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Attempted orbital launches decreased from 92 in 2014 to 86 in 2015. Of these 86 launches, 83 successfully reached orbit. There were 22 launch attempts for commercial payloads and the other 64 were for government payloads. Eurospace, the European space industry association, estimates that the global market value for orbital launches in 2015 was $8.01 billion, essentially the same as the 2014 value of $8.10 billion.
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MSS providers offer satellite-based communications directly to consumers through devices such as mobile phones. Traditionally, MSS has provided basic voice and data services to ships and locations underserved by terrestrial…
Read MoreInternational rights to geostationary orbital slots are vital to FSS operators that need to reach the most promising markets. The orbital arc is becoming congested with more satellites utilizing the…
Read MoreThe FSS and MSS industries had served their discrete markets using unique capabilities, but advancing technologies and evolving market conditions have eroded much of the contrast between these two services.…
Read MoreThe MSS sector was created to address a specific market that was underserved by FSS: maritime voice and data, enabling emergency communications for ships at sea. Subsequent MSS systems tried to create ubiquitous coverage for land and sea customers, especially in areas that were underserved by terrestrial mobile telephony. For years, MSS systems were designed using satellites in GEO or LEO that were able to transmit low-data rate information to mobile receiving systems, such as satellite telephones or receiving stations on ships.
Read MoreGEO satellites can broadcast a signal to one-third of the Earth’s surface. They are ideal for FSS operators, who broadcast to antennas spread across several continents. Of the ## communications satellites active at the end of 2013, ## were located in GEO and were primarily used for FSS. The dominant players in satellite communications have been Intelsat, SES, Eutelsat, and Telesat. These four companies have expanded their respective fleets through construction and launch as well as consolidation and acquisition of competitors’ satellites.
Read MoreTelecommunications satellites include all spacecraft whose main mission is to collect, relay, or broadcast data, which may include voice, video, and other information. Depending on the type of system, communications satellites range from very small to very large satellites and can operate from all Earth orbits. The vast majority fall into one of two categories: geosynchronous orbiting (GEO) satellites and large constellations located in Low Earth Orbit (LEO)/Medium Earth Orbit (MEO).
Read MoreAn up-to-date list of space launch vehicles and their payloads, sorted by SLV Launch ID. Payload descriptions and orbital status are also provided. Updated during Space Foundation business hours.
Read MoreA description of the way the Space Foundation classifies the orbits of satellites.
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