Multiple key trends will affect the defense sector in 2024, ranging from changes in defense budgets and the proliferation of swarm drones, to the two-pronged threat of ongoing worldwide conflict and cybersecurity.

Relativity Space has experienced a meteoric rise since its founding in 2016. Last March the company launched the world’s first 3D printed rocket, and while it didn’t reach orbit due to a stage-two anomaly, its creation gave Relativity a mighty jump-start on the development of a much larger reusable rocket—Terran R. We talked with Josh Brost, the company’s Senior Vice President of Revenue Operations about Relativity’s remarkable journey and its ultimate destination.

ST Engineering iDirect has been an industry leader for a long time and now the company is entering a new era where the goal is to revolutionize the ground and deliver a virtualized cloud-based network unfettered by the limitations of bespoke hardware and finite capacity. We spoke with Don Claussen, the company’s CEO, to find out what’s next.

From today’s needs to tomorrow’s, digital ground systems lay the path that will leverage AI, Multi-Cloud, 5G networks and more.

The war in Sudan, the invasion of Ukraine, the conflict in the Middle East – in 2023, violent struggle around the world has thrown the need for defense into sharp relief. For the ancients, it was, “if you want peace, prepare for war”.

This year may be another landmark year for satellites, especially in low Earth orbit (LEO). Satellite communications, or SATCOM, may see its biggest comeback this year. Developments in this sector have been quickening – and catching the attention and imagination of non-specialists.

Benchmark Space Systems has evolved from developing propulsion systems for cube sats to providing sophisticated hardware, software, and operational expertise enabling precise mobility in space. We talked to Ryan McDevitt, Benchmark’s Founder and CEO to find out more about the company’s remarkable technology.

More than a billion people — about a fifth of the world’s population — live in areas with no mobile phone service. Even in highly developed countries like the United States, hundreds of well-traveled rural areas have no cell coverage. There’s a good reason for this: it costs too much to build cell towers in out-of-the way places to serve just a few customers.

With the era of the spacefaring economy upon us, the evolution of satellites has the potential to make life better for everyone on Earth and in space. Satellites are already aiding in the conservation of Earth’s resources. The application of automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and edge computing will exponentially improve the utility and efficiency of satellites.

Delivering high-quality, accessible bandwidth to individuals living in remote locations with challenging terrain is a daunting proposition, particularly in the “Ring of Fire” which includes Indonesia and the Philippines. Fulfilling that need at the affordable price points defined by UNESCO and ITU presents even more of a challenge. Kacific Broadband Satellite Group and Kratos share the story of how they were able to accomplish those goals and potentially improve the lives of more than 600 million people across 25
countries in the Asia Pacific region.

Electronic warfare threats are not only increasing in number, but they are also increasing in terms of sophistication. The only way to stay a step ahead of the enemy is to make sure your satellite modem can stand up to myriad cyber and EW threats while withstanding the rigors of the tactical edge. Karl Fuchs, Senior Vice President of iDirect Government, explains how his company is combining technological acumen and a wealth of experience to enable secure MilSatCom, even in the heat of battle.

Satellite Network Operators struggle to meet demand for new and growing services such as UAVs, direct-to-device, ISR and IoT, yet there are opportunities to significantly increase capacity with the right technology.