GROUND SYSTEMS
MAY 2023 satelliteprome.com
GETTING OFF Growing demand, new use cases and increasing pressure on delivering faster, more efficient, and cost-effective solutions are all driving virtualisation of the satellite ground segment. But several challenges remain – not least interoperability, industry experts tell Keith J Fernandez and Vijaya Cherian
THE GROUND
As new software technologies begin to deliver higher bandwidth, faster speeds, and more reliable services, attention is focusing on changes in the ground segment. Virtualised ground operations are now being seen as the missing link in a fast-advancing industry shaped by innovations such as software-defined satellites, multi-orbit constellations, and 5G-enabled terrestrial networks. Conventional ground systems
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often slow down communications between satellite and terrestrial networks with their rigid and manually operated design. But virtual ground systems could eliminate these constraints while supporting new use cases, thanks to their potential to centralise operations, reduce complexity and improve overall business efficiency. Simply put, virtualisation is a game changer for the ground segment. It allows software to abstract away the underlying
hardware, making it more flexible and adaptable to different uses. Not too soon for an industry undergoing the most significant transformation of its five-decade lifespan. Ahead of Satellite 2023 in Washington D.C. this year, Kratos Defense & Security Solutions announced OpenSpace vStar, its first virtual replacement for the traditional hardware-based hubs used in satellite communications (satcom) today. The goal is to modernise satcom ground systems