{"id":59180,"date":"2020-08-18T22:14:46","date_gmt":"2020-08-18T14:14:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/haps-a-satellite-operators-big-investment-in-the-stratosphere\/"},"modified":"2020-08-18T22:14:46","modified_gmt":"2020-08-18T14:14:46","slug":"haps-a-satellite-operators-big-investment-in-the-stratosphere","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/haps-a-satellite-operators-big-investment-in-the-stratosphere\/","title":{"rendered":"HAPS: A Satellite Operator\u2019s Big Investment in the Stratosphere"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\u201cBalloons are the future of connectivity.\u201d What sounds like a line torn straight out of a Thomas Pynchon steampunk novel is actually the core mission statement of Loon, the Google\/Alphabet subsidiary that wants to loft a fleet of balloons into the stratosphere to provide global broadband connectivity.  <\/p>\n<p>An image posted to Loon\u2019s website shows a transmitter covered in solar panels dangling from a translucent hot air balloon. This is one example of what is technically referred to as a High-Altitude Platform Station, or HAPS, and a visual representation of what the future of connectivity, and even the future of commercial satellite service could look like.<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/MJdDtSLRAmUS6bgnpzzQ_VS_090120_Cover-300x225.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 120px; height: auto;\" decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/MJdDtSLRAmUS6bgnpzzQ_VS_090120_Cover-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/MJdDtSLRAmUS6bgnpzzQ_VS_090120_Cover-800x599.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/MJdDtSLRAmUS6bgnpzzQ_VS_090120_Cover-640x480.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/MJdDtSLRAmUS6bgnpzzQ_VS_090120_Cover.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\">\t\t\t<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"fs-5 mt-0\">Explore the September 2020 Issue<\/h3>\n<p class=\"mb-0 fs-smaller text-balance\">Check out more from this issue and find your next story to read.<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t<button class=\"btn btn-primary\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"offcanvas\" data-bs-target=\"#offcanvasMENU\" aria-controls=\"offcanvasExample\" aria-label=\"button\" style=\"white-space: nowrap;\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\tView More <i class=\"bi bi-arrow-right-circle\"><\/i><br \/>\n\t\t\t<\/button><\/p>\n<p>\u201cTerrestrial, stratospheric, and satellite technologies are all suited to different parts of the globe and use cases. Loon believes the problem of connectivity will be solved with an all-of-the-above approach,\u201d says Dr. Brian Barritt, technical lead at Loon and a senior software engineer for Google. \u201cWe\u2019re proud to be adding a new layer to the connectivity ecosystem.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>This \u201cnew layer\u201d of connectivity caught the attention of one the largest global satellite operators in the world, Intelsat.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHAPS technologies have been \u2014 no pun intended \u2014 floating around for 20 years or so, but mainly for military applications,\u201d says Intelsat\u2019s Vice President of Business Development Greg Ewart, who explains that advancements in composite materials, battery technology, and solar antennas have made HAPS more commercially viable to produce, similar to the evolution of electric automobiles.<\/p>\n<p><script>var AIAD_fcd45f981d570e35cee941b23edc69c7_6a69460ea520e;googletag.cmd.push(function(){var AIMAP_29b58f13885ebf8ea6b032f958eb0748 = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([992, 100], [[970, 90], [970, 250]]).addSize([768, 100], [728, 90]).addSize([320, 100], [320, 50]).build();var AIMAP_737ce075cc05dd766c8f8ea08f3faa73 = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([768, 100], [728, 90]).addSize([320, 100], [320, 50]).build();var AIMAP_21fe3bcfb86a8660aba4e721ee9338f3 = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([1200, 100], [970, 250]).addSize([768, 100], [600, 300]).addSize([320, 100], [300, 250]).build();AIAD_fcd45f981d570e35cee941b23edc69c7_6a69460ea520e = googletag.defineSlot('\/987\/satellitetoday.com\/via-satellite-digital-issue-ads', [ [600, 300], [300, 250], [970, 250] ], 'div-gpt-ad-1774631144891- 0-6a69460ea520f').defineSizeMapping(AIMAP_21fe3bcfb86a8660aba4e721ee9338f3).setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads());   });<\/script><script>googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1774631144891- 0-6a69460ea520f'); });<\/script><\/p>\n<p>But, the question that intrigues Intelsat is \u2014 Could balloons bring its satellite services down to Earth and closer to consumers than ever before?<\/p>\n<p>Thanks to the development of Software Defined Networks (SDNs), which could act as polyglots translating multiple languages in a hybrid network, a HAPS platform could be seamlessly integrated into a network with a Geostationary (GEO) satellite. Ewart adds that this integration could all happen in a back office environment, out of sight and out of mind for customers who mostly don\u2019t care about how satellites work and just want reliable service on the devices they know and love.<\/p>\n<p>For years, Intelsat has waited for a financially viable path to connect directly to consumers, without the need of satellite-specialized hardware and an array of specialized sales teams on the ground. HAPS was the most promising opportunity Intelsat had seen to accomplish this goal in years, so it watched from a distance and waited for the right time to jump in.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019ve always felt also that there is no one technology that brings everyone together from a communication standpoint,\u201d says Ewart. \u201cWe\u2019ve never been scared as a company to push the envelope with respect to new frontiers of technology. Basically, it\u2019s in our DNA.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The International Telecommunication Union\u2019s (ITU) definition of a HAPS system is also pretty high up on the steampunk scale. According to the ITU, HAPS systems are \u201cradio stations\u201d located on an object in the stratosphere, at an altitude between 20 and 50 kilometers and at a specified, nominal, fixed point relative to the Earth. HAPS can resemble balloons or solar-powered aircraft \u2013 the key is to be lightweight and power efficient to ensure long-term, continuous operation, in order to provide fixed broadband connectivity in targeted areas.<\/p>\n<p>Propelled by Alphabet\u2019s infinite resources and support, Loon was one of the first to transform HAPS from concept to prototype. To date, Loon vehicles have logged over one million flight hours and travelled over forty million kilometers in the stratosphere.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAt any given time there are dozens of Loon flight vehicles aloft worldwide,\u201d says Barritt. \u201cMany of these are focused on serving our commercial partners, such as in Kenya, while others are used for continued research and development purposes. We launch our flight vehicles from two launch sites \u2014 one in Nevada and one in Puerto Rico. If needed, we can launch one flight vehicle every 30 minutes utilizing our custom-built automated launching systems.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"flex flex-col justify-center items-center w-full image-block px-8\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Placeholder alt text\" class=\"w-full object-cover mx-auto max-w-sm\" src=\"http:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/eHZ5NQS0Q2CM11N6oATW_GoogleLoon1-scaled.jpg\"><figcaption class=\"p-3 bg-gray-300 bg-opacity-50 italic mx-auto max-w-sm\">Loon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3>\u2018Loons vs. LEO<\/h3>\n<p>Like Intelsat, NSR Analyst Shiva Muruganandham has also been keeping an eye on the HAPS market. He has authored several forecasts for the technology\u2019s future. The most recent one, the fourth edition of NSR\u2019s High Altitude Platforms study, was released in early July.<\/p>\n<p>Muruganandham believes that in addition to giving satellite operators the ability to bypass specialized satellite devices and go right to consumer devices, investing in HAPS could also give GEO satellite operators a strategic position to defend against the oncoming wave of competitive services, including Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation services.<\/p>\n<p><script>var AIAD_fcd45f981d570e35cee941b23edc69c7_6a69460ea5756;googletag.cmd.push(function(){var AIMAP_29b58f13885ebf8ea6b032f958eb0748 = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([992, 100], [[970, 90], [970, 250]]).addSize([768, 100], [728, 90]).addSize([320, 100], [320, 50]).build();var AIMAP_737ce075cc05dd766c8f8ea08f3faa73 = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([768, 100], [728, 90]).addSize([320, 100], [320, 50]).build();var AIMAP_21fe3bcfb86a8660aba4e721ee9338f3 = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([1200, 100], [970, 250]).addSize([768, 100], [600, 300]).addSize([320, 100], [300, 250]).build();AIAD_fcd45f981d570e35cee941b23edc69c7_6a69460ea5756 = googletag.defineSlot('\/987\/satellitetoday.com\/via-satellite-digital-issue-ads', [ [600, 300], [300, 250], [970, 250] ], 'div-gpt-ad-1774631144891- 0-6a69460ea5757').defineSizeMapping(AIMAP_21fe3bcfb86a8660aba4e721ee9338f3).setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads());   });<\/script><script>googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1774631144891- 0-6a69460ea5757'); });<\/script><\/p>\n<p>\u201cSatellites cannot exist in a vacuum. Operators have to keep an eye on adjacent technology developments and understand the new business models they might have to deal with in the future,\u201d says Muruganandham.<\/p>\n<p>Ewart has read Muruganandham\u2019s report and admits that being able to create a clear, competitive contrast to the flashy new LEO systems would influence whether or not the operator would invest in HAPS. He explains that HAPS technology reached a maturity point that flipped the switch for Intelsat about two years ago. It was finally cheap enough to produce, tested and proven, backed by influential tech companies along the entire supply chain, and fast on its way to market. The operator was starting to identify significant business opportunities for its cellular backhaul business through HAPS.  <\/p>\n<p>\u201cSome of the market segments that we serve, like smart mining or agriculture, are fairly small or regional when compared to traditional telecom markets. However, they require complex and expensive networks to serve,\u201d says Ewert. \u201cFor instance, the capital costs of deploying a global LEO network for these kinds of markets is very expensive. They require billions of dollars upfront and a lot of work from that point on to start connecting devices, generating revenues and servicing debt. HAPS, on the other hand, is showing disruptive advantages and would allow us to address these markets with surgical precision, at a fractional of the cost of a LEO network, with MNO (Mobile Network Operator)-like performance direct to MNO user devices and efficiently deploy capital, incrementally, based on market needs and success.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>HAPS and LEO systems do share similarities. They are both in constant motion relative to the Earth, which requires a high level of orchestration of steerable beam tasking, radio resource management, and network path planning. Barritt explains that this is the reason Loon is collaborating to some degree with LEO operators like Telesat.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHowever, a big difference between HAPS and LEO is that Loon flight vehicles are much closer to the Earth, which enables lower latency and the ability to communicate seamlessly with the mobile devices many people already have. For example, an early test of the Loon service in Kenya showed latency of 19 milliseconds,\u201d says Barritt.<\/p>\n<p>By integrating HAPS into its network, Ewart says Intelsat can jump right into new markets, work with specific MNOs with specialized applications and incrementally extend their cell coverage network to meet the demand, and spend less time and money than competing operators.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn those cases, the building costs and maintenance required for LEO satellite fleets, cellular towers, and fiber, is just too much based on the revenues that they would be able pull out of the low-density markets they serve,\u201d says Ewart. \u201cIn addition to being cheaper, a HAPS network is much faster to deploy and can be broken down and reconfigured and\/or refreshed within a matter of hours or days.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Finally, Intelsat realized that HAPS technology could help the operator realize its dream of connecting directly to consumer MNO devices. \u201cWe think that\u2019s incredibly important,\u201d says Ewart. \u201cTraditionally, satellite service providers always connect to an expensive specialized device \u2014 a VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal), a satellite phone or device modem. Going directly to the MNO device allows us an inexpensive alternative to specialized devices. It opens up a much larger addressable market where we leverage the MNO\u2019s eco structure of low cost equipment and market access. So, not only are we complimentary, we\u2019re also able to use HAPS to extend our network beyond what we thought a traditional satellite service could do.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3>A New Alliance<\/h3>\n<p>NSR\u2019s Muruganandham says that regardless of how brazen the new business models for LEO satellites and fiber services are, operators like Intelsat do not have the luxury of being able to wait for competitors to fail. With business models still dependent on lagging or declining broadcast markets and specialized broadband services in an environment ravaged by COVID-19 and travel restrictions, GEO operators need to make smart, bold moves to stay relevant. \u201cIn Intelsat\u2019s case, it seems the strategy is to see how they can work together in a HAPS ecosystem, and benefit from a shared mission,\u201d he says. <\/p>\n<p><script>var AIAD_fcd45f981d570e35cee941b23edc69c7_6a69460ea5b69;googletag.cmd.push(function(){var AIMAP_29b58f13885ebf8ea6b032f958eb0748 = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([992, 100], [[970, 90], [970, 250]]).addSize([768, 100], [728, 90]).addSize([320, 100], [320, 50]).build();var AIMAP_737ce075cc05dd766c8f8ea08f3faa73 = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([768, 100], [728, 90]).addSize([320, 100], [320, 50]).build();var AIMAP_21fe3bcfb86a8660aba4e721ee9338f3 = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([1200, 100], [970, 250]).addSize([768, 100], [600, 300]).addSize([320, 100], [300, 250]).build();AIAD_fcd45f981d570e35cee941b23edc69c7_6a69460ea5b69 = googletag.defineSlot('\/987\/satellitetoday.com\/via-satellite-digital-issue-ads', [ [600, 300], [300, 250], [970, 250] ], 'div-gpt-ad-1774631144891- 0-6a69460ea5b6a').defineSizeMapping(AIMAP_21fe3bcfb86a8660aba4e721ee9338f3).setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads());   });<\/script><script>googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1774631144891- 0-6a69460ea5b6a'); });<\/script><\/p>\n<p>Enter the HAPS Alliance \u2013 a consortium of telecommunications companies that formed in February 2020 to collaborate on an interoperable HAPS system that benefits all members. Intelsat is a founding member and, as of the end of July, still the only satellite operator on a team that includes Airbus, Nokia, AT&amp;T, T-Mobile, Airtel, and Google Loon.<\/p>\n<p>HAPSMobile, a subsidiary of SoftBank and minority owner AeroVironment, co-founded the HAPS Alliance to enlist the help of industry partners to overcome a make-or-break challenge that will determine whether or not HAPS lives up to its potential \u2013 the development of a standard for interoperability.<\/p>\n<p>HAPSMobile Senior Vice President Ryuji Wakikawa, who also leads SoftBank\u2019s Advanced Technology division, firmly believes that new standards and coordinated regulatory policies across industries are needed to make HAPS solutions a reality. \u201cWith a united voice, we believe we can greatly accelerate the adoption of HAPS,\u201d says Wakikawa. \u201cWe believe it\u2019s also important to demonstrate to partners how HAPS, as a non-terrestrial network, complements other existing network solutions, including terrestrial networks and satellites \u2026 SoftBank also recognizes that it\u2019s essential to build a system with interoperability, backward compatibility and non-interference with existing networks.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>There are several dimensions to interoperability: end user equipment interoperability; core network operability; and the issue of interoperability between aerospace network equipment infrastructure developed by different manufacturers, Barritt explains.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cLoon\u2019s network design already solves most interoperability problems; we partner with existing MNOs and integrate with their core network using standard 3GPP interfaces that are commonly used to facilitate roaming between MNOs,\u201d says Barritt. \u201cAs a result, end users are able to use their existing handsets to communicate over our aerospace network. It\u2019s so frictionless that end users can\u2019t easily distinguish between connection to HAPS versus a terrestrial tower.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In addition to pooling political and regulatory expertise and resources, participating companies in the HAPS Alliance will have a unique view (and voice) into the development of common product specifications in a hypothetical HAPS network. Ewart says that for Intelsat, having access to the members themselves as technology partners is also important, as it allows them to operate more independently outside of the satellite silo of tech providers.<\/p>\n<p>Yet Ewart doesn\u2019t see a significant role in the Alliance for more satellite ground system manufacturers. \u201cWhat we\u2019re fundamentally doing in the Alliance is utilizing technology more associated with traditional Mobile Network Operators,\u201d he says. \u201cFor our work on HAPS specifically, the specialized technologies that companies like iDirect have traditionally provided to the satellite industry would be overshadowed by Nokia. In this situation, there\u2019s no comparison to Nokia\u2019s depth and knowledge of what we need for HAPS platforms and the off-the-shelf devices that we\u2019re connecting. The satellite-specific manufacturers would have to invest a ton of research and development capital in order to catch up to Nokia in this space.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Nokia is indeed positioning itself to be the ground infrastructure and technology leader of the group. \u201cWith enhanced LTE wireless networking now, and 5G connectivity next, we can use HAPS platforms to deliver major economic and societal benefits to underserved communities, particularly in remote and challenging environments,\u201d Nokia Enterprise President Kathrin Buvac writes in the HAPS Alliance blog.<\/p>\n<p>Barritt says that Loon and the HAPS Alliance share the same long-term vision \u2014 establishing a connectivity service that eliminates the boundaries between terrestrial, HAPS, and satellite systems. The consumer won\u2019t notice a thing. \u201cWorking towards that goal, we\u2019re participating in the Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) and the Non-Terrestrial Networking (NTN) standardization efforts in the 3GPP as part of 5G Release 17+,\u201d says Barritt. \u201cWe\u2019ve also been developing Temporospatial Software Defined Networking (TS-SDN) infrastructure to facilitate the control planes of these future hybrid networks.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><script>var AIAD_fcd45f981d570e35cee941b23edc69c7_6a69460ea5ee8;googletag.cmd.push(function(){var AIMAP_29b58f13885ebf8ea6b032f958eb0748 = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([992, 100], [[970, 90], [970, 250]]).addSize([768, 100], [728, 90]).addSize([320, 100], [320, 50]).build();var AIMAP_737ce075cc05dd766c8f8ea08f3faa73 = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([768, 100], [728, 90]).addSize([320, 100], [320, 50]).build();var AIMAP_21fe3bcfb86a8660aba4e721ee9338f3 = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([1200, 100], [970, 250]).addSize([768, 100], [600, 300]).addSize([320, 100], [300, 250]).build();AIAD_fcd45f981d570e35cee941b23edc69c7_6a69460ea5ee8 = googletag.defineSlot('\/987\/satellitetoday.com\/via-satellite-digital-issue-ads', [ [600, 300], [300, 250], [970, 250] ], 'div-gpt-ad-1774631144891- 0-6a69460ea5ee9').defineSizeMapping(AIMAP_21fe3bcfb86a8660aba4e721ee9338f3).setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads());   });<\/script><script>googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1774631144891- 0-6a69460ea5ee9'); });<\/script><\/p>\n<h3>Balloons Crash. Nobody Said it Was Going to Be Easy.<\/h3>\n<p>At this point, the HAPS Alliance exists mostly as a show of force, as it is still a nascent technology. Also, the Alliance isn\u2019t the only player in the game. There are more than 40 HAPS programs at various stages of development around the world, each targeting unique markets with unique applications and facing unique challenges.<\/p>\n<p>Muruganandham believes that the ceiling is very high for HAPS, \u201cbut there is still largely under-developed chemistry between the Alliance members and still quite a lot of seen and unforeseen technological challenges to overcome,\u201d he says. \u201cControlling the balloons is a challenge in itself. HAPS developers are still working out how to overcome shutter speed issues and navigating Ekman wind patterns in the regions that they want to serve and need persistent flight capability.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>HAPS technology is evolving quickly, but there is consensus among alliance members that they will need better performance out of the existing batteries. The current balloon and lightweight aircraft vehicles need solid structural integrity. Unlike satellites that burn up in the atmosphere, balloons and airplanes can crash to the ground, which creates potential safety hazards.<\/p>\n<p>Barritt\u2019s Loon colleague Ken Riordan, head of product management, acknowledges the significant challenges ahead for HAPS, but adds that they can be easily overcome by combining the efforts of companies that have overcome much greater technical challenges in the past.  \u201cWe recognize that for HAPS technology to reach its full potential, we will need the coordinated effort of entire industries, regulatory authorities and governments,\u201d he says. \u201cWhile HAPS is very familiar to us at Loon, we also understand that for large segments of our industries, HAPS is not yet well understood. For this reason, one of [the Alliance\u2019s] top priorities is to educate.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3>How Much Are These Balloons Worth?<\/h3>\n<p>In the latest edition of NSR\u2019s High Altitude Platforms report, Muruganandham predicts that HAPS services from balloons and pseudo-satellite platforms will generate about $4 billion in cumulative revenues by 2030. Most of this business, he says, will happen in the Americas, between a mix of commercial and government customers.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is obviously still a very young market, but it has been picking up a significant amount of steam since the last report we compiled,\u201d says Muruganandham. \u201cIn the commercial markets specifically, we definitely see communications and remote sensing applications as the major drivers throughout the initial years. That said, most of the business for HAPS is still coming mostly from the scientific community, at least in the near term. But I think it comes down to seeing if these alliances actually do end up boosting innovation in the aviation and telecom sector and spearheading developments in the industry. Solutions born out of these correlations, which are uniquely suitable for HAPS deployments, will definitely be out in the market in the long term. I do think it will take quite some time for the commercial market to develop.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>Following a general dip in activity due to the COVID-19 epidemic, Muruganandham says the HAPS market will remain in recovery mode for most of the decade, with accelerated growth coming towards the end, with in-service units averaging at 8.7 percent Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) through ten years.<\/p>\n<p>Intelsat\u2019s Ewart disagrees with Muruganandham\u2019s assessment, and believes a commercial market for HAPS is closer than ten years out. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cI read the NSR report, and while I respect and value their expertise, I think they need to look a little harder at the service side of the revenues,\u201d Ewart says. \u201cI think the report is heavily weighted toward the manufacturing side of the platforms. The MNO marketplace is pretty much untapped right now. It\u2019s the kind of greenfield we need to go after.\u201d<strong class=\"Annotation -strong\"> VS<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>,<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"widget-title\">In This Issue<\/h2>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<!-- post id 405992:  \/code\/wp-content\/themes\/ai-beehive\/template-parts\/content\/post-snippet.php --><\/p>\n<figure class=\"overflow-hidden w-100 me-3\">\n<p>\t<img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/MO98GYNRlqnuYYzgAdue_Opinion-300x300.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"\" decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/MO98GYNRlqnuYYzgAdue_Opinion-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/MO98GYNRlqnuYYzgAdue_Opinion-800x800.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/MO98GYNRlqnuYYzgAdue_Opinion-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/MO98GYNRlqnuYYzgAdue_Opinion-640x640.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/MO98GYNRlqnuYYzgAdue_Opinion.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\">\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"fs-4 w-100 line-clamp-3\">\n<p>\t\t\t\t2020: A Turning Point for Chinese Commercial Space<br \/>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<p><!-- .post-snippet --><\/p>\n<hr class=\"my-3 d-block d-md-none\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- post id 405978:  \/code\/wp-content\/themes\/ai-beehive\/template-parts\/content\/post-snippet.php --><\/p>\n<figure class=\"overflow-hidden w-100 me-3\">\n<p>\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/px8OZmOSOyNOl4wplSrQ_VS_Sept_Digital_Art_TV-300x225.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/px8OZmOSOyNOl4wplSrQ_VS_Sept_Digital_Art_TV-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/px8OZmOSOyNOl4wplSrQ_VS_Sept_Digital_Art_TV-800x599.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/px8OZmOSOyNOl4wplSrQ_VS_Sept_Digital_Art_TV-640x480.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/px8OZmOSOyNOl4wplSrQ_VS_Sept_Digital_Art_TV.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\">\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"fs-4 w-100 line-clamp-3\">\n<p>\t\t\t\tCan Satellite Operators Change the Narrative of DTH Decline?<br \/>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<p><!-- .post-snippet --><\/p>\n<hr class=\"my-3\">\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<!-- post id 405984:  \/code\/wp-content\/themes\/ai-beehive\/template-parts\/content\/post-snippet.php --><\/p>\n<figure class=\"overflow-hidden w-100 me-3\">\n<p>\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/7BNQua2ORCefWi5b1KYD_VS_Sept_Digital_Art_CEO_s-300x225.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/7BNQua2ORCefWi5b1KYD_VS_Sept_Digital_Art_CEO_s-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/7BNQua2ORCefWi5b1KYD_VS_Sept_Digital_Art_CEO_s-800x599.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/7BNQua2ORCefWi5b1KYD_VS_Sept_Digital_Art_CEO_s-640x480.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/7BNQua2ORCefWi5b1KYD_VS_Sept_Digital_Art_CEO_s.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\">\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"fs-4 w-100 line-clamp-3\">\n<p>\t\t\t\tIndustry\u2019s Top CEOs Examine Incredible Start to 2020<br \/>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<p><!-- .post-snippet --><\/p>\n<hr class=\"my-3 d-block d-md-none\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- post id 405981:  \/code\/wp-content\/themes\/ai-beehive\/template-parts\/content\/post-snippet.php --><\/p>\n<figure class=\"overflow-hidden w-100 me-3\">\n<p>\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/jkzDrLoGT3S0wCG2wnxR_VS_Sept_Digital_Art_Maritime-300x225.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/jkzDrLoGT3S0wCG2wnxR_VS_Sept_Digital_Art_Maritime-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/jkzDrLoGT3S0wCG2wnxR_VS_Sept_Digital_Art_Maritime-800x599.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/jkzDrLoGT3S0wCG2wnxR_VS_Sept_Digital_Art_Maritime-640x480.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/jkzDrLoGT3S0wCG2wnxR_VS_Sept_Digital_Art_Maritime.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\">\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"fs-4 w-100 line-clamp-3\">\n<p>\t\t\t\tShipping Companies Survey Connectivity Question in the New Normal<br \/>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<p><!-- .post-snippet --><\/p>\n<hr class=\"my-3\">\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<!-- post id 405995:  \/code\/wp-content\/themes\/ai-beehive\/template-parts\/content\/post-snippet.php --><\/p>\n<figure class=\"overflow-hidden w-100 me-3\">\n<p>\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"167\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/I32padKcRbaCYe4NPz37_ED_Note-300x167.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/I32padKcRbaCYe4NPz37_ED_Note-300x167.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/I32padKcRbaCYe4NPz37_ED_Note-800x446.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/I32padKcRbaCYe4NPz37_ED_Note-640x357.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/I32padKcRbaCYe4NPz37_ED_Note.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\">\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"fs-4 w-100 line-clamp-3\">\n<p>\t\t\t\tSummer Winds Down, Fall Brings New Questions to the Industry<br \/>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<p><!-- .post-snippet --><\/p>\n<hr class=\"my-3 d-block d-md-none\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- post id 405987:  \/code\/wp-content\/themes\/ai-beehive\/template-parts\/content\/post-snippet.php --><\/p>\n<figure class=\"overflow-hidden w-100 me-3\">\n<p>\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/KB7rvUYSAmfPBPuNXjAO_Opinion-300x300.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/KB7rvUYSAmfPBPuNXjAO_Opinion-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/KB7rvUYSAmfPBPuNXjAO_Opinion-800x800.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/KB7rvUYSAmfPBPuNXjAO_Opinion-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/KB7rvUYSAmfPBPuNXjAO_Opinion-640x640.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/KB7rvUYSAmfPBPuNXjAO_Opinion.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\">\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"fs-4 w-100 line-clamp-3\">\n<p>\t\t\t\tThe European Green Deal Brings Opportunities for the Satellite Services Industry<br \/>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<p><!-- .post-snippet --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u201cBalloons are the future of connectivity.\u201d What sounds like a line torn straight out of a Thomas Pynchon steampunk novel is actually the core mission statement of Loon, the Google\/Alphabet subsidiary that wants to loft a fleet of balloons into the stratosphere to provide global broadband connectivity. An image posted to Loon\u2019s website shows a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":59181,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-59180","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59180"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=59180"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59180\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/59181"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=59180"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=59180"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=59180"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}