SSGS 2026: The Global Satellite Ground Segment community takes centre stage
Strategies in Satellite Ground Segment (SSGS) 2026 returned to the Park Plaza London Victoria Hotel on 30 September – 1 October, bringing together the people, ideas and innovations driving the future of the satellite ground segment.
As the world’s only conference dedicated exclusively to the satellite ground segment, SSGS welcomed more than 200 delegates for two packed days of expert insight, lively debate and invaluable industry connections. Representatives from some of the sector’s most influential organisations attended, including Airbus, Amazon, ATCi, Azercosmos, Babcock, BT, Celestia, ETL Systems, Filtronic, GO Global Comms, ND SATCOM, Quvia, Skyloom, SES, SNL, Telespazio, TCG, VIAVI Solutions and ViaSat.
The conference opened with a keynote address from Dr Filippo Marchetti, Associate Professor of International Law and Technology at the University of Westminster, setting the scene for a programme focused on the opportunities, challenges and strategic decisions shaping this rapidly evolving industry.
Unpacking the Big Issues. Exploring the Next Big Opportunities
From next-generation ground infrastructure and satellite IoT to enterprise connectivity and Earth observation, SSGS 2026 tackled the issues that matter most to the industry today — and the technologies that will define its future.
The conference featured a compelling line-up of presentations, including:
From Infrastructure to Agility: Optimizing Ground Segment Costs for Next-Generation Services
Can Satellite IoT Take on the Terrestrial Cellular IoT Market and Win?
Above & Beyond: Satellite Services for Enterprise
Earth Observation Data Hub
These presentations offered fresh perspectives on market opportunities, evolving customer needs and the technologies enabling the next generation of satellite services.
Eleven Panel Discussions. One Industry Moving Forward
At the heart of SSGS 2026 was an extensive programme of panel discussions, bringing together leading experts from across the satellite ecosystem to challenge assumptions, share experience and debate the future direction of the sector.
Topics spanned the full breadth of the ground segment landscape, including:
Broadcast and Video: Satellite Still Leads
Satellite IoT: From Compliance to Commercialization — Unlocking Satellite IoT Value
Optical Communications: Breaking the Bandwidth Bottleneck — The Future Is Optical
Sovereign Infrastructure: Opportunity or Constraint for Teleports?
Government and Defence: Strategies and Planning
Government Operational Systems
Space Agencies: Managing Ground Segment for Mega Projects
Cybersecurity and Digital Infrastructure: Securing the Future with Cyber, AI and Cloud
5G/6G: Satellite’s Major Role in Transforming Network Services
Mobile Connectivity: Integrating Air, Land and Sea
Data Centres: Cloud, AI and Edge Computing
From the growing strategic importance of sovereign satellite infrastructure to the convergence of terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks, the discussions reflected an industry in the midst of significant technological and commercial transformation.
A Powerful Line-up of Industry Voices
SSGS 2026 brought together an impressive line-up of senior industry leaders, technical experts and policy specialists, representing the breadth and depth of the global satellite ecosystem.
Contributors included Shahida Barick, Defence & Space Advisor; Peter Lymn of the UK Ministry of Defence; Alexander Mueller-Gastell of ND SATCOM; Chris Dungate of Airbus; Kevin Dunne of ETL Systems; Lala Hasanzada of Azercosmos; Gerry Collins of SES; Michael Charitos of GSMA; Catherine Holt of the UK Space Agency; and Dr Ulpia-Elena Botezatu, Chair of UN COPUOS and Co-Chair of ATLAC.
Further perspectives came from experts representing organisations including VIAVI Solutions, Filtronic, Skyloom, Quvia, Celestia, Fraunhofer IIS, the BBC, Warner Bros. Discovery, GSOA, Amphinicy and the University of York.
Together, these speakers brought valuable insight to discussions spanning defence and government strategy, satellite IoT, optical communications, sovereign infrastructure, 5G/6G connectivity, broadcast distribution, cybersecurity and the growing role of cloud, AI and edge computing.
The result was two days of thought-provoking debate, knowledge-sharing and meaningful industry engagement — reinforcing SSGS as the essential meeting place for the global satellite ground segment community.
Together, these contributors brought a wealth of expertise and perspectives to the stage, helping delegates navigate the commercial, regulatory and technological forces reshaping the sector.
Celebrating Excellence: Announcing the SSGS 2026 Award Winners
Recognising the innovation, leadership and collaboration driving the satellite ground segment forward, the SSGS 2026 Awards celebrated the companies and individuals making a lasting impact on the industry.
Judged by an independent panel of experts from across the media, consultancy and analyst communities, the awards recognised outstanding achievements in technology, service delivery, scientific research and industry leadership. The winners were announced at a special awards ceremony on the evening of the conference’s opening day, bringing together the community to celebrate the people and organisations shaping the future of satellite communications.
Meet the SSGS 2026 Winners
Government Solution of the Year — ND SATCOM for its SKYWAN Technology
Recognising the transformative impact of SKYWAN technology in delivering secure, resilient and sovereign communications solutions for government applications.
Best Digital Innovation of the Year — Filtronic for its Digital Intermediate Frequency (DIFI) solution
Celebrating an innovative solution accelerating the transition from traditional analogue RF infrastructure to flexible, secure RF-over-IP connectivity, supporting the evolution of cloud-enabled satellite networks.
Operator of the Year — Azercosmos
Recognising outstanding satellite operator performance, with a commitment to seamless customer service and a compelling value proposition for clients.
Fostering Scientific Research — Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre
Honouring exceptional research initiatives that advance scientific understanding and help drive greater sustainability across the space sector.
Collaboration of the Year — Global Invacom / Satwave Arrays
Celebrating a groundbreaking partnership that has delivered a flat-panel antenna with motorised pan-and-tilt capability, enabling seamless switching between LEO, MEO and GEO satellite orbits without signal degradation.
Executive of the Year — Kevin Dunne, CEO, ETL Systems
Recognising exceptional leadership, strategic vision and business acumen, alongside a transformative contribution to the satellite ground segment industry.
Lifetime Achievement — Deepak Mathur, President, Media Vertical, SES
Honouring an outstanding career and significant contribution to expanding SES’s presence and reach across key markets.
Celebrating the People Shaping the Future
The SSGS 2026 Awards showcased the remarkable achievements driving progress across the satellite ground segment — from pioneering technologies and scientific research to industry-changing partnerships and visionary leadership.
Congratulations to all the winners for their achievements, innovation and contribution to the future of satellite communications.
