Consultant: Multi-Orbit Strategy a 'Must-Have,' But Regulations a Hurdle

Multi-orbit capabilities are "becoming a must-have" for satellite operators looking to stay competitive, Carolina Daza of consultancy Access Partnership wrote Wednesday. She said the biggest challenge facing multi-orbit networks is "significantly heterogeneous regulatory frameworks." She also cited regulatory hurdles, including the fact that spectrum licensing for non-geostationary and geostationary orbit systems typically follow "distinct regulatory paths" with different technical parameters. There are no standardized criteria for multi-orbit terminals, and regulators "can be reluctant when faced with the unknown, further complicating the licensing process."