Satellite Industry Association Urges Leadership to Recognize Vital Importance of America’s Commercial Satellite Industry During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Washington, D.C., March 26, 2020 – The Satellite Industry Association (SIA) today released the following statement regarding the role America’s commercial satellite industry is playing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

SIA urges America’s lawmakers and regulators to recognize the essential role satellites are playing during the coronavirus outbreak and to assist the satellite industry should issues arise that might impair its ability to provide vital services to government, defense, enterprise and consumer customers.  If required, such actions would also assist in protecting industry jobs, the critical supply chains for satellite and aerospace components, the scheduled launches of new satellites plus the continuation of the recent leaps in innovation that have helped drive America’s role as the world’s commercial space leader.

Unprecedented actions are taking place all across the United States and around the world in an attempt to save lives and mitigate the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Satellites are providing vital services to the millions of Americans who are now forced to work and learn from home.

Satellite internet services are providing millions of businesses and families with essential broadband access to online education, business collaboration and communication tools, telehealth and critical government updates.  Satellite-powered internet is keeping people everywhere connected with their teachers, doctors, employers, customers, friends and families. Satellites are enabling GPS navigation and timing – helping to power America’s mobile cellular phone industry and report on the spread of the epidemic worldwide. Satellite imagery and remote sensing companies are providing users with safe and remote ways to collect global onsite information while satellite television news and entertainment services are proving to be invaluable for the millions who are homebound.  These are just a few of the vital services that satellites are providing to help keep Americans who are sheltering in place, safe, connected, informed and entertained.

During a crisis such as the pandemic, satellites also provide government customers including the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with a wide variety of critical crises communications, remote sensing and other services vital for use both in the United States and around the world.  DHS named satellite operations as an essential part of functioning critical infrastructure that is imperative during the response to the COVID-19 emergency for both public health and safety as well as community well-being.

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About The Satellite Industry Association

SIA is a U.S.-based trade association providing representation of the leading satellite operators, service providers, manufacturers, launch services providers, and ground equipment suppliers. For more than two decades, SIA has advocated on behalf of the U.S. satellite industry on policy, regulatory, and legislative issues affecting the satellite business. For more information, visit www.sia.org.

SIA Executive Members include: Amazon; AT&T Services, Inc.; The Boeing Company; EchoStar Corporation; Intelsat S.A.; Iridium Communications Inc.; Kratos Defense & Security Solutions; Ligado Networks; Lockheed Martin Corporation; ; SES Americom, Inc.; Space Exploration Technologies Corp.; Spire Global Inc.; and Viasat Inc. SIA Associate Members include: ABS US Corp.;  ; Amazon Web Services; Analytical Graphics, Inc.; Artel, LLC; Blue Origin; Eutelsat America Corp.; ExoAnalytic Solutions; Globalstar, Inc.; HawkEye 360; Hughes; Inmarsat, Inc.; Kymeta Corporation; Leonardo DRS; Lynk; Omnispace; Satellites; Panasonic Avionics Corporation; Peraton; Planet; Telesat Canada; and XTAR, LLC. SIA Affiliate Members include: The Aerospace Corporation; AQYR Technologies; COMSAT; Envistacom, LLC; Integrasys LLC, Kaman Precision Products; Kencast; Media Broadcast Satellite; NB+C; Newtec; ; Plexus Corp; Radeus Labs, Inc.; RUAG Space; Sheppard Mullin; Skylo Technologies; and Wiley