Satellite Operators and Service Providers Discuss Creation of Space Rocket Technology and Satellite Communications after COVID-19

On 23 July, the XII International Conference “SATELLITE RUSSIA & CIS 2020 – spacecraft and satellite communications in different orbits in the post-COVID-19 era, 5G network deployment and strengthening of private initiative in the development of space and rocket technology” took place in online format. It was attended by representatives of national communications authorities and companies’ leading experts – satellite operators and service providers of Azerbaijan, Belarus (operator of the National System of Satellite Communication and Broadcast Belintersat), Bulgaria, Hungary, Germany, India, Laos and Mongolia. The conference was supported by EMEA Satellite Operators Association (ESOA).

The general partner of Satellite Russia & CIS 2020 was JSC Gazprom Space Systems and the innovative partner – FSUE Russian Satellite Communication Company (RSCC).

The conference was opened by the plenary session attended by Secretary General of ESOA Aarti Holla-Maini, First Deputy Director General for Orbital Constellation Development and Advanced Projects of SC Roscosmos Yuri Yrlichich, Director General of FSUE RSCC Yuri Prokhorov, Director General of JSC Gazprom Space Systems Dmitry Sevastyanov and Director General of JSC RTCOMM Sergey Ratiev.

During the session a discussion took place on the topic: “B2B satellite communications sector after COVID-19 – how the commitment to unmanned technologies and remote work in various sectors of the economy, as well as crisis phenomena in the economy and reduction of corporate budgets will affect the equipment and services market”. Head of Aerospace Operations of Belintersat (Belarus) Dzmitry Zakaliukin participated in the debate. His speech was dedicated to the issues of new technologies in space and on Earth, to the ways operators, satellite and ground equipment manufacturers should respond to new challenges, including expansion of optical network coverage, growth of commercial networks and to the demand for wide return channels due to so-called remote work.

The session also addressed issues related to Ka-band models operations at mass market, commercialisation of space activities and start-ups in the field of satellite/rocket/ground equipment development.