Outer space is increasingly full of satellites that circulate in low orbits, collecting strategic information and providing maximum power internet connection.
The industry is booming, mainly thanks to magnate Elon Musk, who through the company SpaceX controls half of the satellites that circle the Earth. Given the growth of the industry and the role of private companies in a sector that had historically been in the hands of state agencies, Jordi Hereu, president of the company Hispasat, advocated yesterday for international regulation of outer space. “It is necessary to guarantee legal certainty to all operators and prevent space from becoming a Far West,” said Hereu during the colloquium The new frontiers of space: the role of Hispasat, held at the Círculo Ecuestre and framed in the cycle of Madrid-Barcelona Cross Agendas organized by the entity, chaired by Enrique Lacalle.
The former mayor of Barcelona, who assumed the position of president of Hispasat three years ago – “the moment when I discovered my passion for outer space” – also called on states and companies for greater cooperation in this field despite the growing geopolitical tensions.
“Humanity has a lot at stake with the satellite industry, as it has the power to end the digital divide in the world. Currently, half of the population does not have an internet connection due to the costs and delays of broadband installation. This problem can be solved with technology in space,” he stated.
In addition, the president of Hispasat put on the table the strong economic impact of the industry, which was 390,000 million dollars in the last year. In this sense, he highlighted all the companies that are part of the value chain, from manufacturers to those dedicated to launching satellites.
Hereu highlighted the role of Hispasat in a market dominated mainly by companies or state agencies from the United States and Asia. “Hispasat was created in 1989. The Ministry of Defense wanted to promote a large space program and since then the company grew with radio and satellite connection services,” he recalled. Hereu also pointed out that in recent years the scenario has changed and that the opportunity is now found in low-orbit satellites that focus on obtaining data.
In order to face this change in stage, the president of the company – which was privatized ten years ago – considered growth internationally key, and especially in America, where he recognized that there are great business opportunities.
