More satellite exposure from businesses outside the historically government-backed industry is key to the market’s long-term viability, particularly as it seeks a wider slice of connectivity revenues in the 5G era. With Microsoft expanding its cloud-based satellite data processing platform to compete with Amazon Web Services, the industry is closer to being woven into the fabric of general connectivity.

Microsoft’s Azure Orbital is...

Government restrictions on trade amid rising political tensions are weighing on growth in laser-based optical communications for the satellite connectivity market.

They are clouding the outlook for the fledgling sector even as manufacturing and technology improvements help procurement agencies move…