Issue link: https://resources.mouser.com/i/1537868
the widespread adoption of SATCOM or kept it in the hands of specialist users such as the military or emergency services. The New Frontier SATCOM is central to the delivery of the next generation of connectivity, including the introduction of global broadband and the expansion of 5G networks beyond urban areas. Large scale investment from commercial providers including SpaceX and Amazon has fueled a new era of satellite- based internet services. These systems will supplement traditional terrestrial networks, offering backhaul and direct- to-consumer services, allowing networks like Starlink and Project Kuiper to ensure that no location remains digitally isolated. These large constellations depend on several innovations. The cost of launching objects into space has reduced significantly in recent years with the growing commercialization of space travel. Companies such as SpaceX and Rocket Lab offer ridesharing or secondary payload operations, further reducing launch costs. This has combined with the miniaturization of payloads to maximize the space available in launch vehicles. New Applications for AESA Technology The capabilities of the new generation of communication satellites have been further enhanced with developments in antenna technology. In the past, Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) antenna systems were limited to defense and aerospace applications. However, the evolution of this technology allows its adoption by SATCOM constellations. These antennas provide precise beam-steering, dynamic link optimization and spatial frequency reuse. Modern satellites can thus make more efficient use of the electromagnetic spectrum and therefore enhance their capacity in response to growing bandwidth demands. LEO constellations are thus forming a cornerstone of Non- Terrestrial Networks (NTN). These combine low, medium, C h a p t e r 1 | S e t t i n g t h e S c e n e The shift toward commercial space has opened the door for smaller companies to enter the market with niche payloads and small satellite solutions, offerings that larger players are increasingly beginning to adopt." Christopher Rogers Sr. Component Engineer, CesiumAstro 7 Engineering the Future of Satellite Communications