In the commercial satellite fleet business, size does count. Intelsat is one of the two largest global satellite operators. The other is:
The answer is SES. (Source: SBQ course #405, “Space Business: Finance, Legal & Regulatory”.)
To learn more about mastering the business of space, visit the Space Business Qualified online course and certification program at www.spacebq.org and take a free Introductory course. Find out how your company can benefit from certifying your professionals and employees, contact us at www.spacebq.org/contactus.
An “early stage” commercial space or satellite industry company refers to one that is typically:
The answer is C. (Source: SBQ course #405, “Space Business: Finance, Legal & Regulatory”.)
To learn more about mastering the business of space, visit the Space Business Qualified online course and certification program at www.spacebq.org and take a free Introductory course. To learn how your company can benefit from certifying your professionals and employees, contact us at www.spacebq.org/contactus.
The cost of a capital expenditure on an item, such as a satellite antenna, is accounted for by spreading it out across its service life. It gradually loses its value as an asset. This loss in value is called:
The answer is A. The answer is Depreciation (Source: SBQ course #405, “Space Business: Finance, Legal & Regulatory”.)
To learn more about mastering the business of space, visit the Space Business Qualified online course and certification program at www.spacebq.org and take a free Introductory course. To learn how your company can benefit from certifying your professionals and employees, contact us at www.spacebq.org/contactus.
Rockets have a seemingly simple job (ha!), to transport a payload from the group up above the atmosphere. Why is achieving this task called “getting to LEO”?
The answer is A. Did you know that? (Source: SBQ course #404, “Space Business, Markets”.)
To learn more about mastering the business of space, visit the Space Business Qualified online course and certification program at www.spacebq.org and take a free Introductory course. To learn how your company can benefit from certifying your professionals and employees, contact us at www.spacebq.org/contactus.
Only a limited number of companies manufacture large satellites for geosynchronous equatorial orbit (GEO). Which company below does NOT manufacture large satellites for GEO?
The answer is D - There is no company named “BeegBird.” (Source: SBQ course #404, “Space Business, Markets”.)
To learn more about mastering the business of space, visit the Space Business Qualified online course and certification program at www.spacebq.org and take a free Introductory course. To learn how your company can benefit from certifying your professionals and employees, contact us at www.spacebq.org/contactus.
What typically happens to a spacecraft’s solar panels, antennas and larger elements when it reaches space and the fairing has been jettisoned?
The answer is C - The spacecraft’s elements, which were designed to physically fit unfold and begin their course toward service. This is not a risk-free process. (Source: SBQ course #402, “Spacecraft Fundamentals.)
To learn more about the fundamentals of orbit and getting vehicles to space, visit the Space Business Qualified online course and certification program at www.spacebq.org and take a free Introductory course. For more information about how your company can benefit from certifying your professionals and employees, contact us at www.spacebq.org/contactus.
All satellite signals are electromagnetic waves. They lie on the spectrum. The frequency of a wave is directly related and inversely proportional to:
The answer is B - Wavelength is the right answer. (Source: SBQ course #403, “Space Communication Fundamentals”).
To learn more about the fundamentals of orbit and getting vehicles to space, visit the Space Business Qualified online course and certification program at www.spacebq.org and take a free Introductory course. For more information about how your company can benefit from certifying your professionals and employees, contact us at www.spacebq.org/contactus.
July is Rocket Month at Space Business Qualified. Let’s test your knowledge about rockets.
Compared with those of the past, what the engines on Rocket Labs’ Electron rocket are uniquely made by?
The answer is B - The engines of the small modern rocket, designed, manufactured and launched by Rocket Labs are made by a 3D printing process and electric propellant pumps.
To learn more about the fundamentals of orbit and getting vehicles to space, visit the Space Business Qualified online course and certification program at www.spacebq.org and take a free Introductory course. For more information about how your company can benefit from certifying your professionals and employees, contact us at www.spacebq.org/contactus.
July is Rocket Month at Space Business Qualified. Let’s test your knowledge about rockets.
This is a photo of the German V2 rocket. It was produced by Germany from 1942-1944 as a weapon. It pioneered elements still used in rocket design. Which of these are among them?
The answer is D - The V2 used fins for stabilization, which are rarely used today. Most rockets today use gimbaled engines for this purpose.
To learn more about the fundamentals of orbit and getting vehicles to space, visit the Space Business Qualified online course and certification program at www.spacebq.org and take a free Introductory course. For more information about how your company can benefit from certifying your professionals and employees, contact us at www.spacebq.org/contactus.
Which industry trends are making satellite a more competitive alternative to terrestrial services for direct-to-home broadband Internet?
The answers are A and C.
For sure, new technology has decreased the hardware cost of user terminals but the megabit per second cost for satellite capacity has also gone down.
Enroll in SBQ courses to learn much more about what’s driving the economics of Internet over satellite. Visit the Space Business Qualified online course and certification program at www.spacebq.org and take a free Introductory course. For more information about how your company can benefit, contact at info@spacebq.org.
Viasat-2 is known mainly as a good example of what kind of satellite?
The answer is D - high throughput satellite.
ViaSat-2 is a commercial communications satellite launched in 2017. It was considered the world's highest capacity satellite with a throughput of 300 Gbit/s, succeeding HughesNet EchoStar.
To learn more about the massive broadband Internet capacity of satellites, visit the Space Business Qualified online course and certification program at www.spacebq.org and take a free Introductory course. For more information about how your company can benefit, contact at info@spacebq.org.
How long does it take for an inclined GEO satellite to make one complete cycle around the earth?
The answer is B - 24 hours.
It takes one day for an inclined satellite in geosynchronous orbit to complete a single cycle around the earth.
Bonus question: Why is this the case?
If you know, send your answer to info@spaceBQ.org
To learn more about the Space Business Qualified online course and certification program visit www.spacebq.org and take a free Introductory course. For more information about how your company can benefit, contact us on at info@spacebq.org.
This woman ensures that satellites and rockets for one of the world’s most prominent commercial space companies reach space and secures an orbit.
Who is she?
Gwynne Shotwell, President of SpaceX
To learn lots more about who is doing what in the space business and why, enroll in the SBQ Fundamentals Certification Bundle!
Putting a rocket into space is seemingly a simple job. But think again. Among the many challenges is a phenomenon called “drag”. What is “drag”?
B. Wind resistance that attempts to slow a rocket down
This is a pretty basic one. If you answered #A or #C go to www.spacebq.org and take SBQ 401 to learn the basics. If you answered #D consider finding new friends to party with the next time you go into space! Source: Course SBQ 401 “Rocketry Basics.”
“Directional” satellite antennas achieve something called “Gain.” What does “Gain” do?
A. Makes the signal weaker
If you answered #B or #D these were good guesses. If you answered #C we would love to hear what the messages are!! In fact “Gain” makes the signal both stronger and weaker. Source SBQ 403 “Space Communications.” Chapter Two.
How does a rocket alter the inclination of its payload and get to Low Earth Orbit (LEO)?
B. By steering the engines during their burns
Congratulations if you had a correct answer! The rocket can alter the inclination of the payload’s final orbit by steering the engines during the burns. Take the SBQ course to learn why that is important.
If your choice was #C, click immediately to the link below.
Have you heard of TIROS, GOES & EUMETSAT? What are they?
A. Planetary and Space Weather Satellites
These are weather satellites. TIROS-1 recorded the first weather patterns from space and sent them to Earth. GOES and EUMETSAT continuously transmit high-resolution images of our planet and data on things, including Space weather! If you selected #A congratulations. You can learn more about weather satellites by taking the SBQ course. If your choice was #D, you are probably hungry.
Satellites do not contribute to which of the following?
D. Tall Club International
Satellites contribute to many, many industries. These three are but a few. While companies in the satellite industry individually contribute to many good causes, we are not aware any that contribute to Tall Clubs International, which realizes the needs of exceptionally tall people and provides scholarships to them. The industry does reach high, however! But if your answer was not “d”, you definitely need to improve your Space IQ!
Can you identify the photograph?
A: Sputnik 1, the first satellite put into orbit in 1957 by the Soviet Union.
See how the satellite and space industry evolved from those days to the present in SBQ. Start by clicking the button below.
On average, how much of your launcher rocket’s mass is propellant (fuel) at launch time?
B: 90-95% of a launcher’s mass is propellant at launch time.
If you got this right, congrats! There is a lot more to learn. If you missed the answer, your Space IQ needs a tune-up. Click below for more information on how to give it a lift.
What does “SBQ” stand for?
C: Something that will benefit me if I am interested or work in the space business.
That “something” is a comprehensive understanding of the business and technical fundamentals of the world’s most exciting technology business. Check it out.