The insatiable demand for internet connectivity across Asia Pacific is fueling advancements in satellite technology. In particular, the emergence of software-defined satellites, shows a beleaguered industry battling against faster developments in fiber and 5G-based networks that have in turn catalyzed a generation of technologies rooted in streaming – sending satellite transponder fees crashing back to Earth. One pertinent example comes from Eutelsat Asia, the regional subsidiary of the French satellite fleet operator, which is launching into a new partnership with Space Tech Innovation (STI), a subsidiary of local satellite operator Thaicom. The tie-up will see the development of a new software-defined satellite – one that can be fully reprogrammed while in orbit – for delivery some time in 2027. It…