For over a decade, the world has watched in awe as autonomous vehicles (AVs) evolved from science fiction to a tangible reality. Startups have promised a driverless utopia, legacy automakers have retrofitted their fleets with sensors and AI, and regulatory frameworks are beginning to take shape. Yet, despite billions invested in LiDAR arrays and neural nets, one immutable truth is becoming clear: no matter how intelligent a vehicle may be, it cannot operate safely in a vacuum. The road to zero fatalities does not begin with the car. It begins with the network.

Throughout the Russia-Ukraine conflict many nations have recalibrated their military strategy and defence planning, to not only aid Ukraine, but better prepare them for the new aspects of high-intensity global warfare. The future of military evolution is set to be defined by AI, quantum computing, and automation, these technologies are already reshaping tactical outcomes and will determine which nation can handle prolonged war.

In theory, the use of intersatellite links reduces the number of required ground stations. Consequently, many satellite operators are looking to shift to the ISL model. However, while the ISL model does deliver benefits in certain situations, it definitely doesn’t spell the end for the ground infrastructure.

When I first started working in satellite mission design, the scenario was simple: one satellite, one mission. Each spacecraft carried everything it needed; sensors, radios, power – onboard. But times have changed.

Is there enough consideration being placed on the ground segment, or is there a risk that an inadequate ground segment could end up stifling the LEO juggernaut?

Securing funding in the satellite and space sector has become increasingly difficult. Space Leasing International (SLI) offers a proven leasing model that enables companies to lease assets on a monthly basis rather than purchasing them upfront. We spoke with Praveen Vetrivel, SLI’s CEO, to find out more about how this approach frees up capital to support innovation.

While the rapid adoption of advanced technologies such as AI, ML, quantum-resistant cryptography, edge computing, satellite communications and IoT has driven today’s hyper-connected world, it has also redefined the risks associated with cyber threats.

With Low Earth Orbit (LEO) becoming increasingly crowded, satellite operators, space agencies and aerospace companies are facing rising threats from orbital debris. With in excess of 10,000 active satellites in space, alongside an ever-accumulating amount of debris, the risk of collisions is escalating. Even small particles – no larger than a grain of sand – pose a serious threat to billion-dollar missions, global connectivity, astronaut safety, and the long-term sustainability of space operations.

Satellite communications are an essential part of modern life, enabling everything from global internet access to weather forecasting and military operations. However, with the rapid increase in satellite and other deployments, managing the ever-growing volume of space traffic is proving to be a challenge.

Satellite operators are under pressure. The market environment is rapidly changing, and satellite-based networks are increasingly complex. What’s more, end users are demanding the easiest possible access to critical communication services at the lowest possible price. neXat’s answer to these challenges is a unique virtualized OSS-BSS platform that offers multiple operational and business support systems as well as facilitated access to new and better services. We spoke with neXat’s Chief Technology Officer and co-founder, Fulvio Sansone, to find out more about the innovative platform that defines the company as a satellite technology provider.

It is not hard to imagine a near future in which our urban landscapes are crisscrossed with flying taxis and swarms of drones delivering everything from parcels to critical medical supplies. This is not science fiction but a reality fast approaching us. At the heart of this transformation lies one essential, yet rarely mentioned, requirement: the need for ubiquitous connectivity.

China is pouring money into the technology that will define the winner of the next space race. One such technology is advanced materials: the metals, coatings, and composites that make spaceflight possible. Lightweight alloys, radiation-proof shields, heat-resistant ceramics – without these, we can forget going to the Moon, forget going to Mars, forget even getting a rocket to leave the ground.