Stellant Systems, Inc. (Stellant) and Comtech (NASDAQ: CMTL), both global technology leaders, announced today that the companies have closed, effective November 7, 2023, on the previously announced sale of Comtech’s Power Systems Technology (PST) product line. Stellant is a portfolio company of Arlington Capital Partners, a Washington D.C.-area private equity firm with extensive experience investing in regulated industries.

The list of finalists - of the projects and people who are powering change and working to bridge the digital divide across Africa - has been announced, with the winners of the Africa Tech Festival Awards set to be unveiled and celebrated at a gala evening on Wednesday 15 November in Cape Town. 

The SATELLITE Conference and Exhibition is pleased to announce the competitors for this year’s Startup Space entrepreneur pitch competition. Competitors include Little Place; Obruta; Planewave, Inc.; UNIO Enterprise; Spaice Tech; TrustPoint GPS; In Orbit Aerospace; Share My Space; Arkisys; and Pale Blue. The judges panel includes Lockheed Martin Ventures, Starbridge Ventures, Stellar Ventures, Seraphim Space Fund, DCVC, E2MC Ventures, MaC Ventures, and OpAmp Capital, with new additions of AIN Ventures and Promus Ventures.

As would be expected a broad range of topics were discussed at the Satellite Innovation held from October 21-22 in Mountain View, California.  These included Direct-to-Device (D2D), low earth orbit constellations (LEOs), supply chains, orbital debris, in-space servicing and manufacturing (ISAM) and big data.  A couple of key topics that cropped up in several panels, and stood out for me, were D2D and ISAM. The former because opinion was sharply divided and the latter because it is a relatively new segment.  In addition, two keynotes, one from Jessica Rosenworcel, FCC Chairwoman and the other from Katherine Gizinski, CEO, River Advisers (formerly known as ManSat) were particularly interesting.

Eutelsat Communications (ISIN: FR0010221234 - Euronext Paris / London Stock Exchange: ETL) reports revenues for the First Quarter ended 30 September 2023.

Total preliminary registered attendance reached 12,231 for the 2023 NAB Show New York, held October 24-26 at the Javits Center. NAB Show New York is the most efficient and diverse event experience on the East Coast where thousands of content economy professionals reconnect, reevaluate and rediscover ways to get more creative with new-to-market tech and existing tools through exhibits, conferences and networking events. There are more than 225 sessions hosting nearly 300 speakers.

The results are in and today, organisers of the annual Africa Tech Festival, taking place in Cape Town 14 – 16 November, announced the top ten finalists of the AfricaIgnite Pitch Competition who will battle it out to win the opportunity to represent the African continent in the Startup World Cup on 1 December this year.

The SATELLITE 2024 Conference and Exhibition has unveiled its conference program full of cutting-edge insights, inspiring speakers, and sessions covering diverse topics that reflect trends and challenges facing the satellite industry.

Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: IRDM) (“Iridium”), a leading provider of global voice and data satellite communications, today reported financial results for the third quarter of 2023 and updated its full-year 2023 outlook. Net loss was $1.6 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2023, as compared to net income of $2.1 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2022. Operational EBITDA (“OEBITDA”)⁽¹⁾ for the third quarter was $121.3 million, as compared to $107.8 million for the prior-year period, representing a year-over-year increase of 12%. The net loss was primarily the result of costs incurred in connection with the successful refinancing of Iridium’s credit facility during the quarter, which extends the maturity to September 2030 and reduces the interest rate. These refinancing costs fully offset strong revenue growth in Iridium’s commercial service lines and an increase in engineering and support revenue.

Stellant Systems, Inc. (Stellant) and Comtech Telecommunications Corp. (NASDAQ: CMTL) (Comtech) today announced the companies entered into a definitive agreement under which Stellant will acquire Comtech’s Power Systems Technology (PST) product line for a total cash purchase price of $40 million, which includes a preliminary sales price of $35 million and contingent consideration up to $5 million based on the achievement of certain targets. The transaction was unanimously approved by the board of directors of both companies.