The last few years have been transformative ones for the satcom industry. There’s been a lot of change – and a lot of talk about the change to come. The industry is gradually making lasting transitions as it keeps pace with what has already happened in the telco sector and is carving out its niche in this hyper-connected world. There are many trends that we are watching at SIG and we’d like to take you through what’s at the top of our agenda for 2024 and we’ll provide you with some reading on each subject along the way. 

AI 

AI has become the poster child for all that is wrong with technology, but the scare stories do it a huge injustice. In fact, AI can be used in a plethora of use cases across the satcom industry and can be extremely effective. 

We’re seeing AI used in some very interesting ways from optimisation of satellite resources, the automation of antenna beamforming all the way through to rocket manufacturing and monitoring of satellite health. Our very own members are getting involved in AI. Atheras Analytics, has AI at the heart of its range of tools which help predict outages caused by weather events before they even happen.  Eviden, formerly Atos, has developed a Generative AI programme which helps to overcome challenges and harness the power of AI to elevate customer and employee experience, for software development and knowledge management. 

The industry is still on a learning curve with AI, but its potential in this industry is set to be significant. All of this, of course, will require huge volumes of data, something satellite communications have in abundance.

Read all about it: https://interactive.satellitetoday.com/trends-and-applications-of-ai-in-space/ 

Cloud Transition 

With the pace of change continuing unabashed across the satcoms industry, there is an ever-growing need for the ground segment, which has been lagging somewhat behind, to become more agile. In 2023 we saw the first real strides towards a more cloud-based ground infrastructure, as well as global collaboration to determine how the industry can effectively transition to the cloud. The cloud brings a number of key advantages that will be critical for the future of satellite, such as being highly scalable, resilient, flexible, and efficient. The industry is moving rapidly towards this cloud-based future, and we have to, because this is where our customers are heading. However, there are lots of aspects that need to fall into place first, though, not least the virtualisation of hardware and the embracing of automation and orchestration. 

Read all about it: https://www.nsr.com/satcom-mobility-takes-the-wheel-in-cloud-demand/ 

Interference 

Radio Frequency Interference has a hugely detrimental impact on satellite networks, often resulting in long times to resolve, and sometimes requiring sections of satellite capacity to be rendered unusable. While there was a large amount of momentum for finding the tools, processes, and techniques for combating it just a few years ago, it seems to have waned a little in recent years, only to see a renewed focus in the past few months. With large constellations in the process of launching and new ones in development, the effect on interference is again becoming a considerable concern. 

SIG is rooted in the question of interference and how to overcome it and we will continue renewed discussions on how we can continue to effectively address it through industry tools and industry collaboration. 

Read all about it: https://issuu.com/cpitrade/docs/satpro_september_2023/34

5G 

The introduction of ubiquitous, powerful 5G systems in C-band is hardly compatible with a safe operations of satellite services using the same frequencies. At the same time, C-band supports a variety of services, many critical, including critical aeronautical messaging networks, emergency response and disaster recovery efforts, tele-health, and tele-education, as well as TV broadcasting, free access to information, and cellular backhaul solutions, amongst many others. While in the US, the regulators have taken into account the role and importance of c-band satellite links and ensured a win-win approach for all involved, this is not the case across the rest of the globe. 5G has been proven to cause serious interference for C-band networks and in most cases there is simply no resolution.

This year, the discussion around 5G will continue to rumble on and we need to focus our efforts to identify how the industry can move forward to ensure a more cohesive approach to assigning frequencies, ensuring that 5G rollouts can continue without negatively impacting important satellite services.

Read all about it: https://satig.space/2022/08/04/5g-regulation/

Antennas 

A new generation of constellations requires a new generation of antennas, but many are far from ready to power these new networks and there is a lack of common guidelines relating to new antenna designs. With so much innovation and a rising need, is this about to change? At SIG, we believe that dialogue is needed between manufacturers and operators to help define what the minimum antenna requirements are.  Without this, the industry won’t be able to move forward effectively, stifling development as the antenna is the key to unlocking New Space capabilities. 

Read all about it: https://satig.space/2023/01/10/3-reasons-why-we-need-a-cohesive-approach-to-flat-panel-antennas/ 

Encouraging the Next Generation 

At SIG, we have made it part of our mission to attract and engage the next generation of satcoms engineers. This is particularly pertinent at the moment, as the industry battles with a shortage of engineers. At the same time, huge shifts in the satcoms industry means that the talent needed is different to what it was even just a few years ago, with much more focus on cloud and IT-like networks. Once considered exciting, satcoms is often missing out to other players and needs a reputation boost. We’ll be focusing on making this topic a key part of our workshops this year and we’ll be encouraging our members to engage with their local schools, colleges and universities to spark that interest at a young age. 

Read all about it: https://www.thegpstime.com/importance-of-education-in-satcoms-industry/ 

Space Situational Awareness 

As space continues to get more and more crowded, it is no surprise that Space Situational Awareness (SSA) seems to have risen up the agenda recently. We are seeing guidelines produced from various sources such as ESA, GSOA and the Secure World Foundation to help make space safer but is it too many and will it just lead to nothing being followed? As hundreds and eventually thousands of new satellites are slated for launch, we are faced with a huge problem that threatens our future in space. We need to make sure that the industry is talking in a cohesive way that offers clarity rather than confusion. 

https://satellitemarkets.com/news-analysis/regulation-answer-achieving-better-space-sitiational-awareness

If you’re a member, join us at our upcoming SIG events to find out more about these topics and raise your own. If you’re not a member, sign up to be part of this important forum. We welcome new members from throughout the satellite ecosystem. Come and be part of the dialogue in 2024 and help to celebrate the achievements and address the challenges of our incredible industry. Join here.