2011 APSCC Satellite Conference & Exhibition

[weatheredskies]

Here's an article on the recently concluded apscc satellite conference. I'll be highlighting the key points from the event that were discussed. Posting it here since I'm not too sure where it would fit.
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The annual APSCC Satellite Conference and Exhibition took place in Bali, Indonesia from the 27th – 29th of September 2011. The aptly named conference tagline - "All Eyes on Satellites" brought together leading industry experts and executives worldwide, to discuss the state of the satellite industry in Asia and ways to further the growth and success experienced by Asia in 2011.

The attendance by leading industry experts and captains included (among others): Bill Wade, CEO AsiaSat; Nongluck Phinainitisart, President Thaicom; Fu Ziheng, VP China Great Wall Industry; Eddie Kato, CEO Thales Alenia Space North America; Tom Choi, CEO ABS; Jean-Yves Le Gall, Chairman & CEO, Arianespace; Chris Baran, VP Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems and David Ball, CTO NewSat.

The Satellite Operators CEO Roundtable session, The Next Stage of Evolution for Satellite Operators drew the consensus that adding value to existing services was paramount to maintaining healthy growth and keeping existing clients loyal. Such services could include more satTV options, especially for Indochina and India. However, increasing the size of the "pie" was another strategy discussed to ensure a win-win situation for all satellite operators, and in part, mitigate downward pressure on prices.

NewSat's Chief Technology Officer, David Ball, hosted the Satellite Manufacturers Roundtable: Longer Term Prospects for New Platforms session, which discussed the many challenges satellite manufacturers are facing and the various innovations they have had to undertake in order to perform on current programs. The expert panel included: . Eddie Kato, CEO, Thales Alenia Space North America . Dawn Harms, VP, Space Systems/Loral . Ratnarajah Kularajah, VP, Orbital Communications International . Jean-Francios Charrier, VP, EADS Astrium . Hiroyuki Inahata, Group VP & GM, Mitsubishi Electric . Chris Baran, VP, Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems . Robert Peckham, VP, Boeing Satellite Systems International.

The panel discussed the key challenges facing the satellite manufacturer segment of the industry. Eddie Kato, Thales CEO, suggested the AP market would likely rebound in 2012 and satellite manufacturers should prepare themselves for the increase in business opportunities. Dawn Harms, VP Space Systems/Loral, stated the continued demand for bandwidth, especially Ka-band, would lead to 50% of NEO satellites having Ka-band services in the not too distant future. Chris Baran, VP, Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems, shared that more and more US governmental traffic is going over commercial satellite channels and that this trend would continue to increase rapidly. However, the business of replacing existing satellites would be slowing down and believed the best way to grow would be to have larger payloads, especially with broadband services increasing.

The panel discussions and presentations at APSCC provided an arena for satellite industry professionals from around the world to meet and discuss the growth, opportunities and challenges facing the satellite industry, both locally and internationally.

Source: NewSat News