Mobile phone connection from space
multiple players in the Recently the industry has turned its attention to direct-to-mobile connectivity from space. Although it is still a very early market with limited existing capabilities, companies such as Apple, T-Mobile, Globalstar, SpaceX, AST SpaceMobile and Lynk Global are focusing on this area. Multiple mobile network operators are already on board, even before some of the first operational spacecraft have been launched.
Apple is partnering with Globalstar to provide SOS connectivity with its new iPhone 14, and T-Mobile plans to start low earth orbit (LEO) connectivity in 2023 through SpaceX, which recently filed an application with the US FCC to add a direct link included. -cellular capabilities in its Gen 2 Starlink satellites. Amazon is set to launch its first batch of LEO satellites for Project Kuiper.
Most of these early projects will not provide high-speed broadband from space, and will instead offer low-bandwidth connectivity suitable for emergency calls and texts. All of this aims to serve the currently underserved population around the world, who don’t live within traditional cell tower networks.
The commercialization of the moon begins in earnest
Despite the economic uncertainty, we believe that new records will be established in space technology as massive commercial projects are funded.
There have been major governmental and commercial efforts to go “back to the Moon” decades after the Apollo program ended in 1972. This was started by NASA’s Artemis program, which saw the Orion capsule of the Artemis 1 mission at return to Earth after spending almost a month. traveling around the Moon.
At almost the same time, SpaceX launched the first privately funded lunar mission for the Japanese company iSpace, which is undertaking a fuel-efficient trip to the Moon due to arrive in April. This was the first fully commercial mission to land on the Moon, a milestone in the cooperation between Japan and the US in space. Other commercial companies, such as Intuitive Machines and Astrobotic, are also targeting lunar landings.
With the first commercial companies leading the moon alongside national efforts, we expect 2023 to be a breakthrough year for the cislunar ecosystem.
Revenue growth is underpinned by three drivers
Developments in the defence, cyber security and climate sectors will be strong drivers for space technology revenues in 2023. Record growth in defense budgets driven by the war in Ukraine and rising geopolitical tensions will drive business, and it is the increasing desire of governments for sovereign power. space assets will lead to some huge orders in the sector. And, since cyber security is another tool in the geopolitical toolbox, satellite resilience against attacks is a priority.
Due to increasing reliance on data sets generated in orbit, the security demands on data flow from the satellite to the cloud and ground stations are increasing dramatically. We see 2023 as the year in which the industry embraces quantum capabilities.
