News Analysis

Melville, N.Y., Dec. 6, 2018 — Comtech Telecommunications Corp. (NASDAQ: CMTL) today reported its operating results for the first fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2018 and updated its fiscal 2019 guidance.Comtech said net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2019 were US$ 160.8 million as compared to the US$ 121.6 million achieved during the first quarter of fiscal 2018. It also recorded bookings during the first quarter of fiscal 2019 worth $157.4 million, with a company-wide book-to-bill ratio (a measure defined as bookings divided by net sales) of 0.98. The company said backlog as of October 31, 2018 reflects a near record high of US$ 627.3 million.

by Robert Bell

New York, NY, December 5, 2018--Professional basketball great Koby Bryant once said “Everything negative – pressure, challenges – is all an opportunity for me to rise.” That is the story of 2018 for the global teleport industry.  It has been navigating a period of unprecedented change in market demands, applications, pricing, costs and investment needs – and it has been creating opportunities for a new wave of growth in the process.  Or as comic legend Milton Berle put it, “If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.”

by Peter I. Galace, Associate Editor

Manila, Philippines, December 5, 2018--Fueled by a surge in global satellite transponder demand that is expected to reach US$ 28.65 billion by 2026, the Asia Pacific satellite industry, propped up by a projected 5.6% regional economic growth in 2018 and 2019, continues to be on the roll.  Today, there is a rush for High Throughput Satellite (HTS) with the opening of new opportunities and capabilities in numerous vertical markets across the region to fulfil the growing connectivity demands well into the future.

Guiana Space Center, French Guiana, Dec. 4, 2018 — Arianespace successfully orbited today two satellites: GSAT-11 for ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation), and GEO-KOMPSAT-2A for KARI (Korea Aerospace Research Institute). With this mission dedicated to space applications for telecommunications and meteorology, Arianespace said it once again contributes to the improvement of life on Earth.

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., Dec. 3, 2018 — SpaceX successfully launched today SmallSat Express to a low Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Air Force Base. Carrying 64 payloads, this mission represented the largest single rideshare mission from a U.S.-based launch vehicle to date. A series of six deployments occurred approximately 13 to 43 minutes after liftoff, after which Spaceflight began to command its own deployment sequences. Spaceflight’s deployments are expected to occur over a period of six hours.

Farmington, Connecticut, Dec. 3, 2018 — United Technologies has announced the completion of its acquisition of Rockwell Collins and the company's intention to separate its commercial businesses, Otis and Carrier (formerly CCS), into independent entities.

The December 2018  Year-end issue of  the Satellite Executive Briefing magazine  focusing on a Year-end review of the top stories and key trends in the global satellite industry  sponsored by The Spaceconnection Featuring:

EMEA Satellite Market Update by Elisabeth Tweedie

Asia-Pacific Satellite Market Update by Peter Galace

Latin American Satellite Market Update by Bernardo Schneiderman

Welcome to the Smallsats Satellite-IoT Express by Hub Urlings

An Opportunity to Rise by Robert Bell

INTERBEE 2018 Show Report by Naoakira Kamiya

PLUS Mergers and Aquisitions, Executive Moves, Market Briefs  and many more. Click here to read or download the file

Munich, Germany, November 27, 2018 — Rohde & Schwarz has acquired Pixel Power Limited, a Cambridge, UK- based company, which offers innovative graphics, master control and integrated playout systems for broadcasters and playout facilities. These systems enable dynamic content to be delivered more efficiently for linear TV, mobile, online and OTT/VOD.

Cape Town, South Africa, November 13, 2018—Advantech Satellite Networks, an established vendor and global market leader of broadband satellite communications systems announced here at the Africacom Conference and Exhibition that it will now be doing business as Spacebridge Inc.

Chicago, Il., Nov. 9, 2018 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Safran [EPA: SAF] have received regulatory approvals for a joint venture so they can begin designing, building and servicing aircraft Auxiliary Power Units (APUs)—onboard engines that are primarily used to start the main engines and power aircraft systems while on the ground and, if necessary, in flight. The companies also named Etienne Boisseau as Chief Executive Officer of the joint venture.