The world satellite industry has been busy in the past 12 months with the launch of 30 civilian communication satellites into geostationary orbit and the order for 20 units to be launched in the next three years. Most of the orders are for the replacement of operational satellites that are close to the end of their life; a few orders are for the replacement of satellites prematurely lost at launch or in operation while the remainders are for governments in countries that acquire their first communications satellite systems (e.g., Turkmenistan, Sri Lanka). In low Earth orbit, constellations continue to be deployed for communications and navigation services (Globalstar, Galileo, GPS, Glonass, and Beidou).

With the replacement cycle of large commercial operators now decelerating, regional operators and new national operators liven up the communications satellite market; in the government satellite market, Earth observation is still a driving force while new applications are developing (space situational awareness, missile defense, space exploration). C-level representatives from satellite manufacturers will address these issues and share their strategies at the 16th World Summit for Satellite Financing, in Paris from September 11 to 13, 2012. Part of the  annual World Satellite Business Week, the event is the global executive meeting place uniting 95 percent of global satellite actors, more than 120 C-level speakers and 600 attendees from around the globe: A unique opportunity to grow your business and develop valuable partnerships.