Constellations - Explore Space Network Technologies with Industry Leaders

NASA Telecommunications Systems Manager Greg Heckler shares his thoughts on some of the latest scientific and technological achievements in space. He discusses extending the lifetime of spacecraft and satellites by robotically servicing and refueling in space. Greg also explores the concept of Deep Space Gateways and how NASA is developing robotic tools and technologies to assemble larger spacecraft in deep space.

The economics of space have changed dramatically….satellites today can cost one tenth of previous generations and be delivered in a fifth of the time. Find out how this inflection point is driving innovation in Earth Observation. Listen to Anthony Baker, CEO of Satellite Vu to find out how this inflection point is enabling multiple satellites in constellations to deliver high frequency imagery and situation awareness information derived from automated monitoring and analytics direct to end users.

With Kay Sears, VP, Strategy and BD at Lockheed Martin. With the advent of New Space, particularly LEO satellite constellations and HTS satellites, the traditional relationships between government contractors and DoD and civilian agencies have been upended. Hear how “New Space” is affecting government procurement, an ever more congested space environment and an increasingly interdependent relationship between commercial and government space interests. Kay Sears walks us through this transformation.

Listen as Michael Abad-Santos, Senior Vice President of LeoSat, explains how optically connected satellites can change the dynamics of satellite communications. Satellites have now become routers and are inter-connected with lasers forming an optical backbone in space. Will optically connected satellites create a paradigm shift in the use of satellites for data connectivity – rather than a gap filler or last resort where no terrestrial alternative is available?

With Kambiz Aghili, CEO, Blue Sky Network. Satellite tracking systems have been around for a while; but with the advent of mobility applications and IoT their contribution to business success increases.   Learn how asset tracking and two-way communications utilizing hardware, cloud-based software, Iridium satellite service are enabling aviation, marine and land based entities to capture, display, disseminate, and port data from mobile assets to command and control centers.

Hear Doug Loverro, Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy, share his thoughts on current space policy and the clear need for international agreements and regulation to turn space into an economic reality. Doug discusses space situational awareness and the essential requirement to know where things are and where they are going in order to avoid space collisions that would be catastrophic. 

Philip shares his thoughts on X-band frequency; space situational awareness, mobility, jamming and the potential of hybrid HTS and broad beam capability. He describes the unique characteristics that differentiate military satellites from commercial satellites. Philip goes on to explain why X-band interference is more likely to be intentional, rather than accidental. He also discusses a future where he sees a potential hybrid of HTS and broad beam capability in military satellites.

Dr. Michael K. Simpson shares his thoughts on establishing the secure and sustainable use of the space domain. He discusses space sustainability and some of the key challenges to that effort. He also explores the potential consequences of a significant event affecting space sustainability which could substantially disrupt the availability of satellite services and incur costs in the trillions to hundreds of billions of dollars.

Rebecca Cowen-Hirsch, Senior Vice President, Inmarsat,discusses developing commercial SATCOM into a network that operates similar to the cellular network, with users having the ability to plug in, operate and get where they need to be, whether with voice, video or data. She shares her thoughts on a government procurement culture that wants to remain the same, but clashing with technology that cannot be taken advantage of without change.

Kirk Pysher, President of ILS, shares his thoughts on the rapid growth of smallsats and the increasing market opportunity for traditional launch service providers. He outlines the challenge faced by smallsat operators and argues that the most cost-effective approach for these new satellite operators is to share rides to reduce costs. He also discusses the changing launch landscape and the continuing focus on reliability and how that is affecting insurance for launches.

Listen as Caleb Williams, Space Systems Analyst for SpaceWorks, takes you on a tour of the near-term future of space and beyond. He tells us of maturing hypersonic technology and how it will eventually air launch small satellites into space, how technologies such as Torpor will put astronauts or space tourists into a form of stasis for their journey to Mars and how space industry business models will have to adapt to a technological and economic change.

Chris Pearson is a New Space strategist with over 20 years of experience in spacecraft systems engineering. He leads space programs for Roccor, a fast-growth company with special expertise in high strength composite materials and thermal products. Roccor develops advanced deployable space structures, thermal management systems and combat casualty products for the US military, NASA and commercial space companies within the US and Europe.

Rick Lober discusses how the government can take advantage of the latest commercial satcom technologies to lower costs and improve mission performance. He shares his thoughts on the rapidly advancing UAV technologies, the future of High Throughput Satellites (HTS) in the military and how the government is using satcom technology effectively for disaster recovery efforts in Puerto Rico. He also shares insights into the future of the government space architecture.

Andrew Rush shares his thoughts on how 3-D printing in space will enable people to sustainably live and work in space. He discusses how time in space is a precious commodity and how manufacturing in space helps maximize that time by augmenting the mission and increasing astronaut productivity. And, listen as he describes how 3-D printing will enable astronauts to manufacture repair parts, reconfigure the satellite or even manufacture smaller satellites on that larger satellite.

Rob Rainhart, Senior Vice President of Engineering at HawkEye 360, shares his thoughts on the technology, applications and future potential of space based RF mapping and analytics.