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16 Sep 22. Viasat & Inmarsat Receive UK Government Approval for Proposed Combination Under National Security & Investment Act. UK government determines transaction poses no risk to UK’s national security.
Viasat Inc., (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global communications company, and Inmarsat, a leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services, today announced the receipt of approval of the proposed combination of their businesses by the UK Government under the National Security & Investment Act.
The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has announced that the transaction does not pose a risk to the UK’s national security.
In March 2022, the companies committed to economic undertakings with BEIS, which underlined their pledge to strengthen and advance the UK’s National Space Strategy. The economic undertakings include an expansion in the number of highly skilled jobs in key areas and a 30% increase in overall research and development spending in the UK.
Mark Dankberg, Executive Chairman and CEO of Viasat, said: “The combination of Viasat and Inmarsat creates a leading global communications innovator with enhanced scale and scope to affordably, securely and reliably connect the world. The UK Government’s clearance of Viasat’s proposed acquisition of Inmarsat under the National Security and Investment Act is another important step forward on the road to closing the deal, and we would like to thank the UK Government for their close collaboration throughout the process.
“Viasat has been a trusted partner of the UK’s defence and national security communities for more than a decade, including in the provision of its market-leading encryption products. The combined company, whose global international business headquarters will be situated in the UK, will build upon the strong UK relationships that Viasat and Inmarsat already enjoy and allow us to deepen our contribution to the UK’s National Space Strategy.”
Rajeev Suri, Inmarsat CEO, added: “Inmarsat is proud of our decades of close work with the UK government. Today’s approval brings us closer to delivering the new jobs and investment to the UK that have been committed by both Inmarsat and Viasat. Together, we will be well-positioned to compete in a robust market that has both well-funded new entrants and other industry players in the process of consolidating.”
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to the safe harbors created under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements include statements that refer to the undertakings with the UK Government’s Department for BEIS as part of the proposed combination of Viasat and Inmarsat, and the features and benefits of such combination. Readers are cautioned that actual results could differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include: risks and uncertainties related to the transaction, including the failure to obtain, or delays in obtaining, required regulatory approvals or clearances; the risk that any such approval may result in the imposition of conditions that could adversely affect Viasat, the combined company or the expected benefits of the transaction; the failure to satisfy any of the closing conditions to the transaction on a timely basis or at all; any adverse impact on the business of Viasat or Inmarsat as a result of uncertainty surrounding the transaction; the nature, cost and outcome of any legal proceedings related to the transaction; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the definitive agreement for the transaction, including in circumstances requiring Viasat to pay a termination fee; the risk that Viasat’s stock price may decline significantly if the transaction is not consummated; the failure to obtain the necessary debt financing arrangements set forth in the commitment letters received in connection with the transaction; risks that the transaction disrupts current plans and operations or diverts management’s attention from its ongoing business; the effect of the announcement of the transaction on the ability of Viasat to retain and hire key personnel and maintain relationships with its customers, suppliers and others with whom it does business; the ability of Viasat to successfully integrate Inmarsat operations, technologies and employees; the ability to realize anticipated benefits and synergies of the transaction, including the expectation of enhancements to Viasat’s products and services, greater revenue or growth opportunities, operating efficiencies and cost savings; the ability to ensure continued performance and market growth of the combined company’s business; changes in the global business environment and economic conditions; the availability and cost of credit; risks associated with the construction, launch and operation of satellites, including the effect of any anomaly, operational failure or degradation in satellite performance; Viasat’s or the combined company’s ability to successfully develop, introduce and sell new technologies, products and services; changes in relationships with key customers, suppliers, distributors, resellers and others as a result of the transaction or otherwise; Viasat’s and Inmarsat’s reliance on a limited number of third parties to manufacture and supply their respective products; the risk of litigation or regulatory actions to Viasat and/or Inmarsat; inability to retain key personnel; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Viasat’s or Inmarsat’s business, suppliers, consumers, customers, and employees or the overall economy; Viasat’s and the combined company’s level of indebtedness and ability to comply with applicable debt covenants; and other factors affecting the communications industry generally. In addition, please refer to the risk factors contained in Viasat’s SEC filings available at www.sec.gov, including Viasat’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and the definitive proxy statement filed in connection with the transaction, and such reports that are subsequently filed with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. Viasat undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements for any reason.
About Viasat
Viasat is a global communications company that believes everyone and everything in the world can be connected. For over 35 years, Viasat has helped shape how consumers, businesses, governments and militaries around the world communicate. Today, the Company is developing the ultimate global communications network to power high-quality, secure, affordable, fast connections to impact people’s lives anywhere they are—on the ground, in the air or at sea. To learn more about Viasat, visit: www.viasat.com, go to Viasat’s Corporate Blog, or follow the Company on social media at: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter or YouTube.
About Inmarsat
Inmarsat delivers world leading, innovative, advanced and exceptionally reliable global, mobile communications across the world – in the air, at sea and on land – that are enabling a new generation of commercial, government and mission-critical services. Inmarsat is powering the digitalisation of the maritime industry, making operations more efficient and safer than ever before. It is driving a new era of inflight passenger services for aviation, while ensuring that aircraft can fly with maximum efficiency and safety. Furthermore, Inmarsat is enabling the rapid expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT) and enabling the next wave of world-changing technologies that will underpin the connected society and help build a sustainable future. And now Inmarsat is developing the first-of-its-kind, multi-dimensional communications network of the future, ORCHESTRA. In November 2021, Inmarsat and Viasat announced the planned combination of the two companies, to create a new leader in global communications. The deal is scheduled to close in the second half of 2022.
07 Sep 22. New Space Sector Outlook published to mark Space-Comm Expo. A new Space Sector Outlook published today provides an overview of the space sector in the UK and its growing contribution to UK prosperity.
The outlook has been produced by ADS (the UK trade association for aerospace, defence, security, and space organisations), with input from UKspace and support from the UK Space Agency.
The outlook highlights that in 2021, the UK space sector’s contribution to the United Kingdom was:
• £16.5bn in turnover
• £5.3bn in exports
• £6.9bn in value add
• 47,000 direct employees
• 2,300 apprentices
As well as capturing the space sector’s contribution to the United Kingdom, the outlook identifies new business opportunities for 2022 and beyond which include: in-orbit servicing and manufacturing, earth observation, and UK launch. We also highlight the most important policy priorities for the sector, noting several key government strategies launched in the last two years including the National Space Strategy and its ten-point plan, the UK Defence Space Strategy and the Government’s plan for Space Sustainability.
The outlook shows how ADS, UKspace, and industry are working with government stakeholders to represent the views of members and ensure space remains a key strategic focus for the UK and the exciting strategies launched over the last two years are implemented to fully utilise and leverage the UK’s innovative capabilities.
Commenting on the outlook, ADS Chief Executive, Kevin Craven said: “The UK’s space sector continues to flourish with many exciting opportunities for UK businesses. The UK is recognised as a world-leader in the space arena consistently using its space capabilities to improve everyday lives and better understand our planet. Working collaboratively with UKspace and the UK Space Agency, the 2022 Space Sector Outlook captures not only the important contribution of the UK, but also its strengths and opportunities as it continues to develop. ADS looks forward to working with government stakeholders and industry partners to ensure space remains a key strategic focus of the UK.”
UKspace Chair, John Hanley said: “UKspace was pleased to work with ADS to produce this outlook report which clearly demonstrates the vibrancy of the UK space sector, and covers some of the significant priority business opportunities spanning In-Orbit Servicing and Manufacturing, Earth Observation and Launch, supported by a policy landscape that should facilitate further growth around the entire United Kingdom. As an organisation, UKspace is working closely with all our members, as well as with stakeholders in government and academia, to ensure the whole sector’s value is recognised and invested in, allowing further strengthening of our position as a global leader in space.”
07 Sep 22. BAE Systems is set to launch its first multi-sensor satellite cluster into low Earth orbit in 2024 to deliver high-quality information and intelligence in real time from space to military customers. Known as AzaleaTM, the group of satellites will use a range of sensors to collect visual, radar and radio frequency (RF) data, which will be analysed by on board machine learning on edge processors to deliver the resulting intelligence securely, anywhere in the world while still in orbit.
Following the acquisition of In-Space Missions last year, BAE Systems is one of a small number of British companies with the capability to design, build, launch and operate satellites. The expertise brought by In-Space Missions complements the Company’s existing advanced technologies and will become an integral part of its multi-domain capability. AzaleaTM will also boost the UK’s ability to understand the threats and hazards in, from and through space.
The AzaleaTM cluster will deliver timely, actionable intelligence, essential for military operations and disaster response. Comprising four highly resilient satellites which, together, are capable of gathering, analysing and communicating Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), optical and RF signals. Unlike conventional, single-purpose satellites, the cluster can be fully reconfigured whilst in orbit in the same way a smartphone installs a new app; this ensures it can deliver future customer missions and expands the lifecycle of the satellites.
The programme supports the UK Government’s Defence Space Strategy, published earlier this year, which named Earth observation as a priority area to help protect and defend UK interests, a sovereign capability which AzaleaTM could provide.
BAE Systems is working with Finnish firm, ICEYE, to combine its own expertise in sensor technology with ICEYE’s advanced SAR technology to be included in the cluster. SAR provides high-resolution imagery of the Earth’s surface, day or night and in any weather conditions. This persistent monitoring makes it easier to detect instant physical changes, such as the movement of hostile ships or aircraft or the location of people at risk during natural disasters, such as floods and forest fires.
Existing space-based sensors require multiple terabytes of data to be transferred to Earth before being processed and distributed. The traditional transfer process can take many hours and is reliant on intermittent RF links and the availability of suitable ground stations. The AzaleaTM system saves valuable time by combining and analysing data in space. It will be able to identify activities of interest and directly communicate with users on the ground within moments of detection – securely delivering assured data, in a useful timeframe, directly to the hands of decision makers.
Dave Armstrong, Group Managing Director of BAE Systems’ Digital Intelligence business said: “The AzaleaTM satellite cluster will process data in space to provide swathes of digital intelligence wherever it’s needed. We understand how important space-based intelligence is to every domain, whether that’s informing strategic command, alerting an in area warship, or providing real-time intelligence to forces on the ground. The launch of AzaleaTM in 2024 will be a major step forward for the UK’s sovereign space capability.”
Rafal Modrzewski, CEO and Co-founder of ICEYE, added: “ICEYE helps to solve problems using data. There is a clear advantage for governments and organisations to receive accurate information when they need it, regardless of weather conditions – this is what ICEYE brings. By combining our SAR technology with the security expertise of BAE Systems and the other data sources in the cluster, we can help decision makers make the right choice at the right time.”
Doug Liddle, Chief Executive and co-founder of In-Space Missions, said: “We’re working together to create a step-change in military intelligence and capabilities. Our technology will monitor adversaries, but will also provide substantial civil benefits by helping humanitarian response missions.”
07 Sep 22. UK built Prometheus 2 imaging and monitoring cubesats on track for UK launch. Airbus jointly designed Prometheus 2 cubesats in final environmental and vibration testing ready for Cornwall launch.
The Prometheus 2 satellites, which have been jointly designed by Airbus and In-Space Missions, are on track for their UK launch from Newquay, Cornwall, later this year with environmental testing complete and vibration testing ongoing.
The Prometheus 2 cubesats are owned by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) on behalf of the Ministry of Defence (MOD). They have been co-funded by Airbus Defence and Space with In-Space Missions Ltd leading the construction.
The two cereal box sized Prometheus-2 cubesats will operate in low Earth orbit, at around 550km and will provide a test platform for sophisticated imaging, and monitoring radio signals including GPS. The satellites will support MOD science and technology (S&T) activities both in orbit and on the ground through the development of ground systems focussed at Dstl’s site near Portsmouth. The cubesats will each have separate equipment installed to test future concepts in support of the MOD’s ISTARI programme for future space-based intelligence and surveillance. The Airbus payloads will support company internal R&D projects targeted at future LEO operations, ISR mission concepts as well as external third party customer R&D needs.
Richard Franklin, Managing Director of Airbus Defence and Space UK said: “Achieving this crucial milestone further demonstrates the value of government and Airbus collaborative investments working alongside SMEs to achieve fast results in orbit and also to help support and develop the UK space industry ecosystem. Engineering the first UK launched small satellites, designed and built in the UK, is a great achievement for all those involved in this successful collaboration and builds on the success of the Prometheus 1 payload launched last year.”
Incorporating modern Software Defined Radio technology, these payloads will also enable third-party organisations to use the Prometheus 2 constellation to research signal gathering, inter-satellite communication, in-orbit data processing, space domain awareness and position, navigation and timing or geolocation capabilities. Access to this research capability will be available through Airbus Defence and Space Ltd. The satellites are research demonstrators and will not be used in defence intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations.
The lessons learnt from this mission will be used to de-risk key technologies, generate the next wave of collaborative experiments, enhance international partnerships and support Dstl’s own satellite operations.
Prometheus 2 is set to launch on Virgin Orbit’s Cosmic Girl, an adapted Boeing 747, later this year and is scheduled to operate for three years.
07 Sep 22. BAE Systems muscles in on satellite space with defence cluster. British aerospace and defence giant BAE Systems is set to unveil a satellite cluster later today.
The cluster, made up of four satellites, will be focused on earth observation, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and be rented out to businesses and allied governments alike.
Much like the smartphone, the satellites will be able to download different applications, such as alternative sensing and camera abilities, which are requested by the customer.
BAE System’s new satellite plans, which form part of its Azealia program, follows the acquisition of British satellite manufacturer In-Space last year and is the “culmination” of the firm’s expertise in security, head of space strategy Liz Steward told City A.M.
“A key part of the UK’s defence space strategy is to have a national earth observation capability so that’s definitely where our focus is. Supporting the UK customer,” she added. “Countries around the world are all stepping up their space commands. That’s really the driving force behind what we’re doing.
“The idea is with one cluster you cover the whole Earth every few days but if a customer wanted it to be much quicker than that we would be able to launch more clusters,” she explained, adding that with over 100 clusters of four satellites, customers could cover the entire Earth in just 15-minutes.
The London-listed defence firm has been leveraging space within its digital intelligence division.
“We’re talking to lots of potential customers but at the moment they’re still potentials,” Steward continued.
BAE Systems are currently finalising the design phase, and will start production in the UK and Iceland in 2024, with plans to launch that same year.
Liz added that the cluster will probably be launched in the US on a SpaceX rideshare, “but future missions certainly could launch form the UK if the UK’s vertical launch rockets develop as we hope they will.”
(Source: Google/CITY AM)
06 Sep 22. Scotland’s space sector set to become greenest on Earth. Ambitious plans unveiled to reduce sector’s environmental impact with publication of new Scottish Space Sustainability Roadmap
Scotland’s space sector today declares its commitment to reducing its impact on the environment through the publication of a new sustainable space roadmap, the first of its kind on Earth.
The new roadmap sets out the steps needed to achieve the long term goals of Scottish space missions, which are to be space debris neutral, zero emissions created from on-the-ground activities, and for Scotland to gain global recognition as a leader in sustainable space.
National and international expert interviews, in-depth study into other sustainability initiatives and consultation with the space industry informed the roadmap contents, which addresses areas such as the environmental impacts of building, fuelling, and launching satellites, as well as the importance of promoting satellite data for environmental monitoring.
Business Minister Ivan McKee said: “Scotland’s space industry has enormous growth potential and is rightly recognised as a key new market opportunity within the Scottish Government’s National Strategy for Economic Transformation. Last year, the Scottish Government and partners set out our collective ambition for Scotland to become Europe’s leading space nation, taking a £4 bn share of the global space market and creating 20,000 jobs by 2030.
“The Scottish Government recognises the key role of space in the global fight against climate change. The Scottish space sector shares this collective responsibility and is already innovating through the use of greener fuels, lightweight materials, smart design and reusability. The Scottish Space Sustainability Roadmap is the next step in helping the sector reach net zero by 2045 and in setting an example for other nations.
“These are exactly the kind of actions necessary to help boost productivity, create sustainable jobs and position Scotland in the vanguard of responsible users of space across every part of the industry.”
Developed in collaboration with Space Scotland’s Environmental Task Force and funded by Scottish Enterprise, the roadmap has been produced by space strategy firm AstroAgency in partnership with Glasgow-based Optimat.
Jane Martin, managing director at Scottish Enterprise, said: “It’s almost a year since Glasgow hosted COP26, where world leaders gathered to address climate change and the global action needed. This roadmap represents another historic moment in our journey towards net zero and is further proof of Scotland’s commitment to take positive environmental action.
“By working together industry, academia and the public sector can find solutions to the worldwide challenge of making space more sustainable, helping to protect the Earth and space for future generations.”
Kristina Tamane, Space Sector Business Development Lead at University of Edinburgh and Environmental Task Force Co-Chair, said: “The work behind this roadmap is unique because it is centred in action and leading the way globally in terms of sustainability of the whole space sector.
“Key colleagues across the UK, enabled by the Environmental Task Force, will proactively and consistently build a space sector that is sustainability focussed by design – working collaboratively and internationally to achieve this ambitious goal. This is a truly historic document which I am positive will lead to an environmentally conscious space sector development, led by Scotland.”
As one of the early actions identified in the roadmap, Scottish Enterprise, together with partners Scottish Government and The Data Lab, has launched a £300,000 innovation challenge to fund innovative solutions using space data to aid Scotland’s transition to net zero. Successful applications will secure funding of between £20,000 and £30,000 with the fund closing for applications on 26 September 2022.
Dr Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, said: “Scotland is a vital part of the UK’s growing space sector, which employs 47,000 people and generates an annual income of £16.5 bn. We welcome the new sustainable space roadmap, which is a strong statement of intent to reduce environmental impact.
“The UK is taking a global lead on space sustainability. We’re developing new missions and capabilities to improve how we track objects in orbit and accelerate technologies such as active debris removal, while setting new standards and working closely with international partners to keep space open for future generations.
“We’re also backing missions to help monitor and tackle climate change, such as the UK-built Biomass satellite, which will measure carbon stored by the world’s forests, and the new FORUM mission, which will provide unique measurements of our planet’s infra-red energy to improve our understanding of our climate.”
Scotland’s ambitious space sector is identified by the Scottish Government and its enterprise agencies as a key opportunity for future economic growth. The Scottish Space Strategy, published last October, aims to create 20,000 jobs and secure a £4bn share of the global space market.
With this growth comes an accompanying responsibility to mitigate the environmental impacts of the space sector, and in 2019 industry group, Space Scotland, established an Environmental Task Force working group, comprising around 20 representatives from the space sector, to better understand the true impact of the space industry on both Earth and Low Earth orbit.
Last year the Environmental Task Force ran an initiative to gather environmental challenges for space to solve from schools, environmental groups and government agencies. The initiative led to an online showcase of how space could contribute to net zero ambitions
Today’s roadmap announcement comes ahead of two major industry events, Space Comm in the UK and International Astronautical Congress in France where a deep dive of the roadmap will be presented to an international audience. Space Scotland will be looking to energise the debate and collaborate, with the support and endorsement of the UK Space Agency, to engage with international partners and leaders to ensure sustainability is at the forefront of growth.
Scotland has a space industry estimated to generate £880M GVA for the Scottish economy in 2017/18 with a sustained annual growth rate of 12% Scotland has seen an increase in employment of almost 10% since 2016
Scotland’s space sector covers a wide range of specialisms, from satellite and rocket manufacturers to launch facilities and research and data analysis.
The number of space businesses in Scotland has increased by more than 65% since 2016 and the sector proportionately employs over twice as many people in Scotland as the rest of the UK.
08 Sep 22. Europe’s Tallest Ever Communications Satellite Launched. The fourth Spacebus Neo satellite to benefit from ESA’s Neosat programme has launched into space on board the second Ariane 5 launch mission of 2022.
The 8.9 metre, three-storeys-high communications satellite – which will deliver high-speed broadband and in-flight connectivity across Europe for its operator, Eutelsat – weighs 6.525 tonnes and accounted for 99% of the 6.62-tonne launch mass.
Called Eutelsat Konnect Very High Throughput Satellite, it includes several innovative features developed under an ESA Partnership Project with satellite manufacturer Thales Alenia Space.
The satellite was launched at 23:45 CEST (18:45 local time) on 7 September from Europe’s spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, into a sub-synchronous transfer orbit. This highly elliptical trajectory, which loops from close to Earth to up to 60 000 kilometres away from the planet at an inclination of 3.5°, will enable it to transfer into a geostationary orbit some 36 000 kilometres above Earth.
After reaching geostationary orbit the satellite – the tallest ever built in Europe – will be tested further before it enters commercial service.
The satellite features new antenna deployment and pointing mechanisms used within the antenna tracking system, as well as other innovative features including next-generation batteries and structural panels, all developed under the ESA Partnership Project.
Elodie Viau, Director of Telecommunications and Integrated Applications at ESA, said: “I am proud to support the European space industry to foster innovation and succeed in the highly competitive global telecommunications market. Investing in space creates jobs and prosperity on Earth.”
ESA’s Neosat programme comprises both Spacebus Neo by Thales Alenia Space and Eurostar Neo by Airbus. It includes development up to in-orbit validation of new satellite product lines for both companies, allowing the European space industry to deliver competitive satellites for the global commercial satellite market.
Sixteen Neosat satellites have been ordered so far, demonstrating the high economic impact of ESA’s Partnership Projects, which foster the development of sustainable end-to-end systems up to in-orbit validation.
Neosat is part of ESA’s programme of Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) and is supported by the French space agency, CNES, and the UK Space Agency.
The launch of the Eutelsat Konnect Very High Throughput Satellite is the 114th Ariane 5 mission since its inaugural flight in 1996.
Ariane 5 has three more flights before its successor, Ariane 6, takes over Europe’s heavy-lift launch duties.
They will include the launch of the first of a new-generation series of satellites to advance weather forecasting from geostationary orbit developed by ESA and Eumetsat, called Meteosat third-generation imager 1.
And Ariane 5 will launch JUICE – ESA’s scientific mission to explore the Jupiter system and its icy, ocean-bearing moons, with an initial launch window in April 2023.
12 Sep 22. Horizon Technologies and its partner, LN Systems (LNS). recently commissioned the Amber™ Data Centre (ADC) in a new facility in Lincoln in the UK. In anticipation of the first Amber™ launch in October from Cornwall via Virgin Orbit as part of the “Start Me Up” Mission, the ADC was commissioned in a new facility by both Horizon Technologies and LNS as they both to prepare for the Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) data to start coming from the first Amber™ CubeSat. As part of the Satellite Applications Catapult (SAC) IOD-3 mission, the Amber-1 launch consists of many firsts:
• • Part of the historic First UK Space Launch
• • First UK commercial SIGINT CubeSat
• • First RF CubeSat constellation designed solely for MDA
• • Amber™ will be a first-of-its-kind mission in the UK, providing “always on” commercial RF signal geolocation and monitoring for government and commercial end-users.
Amber™ data will be used by governments to provide information on tracking and prevention of illegal fishing, smuggling, trafficking, piracy, etc. Amber™ is a non-cooperative system in that it doesn’t depend on a ship’s AIS transponder to be active. Amber™ CubeSats will geolocate and monitor signals such as ship’s radars, sat phones, and other RF emissions. The current conflict in the Ukraine has clearly shown the value of commercial space-based data sources. Once active, Amber™ will be another tool to combat illegal oil and gas smuggling and transshipments.
Horizon Technologies CEO, John Beckner said, “Horizon Technologies is incredibly proud of our partnership with LNS. Amber™ is a data service, the ADC is one of the key components of Amber™ and without it, there would be “no Amber™. The team at LNS has worked tirelessly over the past few years constantly improving our capabilities to ingest data and provide it out to our government customers in the manner they have requested. The work on the ADC ensures that once the first Amber™ satellite is operational, our customers will get the data they need, and in the right format.”
John Beckner, Horizon Technologies CEO in front of the initial Amber™ Ground Station.
Beckner also gave special thanks to Innovate UK (IUK) who provided the seed funding under a generous 2019 grant which started the work on the ADC. “Without the support of Innovate UK, and the Satellite Applications Catapult (SAC), the whole ADC would have taken far longer to establish. This support has been key in making sure the ADC is ready to process Amber™ data on Day One.”
Marcus Jones, CEO of LN Systems said, “LN Systems is proud to be a partner of Horizon Technologies on this innovative and exciting program. LN Systems is looking forward to continued cooperation with Horizon Technologies and the expansion of the Amber™ constellation and its capabilities to include additional data analysis and AI.” Beckner added, “the basis of the Amber™ CubeSat constellation will be in operation by mid-2024. It is unlikely that anyone else in this arena will be able to offer the same type of demodulated, high-fidelity, commercial maritime intelligence data Horizon Technologies offers.”
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At Viasat, we’re driven to connect every warfighter, platform, and node on the battlefield. As a global communications company, we power ms of fast, resilient connections for military forces around the world – connections that have the capacity to revolutionize the mission – in the air, on the ground, and at sea. Our customers depend on us for connectivity that brings greater operational capabilities, whether we’re securing the U.S. Government’s networks, delivering satellite and wireless communications to the remote edges of the battlefield, or providing senior leaders with the ability to perform mission-critical communications while in flight. We’re a team of fearless innovators, driven to redefine what’s possible. And we’re not done – we’re just beginning.
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