Welcome to Biz Briefs. Inmarsat orders three small GEO satellites, the European Commission approves Inmarsat’s merger with Viasat, Maritime Launch Services signs a multi-mission agreement, Fleet Space and GITAI raise funds, China and Europe eye commercial cargo services, and other industry news.

Welcome to Biz Briefs. In this edition, a consortium of European companies wins a contract for a satellite servicing mission, Vast announces plans to launch a private space station, UK regulators approve the Viasat-Inmarsat merger, bankrupt Virgin Orbit pushes back its bid deadline, Intuitive Machines delays its lunar mission, Virgin Galactic says it is going to continue powered flight tests later this month, and Spaceport America commissions a study for a new master plan.

While newer entrants – and future rivals – in the space race lead on excitement, US respondents most optimistic due to booming space tourism, private sector spending

LONDON (Inmarsat PR) — Investment in space in America shows no signs of slowing down, reaching almost $55 billion in government spending in 2021, with the private sector committing a further $23 billion in the US alone in the same year. Yet despite America’s long-time space supremacy, and ever-growing financial commitment, US citizens are not as enamoured by space as could be expected.

Research from Inmarsat found that just 1 in 10 US respondents are interested in working in the space sector, compared to 24% in India and 27% in Japan. Meanwhile, 39% are excited about what could happen in space, again fewer than in India (46%), which came out on top, and the UAE (43%).

IQ Technologies for Earth and Space GmbH (IQ spacecom) and Addvalue Solutions Pte Ltd (Addvalue) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the development and marketing of the recently announced Inmarsat ELERA based InCommand service.

BERLIN, Germany, Aug. 10, 2022 (Addvalue/IQ Technologies PR) — Addvalue is a Singapore-based company with extensive experience in providing communications solutions for terrestrial and aerospace applications, including the state-of-the-art Inter-satellite Data Relay (IDRS™) service for LEO satellites based on Inmarsat’s ELERA network. With its “always-on” and “schedule-free” connectivity, IDRS™ has demonstrated multi-year in-space reliability providing LEO satellite operators the ability to securely manage and task their LEO satellites in real time.

LOGAN, Utah, Aug. 9, 2022 (Loft Orbital PR) — Ground-breaking ‘Space Infrastructure As a Service’ provider Loft Orbital is partnering with LEO communication specialist Addvalue to offer rapid, secure and simplified access to space, enhanced by always available end-user access. As part of this partnership, Loft Orbital has procured multiple Inter-satellite Data Relay Systems (IDRS™).

The first Loft Orbital program to feature IDRS is YAM-6, which will launch in Q4 2023. IDRS provides Loft Orbital’s customers with constant connectivity to their missions, allowing them to benefit from real-time tasking, increased responsiveness, and highly secure data collection via Inmarsat’s exceptionally reliable ELERA L-band geostationary (GEO) satellite network, free from the limitations of earth station scheduling.

Loft Orbital makes space simple by flying customer missions as a service onboard its own standardized satellite platforms. By combining mass-manufactured commodity satellite buses from active production lines with its Hub, a universal interface for payload accommodation and operations, Loft Orbital provides customers with rapid and turnkey mission deployments.

Lack of awareness drives fear with Gen-Z more out of touch with the realities of space compared to ‘Space Age’ generation

Across all ages, 1 in 3 globally ‘excited’ about space, with 1 in 9 ‘terrified’, and 1 in 5 ‘nervous’; 97 per cent see space as a threat, with space junk and climate change main concerns

BRASÍLIA, Brazil (Inmarsat PR) — The world is largely unaware of key activities in space, with Gen-Z twice as likely to associate space with aliens, Star Wars and billionaires like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos than older generations, according to the largest representative survey of global consumer attitudes towards space¹, unveiled by Inmarsat, the world leader in global, mobile satellite communications.

Programme of action includes measures to minimise orbital collisions, reduce anti-satellite missile tests, adopt new technical standards, introduce kitemarks and to assess mega-constellations for economic benefits and sustainability commitments

LONDON (Inmarsat PR) — Inmarsat, the world leader in global, mobile satellite communications, has today issued a far-reaching report on sustainability in space calling on industry operators, national governments and regulators to take coordinated action to reduce space debris, enhance safety and better manage the expansion of mega constellations in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

CARLSBAD, Calif., June 21, 2022 (Viasat PR) — Viasat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global communications company, announced today that, at its Special Meeting of Stockholders, it received the necessary stockholder approvals for the proposed acquisition of Inmarsat. Viasat continues to expect the transaction to close in the second half of calendar year 2022, subject to the receipt of certain regulatory approvals and clearances and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions.

The combined company will create a leading global communications innovator with enhanced scale and scope to affordably, securely, and reliably connect the world. Viasat believes the strategic combination will increase the pace of innovation to help drive new and better services for customers, broaden opportunities for employees, and provide a foundation for significant positive free cash flow.

• Team comprising Inmarsat, Goonhilly, GMVNSL demonstrates platform for future sovereign UK Position, Navigation and Timing capability
• UK not part of Galileo satnav system, cannot use European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) safety of life (SOL) services since leaving European Union

LONDON (Inmarsat PR) — An Inmarsat-led team of companies in the UK, building on national expertise and prior experience within the group, has begun broadcasting a satellite navigation signal as part of a programme to explore the creation of a sovereign national capability in resilient positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) for the aviation and maritime sectors. The signal, being broadcast in coordination with the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Union Space Programme Agency (EUSPA), is now stable and operational, enabling on-going testing and validation by industry, regulators, and users.

“For space to support sustainability on Earth, there needs to be sustainability in space.  And, to be blunt, we are moving in the wrong direction here.” — Rajeev Suri, CEO Inmarsat

LONDON (Inmarsat PR) — Rajeev Suri, Chief Executive Officer of Inmarsat, the world leader in global, mobile satellite communications, issued a stark warning today that unmanaged space sector expansion could exacerbate environmental damage, stifle innovation and undermine the long-term capability of satellites to help combat climate change.

Addressing the Royal Aeronautical Society’s conference ‘Towards a Space Enabled Net Zero Earth’, Mr Suri focused attention on major factors threatening long-term environmental and economic sustainability.

The Inmarsat CEO told the conference: “Space is increasingly important for the creation of a sustainable world. While the role of new players – with new investment and innovations – is to be welcomed, space is too important an asset to be driven by short-term thinking. To protect our shared future, there must be a common approach and common rules that protect the space environment too.