Secure communications networks for an independent Europe
With the "OuterNET™", consisting of 600 satellites, Rivada Space Networks wants to build a European communications network for companies and governments. The Handelsblatt journal editorial team learnt why this is necessary from Declan Ganley, CEO of the German satellite operator Rivada Space Networks.
Mr. Ganley, there is increasing talk of a turning point in the space industry. What does that mean?
Space is no longer a matter for the public sector alone. It is increasingly being driven by commercial players who are bringing in private capital and massively accelerating innovation and production cycles. Germany is establishing a dynamic NewSpace sector that is driving the development of new technologies, services and business models. This is of great geopolitical importance in the global space race. If you want to stay ahead in defense, civil security, climate protection and disaster control, you need space technologies. They are key to our sovereignty and security.
Those sound like very ambitious goals for billionaires like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos. What future securityrelated developments can we expect in space?
It's about much more than the current projects of Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos that are making headlines. Space is becoming increasingly relevant to our security. Constellations are being created that can both back up critical infrastructure on the ground and establish completely independent communications networks for sensitive data. Secure communications play a crucial role in conflicts around the world. The cutting of submarine cables in Taiwan and the use of satellite services in Ukraine and Israel illustrate the importance of communications and data availability.
Communication security goes much further and begins long before a crisis occurs. From time to time, we hear in the media about huge data leaks and high-profile politicians being wiretapped. Communication is critical infrastructure and protecting it is a top priority. Governments and companies have very high security requirements as they deal with highly sensitive information. As a native Irishman, I am very Europe-orientated. Germany and Europe need their own communication networks to ensure our independence. We need to think about systems that protect our infrastructure and our defense in space.
Are there really no European alternatives that could compete with Starlink?
When we talk about security, we are talking about the need for a private network that does not rely on terrestrial infrastructures such as submarine cables, fiber optics or the Internet. Rivada Space Networks is working on exactly such a solution. The way we use new technologies is unique. Firstly, our offer is aimed exclusively at companies and governments.
Secondly, all our satellites are connected to each other via laser link and communicate directly in space. This has numerous advatages. We build a private network that does not require terrestrial infrastructure. We also have a significantly reduced number of gateways. Gateways can be hacked and are therefore a popular point of entry for hostile attacks. Thirdly, the services are truly global, even at the poles, at sea and in the most sets us significantly apart.
Isn't this a very expensive and complex undertaking?
Of course it is. But the question also is, what happens if Europe becomes dependent in too many important sectors? We can already see that this dependency leads to problems. A good example is the pharmaceutical industry. Due to economic decisions, production has migrated to low-wage countries such as China and India. Supply chain problems occurred there last year, which led to a supply shortage in Germany.
The availability of medicines is critical, as is the secure communication of highly sensitive data. Germany and Europe need to start prioritizing and thinking about which areas need to be kept in their own country in the event of an emergency. And politics should support this. In some areas, such as data communication, the public sector can act as a partner, ambassador and anchor customer.
This is a translation. You can find the original article in German here: HB Journal 02/2024 Sicherheit und Verteidigung - Handelsblatt-Journal