Really Rocket Science

Satellite financing emerges as U.S. Export-Import banks fastest-growing sector, rising from $50 million annually in 20109 to $1 billion per year since then..
[Space News – 02/28/2014]

One of the three Joint Polar Satellite Systems satellites. (Credit: NOAA/NASA) – cnet.com

NASA’s Joint Polar Satellite System is getting $185 million worth of updates and upgrades that will support the system’s complete technological refresh.
[cnet – 02/28/2014]

New Vostochny space center a key priority for Russian Far East.
[Space Travel – 02/28/2014]

Thales Alenia staying silent on satellite order thought to be for Morocco.
[Space News – 02/28/2014]

Though delayed the second satellite launch in China’s seven-satellite CHEOS high resolution Earth observation system is expected this year, with three more by 2016.
[Space News – 02/28/2014]

Credit: NASA photo by Bill Ingalls – Space News

U.S.-Japan precipitation-measuring satellite reaches orbit.
[Space News – 02/27/2014]

Alliance of leading satellite industry associations issues a call for application case studies that illustrate the immense contribution of the global satellite industry to business, government and human welfare.
[Space Daily – 02/27/2014]

MTN announces availability of its first calling app, OceanPhone Mobile, for maritime crews, leveraging the MTN network and vessels’ Wi-Fi network.
[Via Satellite – 02/27/2014]

Norsat still suffering from effects of Sequestration.
[Via Satellite – 02/27/2014]

Ibetor to showcase latest Sat-On-The-Move terminal, Ib SOTM 100x, at Satellite 204.
[Via Satellite – 02/27/2014]

WorldView-3 – Credit: Ball Aerospace photo – Space News

DigitalGlobe hit by unexpected competition, and delay in launch of its WorldView-3 satellite.
[Space News – 02/27/2014]

Satmex-9 satellite being built by Boeing will carry a hosted payload enabling the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to enhance aviation safety.
[Satellite Spotlighjt – 02/26/2014]

Demand for CubeSat deployments nearing Space Station limit.
[Via Satellite – 02/26/2014]

Thales Alenia Space wins contract from French defense procurement agency DGA to provide operational support for the Syracuse 3, Athen-Fidus and Sicral 2 space systems.
[Via Satellite – 02/26/2014]

Kompsat-5 – Credit: Korea Aerospace Research Institute artist’s concept – Space News

German-Korean industrial team to build Kompsat-6 radar imager.
[Space News – 02/26/2014]

Newtec launches Newtec Dialog, a scalable and flexible multiservice platform that allows operators to build and adapt their infrastructure easily as business and satellite market needs change.
[SatNews – 02/26/2014]

ATCi announces at MilSatCom its complete all-inclusive Lawful Interception Warrior Satellite Monitoring System designed for the Middle Eastern region’s applications, capable of simultaneously monitoring sky activities over 140 degrees.
[Yahoo Finance – 02/26/2014]

TrustComm announces its international expansion with construction of the Starlight regional gateway in Cyprus.
[Via Satellite – 02/26/2014]

Comtech EF Data receives purchasing agreement from Harris CapRock Communications for satellite communications infrastructure equipment.
[financial news – 02/26/2014]

Inmarsat joins International M2M Council, a new trade association formed to promote the use of communications between machines.
[Yahoo Finance – 02/26/2014]

Euroconsult forecasts that satellite capacity revenue in the global maritime market will nearly double over the next decade, with a compound annual growth rate of 7%.
[Space Daily – 02/25/2014]

Former Goonhilly engineer purchases the earth station with great plans for the future.
[SouthWest Business – 02/25/2014]

Boeing receives first signals from GPS IIF satellite.
[Via Satellite – 02/25/2014]

Anik G1 – Credit: Space Systems Loral photo – Space News

Telesat sees growth as it navigates complex arrangements with RSCC and Apstar.
[Space News – 02/25/2014]

Inmarsat becomes first satellite network for RacoWireless’ multi-network M2M service.
[Satellite Spotlight – 02/25/2014]

ESA continues progress on Neosat program, with the goal of European satellite builders to capture half of the world’s satcom market between 2018 and 2030, expected to generate more than $34 billion in sales.
[Via Satellite – 02/25/2014]

Chinese contractor agrees to accelerated schedule for APT’s Apstar 9 satellite.
[Space News – 02/25/2014]

Emerging Markets Communications focusing on connectivity for high-speed trains.
[Via Satellite – 02/25/2014]

OneAccess and the Auriga Network announce new satellite VPN managed services available through Eutelsat’s next generation KaSat satellite.
[Via Satellite – 02/25/20014]

Key officials of the Arabic and Islamic Broadcasting Union (AIBU) meet with representatives of the Global VSAT Forum (GVF) to begin coordinating initiatives to facilitate effective use of state-of-the-art broadcasting solutions.
[SatNews – 02/25/2014]

Via Satellite interviews satellite industry visionaries regarding the world’s growing dependency on satellite, and finds agreement that innovation in the satellite industry moves at a snail’s pace compared with the wireless industry.
[Via Satellite – 02/24/2014]

Cobham Plc said it voluntarily notified the U.S. Department of Justice of possible wrongdoing by a satellite communications unit in Asian business dealings.
[Bloomberg – 02/24/2014]

Ship & Bunker file illustration

Maritime communications are evolving at a phenomenal rate and the market is showing signs that the maritime industry may have access to the same services and applications to that of land based services.
[Ship & Bunker – 02/24/2014]

Eleven Asia Pacific mobile operators under Bridge Alliance, including Airtel, Optus, and CSL, have formed the region’s largest Machine-to-Machine (M2M) alliance.
[Via Satellite – 02/24/2014]

Panasonic Avionics hints at upcoming satellite capacity deals as it pushes to complete the most robust satellite network specifically designed for in-flight connectivity services.
[Via Satellite – 02/24/2014]

ViaSat partners with SamsungKNOX to provide secure mobile enterprise services.
[Via Satellite – 02/24/2014]

Cinecolombia has selected International Datacasting Corporation’s digital cinema distribution technology SuperFlex Pro Cinema for its movie theater chains.
[Via Satellite – 02/24/2014]

Thuraya introduces the Thuraya IP Voyager, its first dedicated vehicular broadband terminal.
[Via Satellite – 02/24/2014]

MACOM sells its Mindspeed wireless infrastructure business unit to Intel.
[Via Satellite – 02/24/2014]

Globecast Australia launches Chinese TV channels.
[Via Satellite – 02/24/2014]

U.S. Air Force reveals two-satellite “neighborhood watch” spy satellite program.
[World Bulletin – 02/23/2014]

GVF launches task force to counter launches of cyber attacks.
[SatNews – 02/23/2014]

WBMSAT satellite communications consulting services

U.S. Air Force expected to launch two high-orbiting satellites in late 2014 for a previously classified space surveillance system.
[Space News – 02/21/2014]

Russian government will consider idea of buying commercial launch services provider Sea Launch.
[Space News – 02/21/2014]

SES is positioned to overtake Intelsat in revenue.
[Space News – 02/21/2014]

SES-10 – Credit: Airbus Defence and Space – Space News

SES books Falcon 9 for 2015 launch of SES-9 and 2016 launch of 5,300 kilogram SES-10.
[Space News – 02/21/2014]

Intelsat faces declining revenue as military bandwidth buyers learn to “live with less.”
[Space News – 02/21/2014]

Azerbaijan and Argentina to cooperate in space industry.
[trend – 02/21/20147]

Syracruse 3 – Credit: Thales Alenia Space artist’s concept – Space News

France’s DGA remains hopeful of cooperating with Britain in military satcom.
[Space News – 02/21/2014]

Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia Space have been awarded roughly a third share of an €18m European Space Agency contract to develop Neosat, Europe’s next generation communications satellite.
[the engineer – 02/21/20104]

Echostar transfers 80% of Hughes consumer business to Dish Network.
[Space News – 02/21/2014]

Smart launches SmartSAT, a service bringing the benefits of satellite communications to a wider consumer market, offering SatSleeve, a portable dock transforming a smart phone into a satellite device.
[Yahoo News – 02/21/2014]

Nigeria’s government has ordered an investigation into the financial status of its Nigcomsat operation, placing the satellite company’s Managing Director on indefinite leave while the investigation is carried out.
[Advanced Television – 02/21/2014]

SGAC will hold a mentoring program for their members on Wednesday, March 12 at SATELLITE 2014 that will pair the young professionals with experienced veterans from the satellite industry.
[SGAC Press Release 02/21/2014]

Credit: ULA photo – Space News

After five-month delay and despite questions about Delta 4 rocket’s upper stage engine, launch of GPS 2F-5 goes off without a hitch.
[Space News – 02/20/2014]

SkySat-1 showing its capabilities. Credit: Skybox Imaging – Space News

Orbital Sciences will launch six 120-kilogram Skybox Imaging optical Earth observation satellites in late 2015.
[Space News – 02/20/2014]

Euroconsult forecasts that satellite revenue in the global maritime market will nearly double over the next decade, with a compound annual growth rate of 7%.
[Space Ref – 02/20/2014]

Strategy Analytics projects increasing demand for data centric communications by the military, with the military communications market reaching $30 billion by 2022.
[Yahoo Finance – 02/20/2014]

Arianespace to launch OPTSAT 3000 and VENS satellites via a Vega launcher in early 2016.
[Satellite Evolution Group – 02/20/2014]

New Russian space rocket Angara on track for launch by June and expected to be competitive with foreign rivals according to Russian Prime Minister.
[Space News – 02/20/2014]

SES to grow Latin American capacity, selecting Airbus Defence and Space to manufacture SES-10 satellite.
[Business Wire – 02/20/2014]

Globecomm extends Global Xpress VAR relationship with Inmarsat.
[twst.com – 02/20/2014]

Inmarsat selects Advalue and Cobham to manufacture terminals for Fleet One, its new voice and data satellite service designed specifically for the maritime leisure and fishing markets.
[4-traders – 02/20/2014]

KNS has announced the launch of its satellite antenna X10MK3 SuperTrack X-Series, to provide military standard communication, for ships requiring high speed broadband offshore.
[Satellite Evolution Group – 02/20/2014]

BlueTide Communications Corporation announces it will be the KNS “master distributor” of full service installation and support to the North American market.
[Satellite Evolution Group – 02/20/2014]

Research and Markets adds “Global Satellite Communication Market in the Oil and Gas Industry 2014 – 2018″ report to their offering – Harris CapRock, Inmarsat, KVH, Rignet & Vizada dominate the industry.
[Business Wire – 02/19/2014]

NSR exhibit illustrates that there will be a real net increase, about 70%, in Gbps of classic FSS C/Ku/Ka transponder leasing in the coming ten years driven by improving technology and greater capacity per provisioned site.
[NSR – HTS/MEO-HTS Drives New Markets – 02/19/2014]

Eutelsat sees steady growth as consumer broadband service gains traction.
[Space News – 02/19/2014]

Credit: NASA photo – Space News

Orbital Sciences completes first cargo mission to International Space Station for NASA.
[Space News – 02/19/2014]

Eutelsat 3B spacecraft built by Airbus for Eutelsat arrives in California to be prepared for next Sea Launch.
[BloombergBusinessweek – 02/19/2014]

Credit: ULA photo – Space News

Boeing and the U.S. Air Force appear to be nearing a forced conclusion of their multiyear dispute on prices for three Delta 4 rocket missions.
[Space News – 02/19/2014]

Avanti’s HYLAS 2 used by Hermes Datacomms to extend satellite broadband coverage in Iraq.
[4-traders – 02/19/2014]

Thuraya seeks partners to fund new satellites in order to continue its successful expansion into the mobile phone sector.
[SatNews – 02/19/2014]

Air China and Honeywell Aerospace sign a Memorandum of Understanding to install and test GX Aviation on Air China’s A330 aircraft, expected in the second quarter of 2015.
[ITCM – 02/19/2014]

Inmarsat stages first of series of “Smart Operations Dialogue” events seeking open debate in the maritime industry over the operational benefits on integrated thinking on shore and ship communications.
[The Maritime Executive – 02/19/2014]

Globat Telesat is awarded a follow-on multi-year order to provide additional satellite-based tracking and mapping services for the United States’ premier emergency response organization.
[Market Wired – 02/19/2014]

Credit:: ILS video capture – Space News

Turkey’s Turksat 4A launched by Russia on ILS Proton; satellite is healthy in orbit.
[Space News – 02/18/2014]

Global 3D TV market to grow at a CAGR of 9.7% from 2013 – 2018 according to a new report by Research and Markets.
[Satellite Markets & Research – 02/18/2014]

KVH signs 10-year contract with Global Technical Systems (GTS) to support Ultra Light Aircraft Detection platforms used by U.S. Customs and Border Protection programs.
[Via Satellite – 02/18/2014]

Global satellite telecommunications provider SpeedCast opens new facilities in Perth, Australia, following acquisitions of Australian Satellite Communications and Pactel International.
[CIOL – 02/18/2014]

Jewish Business News file photo

Israel to launch VENµS (Vegetation and Environment Monitoring on a New Micro-Satellite) to monitor crops from outer space.
[Jewish Business News – 02/17/2014]

EPFL’s Swiss Space Center and ETHZ joint project to build CubETH nanosatellite to launch in late 2015, capable of calculating its own altitude and position in space with unprecedented precision.
[Phys Org – 02/17/2014]

Military & Aerospace Electronics file photo

Northrop Grumman wins $12.4 million Army contract for SATCOM spectrum-monitoring gear.
[Military & Aerospace – 02/17/2014]

New Hiltron Communications flyaway antenna finds satellites anywhere anytime in under two minutes.
[SatNews – 02/17/2014]

Federal agents intercept Iranian entrepreneur at U.S. airport, charging him with illegal export of American-made satellite equipment to his native country.
[Yahoo News – 02/13/2014]

Argentina to launch Arsat-1 telecoms satellite in July.
[RAPIDTV News – 02/13/2014]

Astrium Services is renamed Airbus Defence and Space.
[MarineLink – 02/13/2014]

MTN’s hybrid network now on new Norwegian Cruise Line ships.
[Via Satellite – 02/13/2014]

NASA to launch Brown University students’ nanosatellite, EQUISat.
[R&D Magazine – 02/12/2014]

Despite increasing use of packaged content and amateur video, MSS SNG/OU hourly live uptake is expected to decline only slightly globally, while there will be a slight uptick in the number of In-service units.
[NSR report – 02/12/2014]

ATCi announce deployment of Lawful Interception Warrior Satellite Monitoring System, capable of complete collection of sky activities spread over 140 degrees.
[Digital Journal – 02/12/2014]

C-COM iNetVu auto-deploy antenna system used to provide assured communications during Super Bowl 48.
[Market Wired – 02/11/2014]

Iridium unveils Iridium GO, the industry’s first global Wi-Fi satellite hotspot, to become commercially available by second quarter of 2014.
[Defense Systems – 02/10/2014]

Iridium introduces the first Global Data Broadcast Service, Iridium Burst (SM).
[The Wall Street Journal – 02/10/2014]

The view of Sochi from the ISS, via NBC. Dayime image below…

The board of directors of Tricolor TV, a satellite TV bouquet in Russia, has decided to drop the channel Dozhd from their offerings, citing the most recent activity they had that pissed off Putin and his bully government: a poll regarding the siege of Leningrad during World War II, know as “the great patriotic war” during Soviet times.

If they really want the world to take them seriously, allowing for a free expression of ideas and opinions can only help their further their objectives. But this is Russia, so fuck the people. We are the boss of you.

Eutelsat, the carrier of the Tricolor package at 36 deg. east, should reach out to Dozhd and make space available elsewhere.

Ariane 5 launches Athena-Fidus and ABS’s first built-to-order satellite. [Space News – 02/07/2014]

Experimental microsatellite launched three years ago for U.S. National Reconnaissance Office has operated nearly flawlessly according to manufacturer Millennium Space Systems’ press release also revealing some details about the classified launch. [Space News – 02/07/2014]

Proton M – © RIA Novosti. Oleg Urusov

Two Russian telecommunications satellites have been delivered to Baikonur in preparation for mid-March launch. [Ria Novosti – 02/07/2014]

U.S. satellite export regs remain a frustration for European industry. [Space News – 02/07/2014]

Credit: Exelis artist’s concept – Space News

Continuing problems with an Exelis-built payload will delay the delivery of the first of the GPS 3 next-generation navigation satellites. [Space News – 02/07/2014]

Canadian policy outlines broad national goals for space program. [Space News – 02/07/2014]

TCS gets $6.8m contract with U.S. Army for maritime-stabilized VSAT satellite systems and associated engineering systems. [Via Satellite – 02/07/2014]

SKY Perfect JSAT selects Kratos for command and control system for JCSAT-14 satellite. [Market Watch – 02/07/2014]

Globecomm founder and CEO David Hershberg to retire. [Satellite Markets & Research – 02/07/2014]

Credit: Astrium artist’s concept – Space News

Satellite builders likeliest to benefit from French satellite broadband funding. [Space News – 02/06/2014]

ST Electronics selects Antrix corporation to launch its first commercial satellite, TeLEOS-1 earth observation satellite, into a Near Equatorial Orbit. [Satellite Evolution Group – 02/06/2014]

ST Electronics to distribute its TeLEOS-1 satellite images globally, partnering with Satrec Initiative Co Ltd and SPOT Asia Pte Ltd. [Satellite Evolution Group – 02/06/2014]

The first Singapore-made commercial satellite will be put into orbit in the fourth quarter of next year. [Channel NewsAsia – 02/06/2014]

Airbus Defence and Space, formerly Astrium, has expands its Ku-band satellite services portfolio with new Terralink Companion Quick Deploy solution ideally suited for field communication in operations such as mining. [Mining Weekly – 02/06/2014]

Measat highlights satellite capabilities and announces launch of Measat 3b in May. [Via Satellite – 02/06/2014]

ViewSat to use Intelsat capacity to facilitate and enhance distribution service to the North American DTH market. [Via Satellite – 02/06/2014]

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission to look into wholesale satellite service to local telecom providers across far north. [IT World Canada – 02/06/2014]

KVH ships 4,000th TracPhone system for mini-VSAT broadband network. [Satellite Evolution Group – 02/06/2014]

Colombian state telco ETB acquires local satellite communications firm to improve nationwide offer for corporate and government clients. [BNamericas – 02/06/2014]

Credit – SpaceX photo – Space News

Next SpaceX station cargo run slips into March. [Space News – 02/05/2014]

ITC Global expands reach in U.K. and European energy industry with new operations in Aberdeen, Scotland. [IT Business Net – 02/05/2014]

Globalstar Sat-Fi MSS solution enables users to use any Wi-Fi capable device through an app and a Sat-Fi hot spot – targets two billion-people market.. [Via Satellite – 02/05/2014]

Using a repurposed commercial satellite, Air Force crews flew MQ-1 Predators and MQ-9 Reapers from Creech Air Force Base, Nev., during multiple missions in November and December. [U.S. Air Force – 02/05/2014]

Photo: SES – Via Satellite

SES’ Astra 2E satellite enters commercial service at 28.2/28.5 degrees east. [Via Satellite – 02/04/2014]

Inmarsat’s SF1 ready for launch – Photo: Inmarsat – Via Satellite

First of three Inmarsat Global Xpress satellites completes orbital deployment stages on scheduile. [Via Satellite – 02/04/2014]

Euroconsult to organise Latin American satellite summit [RAPIDTVNews – 02/04/2014]

Iridium introduces Wi-Fi hotspot, a high power broadcast service, and a maritime communications solution, and prepares for Iridium Next satellite replacement program [Via Satellite – 02/04/2014]

Globecomm Systems extends contract with Avanti Communications to deploy satellite broadband services in Cape Town and Johannesburg Africa. [Business Day – 02/04/2014]

AST works with SRI International to provide Iridium communications throughout the Arctic for safety of life purposes and tracking. [Via Satellite – 02/04/2014]

Hughes is providing broadband satellite Internet access to Yukon Quest dog sled crews. [Yahoo Finance – 02/04/2014]

SES-8 now fully operational, co-positioned with NSS-6 at 95 degrees East, to serve Asia Pacific region. [Yahoo Finance – 02/03/2014]

NSR’s take on Thuraya’s Satsleeve for Android – how it positions Thuraya in the addressable market, and how partnering with a competitor to enter the U.S. market could be of benefit. [NSR – 02/04/2014]

Hills Limited is partnering with BAE Systems to develop a commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) terminal crucial to the satellite communication systems of Australian-USA and allied defence forces. [WhaTec – 02/04/2014]

Demand for Occasional Use (OU) and Satellite Newsgathering (SNG) is leveling out to a more regular year-over-year pace from the familiar even-odd year oscillation of demand in the past. [Via Satellite – 02/04/2014]

THAICOM launches fast Internet connectivity service, powered by Gilat satellite equipment. [Yahoo Finance – 02/03/2014]

After tests last year, “fifteen of fifteen company commanders found the” Soldier Network Extension (SNE) portion of the Army’s Warfighter Information Network “distracting and indicated they would not take the SNE to war.” [Nextgov – 02/03/2014]

Newtec and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), sign a multimillion-euro contract to deploy Newtec’s satellite broadcast solutions as part of the EBU’s major pan-European news exchange network. [SatNews – 02/03/2014]

RigNet completes acquisition of Inmarsat’s energy broadband business. [IT Business Net – 02/03/2014]

Transaero Airlines is expanding its in-flight Internet and mobile connectivity communication services. [Via Satellite – 02/04/2014]

Arab Satellite Communications Organization (Arabsat) signs contract with Sudanese TV to broadcast the Sudanese TV channels bouquet exclusively on Arabsat satellites. [Korea IT News – 02/03/2014]

Australian telecommunications company Optus wins five-year satellite and broadband contract with NBN. [International Business Times – 02/03/2014]

Emerging Markets Communications (EMC) has enhanced its technology and infrastructure to deliver VSAT mobility services, currently active on trains across Europe and Africa. [Via Satellite – 02/03/2014]

Satcom Direct becomes an Inmarsat BGAN distribution partner. [Contact Center Solutions – 02/03/2014]

Iran unveils two domestically-made communication satellites, one to bolster its wireless connections and the other capable of taking high-resolution pictures, media reported. [ynet news – 02/03/2014]

“Satellite Manufacturing and Launching: The Dawn of a New Era” [NSR webinar February 12, 2014]

“High Utilization AND High Throughput Efficiency? Solving the TDMA vs. SCPC Dilemma” [Via Satellite webinar March 5, 2014]

WBMSAT satellite communications consulting services

Meanwhile, idiots criticized the Coke spot.

Nice job by the marketing folks at Iridium! No, I’m not talking about their cheesy video production. I’m talking about getting their story picked up by the traffic-mongers at Gizmodo.

Iridium GO! is a small Wi-Fi device that connects to the LEO system for connectivity anywhere in the world.

That’s hot.

Their write-up is practical and spot-on:

Satellite data speeds typically max out around 2.4 to 2.8Kbps (that’s KILObits). We’re talking early ’90s dial-up speeds here. So, you can send a picture, but it had better be very compressed, and you may require the patience of a zen master. SMS speeds, though, should be comparable to what you’re used to here in your bustling metropolis, and it should be fine for text-based emails, too.

The Iridium GO! will be rolling out sometime in the first half of 2014. The price will depend on retailers, but Iridium expects it to be under $800. Yeah, that’s steep, and don’t forget you’re going to need a plan in order to connect. Again, plan pricing will be set by retailers but Iridium estimates that they will begin around $35/month on the low end, and about $130/month on the high end for unlimited data.

SpaceX launches its first GEO satellite and proves upgraded Falcon 9 v1.1 with three launches within a few months – United Launch Alliance re-entering commercial market – incumbents not surprised as competition heats up in satellite manufacturing and launching market. [NSR – 02/12/2014]

Space Daily File Image

Russia, U.S. to pool efforts in the creation of asteroid diversion techniques. [Space Daily – 01/31/2014]

Lockheed Martin MUOS satellite tests show extensive reach in polar communications capability. [The Wall Street Journal – 01/31/2014]

Canada’s Sapphire military satellite designed to track objects in high Earth orbit begins operations. [Space News – 01/31/2014]

Neosat satellite platform – Credit: ESA artist’s cocnept – Space News

French space agency CNES aligns research and technology budget with attempt to increase French and European satellite telecommunications prime contractors’ share of global commercial market to  50% by 2020, up from 30% now. [Space News – 01/31/2014]

Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite – Credit: CNES artist’s concept – Space News

UK to invest $25 million in French environmental satellite projects. [Space News – 01/31/2014]

3rd Space Operations Squadron has been repositioning satellites during nine-month effort to optimize the military wideband communications constellation. [Defense Systems – 01/31/2014]

Globecomm Systems extends contract with Avanti to deploy satellite broadband services to thousands of businesses in South Africa. [Business Wire – 01/31/2014]

Beam Communications selects Two10degrees to power their new Beam Tracking Portal (BTP). [SatNews – 01/31/2014]

SES and EUTELSAT settle their dispute and conclude a series of agreements concerning the 28.5 degrees east orbital position. [Wall Street Journal – 01/30/2014]

IDATE predicts global TV market revenue to grow at steady pace. [Satellite Markets & Research – 01/30/2014]

Reportlinker adds report “Analysis of Global Wireless Backhaul via Satellite Market” to its catalogue. [Market Watch – 01/30/2014]

European satellite navigation services to start this year after Galileo and Copernicus satellites launch in March. [Via Satellite – 01/30/2014]

European Space Agency converts previously contracted back-up launch on a Rockot to a firm agreement with Eurockot Launch Services for placing into orbit an additional Copernicus Sentinel class satellite. [SatNews – 01/30/2014]

Plato – Credit: artist’s concept from Thales Alenia Space (left) and artist’s concept from EADS Astrium (center) – Space News

Planet-hunting Plato wins backing of European scientists for $1B medium-class mission. [Space News – 01/30/2014]

European Commission’s effort to set common European regulations on the sale of high-resolution satellite imagery outside Europe is blocked by British government. [Space News – 01/30/2014]

Globalstar announces Sat-Fi, a new voice and data solution seamlessly integrating Wi-Fi devices with Globalstar’s satellite constellation. [Via Satellite – 01/30/2014]

Thuraya unveils Orion IP maritime broadband terminal. [Satellite Evolution Group – 01/30/2014]

Satcom Direct becomes an Inmarsat Broadband Global Area Network distribution partner. [Aviation Pros – 01/30/2014]

Advantech Wireless releases advanced Multi-Carrier Demodulator (MCD). [Satellite Evolution Group – 01/30/2014]

Planet Labs’ Dove 2 spacecraft. Photo: Planet Labs – Via Satellite

African Heirs Holding invests in U.S. start up Planet Labs, looking to transform the way imaging of the Earth is carried out with introduction of “Dove” spacecraft. [Via Satellite – 01/30/2014]

McMurdo Group enters satellite search and rescue market. [Via Satellite – 01/30/2014]

Europe’s Sentinel 1 radar satellite – Credit: ESA photo – Space News

European government group says radar satellites and Wi-Fi cannot coexist in the same slice of radio spectrum. [Space News – 01/29/2014]

With one-two punch of Super Bowl and Winter Olympics in Sochi, 2014 shapes up as upswing year for contribution and occasional use satellite TV markets. [NSR – 01/29/2014]

Soyuz rocket – Credit: Arianespace photo – Space News

Logjam at European Spaceport puts Arianespace in a ticklish spot. [Space News – 01/29/2014]

Orange Business Services expands network capacity in Siberia on NSS-12 satellite in deal with SES. [The Wall Street Journal – 01/29/2014]

Afghanistan signs strategic partnership with Eutelsat, hoping to accelerate access to satellite infrastructure for digital services with an in-orbit satellite to be deployed to 48 degrees East in February 2014. [Broadband TV News – 01/29/2014]

Inmarsat’s BGAN SDR waveform receives SCA certification from Joint Tactical Radio System Test and Evaluation Laboratory. [Herald online – 01/29/2014]

O3b completes successful live test of broadband voice and video on 4G/LTE networks. [Via Satellite – 01/29/2014]

Comtech Telecommunications Corp. is awarded $3.2 million order from a government systems integrator for DoubleTalk Carrier-in-Carrier powered DMD2050E satellite modems. [Market Watch – 01/29/2014]

SkyVision partners with Romantis to deliver quality VSAT platform solution to SkyVision customers worldwide. [Via Satelite – 01/29/2014]

2014 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) comments addressing comsatcom receives praise for some sections, but still falls short with respect to Industry white paper shared with the government a year ago. [Via Satellite – 01/28/2014]

RFI-EUI merger with IRG brings greater focus to Carrier ID initiative. [Via Satellite – 01/28/2014]

2nd annual MilSatCom Middle East & Africa conference to be held Feb 24th & 25th in Dubai, UAE. [PRWeb – 01/28/2014]

NASA GPM – NASA photo -Via Satellite

NASA and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) scheduled February 27 to launch first coordinated international satellite, GPM, to provide near real-time observations on all types of precipitation. [Via Satellite – 01/28/2014]

Liberty Global to acquire Ziggo – combined venture to reach 7 million Dutch homes, providing video, broadband Internet and telephony services. [Via Satellite – 01/28/2014]

U.S. Navy surveys industry looking for companies who can demonstrate ability to develop and build MUOS-capable radio terminals. [Military & Aerospace Electronics – 01/27/2014]

Boeing receives first signals from NASA TDRS L satellite. [Via Satellite – Via Satellite – 01/27/2014]

Ball Aerospace completes integration of WorldView 3 spacecraft, scheduled to launch this summer for DigitalGlobe. [Via Satellite – 01/27/2014]

Eleven Asia Pacific mobile operators form region’s largest Machine-to-Machine (M2M) alliance, offering a “one-stop-shop” experience for M2M deployment in the region. [Via Satellite – 01/27/2014]

Three Romanian channels select the EUTELSAT 16A satellite to maximise reach. [The Wall Street Journal – 01/27/2014]

Eutelsat’s E172a South Pacific satellite beam – SatNews

NSSLGlobal extends reach in Australasia with the opening of a new teleport at the Perth International Telecommunications Centre. [SatNews – 01/27/2014]

Thuraya’s SatSleeve for Android launch brings MSS to top smartphone models. [Via Satellite – 01/27/2014]

Sass@sea system developed by MediaMobil as part of Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) program is allowing ships to optimize their bandwidth use at sea. [SatNews – 01/26/2014]

Via Satellite webcast March 5h – “High Utilization AND High Throughput Efficiency?  Solving the TDMA vs. SCPC dilemma.” [Via Satellite – March]

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