SatNews

SmallSat Europe Updates

Ground Stations: Owned, or Rent Capacity?

By Chris Forrester

Noel Rimalovski (Managing Director, GH Partners) moderated this key panel at the SmallSat Europe conference held at the RAI Congress Centre in Amsterdam on May 28. With his panel he examined the role of Ground Segment and the position of standards and innovation in the sector. He opened by saying that once it was geostationary operators who tended to have their own dedicated systems. 

Harek Gamst (Director Sales and Marketing, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS). Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace is one of three business units of Kongsberg Gruppen of Norway and a supplier of defence and space related systems and products. In some cases, he said, politics sometimes comes into play as regards the operating ground system and whether it is owned privately or by government.

Ryan Conroy (VP of Business Development, Elve Speed). Elve is pioneering advancements in millimeter wave amplifiers to transform high-bandwidth communications, sensing, and other advanced applications. Conroy said that the recent ‘tariff’ problems out of the Oval Office had not impacted business. 

Paul Gouws (CTO, ETL Systems Ltd). ETL Systems designs and manufactures RF equipment for critical satellite communications, and trusted by the top 20 satellite operators and teleports. He said the growth drivers were the demand for data, and we anticipate new entrants using new Q and V frequency bands. IRIS2 is also on our radar. We try and operate agnostically and thus supporting different waveforms and moving away from very specific hardware.

Ron Faith (President & CEO, RBC Signals). RBC Signals offer simplified communications and monitoring in VHF, UHF, L, S, C, X, Ku, Ka and optical bands. He said there was today increased spending by governments, but there was also interest from independent nations who wanted their own systems in place. There was also growing interest from new applications whether Earth observation, for example, and where the operator needed their own ground service. However, there were also instances where some operators were exiting how they structured. Eutelsat’s recent move was an indicator of this trend, and which also allowed them to raise capital. 

Ludovic Court (Head of Sales & Marketing, Leaf Space). Milan-based Leaf Space is a preferred ground segment service provider for both government and commercial markets. He said that customers were increasingly leaning towards owning their own services, but others were happy to leave the ground segment to independent operators especially when you consider the regulations and licensing. 

The panel was enthusiastic about standards, and in a more demanding world there was a need for standards in achieving higher throughput. Standards were useful in limiting the number of choices a client had to make. 

However, the panel was somewhat circumspect about the use of laser/optical transmitters from satellite to Earth, given the weather challenges, clouds and the costs of ground equipment and the need to back-up optical with RF transmission. 

Can Europe fund mega-constellations?

By Chris Forrester

Moderator: Tom Stroup (President, Satellite Industry Association, SIA) asked his panel to examine whether Europe was ready with its own constellations.

Dallas Kasaboski (Principal Analyst, Analysys Mason) said that there were more than 200 constellations planned globally. Not all will happen, but this translates to a significant $200 million in communications alone. But the market cannot absorb 50 major developments.

Renato Panesi (Co-Founder and CCO, D-Orbit) told delegates that D-Orbit helps other constellations reach orbit. There is better access to funding in Europe whether for Series A or B funding with some projects getting very simple start-up funding from ESA. However, nobody has all the skills needed for every aspect of a project, and this is where we can help. 

Dr. Martin Haunschild (Business Development Manager Space/Institutional Affairs, Mynaric AG). Mynaric is in the process of being acquired by Rocket Lab. He said that Europe already has independence from the US through Galileo, and finding the business case might not be easy. When Galileo was first envisioned, we had dozens of workshops looking at the possible use cases for Galileo. 

Julian Fernandez (CEO, FOSSA Systems, based in Madrid) explained that Europe had plenty of talent, and cash. There are also capital efficiencies by working in Europe. Individual countries might not have a complete eco-system, but looking at Europe that eco-system exists. Fossa has successfully launched FossaSats into orbit. He stressed that one key advantage in Europe was in the Defense sector. “Business models, with defense in mind, might have to change. In my view that’s where the money will be.”

Laurent Jaffart (Director of Connectivity and Secure Communications, European Space Agency) told delegates that once upon a time a constellation was just 3 (Geo) satellites, but now we have OneWeb, O3b, and everyone looks at Starlink and its 7000+ constellation. “To be honest, Europe certainly has the brains but maybe not the same cash available as SpaceX.  Now with IRIS2 we have three major industry operators in the SpaceRISE consortium, and since December 2024 when the agreement was signed one of the requirements was to match 5G. We wanted software-defined payloads.  We also wanted sovereignty and independence.  Europe is at the beginning, and the beginning of something that will grow, version by version. The SpaceRISE consortium is placing €4 billion of its own money into the project.”

He also warned that in Europe not all of the current names in the sector will survive. “Think about partnering, because there is not enough money to finance all of your ideas and projects,” said Jaffart.

Fossa’s Fernandez said his company was pragmatic and decided it wanted to get its plans into obit as quickly as possible. It has 20 satellites in orbit, and is already delivering services to clients.

Kasaboski advised panellists that standardisation need not be the key objective, same with interoperability. It very much depends on the application. “Find the right path,” he advised. “Business models are also going to shift. There are new options, not least with hosted payloads. New applications are emerging, and while larger players might have first-mover advantage, there are opportunities.”

Dr. Haunschild said his view was that open standards were very desirable, not least to enable ease of working with other multi-layer operators.

Finding the next niche for SmallSats

By Chris Forrester

Miguel Valero (Managing Director, Space Strategies LLC) moderated this session at the SmallSat Europe event in Amsterdam on May 28. 

Richard Adams (Sales Director, Bright Ascension). Based in Edinburgh, Scotland, Bright Ascension supplies Mission Control software and Flight software. More than 50 space missions in its output. The enquiries that come to us tend to be focused on Earth observation, including famine and risk, disaster and climate change. He also flagged up the choices that would need to be made when considering partnering with another company. “Working on your own is challenging, but focus, not distraction, is key.” There were also problems in building hardware, and in particular dealing with component suppliers, when scaling up a service.

Adams added that software and hardware working together was obviously crucial. But the hardware has to work as specified, and while the hardware – and software – could be upgraded in orbit, this required thorough testing.

Thys Cronje (CCO, Simera Sense). Belgium HQ’d Simera Sense is a leading provider of optical payloads for small satellites. The company is a supplier of optical payloads in the international small satellite market with the bulk of its manufacturing taking place in South Africa. Cronje explained that there had been a significant increase in enquiries for optical and Earth observation activity. “My advice for new entrants would be to identify that niche in the market. This isn’t easy, of course!”

Cronje also talked about some US budget cuts, not least in Weather Data, and this has created opportunities in the sector. 

Stephen McCall (Founding Partner, Cislunar International). Cislunar is a recognized leader in defense, aerospace, and government affairs. “There is the new $175 billion proposal out of the US for its Golden Dome scheme. If this plan passes, and you have a product that could fit within the Golden Dome brief, then get involved.” But he advised that it was crucial to be specific as to what your business or technology could offer. But the Golden Dome cash, probably to be funded in 2026, is now definitely on the radar.

M&A Activity in European Markets

By Chris Forrester

Alexis Sainz (Partner, Hogan Lovells) moderated the SmallSat Europe session, which examined the current patterns in M&A activity in Europe and whether changes in the US would impact European activity.

Karl Schmidt (Managing Director, KippsDeSanto & Co.) explained that some 800 deals had been processed over the previous couple of years of which just 140 had ‘space’ in the deal. For 2024 some 7% last year mentioned ‘space’ in terms of M&A, but for this year that has grown to 22% of a European buyer or seller.  From a European M&A perspective there’s a great deal to be optimistic about, but there’s a degree of chaos in the US.

He also said that over the past few months there had been a major shift. He said there was once a reluctance to be involved in defense-related activity. That has changed, and now every VC wanted to be involved.

John Lusk (CEO, Spire Maritime) told delegates that commercial activity when combined with potential valuable IP in their portfolios could be attractive. But cautioned that frequently, a government investment comes with constraints and caveats not least in hiring local staff.

Francois Chopard (CEO, Starburst Ventures) said space activity in Europe is really led by government activity. He said the ESA-backed IRIS2 project was a case in point. But the recent geopolitical problems have seemingly encouraged France, German and Italy to start looking to invest in their own military support by satellite. Budgets are increasing, without a doubt, and the Ukraine conflict has issued an alert for all of Europe in terms of needs. 

Swarnajyoti Mukherjee (Commercialisation Officer, Dir. Commercialisation, Industry & Competitiveness

European Space Agency – ESA) said that ESA was looking beyond helping develop space programmes. It had traditionally been helping with funding in R&D and this would grow. He touched on IRIS2 which he said was going to generate good business, and some of which would generate help from ESA.  

Fireside Chat with Sir Peter Beck

By Chris Forrester

Sir Peter Beck, fresh from wrapping the purchase of Geost (for $275 million) addressed the SmallSat Europe event in Amsterdam. Rocket Lab was still in the process of buying laser optical specialists Mynaric and said he was very bullish on European prospects.

Europe, he said, had tended to be dominated by government and not commercial space enterprises. That had changed in the US and he’d like to see Europe go the same way. He said that the reality of the EU made some elements complicated, but that there was always going to be projects that were not commercially viable, but would still be needed and this was where government cash was needed.

He talked about rocket reusability, saying that anyone NOT developing reusable rocket systems then your product would be deviant. There would be exceptions but in the pure commercial scene then hi-cadence reusability was crucial in order to be competitive.

We build spacecraft as well as rockets. We constantly introduce new products, whether solar arrays or radios. I cannot pick a favourite but I expect a commercial revolution to happen in Europe as it has happened in the US. 

Rocket Lab enjoys a 50/50 split between government and commercial, but commercial clients also have government businesses so the split is probably 70/30 in favour of government. But we need to play in all aspects of the market.

Building satellites often requires us to go to a vendor and ask for 100 of this, or 1000s of that. And frequently suppliers simply cannot cope with those demands, which is why we increasingly build our own components. We are not religious about vertical integration, but it is a necessary method for us.

Winning orders, raising cash and the Oval Office!

By Chris Forrester

Dr. Jeff Foust, Senior Staff Writer, SpaceNews, moderated the Satellite Manufacturers session at SmallSat Europe, held in Amsterdam on May 28. The session examined satellite production, winning orders, raising cash, IRIS2 and potential geopolitical problems out of the US.

Simon van den Dries (Head of Business Development, Space Services, Endurosat).  Simon leads EnduroSat’s Space Service division, dedicated to enabling affordable access to space infrastructure for low Earth orbit. He said that while funding was generally coming from government, it was important that local offices were maintained in European countries. The company operated legally separate businesses in other countries, notably the US. 

Dr. Thomas Sinn (CEO & Founder, Dcubed). Dcubed is a pioneering company specializing in high-performance deployable space hardware including innovative solutions in release actuators, solar arrays, antennas, and in-space manufacturing (ISM). Dr Sinn said he sensed there was more funding coming from governments. He was extremely worried about Washington’s tariff structure; would it be 10% or 50%? The uncertainty was worrying.

Luis Gomes (CEO, AAC Clyde Space). AAC Clyde Space delivers space-based data services that turn complex challenges into clear, actionable decisions. Its growing portfolio spans Earth Observation, communications and navigation – supporting real-world applications across multiple sectors. Ten satellites already in orbit and with a presence in multiple European countries as well as the US and South Africa.

Gregoire Nemo (Snr. Manager, Aerospacelab Inc.) Belgium-based Aerospacelab’s Versatile Satellite Platform (VSP-300) has recently been selected by JAXA for its SAMRAI project, marking a significant milestone in satellite platform collaboration. Aerospacelab is also focussed on larger projects, and geopolitical challenges has meant work coming in from individual nations seeking independent security and services. 

Dr. Sethu Suvanam (CEO & Founder, ReOrbit). ReOrbit is a Finland-based company with the mission of designing the next generation of small satellites for secure communications. ReOrbit is experiencing broader partnerships amongst the industry. He expected ReOrbit to be making financial announcements soon. This included interest from VC funds and in particular European-based VC funds.

IRIS2 was very much a topic at the session – indeed over the two days of the event. Aerospacelab is building its mega-factory in the south of Belgium where it is targeting production of 200 satellites annually, and is very enthusiastic about IRIS2, for satellites and sub-systems.

Endurosat is mass-producing some 40 satellites a month but said that one of the problems was that Europe tried to give small amounts of cash to very many companies instead of helping fund larger businesses. It raised $43 million of fresh funding on May 27, and needed to ramp up to that production rate of 40 craft per month. Some 50% of the company’s revenues come from the US, and the US remains the biggest market in the industry. 

Dcubed also expressed enthusiasm for IRIS2 but agreed saying Europe’s approach to give a little bit of support to many suppliers was no way to compete with Starlink.

Dr. Sinn told delegates that it had been successful in raising cash from France and Sweden and the US following on from a German fund-raising exercise in 2020.

Small satellite builders want a larger slice of the cake

By Chris Forrester

Maxime Puteaux (Principal, Novaspace) moderated this panel. Novaspace is a major supplier of data and analysis focusing on upstream consulting and market intelligence related to industry issues such as satellite manufacturing, space transportation, and in-orbit operations.

Dennis Moore (CCO, Reflex Aerospace). Reflex is a German-based satellite manufacturer delivering tailor-made platforms for commercial and defence customers. Reflex is working toward challenging Europe’s existing major satellite suppliers. It enjoys the highest security clearances. Reflex was enthusiastic about small satellites. But he cautioned that government procurement was not designed with small companies in mind. For example, no small company was willing to bid in the IRIS2 project. If there isn’t a realistic alternate to the giant players, then how can small satellite providers grow? 

Flavio Giudice (NCIA Space Technology Division Deputy Head, NATO). Mr Giudice has been one of the pioneers of the NATO Space Domain, contributing to the development of NATO’s Space policies and working on the creation of NATO’s Space operational capabilities. Giudice said that small satellites were appealing because they can be replaced very easily in the event of a threat. NATO relies on multiple service providers for additional resilience. He recognised that there was a need for a Space Commercial Strategy and this will be released in the next few months. He also reminded delegates that NATO was going to be buying “more and more stuff”.

Dr. Rajeev Gopal (VP Advanced Programs, EchoStar (Hughes)). He added that big satellites represent juicy targets, and consequently smaller satellites are attractive. They can be more easily updated, for example.  The demand is there. We have wars going on, we have jamming, and it is prudent to be aware of the threats which exist. We are beginning to see progress and awareness coming from some countries, and this is welcome. But we need resiliency, and this can be provided with small satellites. 

Aurelie Bressollette (CEO, Latitude). A launcher company founded in 2019 by a team of engineers and space enthusiasts and based in Reims, France, the company has grown into a driving force in European spaceflight. She said it was time for Europe to accelerate their procurement methods for small satellites and to recognise that small craft are resilient.

Space Debris, and the EU’s Space Act

By Chris Forrester

Brian Weimer (Partner, Sheppard Mullin) moderated a very timely panel which focussed on the EU’s role in space sustainability, and including the worrying aspects of orbital debris and space and traffic management. 

Miguel Ángel Molina (Deputy General Manager, GMV) explained for delegates that the EU’s upcoming ‘Space Act’ will contain rules that have to be followed. “The details are not yet known, but the process is needed to cope with the very real problems and the amount of debris in space, and we hope that the Act requires that everyone follows the same rules.”

It was crucial to have reliable propulsion, and this extended to the end of life for a satellite. You need to be able to dispose of a satellite safely, and many satellites now in orbit do not have this functionality. The new Act must apply everywhere, and with a full agreement including from Russia and China, and the US, Molina added.

Daniel Bock (CTO, Managing Director & Founder, Morpheus Space) said that reliability in space was vital, although saying how electrical propulsion was a slower method of propulsion, usually leading to longer life in space for the satellite but also used for in-orbit manoeuvrability. “We use 40 thrusters in a box, so that if one unit fails then we know that the mission is not threatened.” However, he said that reliability was key.

Francho Garcia (CEO & Co-Founder, Arkadia Space) said that he hoped the new Space Act would address both chemical and electrical propulsion, especially for de-orbiting needs.. 

Araz Feyzi (Co-founder & CTO, Kayhan Space) said that you could imagine have a car which had no brakes or steering. This would be crazy in space, and while the various propulsion systems were important the systems also needed to be reliable. It is complex. A European set of rules is one thing, but what if another nation brought in its own set of rules? “We believe that every satellite operator needs to publish – at least – their trajectory in space.”

Prof. Chiara Manfletti (CEO, Neuraspace) advised that the authorities needed to be very careful with their regulations. The counter argument could be that we do not get universal acceptance, and where there might not be a sharing of every aspect of data. One solution, she suggested, was to match what happens at sea and with aircraft, where they transmit with a transponder beacon as to location, speed, tracking, and so forth.

Identifying satellites at LEO for interference

By Chris Forrester

Moderator: Jorge Ciccorossi, Head, Space Strategy and Sustainability Division, ITU – International Telecommunication Union. He invited his panel to comment on the challenges of handling communications with satellites, antennas, locations and tracking these orbiting objects while at the same time coping with interference, whether deliberate or intentional.

Mr Ciccorossi’s team is team at the ITU is dedicated to monitoring and ensuring the effective and precise deployment of satellites in geostationary and non-geostationary orbits in conformity with the Radio Regulations, as well as the treatment of cases of harmful interference affecting space services.

Dr. Mekhi Dhesi (Account Executive, Slingshot Aerospace) told delegates that as well as more than 11,000 working satellites in orbit, there is also the major problem of tracking debris. She said that mixing ground-based observation and mixing RF and radar is helping, and progress is being made but the debris problem is a worry. She added that Slingshot captured the light from a target satellite and created what she described as a ‘fingerprint’ which helped minimise incorrect identification. Slingshot was gathering more than 1 million observations daily and is now using AI (‘Agatha’) to help ingest and use machine learning with identification and in particular identify a potential ‘wolf in sheep’s clothing’.

Radim Badsi (CEO & Co-founder, Groundspace) said one of the key problems was the number of different satellites that shared the same frequencies. This shared spectrum, especially when one considers humidity and other weather-related problems, needs specific handling. “Think of the problem as if we were all working in a crowded room, but everyone was shouting. Nobody would be understood. One method is to ask everyone to speak softly. This, I believe, is the ITU’s role where frequency sharing is in use. But it is a challenge.”

Badsi also said that it was no longer possible to rely on operators to self-regulate. Some players no longer ‘play nice’. The authorities should ensure compliance. 

Bruno Dupas (VP/Business Development and Sales, Kratos Space) said there is even interference between some Non-GEO constellations themselves. Mr Dupas said there was a huge difference between Geo and LEO, not least the altitude of a LEO craft and its speed passing over a region of country. “But the magnitude of the [identification] problem for LEO is much, much greater than with Geo.”

Too many launchers, or Too few launchers?

Chris Forrester

Steve Kaufman (Partner, Hogan Lovells) moderated this high-level panel of industry experts at the Smallsat Europe event in Amsterdam on May 27 and which looked at the availability of launch, now and in the future. Kaufman stated that if one talks to the bankers about launch providers they say ‘there are too many of them’, but talk to the customers and they’ll tell you, especially in the military, and they’ll say ‘there are not enough launch companies’. Our panel will examine these problems. 

Pablo Gallego Sanmiguel (SVP, PLD Space), and formerly with SpaceX. Spanish-based Payload Space is developing two partially reusable rocket models (Miura 1 and Miura 5) and operates two spaceports (in Spain and Oman). Miura 5 is a two-stage vehicle and its Miura 5 NEXT version could handle medium-to-heavy satellite missions.

Dr. Marino Fragnito (CCO and Launch Services Director, AVIO SpA) and supplier of the Vega family of launchers. AVIO will carry out its next launch in July, 2025. Launch rate is being increased and the company has a full manifest through until 2028. Dr Fragnito says that the Vega rocket is “very competitive” with SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket.

Dr Ibrahim Ata (Head of Acquisition & Delivery, Rocket Factory Augsburg AG). Rocket Factory Augsburg AG is a German NewSpace start-up located in Augsburg, Germany. It was founded in 2018 with the mission to build rockets just like cars. Its 3-stage rocket, RFA One, is currently under development. Dr Ata told delegates that Rocket factory was now building two test vehicles in parallel. The first would launch later this year.

Michael Callari (Chief Business Officer, MaiaSpace). Maia Space is designing the first European reusable and eco-friendly launch vehicle that will provide affordable, innovative and sustainable launch services and space mobility solutions. Maia is targeting its debut launch before the end of 2026.

Stella Guillen (CCO, Isar Aerospace SE). Germany-based Isar recently carried out its first test flight of its Spectrum vehicle which was partly successful, and is planning a second before the end of this year. She told delegates that Isar’s manifest would ramp up once the second test is achieved. She said Isar has flight bookings which extend up to 2032, such is the demand for cargo space on the Spectrum rocket. 

Nadine Smolka (Mission manager, Exolaunch GmbH). Berlin-based Exolaunch was present on the first flight of Ariane 6 with its EXOpod which carried 4 cubesats into space. She told delegates that Exolaunch had “stepped away” from its orbital mission extension plans as they were not cost effective. Exolaunch was now filling mission bookings beyond 2028. 

Dr. Fragnito agreed with Steve Kaufman that rockets were getting bigger, but satellites were not getting bigger. “Our key customers are still looking for tailored missions,” he said. “But bigger rockets can handle bigger constellations. However, how many such large constellations will exist?”

Guillen said the world would need the likes of SpaceX’s Starship and that will change the picture dramatically, but the customer needs the regular 4 points answered: Reliability, Price, Schedule and Costs. “Currently, schedules dominate their requests, but this can change.”

Dr Ata said the risk for the rocket industry was price and commoditisation, and this could result in a ‘race to the bottom’. He stressed that bigger launches were inevitable to handle the different demands of the market. But in the ‘sweet spot’ range of 200-500 kgs then the demand will always be there, whether for Earth observation or other similar missions. But the trends in terms of pricing is seeing prices going down.

Maia Space’s Callari said all the market studies showed excellent demand and there remained a demand for bespoke solutions. “There’s a big enough market”.  

Sanmiguel said that his company needed to stay agile and to be ready for any eventuality.