Plus: Hughes unveils an AI-enabled satcom modem
| SpaceNews is reporting from the 2026 Satellite conference all week. In this edition, Telesat is pitching itself to military customers with a planned laser communications test, Hughes unveiled a new modem for resilient satellite communications and more. Click here to see our full conference coverage.
| | | | | | | By Sandra Erwin As it prepares to launch the first satellites for its Lightspeed low Earth orbit constellation, Telesat is sharpening its pitch to U.S. defense customers with a planned laser communications demonstration and changes to its system design aimed at military compatibility.
The Canadian satellite operator is positioning Lightspeed as a high-capacity data transport layer for defense networks, capable of moving large volumes of information with low latency while reducing exposure to jamming or interception. The effort includes adding military Ka-band frequencies — aligned with the Pentagon's existing wideband satcom systems — and testing optical inter-satellite links under a NASA contract.
| | | | | Hughes Network Systems is positioning its defense business to capture growing demand from governments seeking greater control over how satellite communications networks are used, a senior executive said March 25. The company announced an updated version of its HM400 software-defined satellite modem, which uses AI to switch automatically between satellite beams or constellations. The modem is aimed at military aircraft and drones.
Satlantis reported revenues of 47.8 million euros ($56.4 million) in 2025, with more than 50% of the Spanish company's income derived from small-satellite sales and operations. Audited earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization were 14.4 million euros. The results show remarkable evolution of a company focused primarily on developing and manufacturing high-resolution optical payloads. Last year, payloads accounted for 30% of Satlantis revenues.
While the space economy is expanding across multiple fronts, questions remain about how some of its most promising opportunities could translate growing demand into sustainable profits, executives said on a conference panel. | | | | | | | FROM SPACENEWS |  | | March 31 at 1 p.m. ET: Join SpaceNews and Star Catcher, in partnership with the Commercial Space Federation, for a conversation on the energy and computing needs driving the push toward orbital data centers, where there are gaps and where there are opportunities and what comes next in this fast-moving field. Register now. | | | | |
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