A Forecast International blog about the arms trade, geopolitics, defense and security, and military spending.
by Bill Ostrove, Space Systems Analyst, Forecast International. A partnership between ESA, Eutelsat, and Airbus Defence and Space has introduced a commercial communications services satellite platform that utilizes new technology. The …
New Quantum Satellite Bus Will Be the Focus of New Technology Development Read Moreby Bill Ostrove, Space Systems Analyst, Forecast International. The average size, or launch mass, of commercial communications satellites is declining. After the average launch mass reached a peak of 4,424 kilograms …
Average Commercial Communications Satellite Launch Mass Declines, Again Read More by Bill Ostrove, Space Systems Analyst, Forecast International. On June 27, a SpaceX Falcon 9 carrying a Dragon cargo spacecraft on its way to the International Space Station (ISS) broke apart …
Launch Failure Won’t Be a Long-Term Setback for SpaceX Read More by Bill Ostrove, Space Systems Analyst, Forecast International. Over the next 10 years, the top five commercial communications satellite manufacturers will be MDA, Airbus Defence and Space, Boeing, Thales, and Lockheed …
MDA Tops List of Commercial Communications Satellite Manufacturers Read More by Bill Ostrove, Space Systems Analyst, Forecast International. The remote sensing satellite market is growing rapidly, and it remains to be seen whether a recent trend toward larger satellites will continue. …
As Remote Sensing Satellite Deliveries Spike, Small Satellites Could Increase in Importance Read More by Bill Ostrove, Space Systems Analyst, Forecast International. Over the next 10 years, the launch industry will be greatly shaped by how the United States pursues its ambitious space exploration goals. …
Ambitious Human Spaceflight Plans Driving the Launch Industry Read More by Bill Ostrove, Forecast International. U.S. company United Launch Alliance (ULA) has unveiled its next-generation launch vehicle, dubbed Vulcan. In a much anticipated April 13 press conference, CEO Tory Bruno …
ULA Introduces Future Vulcan Launch Vehicle Read More by Bill Ostrove, Forecast International. Human efforts to explore the Red Planet scored several major achievements last month – nitrogen was detected, a rover surpassed the marathon mark in distance …
Mars Exploration Programs Hit Major Milestones Read More by Bill Ostrove, Forecast International. The launch vehicle market continues to be dominated by a few select regions. Between 2011 and 2013, Russia, China, the United States, and Europe accounted …
Launch Vehicle Market Still Held by Major Powers, but New Contenders Emerge Read More By Bill Ostrove, Forecast International Over the past few years, there has been growing concern in some circles that export restrictions have held U.S. manufacturers back. With the recent economic …
Changing U.S. Export Laws Affect Satellite Production Going Forward Read More