Space Foundation Hosts Commercial Satellite Communications Briefing

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (May. 7, 2008) — On May 6, the Space Foundation hosted an educational briefing for congressional staff in Washington, D.C., as part of the Foundation’s ongoing efforts to raise awareness of, knowledge about, and support for space-related issues. The briefing focused on commercial satellite communications service providers and their interaction with the Department of Defense (DoD). The speakers were Richard DalBello, general vice president, external relations, Intelsat; Bob Demers, senior vice president, government affairs, AMERICOM Government Services; and Dr. Troy Meink, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Networks & Information Integration.

Meink explained the DoD’s growing need for communications capabilities. He referenced an upcoming study that will supply commercial satellite communications providers with a fuller understanding of DoD needs and expectations in the coming years. Demers and DalBello discussed the diverse and extensive community of companies in the commercial satellite communications industry and highlighted their roles. They also emphasized the incredible industry growth in the last decade.

Pictured: Demers, Meink, and DalBello