Skip to content
MarketScale
‹ Back to IndustriesIndustrial IoT

Exploring the Expansion of 5G Networks into Space

For defense contractor Lockheed Martin, space represents valuable terrain, a frontier with infinite possibilities. Recently, the defense contractor announced a partnership with satellite start-up Omnispace. Their mission: To develop a network of 5G infrastructure in space. This groundbreaking operation poses multiple questions. What drivers are behind the partners’ decision to make space the place for…

This story was produced through MarketScale. See how Industrial IoT teams put it to work with AI Visibility (GEO).

By Daniel Litwin · 5gConnectivityDodExploration
Share

Key takeaways

01

For defense contractor Lockheed Martin, space represents valuable terrain, a frontier with infinite possibilities.

02

Recently, the defense contractor announced a partnership with satellite start-up Omnispace.

03

Their mission: To develop a network of 5G infrastructure in space.

For defense contractor Lockheed Martin, space represents valuable terrain, a frontier with infinite possibilities. Recently, the defense contractor announced a partnership with satellite start-up Omnispace. Their mission: To develop a network of 5G infrastructure in space.

This groundbreaking operation poses multiple questions. What drivers are behind the partners’ decision to make space the place for network investment? What steps must Lockheed Martin take to capture market share and overtake competitors like SpaceX’s Starlink or AST & Science that have already made strides in this arena? Will the space network deployment benefit from Biden’s recently unveiled $2 trillion infrastructure bill?

Host Daniel J. Litwin, Editor of B2B Media at MarketScale, was joined by Quentin Donnellan, VP of Engineering and AI Platform Integrations at the enterprise AI company, Hypergiant, to talk about the impact that Lockheed Martin’s new venture will have on the tech industry, the space race, and further down the line, geopolitics on the world stage, plus the possible roadblocks it faces.

Donnellan has deep expertise in the ever-expanding realm of AI. Hypergiant’s suite of AI services, software, and solutions, in fact, supports companies and governments in solving generational and future issues in areas of space, defense, and critical infrastructure. Litwin hosts and produces podcasts with industry and thought leaders across a wide swath of industries and is an expert at telling B2B stories. Together they offer a unique perspective on Lockheed Martin’s expansion of 5G networks into space.

One aspect to consider is that the partnership’s direct-to-device network appeals to customers, but also raises ramifications for enterprise use cases and the U.S. Department of Defense. “I want to highlight the very intentional DoD connection here, which shouldn’t be too surprising, considering that Lockheed Martin is a tried-and-true defense contractor,” says Litwin, referencing the funnel from U.S.-researched innovative tech to DoD and military applications like AI, robotics, drones, and the Internet. “As U.S. geopolitics becomes more tenuous and threatened on the global stage with the rise of other nations like China and economies in the global south, how will catering to the U.S. DoD shape space-based 5G rollout, for better or worse?”

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Twitter – @MarketScale

Facebook – facebook.com/marketscale

LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/marketscale

About the author

Daniel Litwin
Daniel LitwinEditor, B2B Media, MarketScale

Daniel Litwin is a journalist of multiple disciplines focused on finding and telling engaging stories for B2B communities. He has interviewed executives from Fortune 500 companies including Honeywell, Microsoft, John Deere, and Chipotle, and leads editorial direction at MarketScale. Litwin hosts weekly shows and podcasts while helping develop new content approaches across the MarketScale platform. He holds a B.J. in Radio/Television Reporting/Anchoring and a B.A. in Spanish from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Industrial IoT: are you visible to AI?

Before they reach out, Industrial IoT buyers ask AI engines which vendors to trust. See how AI describes your company today, and where competitors show up instead.

Free workspace

You just read one expert. Imagine publishing your whole team.

This article was produced through MarketScale. Create a free workspace and turn your own team's expertise into articles, video, and social posts. No credit card, no demo required.

NPS +73 · 1,000+ creators · 38+ countries

What you get, free

Your own MarketScale Studio workspace
One video edit a month, on us
AI writing, editing, and publishing tools
In-platform coaching to learn the system

More Industrial IoT Insights

Robotics in manufacturing: five shifts defining factory floors in mid-2026

Robotics in manufacturing: five shifts defining factory floors in mid-2026

The article discusses significant shifts in the manufacturing sector as of mid-2026, highlighting the integration of Physical AI, the closing of automation gaps, and the rise of industrial partnerships. These developments are transforming the purchasing and deployment of robotics on factory floors. The insights shed light on how these trends are redefining the landscape of industrial automation.

  • 01Introduction of Physical AI in manufacturing.
  • 02Addressing the automation gap in factories.
  • 03Growth of industrial partnerships in robotics.

Jul 12, 2026

Four in five U.S. manufacturing facilities have zero automation — here's what's actually blocking AI adoption

Four in five U.S. manufacturing facilities have zero automation — here's what's actually blocking AI adoption

The majority of U.S. manufacturing facilities operate without any automation, but there is a strong interest in expanding AI capabilities. The main challenges hindering AI adoption are not financial constraints but rather issues related to data hygiene and cybersecurity.

  • 01Most U.S. manufacturing facilities lack automation.
  • 02Executives are interested in expanding AI capabilities.
  • 03Data hygiene and cybersecurity are major barriers to AI adoption.

Jul 12, 2026

Standard Bots CEO: physical AI is closing the gap between what manufacturers want to automate and what they can

Standard Bots CEO: physical AI is closing the gap between what manufacturers want to automate and what they can

The article discusses how physical AI is helping manufacturers by narrowing the gap between desired automation and current capabilities. Evan Beard, co-founder of Standard Bots, highlights that physical AI allows robots to learn through demonstration, bypassing traditional programming. This advancement enables the automation of complex tasks that were previously considered difficult for robots.

  • 01Physical AI enables learning by demonstration instead of programming.
  • 02Automation capabilities in manufacturing are expanding due to physical AI.
  • 03Evan Beard of Standard Bots emphasizes the impact of physical AI.

Jul 11, 2026

Explore More Industrial IoT Insights

Read more expert perspectives from across Industrial IoT.

Browse Industrial IoT Hub

About the Expert

Daniel Litwin
Daniel Litwin

Editor, B2B Media

MarketScale

Daniel Litwin is a journalist of multiple disciplines focused on finding and telling engaging stories for B2B communities. He has interviewed executives from Fortune 500 companies including Honeywell, Microsoft, John Deere, and Chipotle, and leads editorial direction at MarketScale. Litwin hosts weekly shows and podcasts while helping develop new content approaches across the MarketScale platform. He holds a B.J. in Radio/Television Reporting/Anchoring and a B.A. in Spanish from the University of Missouri-Columbia.