2022 was a wild ride. We started off on an optimistic note with lots of money pouring in and rosy predictions for a robust global satellite and space economy. The James Webb Space Telescope returned its first exciting images and wet dress rehearsals for Artemis I were taking shape. Astronauts were going back and forth between the Earth and the ISS, and everyone was excited about returning to the Moon and paving the way to Mars.
Then came the invasion of Ukraine which toppled the cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship that the global satellite and space industry had with Russia and caused no end of disruptions affecting finance, energy production, and supply chains worldwide. We started to feel the pinch of inflation and the tightening of budgets. Serious issues came into focus including satellite and space security, congestion and space debris, situational awareness and keeping assets in orbit safe.