreased downtimes, improved
organizations can interact with the model to monitor changes and predict communication and decreased costs. To that end, the agency is equipping the
future events. Michoud-specific digital twin with some futuristic capabilities, including:

Like most emerging technologies, the evolution of digital twins has been • Interactive holographic models and AI generated asset placements
innovated and iterated in the private sector. However, the federal government based on historical movements of the assets.
isn’t lagging far behind.
• Simulating complex crane lifts or asset moves across the factory.

• Real-time monitoring and alerting of the state of the factory through

IoT connected sensors.

An important complement to the digital twin

at the Michoud facility is NASA’s use of a
digital thread. This will be the single source
of truth for information flowing into the
digital twin.

This virtual pipeline will connect the various

disparate systems like requirements
databases, system architecture tools,
project lifecycle management tools and 3D
modeling software.

Connecting these systems through the

digital thread will ensures that the digital
twin is using data in real time and also
allows project managers, engineers, IT and
security professionals to holistically view
all data from all systems throughout the
entire organization.

For many industries, deploying a digital

twin is a way to reduce costs, improve
production and test supply chains. For
the government, the benefits go a step
further, reaching through everything
from national security to healthcare to
interstellar discovery.

SatMagazine Page 22 September 2023

 There are many innovative technology and moving parts underpinning digital Author Greg Porter is a Senior Systems Architect at Sev1Tech. He
twins, but taken together and deployed properly, they can work seamlessly to has been with the company since October of 2021, leading the
optimize some of the biggest challenges facing government. Artificial Intelligence team as well as the company’s Digital Twin
and Digital Thread efforts. For more than 12 years, Greg Porter
Digital twins have the potential to has been a noteworthy leader in the IT industry. Prior to Sev1Tech,
change the way federal agencies he was a Senior Systems Architect at Geocent, leading data
serve both the public and their analytics for logistics and Hadoop cluster projects, and Senior
individual missions. Big Data Administrator at Honeywell FM&T, where he was
responsible for Big Data infrastructure design, configuration,
sev1tech.com installation, and security. Greg Porter has been honored with
multiple Innovator of the Year awards for his contributions to Greg Porter
Sev1Tech and, formerly, Geocent. He holds a master’s degree
in Data Analytics from Western Governors University.

SatMagazine Page 23 September 2023

 SILICON VALLEY

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SPACE VALLEY SPACE WEEK: PART I

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THE MEETING PLACE FOR SATELLITE INDUSTRY LEADERS
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 SILICON VALLEY

SILICON WEEK
SPACE VALLEY SPACE WEEK: PART II

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SYMPOSIUM
NEXT-GENERATION SPACE DEFENSE
Featured Speakers

Lt. Gen. Michael Guetlein Dr. Derek M. Tournear Dr. Claire Leon Brig. Gen. Steven Butow
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 The Key To
Delivering
Change In
Maritime
Decarbonization
Is... Collaboration
Partnerships, consortiums, and combined studies will be pivotal to the
realization of zero-emissions shipping

As the second of two panel discussions at Inmarsat’s Shaping Connected Lynn Loo opened proceedings by explaining that GCMD, as a “neutral
Future Seminar during this year’s Singapore Maritime Week, Sustainability: convenor,” can add value in particularly complex pilots and trials by “bringing
Delivering Change explored how the maritime industry could enable high- people across the sector together to collaborate.”
value connected solutions to address its environmental challenges.
As an example, she pointed to GCMD’s
carbon capture pilot, which, unlike most
comparable trials, covers the initial capture
of carbon dioxide as well as its offloading
and recycling. Various stakeholders are
involved in the project — including LR as
the appointed classification society — and
this level of collaboration, Loo explained,
will be vital to creating “end-to-end
solutions” for maritime decarbonization.
Reiterating the importance of collaboration,
BHP’s Sarah Greenough said, “Industry
forums and consortiums provide the
opportunity to bring together a cross
section of the industry —– vessel owners,
fuel providers, class and charterers — and
that’s how we will achieve rapid change.
It is equally important that we rethink our
relationships in the ecosystem so that
competitors become partners in developing
green corridors and aggregating demand to
Moderated by Chakib Abi-Saab, Chief Technology and Innovation Officer at influence the industry at a much faster rate.”
Lloyd’s Register (LR), the discussion drew on the insight of panellists Elisa
Woodward, Chief Operations Officer, Vallianz Holdings; Lynn Loo, Chief Expanding on Greenough’s point, Elisa Woodward of Vallianz described
Executive Officer, Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD); “non-equity partnerships” as a vital element in realising environmental
and Sarah Greenough, Head of Maritime Sustainability and Supply Chain ambitions. “To achieve your decarbonisation goals, you need to look across
Excellence, BHP. the ecosystem to find the right partners – because there’s no way you can do it
by yourself. Commercially, it’s just too difficult. Collaboration is key to making
things happen.”

According to Greenough, “ecosystem

partnerships” are one of the two “critical
enablers” of BHP’s decarbonization
strategy, with the company working
together with other organizations to
deliver on future fuels or onboard
innovation, for example.

The other critical enabler is “data

democratization.” Having successfully used
data analytics to optimize safety and cost
efficiency, BHP increasingly examines the
sustainability credentials of the company’s
chartered vessels, measuring emissions in
real time to inform its chartering choices,
said Greenough.

SatMagazine Page 26 September 2023

 Emphasizing the role that charterers can play in elevating industry-wide Given the significant proportion of ship owners and charterers falling into the
sustainability standards, Woodward referred to a leading energy company to conservative category, Loo continued, “education is a low-hanging fruit for
which Vallianz provides its offshore services. The charterer requires service GCMD and classification societies like LR. If we can properly contextualise the
providers to demonstrate environmental measures such as energy-saving problem and the portfolio of solutions available, it goes a long way to bringing
devices (ESDs) or digitalization strategies when bidding on a contract. the conservatives up to speed.”
Woodward explained, “Older vessels even need to be converted to be eligible
for the tender process.” With maritime decarbonization ultimately dependent on the widespread
deployment of alternative fuels, GCMD recently conducted a pilot study aiming
While ship owners, such as Vallianz, are responding to these demands, to define operational and safety guidelines for ammonia bunkering.
charterers themselves are facing pressure from consumers. “BHP produces
nickel for electric vehicles, and the end customer wants full traceability from Pending regulatory approvals, the project will facilitate the first ship-to-ship
mine to car,” explained Greenough. “These expectations force businesses to transfer of ammonia in the Port of Singapore. “The idea is to take baby steps,
put systems in place to trace emissions throughout the value chain, and this is to build confidence and competence in the ecosystem,” said Loo.
something we will see more of in shipping, too, as the sector is held to higher
levels of accountability.” In the meantime, cost-effective, interim solutions such as slow steaming and
ESDs can help maritime companies reduce their carbon footprint and comply
Despite the industry facing mounting pressure to minimize its environmental with existing regulations. However, as the panellists agreed, delivering the
impact, a recent survey conducted by GCMD in partnership with Boston change needed to achieve zero-emissions shipping will rely on collaboration
Consulting Group serves as a reminder that not every maritime company throughout the industry.
moves at the same pace. Of the approximately 130 owners and charterers
surveyed, 70% described decarbonization as “very important”, but only 50% www.inmarsat.com/en/solutions-services/maritime.html
reported having a net-zero target in place, and even fewer — 30% — had
established a “pathway to net zero.” These companies, Loo said, can be divided
into three groups: “frontrunners,” “followers” and “conservatives.”

“What we found is that the pain points for the frontrunners differ from those of
the conservatives,” she explained. “The frontrunners worry about technological
uncertainty and commercial viability, but the conservatives haven’t even
established a decarbonisation strategy or division, meaning education and
contextualisation are crucial for this group.”

SatMagazine Page 27 September 2023

 Dynamic Predictive Routing
For LEO SATCOM Networks
Author: Rob Hunter, SATCOMs Consultant, CGI UK

The size and complexity of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) SATCOM constellations The vision at the heart of all mega-constellation systems is a Very Wide Area
introduces substantial new challenges for network traffic engineering. As Network (VWAN) with low latency that can outcompete land-based fiber systems.
the number of companies offering low latency SATCOM connectivity via
LEO increases in number, the cost and performance will be key to achieving One area where mega-constellation systems shine in comparison to
market share. Earth-based competition is delivering lower latency and higher throughput
communications over long distances with fewer gateways. Optimizing the
Delivering the best service to customers in this increasingly competitive network routing to reduce the number of gateways used substantially drives
marketplace is driving operators to consider new technologies to scale-up down the total cost of system ownership.
capacity while ensuring service performance and controlling expenditure
Managing a LEO SATCOM network is challenging because of the continually Delivering an efficient service over long distances requires a routing concept
changing network geometry that is unlike anything found closer to the ground. that manages multi-orbit meshed networks with no prior knowledge of the
traffic profile. Using traditional Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) routing to, for
Historically, LEO networks have reduced management complexity by reducing example, send a message from London to New York always privileges the same
network flexibility and over-allocating capacity. Finding a way to make the connection path crossing the Atlantic, thereby creating congestion bottlenecks
complexity manageable, while fully exploiting the network capabilities, allows and neglecting other potentially available links.
operators to simultaneously increase capacity and performance.
The dynamic nature of these links is also quite challenging for traditional
To address this challenge, CGI has collaborated with TESAT-Spacecom, a routing algorithms to manage. Heuristics such as the Dijkstra or Bellman-Ford
renowned leader in telecommunication payloads and laser communications, algorithms only work with a network as it is now; if conditions change due
and has developed the Dynamic Predictive Routing (DPR) network traffic to delay or fault, then the entire routing table must be recalculated and the
engineering solution. forwarding elements updated, adding overhead and delay which accumulate in
a negative feedback cycle.
Built for the next-generations of mega-constellations, DPR demonstrates
communications performance improvements by using a new type of Many operators choose to solve this problem by modifying their chosen routing
networking solution which is proven on space-qualified hardware operating heuristic to accommodate these factors; mostly, this involves simply increasing
under realistic network conditions. the amount of raw compute used, either in terms of the number of factors being
considered or the frequency at which updated routing tables are generated.
DPR blends CGI’s comprehensive expertise in Artificial Intelligence
(AI) and leverages CGI’s Machine Learning (ML) accelerator platform Neither of these approaches is a cost-effective solution to the problem.
AccelerateAI360, and a 50 year history of delivering complex and Sustaining ever greater constellation numbers only increases the compute
successful projects and solutions within the European and North American demands and cost, so this is certainly not an effective way to compete in the
Aerospace markets. long term in what are increasingly established and highly efficient markets.

SatMagazine Page 28 September 2023

 Visit CPI at
IBC
Amsterdam
Sept. 15-18
Booth #1.C67
 CGI’s Dynamic Predictive Routing is a traffic engineering solution based Many optimizations developed for CNNs and DNN can immediately be applied
on a centralized routing concept, implementing an SDN (Software Defined and tested on the more recent GNN architectures.
Networking) and using a Graph Neural Network (GNN) to model the dynamic
properties of the network. GNNs are highly attractive for this problem as they can maintain a
representation of the network as it changes over time and that resolves
Graph neural network model architectures are highly applicable to network the limitation of applying traditional routing heuristics to highly dynamic
graph formatted data and benefit from the cross-application of a decade of network topologies.
research in convolutional neural networks (CNN) and ordinary, deep neural
networks (DNN). While the computational cost of training the model is high, the cost is
borne once during the training process which can be performed on a
specialist system — such as CGI’s AccelerateAI360 platform — away from
the mission system.

Delivering service operations using the trained model is low compute and
it remains stable for as long as the network is in a stable configuration. By
including realistic faults in the model training, CGI can also accommodate fault
scenarios without the need for retraining.

CGI’s Dynamic Predictive Routing framework supplies a lightweight and

self-contained solution designed to integrate with existing mission systems as
cost-effectively as possible.

The model can be optimized to any mission profile and is able to

accommodate business needs, with the overall aim of minimizing the service
cost per megabyte delivered to the end customer.

Succeeding in this highly competitive future communications marketplace will

require innovation to be applied at every level of the business and operational
support systems — CGI is here to deliver the core technologies that will keep
the forward-thinking innovators prospering in this industry.

www.cgi.com/uk

SatMagazine Page 30 September 2023

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 Enhancing
Satellite
Data With
SDRs In
Ground
Stations
Author: Brandon Malatest,
Chief Operations Officer
and Co-Founder, Per Vices

Satellite communication (SATCOM) is evolving at a rapid pace, with Moreover, SDRs facilitate the implementation of advanced signal processing
increasing demands for higher bandwidth and the need to accommodate a techniques to enhance high bandwidth and high channel count reception.
higher channel count impacting available SATCOM services. Techniques such as adaptive filtering, channel equalization, and error correction
can be implemented in software, allowing for efficient and real-time processing
Traditional hardware-based receivers often struggle to keep up with these of multiple signals.
requirements due to their limitations in scalability and flexibility. However,
Software-Defined Radios (SDRs) offer a game-changing solution by These techniques help mitigate the effects of fading, interference, and noise,
providing capabilities for high bandwidth and high channel count reception in resulting in improved reception quality and higher data throughput. SDR-
ground stations. There are many benefits that SDRs bring to operators in terms based ground stations can adaptively adjust their processing parameters
of high bandwidth and high channel count reception and this is revolutionizing based on the received signal characteristics, ensuring reliable reception even
satellite data reception. in challenging environments.

One of the primary advantages of SDRs is their ability to support high bandwidth Another key advantage of SDRs is their scalability. As SATCOM systems continue
reception. As the demand for faster data transfer rates continues to grow, traditional to evolve and new satellites are launched, the demands for higher bandwidth
hardware-based receivers face challenges in meeting these requirements. and increased channel count will only intensify. SDRs offer a scalable solution
that can easily accommodate future requirements through software upgrades
SDRs, on the other hand, can leverage their software-based processing and reconfigurations. This scalability eliminates the need for frequent hardware
capabilities to efficiently handle higher bandwidths. By employing parallel replacements, reducing costs and downtime for ground station operators.
processing techniques and optimized algorithms, SDR-based ground stations
can receive and process large amounts of data in real-time, enabling the Additionally, SDRs enable ground stations to stay up-to-date with the latest
reception of high-resolution satellite imagery, video streams and other data- satellite technologies and frequency allocations, ensuring compatibility with new
intensive applications with ease. satellite systems without requiring significant infrastructure changes.

Furthermore, SDRs excel in supporting a high channel count, allowing ground In terms of high bandwidth reception, SDRs leverage their wideband capabilities
stations to receive signals from multiple satellites simultaneously. Traditional to receive and process a broad range of frequencies simultaneously. They
hardware-based receivers often require separate hardware components for each can cover multiple frequency bands, such as L-, S-, C-, and Ku-band, without
channel, resulting in increased complexity and cost. the need for separate hardware for each band. This flexibility enables ground
stations to receive signals from different satellites operating on various
SDRs, with their inherent flexibility, can handle multiple channels through software frequency bands, expanding their access to satellite data sources.
configurations, eliminating the need for dedicated hardware for each channel.
This feature reduces costs as well as simplifies ground station operations, thereby When it comes to high channel count reception, SDRs offer the advantage of parallel
enabling the reception of data from diverse satellite constellations or multiple processing and multi-channel capabilities. Ground stations equipped with SDRs can
satellites that are operating on varying frequency bands. receive and process multiple channels simultaneously, allowing for the reception of
signals from multiple satellites or different transponders within the same satellite. This
The flexibility of SDRs also enable ground stations to adapt to different capability is particularly beneficial for applications such as Earth Observation (EO),
modulation schemes and frequency bands, further enhancing their high channel where data from multiple satellites or sensors need to be collected and processed
count capabilities. simultaneously for comprehensive analysis and monitoring.

Satellites employ various modulation schemes, such as QPSK, 8PSK, or QAM, Additionally, SDRs can employ advanced beamforming techniques to enhance
depending on the data rate and bandwidth requirements. Traditional hardware- reception performance in high channel count scenarios. By dynamically
based receivers often specialize in specific modulation schemes, making it adjusting the reception beam direction and focusing on the desired signals,
challenging to receive signals from satellites using different schemes. SDRs, SDR-based ground stations can improve the signal-to-noise ratio and minimize
with their software-defined nature, can dynamically switch between modulation interference from adjacent channels. This beamforming capability allows for
schemes and adapt to the specific requirements of each satellite, ensuring more robust and reliable reception of signals, especially in environments with
optimal reception performance across a wide range of satellites. high signal density or complex interference patterns.

SatMagazine Page 32 September 2023

 SDRs such as Per Vices Cyan provide high bandwidth and high channel count
reception for ground stations.
Protect Your Earth Station
Furthermore, SDRs facilitate the integration of multiple reception antennas or
phased array systems, enabling ground stations to receive signals from different
Antennas from Ice, Snow,
Rain, and more
directions simultaneously. This diversity reception enhances the resilience and
reliability of satellite data reception, as it reduces the impact of signal blockage
or fading caused by obstructions in the environment. By combining signals
received from multiple antennas or phased array elements, SDR-based ground
stations can improve the overall reception quality and increase the chances of
capturing weak or degraded signals.

SDRs revolutionize satellite data reception in ground stations by providing high

bandwidth and high channel count capabilities. Through their software-defined
processing, SDRs efficiently handle large amounts of data, support multiple
channels, and adapt to different modulation schemes and frequency bands.
The advanced signal processing techniques implemented in SDRs further
enhance reception quality and data throughput. With their scalability, flexibility,
wideband capabilities, parallel processing, beamforming techniques, and antenna
diversity integration, SDRs offer a comprehensive solution for ground stations to
meet the ever-increasing demands of satellite communication systems.

As the satellite industry continues to push the boundaries of high-speed and

data-intensive applications, SDRs will play a vital role in ensuring reliable and
efficient reception of satellite data.

www.pervices.com

Author Brandon Malatest is the COO and co-founder of Per Vices

Corporation, a leader in Software Defined Radio technology.
Antenna De-Ice Systems:
Brandon has an honour’s degree in Physics with a specialization
in Experimental Physics from the University of Waterloo in
Ontario, Canada. On graduating, Brandon started his career as
a research analyst and statistician at one of the largest market
research firms in Canada and later joined Victor Wollesen to co- Snow Shield
found Per Vices. Since starting Per Vices, Brandon has authored
many thought leadership articles based on software defined
radio (SDR) technology.
Brandon Malatest
Per Vices, a leader in software defined radios, offering the highest channel
count and bandwidth SDRs for the satellite ground station market. The
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SatMagazine Page 33 September 2023

 Faraday Phoenix: one of 40+ spacecraft powered by Bright Ascension’s software. Courtesy of In-Space Missions Ltd

An Alternative Software
Development Approach For
Evolving + Complex
Space Systems
Author: Dr. Peter Mendham, Chief Executive Officer, Bright Ascension
The Software Challenge
An increasing number of small satellite missions make use of multiple
spacecraft, usually through constellations with scheduled replenishment.
Each new addition to the system often involves the development of new The responsibility of connecting such a mixed system together is on the
mission capabilities or satellite platforms, making this process progressively software side. Even so, the current market does not offer an efficient end-to-end
more challenging to efficiently maintain and support these applications. technology for a growing satellite system. Numerous standalone products and
patchy solutions tend to be disjointed, fragmented and poorly integrated. This
Only a few years ago, space companies tended to be vertically integrated and results in significant costs, risks, delays to market and service delivery.
develop their technology in-house. However, as the New Space market has
matured, we have seen a significant surge in industry vendors and suppliers As an example, consider a typical mission where onboard software is developed
who specialize in specific parts of satellite manufacturing, launch and operations at roughly the same time as the rest of the spacecraft is getting built – e.g.,
and offer innovative engineering to the market. payload development, hardware specification and configuration. Sooner or later,
system requirements inevitably start to change and evolve
Cutting-edge and highly specialized technology, often at lower cost, was a
godsend for satellite owners and developers, but it also meant that many of This has a knock-on effect on the software infrastructure, including both the
them ended up managing numerous spacecraft with different capabilities, flight and the ground sides: onboard software, payload software, operations
different hardware systems or even from different manufacturers.Although software, or service delivery software, which may be developed by different
this may be a lucrative tactic from the cost point of view, the complexity of teams or even different vendors.
managing and operating such a constellation is a significant challenge.

SatMagazine Page 34 September 2023

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 Any change — no matter how small or insignificant — needs to be captured
and reflected across the entire mission software system, regardless of who
is responsible for each individual software package. This requires a superior
level of communication, coordination, and integration, which is often
problematic to achieve.

The more complex the space system becomes as it scales up, the more
challenging it is to efficiently manage this constant process of change. Any
modification needs to be accounted for — not only during the development
stage, but also throughout the life on-orbit — as new satellites, capabilities,
and hardware are added to the fully functioning constellation.

An Alternative Approach

Bright Ascension is a leading space software technology provider in the

New Space industry. Over the past 11 years, the company has powered an
impressive variety of more than 40 missions with flight and ground software
products. Bright Ascension’s team has now embarked on a new journey to
develop an innovative new suite of products that promises to revolutionize the Bright Ascension’s Mission Control Software
software development approach and create an end-to-end infrastructure to ground. As you are building a new cluster of spacecraft, you recognize the need
efficiently manage a complex space system. for additional software functionality.

The Technical Solution You also discover brand new cutting-edge hardware technology that you
would like to try — even if that means a completely new OBS on your
The new product suite is based on Bright Ascension’s innovative and flight- spacecraft. Finally, you find out that some of the hardware you previously used
proven GenerationOne technology that is both modular and model-based. is discontinued and must be replaced. Typically, in order to implement these
Combined, these two elements create a powerful foundation for re-shaping the changes for your next mission you would need to start software development
traditional software development approach. from scratch and ensure it integrates into your fully functioning and operating
space system, which is a mammoth task in itself.
“Modular” aspect means that all products in the suite are based on reusable
components, designed to create limitless combinations of software units, like Bright Ascension’s new product suite will significantly simplify these processes.
constructing with building blocks. These components can be library-based, The modular structure of the software means that components written for one
available with the product, and cover any standard functionality. Or they can be spacecraft can be easily reused on another and combined in new ways to
completely bespoke, created for unique mission-specific capabilities. Combining achieve new functionality, so you do not have to start from the ground up and
components like building blocks means that any software package can be waste invaluable time, effort, and cost.
developed much quicker, with greater reliability and at a lower cost.
Once ready, the new software package needs to be integrated into your space
But it’s the “model-based” aspect of GenerationOne that really makes the new system. Being model-based, the constellation will automatically “see” the new
product suite stand out. The software generates a machine-readable overview additions and reflect them across the entire ground-space system with almost
of the system which automatically captures any change and shares it across the zero configuration on your part.
entire software infrastructure. For example, if there is any change on the flight
side – e.g., a software update or new hardware or even a new spacecraft – the Bright Ascension has completed the hard work for you. Their end-to-end
operations software can automatically “see” the new elements without the need product suite helps you get it right from the very beginning and create a
for manual configuration. software infrastructure that is easy to manage, scalable, future-proof and
designed to grow with your space system without unexpected surprises and
Real Mission Application unmitigated risks.

Let’s say you manage and develop a small constellation to provide The Next Steps
communication services or Earth Observation (EO) data to customers on the
Bright Ascension’s end-to-end software suite will contain 9 highly-integrated
products and will cover the entire end-to-end value chain – from developing,
testing, flying, and operating a spacecraft to managing system performance and
delivering space-based data to end users.

The early release of the first product in the suite is expected in October 2023
and Bright Ascension plans to release more information and reveal product
names, functionality and first screenshots at the Smallsat Conference in Logan,
Utah, in August.

brightascension.com

Author Dr. Peter Mendham is the Chief Executive Officer at

Bright Ascension.

Dr. Peter
The Bright Ascension’s Team Mendham

SatMagazine Page 36 September 2023

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 Author: Lalit Katare, Market Research Consultant, Allied Market Research
Satellite-Based Earth
Observation System
Analysis and Trends

Satellite-based Earth Observation (EO) is carried out with the aid of satellites The information collected through remote sensing is used for several
orbiting around the Earth to view, observe, identify environmental change, applications such as weather and terrain mapping, reconnaissance and
and formulate maps. This process uses remote sensing techniques to collect intelligence missions, agricultural monitoring and management, and synthetic
information on chemical, physical, and biological aspects of the Earth. aperture radar imagery. In addition, collected information is used by the defense
sector for border monitoring, disaster management as well as other, crucial
military missions.

SatMagazine Page 38 September 2023

 The growth of EO systems has been propelled due to a surge in demand Moreover, the COVID-19 crisis has created uncertainty in the market, a
for big data technology to generate accurate insights on collected data, massive slowing of the supply chain as well as an increase in panic among
advancements in EO satellite technologies and high demand for high- customer segments. The impact of the pandemic has resulted in delayed
resolution, imaging services. development and launch of satellites, a slowdown in the operation of the key
players and a shortage of components.
In recent years, there has been an exponential increase in EO data volume
which, in turn, is proliferating the demand for big data technologies to infer The pandemic has caused delays in the development of several projects. The
actionable insights on numerous global challenges, such as climate change. Defense Advanced Research Project Agency’s Blackjack program, which
EO satellites produce vast amounts of data each day that are required is aimed at demonstrating a new communications network for the military in
to be stored, processed and regularly analyzed. EO data is generated in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) was scheduled to be launched in 2022. The launch is
heterogeneous formats, semantics, modalities, and resolutions, propelling expected to be delayed due to shortages of microchips and other electronic
the need for big data technologies to process and analyze complex data in components.
a faster way. This requirement results in a high complexity of data sets that
requires pre-processing, multi-level fusion and analytics. Therefore, variety, Moreover, space agencies used satellite data to track and monitor planet-wide
veracity, and volume apply to this kind of dataset, driving the need to deploy changes in the environment during COVID-19.
big data analytics to generate accurate insights.
For instance, in 2020, NASA collaborated with European Space Agency
However, the rise in the use of alternative EO technologies and the lack (ESA), and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to use their
of skilled and trained personnel are factors that hamper the growth of the scientific capabilities in EO for monitoring planet-wide changes in the
market. In addition, competitors from alternative technologies are hindering environment and human society.
the growth of the satellite-based EO market.
These agencies created the COVID-19 Earth Observation Dashboard to
Major enterprises such as Google and World View Enterprises, and several combine satellite data with analytical tools for tracking changes in air and
startups such as Zero 2 Infinity, are investing in the R&D of high-altitude balloons water quality, climate change, economic activity, and agriculture, and to
which, in turn, is expected to affect the demand for satellite-based EO. enable the public and policymakers to monitor the short-term as well as the
long-term impacts of pandemic-related restrictions.
In addition, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) such as drones have been used
for EO applications, such as archeological surveying, climate studies, and traffic One of the major factors positively affecting the growth of the market is the large
monitoring. These applications from alternative technologies will impact the number of satellites that have been launched by the various agencies, such as
growth of the market during the forecast period. NASA, European Space Imaging, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.

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SatMagazine Page 39 September 2023

 Additionally, the European public funding landscape includes programs such Many companies operating in the satellite-based EO market are
as Horizon Europe, and European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), headquartered in North America. This is one of the prominent markets
for product development, research, and innovation. Plus, the European for satellite-based EO owing to the high adoption of satellite data among
Space Agency (ESA) Business Incubator and Acceleration Centers and the government and military agencies.
Copernicus Start-Up Program encourage early-stage investments.
Government and military organizations are investing in satellite communication
Some leading companies operating in the satellite-based EO market include and navigation services through the launch of several smallsats. The increase
Airbus S.A.S., Furuno Electric Co., Ltd., Inmarsat Global Limited, Intelsat in the number of applications in commercial sector,s such as agriculture,
S.A., Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), L3Harris Technologies, Inc., real estate, civil engineering, energy, and fleet management, has increased
Lockheed Martin Corporation, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Planet Lab, the adoption of satellite-based EO. Technological advancement in the
Raytheon Technologies Corporation, SkyWatch, STMicroelectronics N.V., telecommunication industry and the rise in demand for EO are expected to
The Boeing Company, and Thales Group. drive the market during the coming years. These factors provide significant
opportunities for players operating in the satellite-based EO market.
Most manufacturers are adopting contract and product launches as their key
strategy to gain traction in the market. For instance, in June of 2022, NASA www.alliedmarketresearch.com
awarded a $6 million, 12 month contract extension to Spire Global, Inc., a
leading global provider of space-based data, to deliver EO data to the agency.
Under this contract, Spire will continue to deliver a comprehensive catalog of
earth observation data, associated metadata, and ancillary information from its
constellation of more than 100 multipurpose satellites. Lalit Katare is a market research consultant with more than
eight years of experience. He specializes in analyzing and
As per the AMR analysis (above, right column), the global, satellite-based EO interpreting data related to the transportation industry and
has provided insights and recommendations to businesses
market was valued at $5,712.0 million in 2021 and is projected to reach $11,329.1 and organizations that operate within the transportation
million by 2031, registering a CAGR of 7.2%. During the analysis period, North sector, helping them to make informed decisions regarding
America accounted to be the highest revenue contributor, whereas Asia-Pacific is their products, services, marketing strategies, and overall
estimated to have the fastest growth accounting to be 8.2% from 2022 to 2031. business operations. He has helped multiple enterprises,
such as Volkswagen, Toyota, Mercedes Benz, Caterpillar,
Komatsu, Bombardier, and Lockheed Martin, among
others, identify new revenue opportunities in high-growth
niche markets such as IoT, autonomous vehicles, the
electric and hybrid ecosystems, on and off-highway Lalit Katare
vehicle ecosystems, and aerospace verticals. As a
consultant, he has strong research skills and is proficient in gathering,
analyzing, and interpreting data from a variety of sources, including market
reports, surveys, interviews, and industry publications. He is skilled in supply
chain analysis, forecasting, matrix modeling, data analytics, and competitive
intelligence and uses various tools and software to extract actionable
insights from large datasets. He performs competitive analysis to assess
the strengths and weaknesses of key players and analyze factors such
as market size, growth potential, customer segmentation, target markets,
and competitive landscape to provide recommendations on market entry
strategies, product positioning, and pricing strategies.

SatMagazine Page 40 September 2023

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 5G New Radio NTN A Serious
Why it will take the SATCOM market by storm Business Enabler
Author: Thorleif Astrup Hallund,
Senior Business Development Director, Gatehouse Satcom For years, satellite communication
has been based solely on stand-
alone proprietary technology,
independent of the standardization
efforts driving revenue growth for
terrestrial mobile communication.
Fortunately, this is about to change.

Soon, 5G NR signals will beam down

from space and support terrestrial 5G
mobile communication infrastructure.
This will give satellites and other non-
terrestrial networks a new and highly
competitive edge as they become
an essential factor in the offering of
powerful, seamless connectivity to
millions of customers anywhere on
the planet.
As the global, mobile communication industry eagerly awaits the next
connectivity revolution, all eyes are fixed on the goal of providing seamless 5G NR also gives non-terrestrial communication companies the opportunity to
coverage anywhere on the planet. 5G New Radio NTN is more than likely take advantage of the large-scale economies in the terrestrial industry to lower
to become the technology that will lead straight to an efficient and much- their cost of user equipment and service prices to more competitive levels.
desired fusion of terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks.

Much has been said and written about 5G New Radio (5G NR). However, the
A New Level Of Interoperability
information is often delivered in contradictory terms as numerous trade media and
industry analysts offer their differing opinions on this subject. This tends to muddy By unifying 5G standardization of non-terrestrial and terrestrial technology,
the waters and makes it far harder to understand what 5G NR actually is, how it the barrier between different satellite systems will be eliminated, allowing end
works, what advantages the technology brings to the table, and — perhaps most users to roam freely between the terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks of
importantly — how 5G NR will affect mobile communication in the future. various operators.

Understanding 5G NR This will be one of the biggest advantages of 5G NR standardization as it

becomes much easier for the terrestrial mobile communication industry to
work with satellite operators and other non-terrestrial vendors and provide
As most smartphone users are aware, the introduction of 5G gave access to strong end-to-end service management as all parties are operating on the
capabilities which were unheard of in earlier generations. But to reach the same 3GPP standard.
full potential of 5G mobile networks, a new radio-access technology known
as 5G NR has been specified by 3GPP, the standardization organization for The 3GPP 5G NR standardization will allow the non-terrestrial communication
mobile telecommunications. industry to reach mass markets due to higher interoperability. The benefit of this is a
huge increase in the number of potential customers and an opportunity to tap into a
5G NR defines how compatible devices, such as smartphones, IoT-devices and more developed, high-volume supply chain, saving development time and costs.
gateways, connect to 5G NR network infrastructure to transmit data wirelessly
and also introduces several, major improvements, such as:
Where is 5G NR Today?
Enhanced speed and capacity
5G NR deliver significantly faster data speeds and higher network Most terrestrial network operators currently focus on delivering 5G services to
capacity, enabling ultra-fast downloads, high resolution streaming, areas currently covered by older, cellular technologies. At the close of 2022,
and improved overall network performance. there were 229 commercial 5G terrestrial networks around the world, and the
unique capabilities of non-terrestrial networks can drastically expand their reach.
Lower latency This is the reason why there are now numerous public announcements related
With lower latency, 5G NR delivers near-instantaneous response times, to the development and testing of 5G services via non-terrestrial networks,
opening doors for real-time applications like autonomous vehicles, especially concerning these types of use cases:
remote surgery, and immersive augmented reality experiences.
Broadband internet
Improved reliability and coverage High-speed, low-latency mobile broadband internet via satellite
5G NR offer improved reliability, enabling mission-critical applications in remote and rural locations. This is typically accomplished by
that demand robust and uninterrupted connectivity. satellites beaming internet to a dish on the users’ roof, which then
passes the signal on to a Wi-Fi router.
New and innovative use cases
5G NR unlocks new possibilities for transformative use cases such Direct-to-smartphone
as smart cities, remote industrial automation, artificial intelligence The first 5G NR-compatible smartphones have already hit the
and augmented reality, revolutionizing industries, and empowering market, and in the coming years, many more will follow. As it is still
novel applications. early days simple services like emergency messaging are the first on
offer. But with the advance of 5G NR, new high-speed services will
most certainly be launched.

SatMagazine Page 42 September 2023

 However, just as 5G-technology in terrestrial network needs to evolve from As non-terrestrial networks will not provide the same capacity as terrestrial
the current roll-out state to the full potential of gigabit speeds and millisecond systems, they are likely to be viewed as complementary, rather than competing
latencies, non-terrestrial 5G-technology must also follow its own, evolutionary systems. This will undoubtedly lead many companies to join forces in the pursuit
path to complete integration. of mutual benefits.

Easier Said Than Done There are still technical challenges to overcome before seamless, non-terrestrial and
terrestrial network experiences can be achieved, but with the development of 3GPP
5G NR-compliant solutions, huge steps will be taken in the correct direction.
What may be simple to achieve in a terrestrial network can be extremely
complicated in a non-terrestrial network. For instance, how do you provide gatehousesatcom.com
direct-to-smartphone connectivity from a satellite constellation? This is a real
challenge due to factors such as access to spectrum, link budgets, high doppler
shifts, increase in latency due to interference from terrain, weather, and a range
of other factors known to disrupt wireless networks.
The efforts are worth the investment, as the value proposition of a 3GPP
standardized, 5G network is crystal clear: non-terrestrial networks can Thorleif Astrup Hallund has more than 25 years of experience
significantly strengthen the 5G experience, where terrestrial networks cannot — with product and business management in telecommunication
particularly regarding mobility and mission-critical communications. By doing companies and tech startups. Currently, he holds the position
so, non-terrestrial networks represent a golden opportunity to extend 5G service of Senior Business Development Director at Gatehouse
coverage of enormously large areas where traditional terrestrial networks have Satcom, spearheading business development with a particular
limited reach or cannot operate feasibly. focus on 5G products for non-terrestrial networks. Gatehouse
Satcom is a full member of 3GPP and actively contributing to

A Match Made In Heaven the standardization through extensive knowledge of satellite

communication. For further inquiries, please contact Thorleif
Astrup Hallund at: [email protected]
5G NR standardization is by far the most promising opportunity to create
new business models involving both the terrestrial and non-terrestrial
communications industries. Thorleif Astrup
Hallund

SatMagazine Page 43 September 2023

 Evolving Connectivity At Sea
Standardization and secure maritime-optimized solutions needed
Author: Kirstie Williams, Regional Head of Development, GTMaritime

Calls For Data Standardization

“Advances in digitalization and connectivity at
sea – and the resultant explosion of vessel data
– emphasize the need for standardisation, What is clear is that the growing number of software tools and connectivity
collaboration and secure maritime-optimized solutions on the market, and the resultant proliferation of data, amplify the need
solutions,” said Kirstie Williams, Regional for the data standardization that is currently missing from the maritime industry.
Head of Development, GTMaritime.
Although individual software providers generally use consistent data structures,
Advances in maritime digitalization and satellite in many cases, these are incompatible with those offered by other providers.
connectivity have brought the maritime industry
access to higher bandwidths than ever previously With a lack of common software infrastructure, not all systems can be integrated
available, allowing shipping companies to replicate and the same data is often transferred multiple times using different software
shoreside IT and software set-ups onboard their Kirstie Williams tools. The industry should, therefore, look to establish standards for the storage
vessels. The results are being seen in more consistent and exchange of data — a need that is becoming ever-more apparent as the
processes and streamlined IT management. variety of connectivity options and data transfer solutions available to shipping
companies increases.
This is providing shipowners with a great opportunity to invest in new and innovative
vessel management techniques. However, ensuring that the chosen connectivity One key to a solution will be the willingness to collaborate. Data sharing by
solution is fully optimized for ship operations requires attention to detail. shipowners is essential in order that software solutions evolve in ways that
support the soaring volumes of data being produced as well as a reliable,
Many of the new solutions now available to shipping have been designed based efficient and seamless ship-to-shore data transfer infrastructure.
on high bandwidth connections, while bandwidth on board is still typically much
lower than in shore-based operations centers. This means caution is advisable Ultimately, the industry requires software tools that are optimized for use at
to ensure that vessel infrastructure is not pushed toward or over its limits. Even sea, ensuring routine business tasks, such as email and file sharing, have
with the increasing bandwidth available to owners, those using conventional minimal impact on crew connectivity and other important bandwidth-dependent
office software tools on board, for example, need to remain mindful of potential services. Such solutions should also offer reliability, security, compatibility with
knock-on effects for other daily ship operations. other systems and the flexibility to work on any connection.

In addition, much of the new connectivity has been made possible by the launch
of new, Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites. While LEO constellations are widely
regarded as the solution to shipping’s bandwidth concerns, further research is
needed to determine LEO network cyber-security strength as well as levels of
service and the back-up options available when data is fully consumed.

SatMagazine Page 44 September 2023

 In that same way, shipping’s operational needs are increasingly demanding Reflecting GTMaritime’s holistic approach to vessel security, the company
seamless compatibility with different networks. GTMaritime’s market leading offers a range of end point protection solutions for vessels to provide scalable,
product — GTMailPlus — is a maritime-optimized, email service that facilitates intelligent, and strong protection without impacting productivity.
integration with popular office software suites, thereby allowing ship- and
shore-side personnel to use familiar tools while benefiting from stable, secure, Provided in partnership with Crowdstrike, customers receive an end point
bandwidth-efficient data transfers. detection and response (EDR) solution with AI based next generation anti-
virus. This includes the ability to isolate single devices to protect the rest of the
GTMailPlus is also compatible with any network type — whether LEO, GEO, network, different levels of firewall protection, a security operations centre and
Wi-Fi or LTE — to provide secure and efficient data transfers, regardless of the threat hunting, along with access to support 24/7 in the event of an incident.
service or combination of services the shipowner uses.
In addition, to address the increasingly pressing issue of vessel cyber security,
With Greater Connectivity Comes Greater Risk GTMailPlus also features an enterprise-grade security suite as a standard,
offering robust protection from threats that include zero-day attacks. This
comprises applications for Anti-Phishing, Antivirus, Spam Management and
Another vital consideration for shipowners looking to mirror their IT set-ups, is Advanced Threat Protection.
cybersecurity. Although the enhancement of interconnectivity between vessels
and shore-based operation centers is a largely positive development for the As maritime connectivity evolves, shipboard software tools are more advanced
maritime industry, this does entail risk. and prevalent, and maritime data becomes more abundant. Care must be taken
to ensure that shipping companies are equipped to seize the opportunities while
By unifying onboard and onshore software, shipping companies expose their mitigating for risk.
vessels to the same cyber threats as they face on land. As the volume of
data being transferred from ship to shore rises, so do the opportunities of Standardization, collaboration and secure, maritime-optimized solutions will
cyber-attack. be integral to ensuring that the full benefit of digitalization is accessible to all
industry stakeholders.
In the past six months, GTMaritime’s solutions have provided protection
against 1.7 million known viruses, prevented more than 90,000 malware www.gtmaritime.com
attacks that were unknown to standard antivirus services, and blocked over
5.3 million spam messages.

Against this background, shipowners require software tools that are not
only optimized for use at sea, but tools that provide protection of the data
and endpoints to ensure vessels are fully protected — without impacting on
business communications.

#APSCC2023

SatMagazine Page 45 September 2023

GTMaritime
Update

Phishing penetration test Half correctly identified the message as a phishing attempt
measures crew vigilance and ignored it, but half supplied the information asked for.
Of the latter group, in no case was the message escalated
to management for advice on how to proceed.
GTMaritime offers a penetration testing service free of
charge which allows customers to evaluate the ability of The 50-50 split certainly raised pulses at company
their personnel to identify phishing attacks headquarters, as the spoof email was written in poor
English and emanated from a mysteriously unnamed port
Hackers are constantly trying to come up with new ruses authority — both common traits that should ring alarm
to outwit software-based protections. For this reason, crew bells. To determine if the same result would be found if
cannot afford to become complacent in the belief that, with more detailed information was requested, a second test
a technological safety net in place, everything reaching was employed.
their inbox is trustworthy and can be taken at face value.
This time the message that supposedly came from a port
On the contrary, they must remain vigilant: the few malicious authority had a personalised subject line that mentioned
messages that do arrive will more likely resemble an the target vessel’s name and IMO number. There is
authentic request or employ advanced social-engineering mounting evidence of cyber criminals including references
techniques, which make them harder to recognize. to familiar people or organisations, adding a veneer of
authenticity that encourages the targeted recipient to lower
Quality ship operators understand this and take a holistic their guard. The rogue message then asked for a host of
approach to cyber defence. To supplement the work done sensitive particulars and security details, which if passed on
by technological tools such as GTMailPlus by GTMaritime, to pirates could jeopardise the safety of vessel and crew.
they routinely remind staff to stay alert and offer training on
what to look out for. The response showed a marked improvement over the first
test. Eight recipients immediately detected something was
However, it can be difficult to gauge exactly how well amiss and ignored the request. Encouragingly, three were
these measures are working or to identify areas that would suspicious enough to seek guidance from head office.
benefit from improvement. In the same way that cyber Although head office personnel were kept in the dark about
criminals are constantly refining their techniques, ship the test, they reacted correctly, advising vessels not to
operators too must continually adapt. send any data and also alerted the IT department.

GTMaritime includes a free phishing penetration test as Even so, five vessels still obligingly followed the
part of their service to customers. These realistic but instructions in the message without properly considering
ultimately harmless simulated attacks offer an effective way either the safety or commercial ramifications of sensitive
of gathering quantitative evidence on the alertness of the information falling into the wrong hands.
frontline staff most exposed to hoax emails.
Path to enhanced education and procedures
By revealing weaknesses in training provision, the free
service allows customers to pinpoint where educational Following the penetration tests GTMaritime supplied the
resources can be enhanced or redirected, knowledge gaps vessel operator with educational materials for both staff
plugged and awareness raised. and IT personnel. The operator took an enlightened view to
the results, seeing them as an opportunity to learn rather
Test results revealed weaknesses than apportion blame. It later shared the full findings in
a company-wide security bulletin in the hope that using
GTMaritime recently completed a two-round penetration real data rather than hypothetical scenarios to present the
test for an established shipping company. For the initial dangers would drive home the need for vigilance.
test the vessel operator sent to 16 of its captains a
spoof message appearing to come from a Port Authority GTMaritime believes that technological and human
requesting basic identifying information about the vessel components are equally important in developing cyber-
and its owner. resilience. While customers can rely on GTMartime to
handle the technical defences, the exercise described above
plainly demonstrates the usefulness of penetration testing in
bringing to light and addressing the human-element.

To take up the offer of a free Phishing Penetration Test

please contact [email protected]

SatMagazine Page 46 September 2023