Imagine a world where space exploration and utilization is not exclusive to giant governments and large corporations with conservative approaches. A place where space becomes a playground. for innovators, visionaries and entrepreneurs seeking to reach new horizons through more ambitious and transformative projects.. That’s the promise of New Space, but you don’t have to imagine anything. Although you may not have heard of it, it has been with us for several years, redefining how we understand and use space and relate to it. Welcome aboard.
What is New Space?
The New Space concept refers to a new approach to space exploration and commercializationdriven by the private sector and characterized by agility, innovation and a new vision of space, which becomes an extension of our economy and society, where everything is possible.
Unlike the space missions of the past, where government agencies such as NASA or ESA were the main drivers, New Space is marked by a proliferation of startups, companies and public-private collaborations. proliferation of startups, companies and public-private collaborations seeking to take space technology and opportunities to the next level.s seeking to take space technology and opportunities to the next level.
Let’s make a historical comparison to better illustrate the current situation. In the previous phase of space exploration we were at a point similar to the great voyages of the European explorations of the 15th and 16th centuries, when the monarchs were the only ones who had the capacity to invest and decide to explore the unknown. Whereas, the New Space is more akin to the Industrial RevolutionAn era where technology, efficiency and commercial vision are the keys to the game, and where government intervention is no longer essential for further progress, with other players stepping in.
In the technological field, this results in surprising breakthroughsThe new technologies are also helping to make space more attractive: smaller but equally powerful satellites, reusable rocket launches that reduce environmental impact, and a view of space not only as a place for research, but also as a field full of commercial opportunities, from space tourism or mining to enhanced global communications.
Benefits of New Space
New Space is rapidly transforming the space exploration and utilization landscape, and with it comes numerous advantages that are redefining the potential and opportunities in this market:
Cost reduction
One of the most significant barriers in traditional space exploration has always been the high cost associated with launches and operations in space. However, New Space is drastically changing this equation. Thanks to innovation and competition in the private sector, we now see, for example, in this new ecosystem, reusable rockets that can be launched multiple times, which considerably decreases the financial effort that these operations required in the past. Economies of scale, mass production and more efficient technologies are making access to space cheaper than ever before. This allows to increase not only the number of missions that can be carried out, but also the type and use of these missions.
Increased accessibility
No longer the exclusive domain of superpowers or giant corporations, New Space is democratizing access to space. Small startups, universities and even individual enthusiasts now have the ability to send satellites or experiments into space. We are witnessing a true revolution in which space is becoming a more accessible resource, allowing new technologies and business models to be tested in orbit.
Technological innovation
With the New Space era, not only are we seeing more missions in space, but these missions are equipped with cutting-edge technology that is redefining what is possible. Miniaturized satellites with capabilities comparable to their larger predecessors, advanced propulsion technologies, artificial intelligence applied to space exploration and other advances are accelerating the impact of this new era both in the space segment and on the end-user side, who now have in their hands more capabilities and new uses with which, for example, to optimize the use of resources on the ground, track goods housed in large cargo ships in real time or protect our planet from illegal logging.
Challenges to be met by New Space
In addition to being a clear opportunity for growth, the New Space needs to address a number of important challenges. The economic component is undoubtedly one of the first to be addressed. Although bringing innovative technologies into space involves a huge investment, the reliability of the on-board equipment and its systems must always be guaranteed, so budgetary vigilance must be subordinated to the guarantee of safety.
The emergence of new players, such as startups and entrepreneurs, has also contributed to creating a more complex and competitive environment. Therefore, the different players must outline a clear strategy, including a business positioning that allows them to stand out in an ever-changing ecosystem.
The New Space does not imply, far from it, the disappearance of the traditional space work model. Both models must coexist and cooperate in order to complement each other. Space agencies with a long history, such as NASA and ESA, have been aware of this for years and there are already several mission projects that have a traditional main satellite, with high-precision instruments and exploration and high cost, while having a set of smaller, agile and inexpensive secondary satellites with which they can take greater risks, such as exposing them to extreme environments or guide them through the interior of an asteroid.
New Space and its role in the communications revolution
New Space is not only a new frontier for space exploration and exploitation, but also has a tangible and direct impact on our day-to-day lives, particularly in the field of communications. Bringing the latest cutting-edge technologies to the space sector, we are entering into a golden era of secure global connectivity and communication.
The lowering of technological and economic barriers to launching and operating satellites has led to an increase in the number and diversity of satellites in orbit. These satellites, especially Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, are redefining the communication channels we had available until now due to the proliferation of megaconstellations.are redefining the communication channels we had available until now due to the proliferation of megaconstellations.
Thanks to these satellite constellations, remote and previously inaccessible areas of the world can now have high-speed Internet access. now have access to high-speed internetreducing the digital divide and improving access to information. Think of mountainous regions, isolated rural areas, islands and other places where traditional terrestrial infrastructure is challenging from an infrastructure and cost perspective.
The ultra wide band (UWB – Ultra Wide Band) is another field that is experiencing advances in this new paradigm. Unlike traditional connections, which can only use a narrow bandwidth, UWB uses a much wider bandwidth to transmit information, allowing it to transmit data at extremely high speeds and with low latency, making it fundamental to countries’ security and defense strategies.
What does this mean for communications? First, faster connection speeds. Ultra high bandwidth can handle more data at the same time, resulting in smoother connections. This is especially useful for applications that require a large amount of real-time data, such as high-definition video conferencing, online gaming or 4K and higher video streaming.
But beyond speed, UWB also offers a more secure connection.. Since it operates in a wider frequency range, it is more difficult to intercept and therefore more resistant to interference and attacks.
By combining the advantages of New Space satellites with the power of ultrawideband, we are looking toward a future where communications are faster, more reliable and accessible to everyone, no matter where people are located. It is an exciting future, and innovative companies like Inster-Oesia Group and Cipherbit-Oesia Group are at the forefront of making it a reality.
At the forefront of New Space
In the burgeoning New Space landscape, there are a few companies that are standing out for their innovation and commitment to technological advancement. One such company is Inster-Oesia Groupwhich has positioned itself as a key player in this new space age, thanks to its good balance between industrial capacity and agility with its heritage of working in highly demanding environments in terms of reliability and trust.
Recently, Inster-Grupo Oesía has been appointed by OneWeb, one of the most prominent names in the New Space world, for a critical mission appointed by OneWeb, one of the most prominent names in the New Space world, for a critical mission: the development and manufacturing of portable user terminals for satellite communications.. These devices are not an ordinary piece of technology. Targeted at customers in Europe, the Americas and Asia-Pacific, they promise to facilitate ubiquitous and secure connections using powerful ultra-broadband. Their ability to deploy in seconds makes them vital tools for a variety of applications, whether civilian, government or military.
But what really makes these terminals stand out is their ESA (Electronically Steered Antenna) satellite antenna technology. ESA (Electronically Steered Antenna) satellite antenna technology.. Unlike conventional antennas, ESAs do not require physical movement to be directed towards a satellite. It is pointed out by exclusively electronic methods. This innovation not only means faster deployment and a more stable connection, but also a higher degree of accuracy and reliability.
New Space and its impact on our future
As we move into the 21st century, New Space is fast becoming much more than a buzzword. much more than a buzzword. It represents a radical transformation in how we see and use space. The advantages of New Space not only affect, as we have seen, our relationship with our planet’s environment, they also have a clear impact on our daily lives here on Earth.
Thanks to leading companies such as Grupo Oesía, we are seeing this vision of the future materialize. Portable satellite terminals and innovative ESA antennas are just the tip of the iceberg. In the coming years, we will be part of exciting breakthroughs and developments that will bring us closer to a better and safer world for everyone, both on Earth and in space.