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.

Regulators from across the globe are having to change the way they operate to keep up with the ongoing evolution of the industry. Skillful licensing and regulatory initiatives are now being devised to align with the rapid changes and are likely to form the benchmark for other markets and regions in the future.

Launch of the Norwegian NorSat-TD technology demonstration microsatellite earlier this year marked the latest success in an extraordinary space program that has delivered some of the most significant advancements in maritime navigation and vessel safety since the advent of GPS. The program was the first in Norway to receive Automatic Identification System (AIS) signals from ships at sea by a satellite in orbit, thereby dramatically enhancing marine situational awareness over a wide area.

In this era of unprecedented technological advancements, the digital divide between those who have access to this bright new world and those for whom it is still lacking, is impeding overall global progress. Telenor Satellite, the leading European provider of satellite broadcast and VSAT data communications is working to aid growth and development in remote communities by making online services accessible.

In recent years, access to the internet has become a crucial contributor to the progression of modern societies. Finance and commerce have shifted online, and mobile apps are being used as primary means of communication. Remote working has become a core way doing business, while internet usage within emergency and healthcare systems is significantly reducing mortality rates. However, in some parts of the world, access to the internet is not always easy to obtain.