Ground Segment Strategies: To Own or Rent Satellite Capacity? A Deep Dive

The question of whether satellite operators should own their ground segment infrastructure or rent capacity from third-party providers is a critical one, influencing cost, control, and flexibility. A recent panel discussion at the SmallSat Europe conference in Amsterdam shed light on this evolving landscape.

Noel Rimalovski from GH Partners moderated the insightful discussion, emphasizing the shift from traditional geostationary operators owning dedicated systems to a more diverse approach. The panel explored the role of Ground Segment, standards, and innovation in the sector.

Harek Gamst of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS highlighted the influence of politics, stating that governmental policies sometimes dictate whether ground systems are privately owned or state-controlled. This adds another layer of complexity to the decision-making process.

Ryan Conroy (Elve Speed) mentioned that external factors, such as tariff issues, have not significantly impacted Elve's business, indicating a resilience within the satellite communication sector. Elve specializes in millimeter wave amplifiers.

Paul Gouws (ETL Systems Ltd) pinpointed the growth drivers as the increasing demand for data and the emergence of new Q and V frequency bands. He stated that ETL Systems strives to be agnostic, supporting different waveforms and moving away from specific hardware. He also mentioned IRIS2 being on their radar.

Ron Faith (RBC Signals) noted increased spending by governments and growing interest from independent nations seeking their own systems. The need for Earth observation applications is driving operators to establish their own ground services. Faith also observed a trend of some operators restructuring, exemplified by Eutelsat's recent move to raise capital.

Ludovic Court (Leaf Space) noted a split in customer preferences, with some favoring owning their services and others opting for independent operators, especially considering the regulations and licensing challenges.

The panel unanimously agreed on the importance of standards in achieving higher throughput in an increasingly demanding world, reducing the number of choices a client must make. However, they were more cautious about the use of laser/optical transmitters due to weather challenges, cloud cover, costs of ground equipment, and the need for RF transmission back-up.

In conclusion, the decision to own or rent satellite capacity hinges on a variety of factors, including political considerations, financial strategies, regulatory constraints, and technological advancements. While standards continue to play a vital role in the industry, emerging technologies like laser/optical transmitters still face significant hurdles. What are your thoughts on the future of ground segment infrastructure? Leave your comments below.

• Ground Segment
• satellite
• SmallSat Europe