Executive Spotlight with Dave Bettinger

Hartley Lesser Editor for SatMagazine interviews David Bettinger, CEO of SpaceLink 

A business and technology visionary, Dave Bettinger has 30 years’ experience in innovative satellite communications. His expertise includes digitally regenerative satellite payloads, optical intersatellite links, electronically steered phased array antennas, and network architectures. Previously the Vice President of Comms Systems & Development at OneWeb and the Chief Technical Officer at iDirect, David’s career began at Hughes Network Systems. With BS and MS degrees in Electrical Engineering from Virginia Tech, he has authored more than 50 technical papers and holds seven satellite communications patents.

Good day, Mr. Bettinger… we appreciate you taking the time to talk with us about SpaceLink and your plans for today and tomorrow. Can you tell us why you joined SpaceLink and what your goals are for the company?

David Bettinger (DB)
My interest has always been in implementing innovative technologies and transforming startup ventures into a competitive position. I helped grow iDirect from a start up to become the largest TDMA enterprise VSAT manufacturer in the world and I was responsible for the technology roadmap for OneWeb from its inception.

SpaceLink is extremely well positioned for success. We are leveraging a broad spectrum of advances to address an underserved market. SpaceLink has strong financial backing, significant bandwidth, and a roadmap to benefit from advanced optical communications technology from our parent company, Electro Optic Systems (EOS), to unlock massively scalable capacity for communications in LEO.

What services is SpaceLink planning to offer?

DB
We are building a satellite relay system that will make it easier for operators of LEO spacecraft to send and receive real time data between their satellites and the ground.

The SpaceLink relay network is designed to pick up where TDRSS leaves off and go beyond with unprecedented capacity that leverages today’s technology advances. It helps close the business case for Earth observation companies, commercial space stations, satellite servicers and tugs, and meets requirements for the U.S. government and close allies that need to leverage industry solutions to maximize capabilities.

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