February 22, 2023
While preparing for each annual SATELLITE conference and exhibition, we get a unique view into the growth trajectories for both the commercial satellite and space industries. The size of the market and the diverse range of customers utilizing space technologies are reflected in our attendee statistics and our conference call for proposals process for speakers. Excluding the years impacted by pandemic travel restrictions, we have never seen a year in which the industry appeared to be physically contracting. Recessions are typically offset by a growth in government investment. Transitionary periods between technological leaps in innovation are usually accompanied by an influx of startups and new entrants. Most importantly, satellites are no longer relegated to the margins of the connectivity ecosystem. They are impacting millions of lives and global businesses, and driving government action. It is encouraging to be able to say that the SATELLITE 2023 conference , taking place Monday, March 13 through Thursday, March 16, will once again be the largest and most comprehensive program we’ve put together in the show’s 41-year history. SATELLITE 2022’s bounce-back in attendance following the COVID-19 shutdown exceeded everyone’s expectations, as well as the fact that this bounce-back sustained itself for all of the space industry events that happened last year. This year, customers are driving a bulk of the growth expected for SATELLITE 2023 and this Via Satellite magazine event preview will outline what returning attendees should expect in this new, exciting, and dynamic environment. Themes, Topics, and Technologies
The SATELLITE 2023 conference program consists of four tracks, or forums. The Tech Forum is designed to provide in-depth insight into satellite technology for tech-savvy attendees. The LEO & Smallsat Forum unveils new products, services, and applications for small satellites and constellation systems, and covers space access issues specific to small satellites. The Government & Military Forum is produced for our government and military attendees, providing focused sessions covering technology, policy, and security solutions to support critical missions. And finally, our Executive Forum, open to all-access passholders, covers top-of-mind issues, challenges, and opportunities for today’s space business C-suite. One of the most dominant themes of SATELLITE 2023’s conference program becomes clear when looking at the Executive Forum program. A majority of the sessions have a strong focus on telecoms and mobile wireless services, and the merging of terrestrial cellular and satellite network infrastructures to finally reach the billions of unconnected people around the world. We knew that panels featuring telco-centric discussion would be a top feature for 2023 after the success of our one-day SATELLITE program at Mobile World Congress in Las Vegas this past September. We also noticed that telcos and cellular wireless industry professionals represented one of the largest new attendee groups at SATELLITE 2022 earlier that year. The terrestrial wireless community is coming to a realization that it cannot expand on its long-term business plans in the 5G era without the help of satellite services. That said, they are motivated to engage with our community, which is fantastic news for our exhibitors and satellite operators looking for new business. Another key focus for the program is broad, industry-wide sustainability. Not just in addressing orbital debris, but also in business practices, reusability, workforce development, efficiency in production, and minimizing impact on the environment. Historically one of the most expensive tech industries on the planet in regards to R&D and resources required to run a business, the satellite industry is working to get quicker, leaner, and faster – to efficiently fulfill promises to commercial and government end users. The topics in our Tech Forum hint at these solutions. There is a very clear focus on software-driven technologies and computing power in space. Software and computing now dominate both the space and ground segments of the satellite technology industry, driven by enhanced optimization and “…as-a-service” offerings. Another large portion of the Tech Forum deals with data security, with discussions covering cyber defenses, optical and inter-satellite connectivity, and interference prevention. The year’s Tech Forum also marks the return of our CTO Forum, during which a panel of diverse space tech leaders will address: how their companies have evolved performance, analysis, verification, and validation processes; their strategies to reduce the cost of complex solutions; and how they are developing a pipeline of engineering talent in a competitive job market. In the broader security discussion, this year’s Government & Military Forum focuses heavily on national and global security-driven space policy and technologies. The Forum, which is produced in partnership with the Satellite Industry Association (SIA) and Defense Daily, explores the Russian invasion of Ukraine as a case-study for satellite imagery data intelligence and the value of satellite broadband in a combat zone. Our LEO & Smallsat Forum addresses the increased flexibility of small satellites, as they begin to populate multiple orbits and inter-connect with their larger siblings in GEO. Constellations remain in the starring role, with latency and performance, costs, and competition top-of-mind in the track’s featured sessions. The track also explores the evolution of the smallsat supply chain, as well as appropriate regulatory policy and standards. Keynotes & General Sessions
On Monday, Charles Beames, co-founder and chairman of the SmallSat Alliance, will open the program with a keynote on Zero-Trust Architectures for network security in space. Later that day, former NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver, author of the recently published book, “Escaping Gravity: My Quest to Transform NASA,” will join Bessemer Venture Partners’ Tess Hatch for an interview focusing on the future of space exploration, critical investments in commercial space technologies, recruiting and retaining talent, and how to tackle the issues and challenges addressed in her book. Our Tuesday opening general session begins with a keynote from Amazon’s Senior Vice President of Devices & Services David Limp. In a fireside chat interview, Limp will share important new details about Project Kuiper, Amazon’s Low-Earth Orbit satellite network, designed to provide broadband to unserved and underserved communities around the world. Be among the first to learn about Amazon’s next steps toward providing global connectivity from space. The Tuesday opening general session panel, led by Via Satellite magazine Editor-in-Chief Mark Holmes, is SATELLITE's marquee general session featuring a panel of the top industry leaders in a discussion that has historically set the tone and established talking points for the year. This year's session includes the CEOs of Eutelsat, Globalstar, Intelsat, Relativity Space, and Viasat. The panel will address significant and dynamic shifts that are on the horizon for the commercial satellite and space industries. This includes: the combination of large companies creating multi-orbit systems; collaboration and business between satellite and terrestrial wireless companies in providing global connectivity; investments in a greater space economy; workforce recruitment and retention; and the adoption of sustainable technologies and business practices to ensure longevity in space. Wednesday’s conference program begins with a keynote from SES CEO Steve Collar, whose company just launched its first new O3b mPOWER satellites and is looking to cement its position as a top global service provider. The keynote is followed by the second general session: Building a Secure and Dynamic Future Space Economy – with executive leaders from Rocket Lab, Orbit Fab, Redwire, Lockheed Martin, SpiderOak, and Northrop Grumman discussing the massive economic opportunity for space services beyond connectivity. The Wednesday Awards Luncheon, which presents the winners of the Startup Space entrepreneur pitch contest, as well as Via Satellite’s Executive of the Year and Technology of the Year, also features a keynote Don Graves, Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce, detailing new plans and ambitions from the commercial space industry’s largest customer – the U.S. government. Startup Space and a New, Expanded SGx Program
ProProduced in partnership with the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) and Future Space Leaders Foundation and modeled on the “TEDx” style of informative lighting talks, SGx creates an environment where young professionals, industry experts, and government leaders can gather to share their insights and experiences with each other. SGx at SATELLITE 2023 will be the 8th year of this partnership, and will be the first year of its expansion into a two-day event. The event will feature an exciting line-up of programming and events to deliver a meaningful experience to attendees, including multiple sessions broken into unique themes and followed by moderated Q&A. SGx will also have its own evening reception to follow the SATELLITE 2023 Welcome Reception on Monday, March 13. On Tuesday the 14, SGx will be hosting an exhibit hall job fair, co-partnered with Via Satellite. Past job fair participants include Lockheed Martin Corp., Redwire, Airbus, and Astroscale, among others. Also, on Tuesday, SATELLITE 2023 will be hosting its 7th annual Startup Space entrepreneur pitch contest starting at 11 a.m. in the Exhibit Hall Theater. One of SATELLITE’s most popular events, Startup Space pits 10 entrepreneurs in a pitch competition for a grand prize of up to 10 private meetings with the industry’s top investment firms. Contestants are placed into two groups and are each given five minutes to pitch their company or product in front of a panel of judges. Following each pitch, a panel of five Startup Space judges ask questions or make comments to the contestants. The judges then score the presentations based on a standardized set of various categories. Past Startup Space winners and participants include the CEOs and founders of LeoLabs, Orbit Fab, Astroscale, Vyoma, Ursa, and more than 80 space startups since we established the competition in 2016. Combined with nearly 60 breakout sessions and tech demonstrations spread out over a very busy week in downtown Washington, D.C., SATELLITE 2023 presents more than 13,000 global attendees with an invaluable glimpse into the future of satellite technology and services and a chance to network within the community. Since 1981, the event has served as the central platform for the new ideas, new technologies, and new voices that will shape commercial space developments for the rest of the year. For more information about the SATELLITE 2023 conference, our 350+ exhibitors, as well as how you can attend and be a part of the conversation, visit www.satshow.com VS

SATELLITE 2023 Preview: A Year of Satellite & Cellular Integration, Software-Driven Space, and Sustainability in Orbit

Jeremy Schiel, Cofounder of Orbit Fab, joins the Forbes 30 Under 30 Class of 2023.

This Young Entrepreneur Is Fueling The Space Industry By Building Celestial Gas Stations

Orbit Fab, the Gas Stations in Space™ company, announced that  it has raised a seed extension round led by Munich Re Ventures, the strategic corporate venture capital arm of Munich Re Group, one of the world’s leading providers of reinsurance, primary insurance, and insurance-related risk solutions. The funding will help Orbit Fab achieve its vision of an in-orbit ecosystem for satellite servicing, national security, and space commercialization. Orbit Fab recently announced that it will launch i

Orbit Fab Secures Additional Seed Round Funding for its Gas Stations in Space Propellant Supply Chain That Will Empower the Growing Space Economy - SpaceRef

Major space companies including SpaceX and Relativity are urging the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to stick to its purview – spectrum usage – as it looks to potentially update its rules for in-space servicing, assembly and manufacturing (ISAM) missions
There is plenty that the FCC could – and should do – to support ISAM missions that sit squarely within its regulatory bounds, companies said. SpaceX and others, as well as startups like Orbit Fab, which wants to build refueling depots in space, and Starfish Space, which is developing a satellite servicing vehicle, submitted recommendations related to spectrum and ISAM. The commission also heard from Blue Origin, Lockheed Martin, United Launch Alliance and other space companies and industry groups. “The biggest chunk of this proceeding is the question of, do we need new spectrum allocation for ISAM?” Brian Weeden, executive director of The Consortium for Execution of Rendezvous and Servicing Operations (CONFERS), explained to TechCrunch in a recent interview. “And that is absolutely within the FCC’s existing authority.”
The FCC requested comments from industry after it opened a new proceeding on ISAM in August. In a statement, the commission said it specifically sought to understand how it could “update, clarify, or modify its rules and licensing processes” to support these emerging capabilities in space. SpaceX, Relativity and others said in their responses that the FCC should bring its considerable authority to bear on issues related to spectrum use and licensing – and only issues related to spectrum use and licensing. “The Commission must handle this potentially important but still nascent industry with care, exercising caution not to unintentionally stifle innovation by stepping outside the authority expressly delegated to it by Congress,” SpaceX said. Relativity Space and the industry association Commercial Spaceflight Federation separately argued that the FCC’s involvement in issues outside of those related to spectrum could result in duplicative approvals processes. These could be especially challenging for smaller startups and newer space entrants to navigate. The new proceeding is one of a handful of actions the commission has taken in recent months to keep pace with the growing commercial space industry. In September, the FCC also updated rules related to spacecraft deorbiting and orbital debris management, voting that satellite operators must deorbit satellites in low Earth orbit 5 years after their mission conclusion, rather than 25. But such actions have raised questions as whether the FCC has sufficient authority to pass such rules. As of yet, Congress has made no gesture toward expanding or extending that authority. FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel appeared to tacitly acknowledge these concerns in a speech to the Satellite Industry Association, announcing that the FCC will establish a new bureau dedicated to handling space activities. “The changes I am announcing today are not about taking on new responsibilities at the FCC,” she said. “They are about performing our existing statutory responsibilities better and freeing up resources to focus on our mission.”

SpaceX, Relativity and others urge FCC to stay in its lane

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The global space in-orbit refueling market is estimated to reach $1,090.8 million by 2032 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 103.85% during the forecast period 2022-2032 (CAGR:2026-2032)
The major factor driving the market growth is expected to be the increase in demand for sustainable and reusable space systems. With the increasing number of satellites going into space, the demand for satellite servicing has been rising. In the future years, refueling capabilities are expected to become a need rather than an option for satellite operators. Several market players have already started demonstrations and some have been successful. Commercial players are expected to extract the maximum benefit of the space in-orbit refueling technologies. Note: Based on primary interviews and key developments by companies, the market for space in-orbit refueling is expected to observe scheduled commercial services by 2026. Market Lifecycle Stage
Space in-orbit refueling has been on the wish-list of satellite operators for decades, however, even though the concepts existed, no company was able to materialize the technology. However, in the past 5 years, multiple established players and startups have entered the market and are now full-fledged working on the refueling capabilities. Massive amounts of investments are pouring into the industry and multiple collaborations are happening in order to co-develop new technologies. Over 15 years of research and development on satellite refueling technologies have bought us to a stage where key players are performing successful demonstrations of in-orbit refueling and services in-orbit. Additionally, commercial players with large constellation sizes or heavy communication satellites are expected to adopt the market first. Following this, government agencies like NASA and ESA are also stepping forward to develop technologies and fund startups in the in-orbit refueling industry. Applications, such as site earth observation, communication, and navigation, are some of the areas where satellites are expected to be refueled in the coming years. Moreover, newer technologies, such as advanced docking systems, fueling ports, and artificial intelligence software are expected to support the growth of the space in-orbit refueling market over the 2022-2032 forecast period. The players operating in the space in-orbit refueling market are engaged in several strategies, including strategic partnerships, contracts, agreements, and business expansion. The marketing strategies will help the readers understand the revenue-generating strategies adopted by the in-orbit service providers operating in the space in-orbit refueling market. For instance, Orbit Fab, Inc and the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory have signed a technology-sharing agreement to share details regarding RAFTI. The company markets its products to all different layers of the military, intelligence, and commercial satellite community. The Air Force will help Orbit Fab review some of the technologies that aided in developing them. More specifically, they are going to advise on requirements and design elements, as well as provide testing and qualification access at several governmental facilities throughout the country. In February 2022, Northrop Grumman-owned SpaceLogictics has signed a launch agreement with SpaceX and a contract with Optus for the sale of its Mission extension pod. Under the agreement, SpaceX will be responsible for providing launch services for the 2024 MRV and MEP launches. Market Segmentation
Based on application, the space in-orbit refueling market is expected to be dominated by the communication segment owing to its technological and economic feasibility. Communication and Earth observation applications are expected to see the first initial missions for refueling. Based on end-user, the space in-orbit refueling market is expected to be dominated by commercial end-users. Commercial end-users are expected to garner significant share and growth due to their priority requirement and economic feasibility. Commercial satellite operators with large satellite constellations and heavy communication satellites are expected to adopt the technologies faster compared to any other segment. During the forecast period, North America is expected to dominate the space in-orbit refueling market (by region). The significant presence of key companies engaged in developing space in-orbit refueling services is a major factor responsible for the region's growth. A higher number of collaborations between various service providers, satellite operators, and enabling technology providers is another factor driving the market growth. An increasing number of start-ups and emerging players and successful demonstrations and increasing investments by key players in the market are also contributing to the market growth. Recent Developments in the Space In-Orbit Refueling Market
In January 2022, Astroscale Holdings Inc. and Orbit Fab, Inc signed a commercial agreement for refueling LEXI in the GEO orbit. LEXI is the first satellite that is designed to be refueled. As per the agreement, Orbit Fab, Inc will refuel Astroscale's fleet of LEXI Servicers with up to 1000 kgs of Xenon Propellant. To develop technologies for cryogenic propellant storage and transfer, with these awards, NASA is investing in technologies for the storage and transfer of cryogenic propellants in space. Four awards worth more than $250 million went to companies working on cryogenic fluid management. To demonstrate refueling a GEO satellite, Northrop Grumman's Mission Extension Vehicle-1 (MEV-1) docked with Intelsat 901 on 25th February 2020 and pushed the satellite back to its normal orbit. Northrop Grumman's MEVs are expected to give more than 15 years of life extension to these satellites along with providing spacecraft inspections, inclination changes, and orbit repair. In April 2022, Washington's Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is planning to provide commercial refilling services in near the prime space real estate of Geosynchronous Orbit, commonly referred to as GEO. It's also planning on creating a "bulk fuel depot" in the orbits. DIU is looking for companies with the capability for bulk liquid and gas propellant storage (>5,000 kg) in orbit. Two of the propellants include hydrazine and liquid oxygen. In April 2022, Orbit Fab, Inc and Neutron Star Systems have announced a partnership for the co-development of sustainable propulsion capability and satellite refueling technologies. The agreement will help to increase the range of refuellable propellants by combining NSS propellant-agnostic electric propulsion technology with Orbit Fab's refueling interfaces and tankers. Key Market Players and Competition Synopsis
The companies profiled in the study have been selected based on inputs gathered from primary experts and analysis of the companies' product portfolios, key developments, and market penetration. Space in-orbit refueling as a technology is still in the development and demonstration phase. However, there are several established players and startups that have entered the market and have made considerable progress. Some prominent established names in this market are:
Astroscale Holdings Inc.
Space Machines Company

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Global Space In-Orbit Refueling Market Report 2022-2032: Increase in Investments for Startups & Rise in Demand for In-...

UK Space Agency reports to the Minister of State for Universities and Science and is at the heart of UK efforts to explore space, exploit space-based applications and technology, and support its academic and industrial communities. The UK Space Agency was launched officially on March 23, 2010 and became an executive agency of BIS on April 1, 2011. The Agency is responsible for all strategic decisions on the UK civil space program and provides a clear, single voice for UK space ambitions.

UK Space Agency

ClearSpace develops a robotic capture system using a hunting satellite, a set of sensors and algorithms capable of locating the object to be caught, and determines several parameters such as distance, direction, rotations, and relative speeds. It develops in-orbit service missions for the space industry. The company was founded in 2018 and is based in Renens, Switzerland.

ClearSpace

-LSB- Harwell , UK , 26 September , 2022 -RSB- Orbit Fab jointly announced its partnership with ClearSpace , joining their £ 2.2 million contract awarded by the United Kingdom Space Agency to equip ClearSpace debris-removing satellites with refuelling capabilities .

Gas Stations in Space™
CLEAR Mission — Orbit Fab
Orbit Fab Part of UK Contract to Make Debris Removal Operations Sustainable Through Refuelling.

Neutron Star Systems applies superconductors to electric propulsion, re-entry shielding, power management and distribution, and radiation shielding systems.

Neutron Star Systems

`` Just as Orbit Fab has been working with government partners , Orbit Fab is excited to establish new commercial partnerships with innovative propulsion providers like Neutron Star Systems to make our Gas Stations in Space ™ refueling services more accessible to the ecosystem , '' said Jeremy Schiel , Co-Founder & Chief Development Officer of Orbit Fab .

Orbit Fab and Neutron Star Systems Announce Partnership for Sustainable Propulsion and Satellite Refueling

Dawn Aerospace is a firm that builds reusable rockets for satellite delivery. Its mission is to provide more scalable and sustainable ways to access and move around in space. The company serves clients operating in the aerospace sector. It was founded in 2017 and is based in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Dawn Aerospace

We see this partnership with Orbit Fab as part of Dawn Aerospace 's broader commitment to growing on-orbit capability and infrastructure . ''

Dawn Aerospace and Orbit Fab to enable on-orbit refueling of green propellants
Daniel Faber (Orbit Fab), and Stefan Powell & Jeroen Wink (Dawn Aerospace) at Space Tech Expo, Bremen.

The United States Air Force (USAF) is the aerial warfare, space warfare, and cyberwarfare service branch of the United States armed forces and one of the American uniformed services.

U.S. Air Force

Deep Space Industries

Innovative Solutions In Space

Adelphi Technology

SpaceQuest

Aerospace Concepts

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Orbit Fab focuses on building an in-space propellant supply chain to improve communications and Earth observation for industries such as space tourism, manufacturing, and mining. It provides an in-space fueling port, propellant depot, space station, and spacecraft. The company's product includes a Rapidly Attachable Fluid Transfer Interface that consists of on-orbit refueling capabilities. Orbit Fab was founded in 2018 and is based in Lafayette, Colorado.

Name	Work History	Title	Status
Daniel Faber	Deep Space Industries, Innovative Solutions In Space, VKI, Adelphi Technology, SpaceQuest, and Aerospace Concepts	Founder, Chief Executive Officer	Current
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Work History	Deep Space Industries, Innovative Solutions In Space, VKI, Adelphi Technology, SpaceQuest, and Aerospace Concepts	Subscribe to see more		Subscribe to see more	Subscribe to see more
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