Agenda

Traditional satellite networks and broadband services have long been delivered from satellites operating in a single orbit, most commonly in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) 22K miles above the Earth. However, the modern landscape of available commercial space assets and communication capabilities has rapidly expanded to include Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) and new GEO capabilities – each offering benefits for end users. As the desire for resilient SATCOM services and data transport grows, there is increasing research and investment across commercial space and government on enabling hybrid and multi-orbit space capabilities. This session will share perspectives on the future investment and integration opportunities across orbits, the advantages of different orbits and whether any orbit is “best”, and the potential governance strategies required to operate in multiple orbits, including for connecting commercial and government networks. This panel will explore strategies for creating a seamless multi-orbit enterprise that allows users to not only roam easily across multiple orbits but use them simultaneously. Panellists will also discuss the challenges to enabling multi-orbit systems, the role of space sustainability, and the long-term benefits a multi-layered space architecture could offer across the commercial, Government and defence sectors.

Panellists:

• Moderator: Dr Joanna Hart, Space Partnership Director, Space Partnership
• Craig Miller, President Government Systems, Viasat
• Dr Craig Brown, Investment Director, UKSA
• Chris Moore CBE, VP Defence & Security in Government Relations, OneWeb
• Professor Stephen Hobbs, Reader in Space Systems and Sensors, Centre for Autonomous and Cyberphysical Systems, Cranfield University
• Junayd Miah, Science Adviser,
  UK Space Command