Are GEO satellite orders still a good measure of industry health?

For the world's leading satellite manufacturers, 2017 has been a rather disappointing year so far. Just four contracts have been signed this year for large geostationary communications satellites -- the traditional bread-and-butter of the commercial satellite industry and a big drop from the 10-15 orders the likes of Airbus, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Orbital ATK and Thales Alenia Space expected to be fighting for this year. SpaceNews.com