In this podcast series, we look at the importance of high-performance ground segment as a key to unlocking new opportunities in space that we've never imagined. In this second episode of the series, SSPI Director of Development and Innovation Lou Zacharilla speaks with Manik Vinnakota, Global Product and Commercial Director at Telesat. Manik talks about the unique challenges Telesat faces in closing the link between their fleet of 298 state-of-the-art LEO satellites and the all-important ground segment.

Manik Vinnakota is Global Product and Commercial Director at Telesat, a position he has held for 2 years. In his current position, he leads product planning and commercial partnerships for the company, including market and competitive intelligence, product/pricing definition and product-market fit, business planning, channel and partner development, sales enablement and strategic customer engagement. Manik previously served at Telesat as Strategy Director, as well as telcos as part of Delta Partners, a TMT advisory boutique, and Accenture's telecom strategy practice. While at Telesat, he has driven growth by restructuring the company's sales organization, establishing new sales models with indirect channel partners and building a new digital services roadmap. Manik has also been responsible for codifying market positioning and defining products for a new business unit, allowing for double product penetration among B2B accounts. He holds a Bachelors of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA.

The Closing the Link podcast series is sponsored by

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