Congressional Testimony from SIA President Tom Stroup

The Satellite Industry Association (SIA) recently provided congressional testimony on the growing importance of satellites before the House Communications and Technology subcommittee. SIA President Tom Stroup was among the witnesses at the hearing titled “Launching Into the State of the Satellite Marketplace.”

"The companies represented by SIA are poised to lead the U.S. into an interconnected and data-driven future."

SIA President Tom Stroup.

In late January, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and incoming Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chair Bob Latta (R-OH) announced that the first Communications and Technology subcommittee hearing would be focused on ensuring America continues to lead in the burgeoning satellite communications industry.

Congressional Testimony Highlighted the Importance of Satellites

“Satellites are the backbone of modern society,” Stroup said. “We rely on them for communications, position, navigation and timing, and remote sensing across the globe. In addition to the vast range of services offered by the industry today, the companies represented by SIA are poised to lead the U.S. into an interconnected and data-driven future. The American satellite industry is set to revolutionize daily life as we move into a more interconnected world where change on Earth is more visible than ever.”

The U.S. satellite industry is continuously gaining momentum, with estimated revenue of $179 billion in 2021," Stroup said. "However, this figure does not reflect revenues generated from businesses which rely on satellite services behind the scenes. Satellites remain a pillar of U.S. infrastructure, enabling the American economy in ways consumers might not be aware, such as supporting smartphone app transactions, to use just one example."

SIA submitted SIA’s State of the Satellite Industry Report, which includes detailed economic analysis, and SIA’s Satellite 101 briefing, which provides further information on satellite technologies for the Congressional Record.

During the hearing, Mr. Stroup was joined by fellow witnesses Julie Zoller, Head of Global Regulatory Affairs, Project Kuiper at Amazon, Jennifer Manner, Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, EchoStar Corporation, Margo Deckard, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer, Lynk Global, Inc., and Kari Bingen, Director, Aerospace Security Project and Senior Fellow, International Security Program, Center for Strategic and International Studies.

(Source: SIA news release. Images from House Subcommittee YouTube video and from file)