Geopolitical tensions create new risks for satellite operators globally

Pro Geopolitical tensions create new risks for satellite operators globally Opinion By Abdulla Abuwasel published 28 April 2026 India’s satellite ban reveals vulnerabilities in space contracts When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Getty Images) Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter The Iran conflict is already triggering force majeure claims across global supply chains. The space industry operates under the same legal and contractual frameworks, but with far greater structural exposure.India just provided the clearest example of how that risk materializes.Abdulla AbuwaselSocial Links NavigationAerospace Policy Advisor.On March 31, 2026, AsiaSat lost its authorization to provide satellite capacity in India. India's National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre withdrew approval for AsiaSat's AS-5 and AS-7 satellites, citing national security concerns tied to AsiaSat's ownership by CITIC Group, a Chinese state-owned entity.Article continues below You may like Iran's internet shutdown proves we need to go beyond Starlink, VPNs — this tech may be the solution The war in Iran is reaching cyberspace - here’s how to prepare Regional data sovereignty in the age of AI: Balancing innovation and regulation The decision was not a commercial judgment. It was a sovereign geopolitical act directed at an ownership structure. Broadcasters including Zee Entertainment and JioStar, part of Reliance Industries, have had to scramble for alternative capacity. Zee has already migrated to Intelsat and ISRO's GSAT satellites.AsiaSat has responded by firing a bilateral investment treaty trigger notice at the Indian government and sending arbitration notices to its broadcasters. The disputes are now live. And the contractual questions they will force into arbitration are ones the commercial space industry has never had to answer before.The space sector is structurally more exposed than it realizesForce majeure clauses in commercial space agreements typically enumerate government actions, export license denials, sanctions regimes, and regulatory prohibitions as qualifying triggering events. The assumption behind most of that drafting is that these events are unlikely edge cases. They are not edge cases anymore.The space industry is uniquely vulnerable to geopolitically induced force majeure for three reasons that do not apply to most other sectors. window.sliceComponents = window.sliceComponents || {}; externalsScriptLoaded.then(() => { window.reliablePageLoad.then(() => { var componentContainer = document.querySelector("#slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-Ldynocp2kmpcmpcxqqsxKK"); if (componentContainer) { var data = {"layout":"inbodyContent","header":"Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter","tagline":"Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed!","formFooterText":"By submitting your information you agree to the <a href=\"https:\/\/futureplc.com\/terms-conditions\/\" target=\"_blank\">Terms & Conditions<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/futureplc.com\/privacy-policy\/\" target=\"_blank\">Privacy Policy<\/a> and are aged 16 or over.","usDisclaimerFooterText":"By signing up, you agree to our <a…

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