Really Rocket Science

Ukraine’s Yuzhnoye Design Office continues to produce engines and other rocket components for customers in the United States, Brazil, Russia, Europe and elsewhere with no interruptions stemming from the crisis in Ukraine’s relations with Moscow. [Space News – 04/18/2014]

Lockheed Martin engineers in Denver install the Solar Ultraviolet Imager (SUVI)
on the GOES-R Sun Pointing Platform. – Phys Org

New satellite sensor will analyze and predict severe space weather. [Phys Org – 04/18/2014]

India’s Department of Space consulting with telecom department (DoT) on planned overhaul of 17-year old satellite communications policy to allow auctioning of satellite bandwidth. [India Times – 04/18/2014]

Inmarsat will offer airlines free tracking using its satellite communications. [SKIFT – 04/18/2014]

Leading military and industry experts to meet in Rio de Janeiro in August at MilSatCom Latin America Conference. [PR Web – 04/18/2014]

Qualcomm assigned patent for forward link data rate control and rate indication for satellite-enabled communications systems. [TMC News – 04/18/2014]

Power system failure detected on Amazonas 4A likely to reduce transponder capacity- since the problem cannot be fixed, Orbital Sciences will lose millions in incentive payments. [Washington Business Journal – 04/17/2014]

Falcon 9 launch – Space Travel file photo

SpaceX cargo mission launches to International Space Station. [Space Travel – 04/17/2014]

Satellite terminals widely used in transportation, military, and industrial plants contain backdoors, hardcoded credentials, weak encryption algorithms, and other design flaws. [Information Week – 04/17/2014]

German satellite and Internet company Stellar tells GCHQ and NSA “Call me!” – wants answers why it may have been hacked by them. [DW – 04/17/2014]

Atmospheric satellite – Artist’s concept at Angelpub – Wealth Daily

Atmospheric satellites can alleviate most of problems affecting polar and geosynchronous satellites, and do things like provide low-cost, wide-area-effective internet access to people and places that would never have had it before. [Wealth Daily – 04/17/2014]

Africa’s demand for bandwidth is doubling every year, outpacing the laying of terrestrial fiber links and encouraging satellite operators to launch more satellites. [Yahoo News – 04/17/2014]

Lockheed Martin completely renovates its flagship A2100 satellite bus as it moves forward to reengage the commercial satellite market. [Via Satellite – 04/17/2014]

Russian Aerospace Corp. president suspected of office abuse in instructing subsidiary to grant loans to two companies involved in commercial space project Sea Launch. [Space News – 04/17/2014]

exactEarth and SRT release new technology called ABSEA to enable global tracking for small commercial and leisure vessels. [Via Satellite – 04/17/2014]

GlobaFone to offer Iridium GO! personal Wi-Fi hotspot that allows users to connect up to five devices to the Iridium satellite network and use a smart phone to make calls and send data. [Officer.com – 04/17/2014]

Advantech Wireless CEO expects Gallium Nitride (GaN) to be the technology of choice over Traveling Wave Tube Amplifiers (TWTAs) and Klystrons in the future. [Via Satellite – 04/17/2014]

Measat 3b satellite transported to Kourou, French Guiana for a dual launch with the SSL-built Optus 10 by an Arianespace Ariane 5 launcher. [Via Satellite – 04/16/2014]

SpaceX signs 20-year agreement with NASA for use of Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center, the site of numerous Apollo and space shuttle missions. [Via Satellite – 04/16/2014]

Satellite photo of California wildfires in 2013 May 2, 2013 by UK DMC2. Photo: DMCii

Even with current and planned proliferation of Earth Observation satellites, DMC International Imaging CEO advises governments and industry not to get comfortable with the level of coverage just yet. [Via Satellite – 04/16/2014]

Chinese President Xi Jinping urged the air force to adopt an integrated air and space defence capability, in what was called a response to the increasing military use of space by the United States and others. [Space News – 04/16/2014]

Pentagon seeks information on potential launch service providers for ORS-5 satellite. [Space News – 04/16/2014]

IceSat 2 – Credit: NASA artist’s concept – Space News

Science instrument for NACA’s ICESat-2 will be delivered at least nine months late and continues to face development challenges. [Space News – 04/16/2014]

DigitalGlobe and MDA will offer combined optical and synthetic aperture radar satellite solution to their global defense and intelligence customers. [Via Satellite – 04/16/2014]

SSL is selected to provide two communications satellites to SKY Perfect JSAT of Japan, with a fleet currently including 16 satellites. [MarketWatch – 04/16/2014]

Arabsat CEO calls for the satellite industry to up the pace of progress, saying the industry is moving too slow. [Via Satellite – 04/16/2014]

The German Aerospace Center and the Japanese National Institute of Information and Communications Technology sign memorandum of understanding strengthening their cooperation in the crucial research area of optical satellite-Earth communication. [DLR – 04/16/2014]

SES Broadband Services (SBBS) and Gilat expand consumer Ka-band services to Germany and Italy over SES’s ASTRA 2E satellite. [Satellite Spotlight – 04/16/2014]

Harvey Gulf International Marine chooses KVH’s mini-VSAT Broadband network to support onboard applications including crew Internet access, business email, and voice. [MarineLink – 04/16/2014]

DeLorme announces inReach Explorer, the world’s first satellite communicator with built-in navigation. [Yahoo Finance – 04/16/2014]

Shaw Communications will make changes to its operating units as part of its bid to improve efficiency and enhance growth, laying off as many as 400 but making up to 100 new hires. [mediacaster – 04/16/2014]

Global military satellite market expected to experience growth of 3.74% during 2014 – 2024 in new report published by Strategic Defence Intelligence. [Yahoo Finance – 04/15/2014]

Frost and Sullivan report based on a Hughes Network Systems solution posits that satellite backhaul is the best way for 3G/LTE cellular providers to extend their networks in hard-to-reach areas where terrestrial facilities are limited or cost-prohibitive. [Financial News – 04/15/2014]

Second of three new NASA TDRS-L spacecraft arrives at launch pad at Cape Canaveral ready for launch. [Scientific Computing – 04/15/2014]

U.S. intelligence community recommends granting U.S. satellite imagery provider DigitalGlobe’s request for permission to sell high resolution images to non-government customers. [Space News – 04/15/2014]

Reaction Engines’ Skylon – Credit: Reaction Engines artist’s concept – Space News

Two companies take radically different approaches to launcher reusability – Britain’s Reaction Engines and SpaceX of the U.S. [Space News – 04/15/2014]

Acquired by Broadband Satellite Services last year, Satcom Global and the AND group are being unveiled as the unified global brand Satcom Global offering wider portfolio of services. [SatNews – 04/15/2014]

Mario Zucchelli, Terra Nova Bay, Antarctica – Photo courtesy of ESA – SatNews

SES and Milano Teleport have signed a capacity and ground satellite infrastructure deal to provide connectivity to Mario Zucchelli, the Italian research station in Antarctica. [SatNews – 04/15/2014]

Iveriasat to broadcast to Europe and Middle East via Azerspace 1 satellite. [Via Satellite – 04/15/2014]

A model of the Solara 50, Titan Aerospace’s commercial “atmospheric satellite” – arstechnica

Google buys “atmospheric satellite” builder Titan Aerospace, previously identified as a Facebook acquisition. [ars technica – 04/14/2014]

According to recent revelations, Britain’s GCHQ Intelligence agency has been able to hack into German communications and satellite firms. [Acumin – 04/14/2014]

With an impending gap in meteorological satellite coverage looming over the United States, NOAA is being pushed to make greater use of commercial data sources. [Via Satellite – 04/14/2014]

Artist’s concept image of ISEE-3 (ICE) spacecraft. Image Credit: NASA

Launched in 1978 to study solar wind, ISEE-3 returns to make its closest approach to Earth in August 2014 before it heads back out to interplanetary space. [NASA – 04/14/2014]

Turkmenistan plans to launch communications satellite in November 2014. [TMC News – 04/14/2014]

Key companies providing in-flight WiFi include Gogo Inc. of the U.S., Row44 of the U.S., LiveTV, owned by Thales of France, Panasonic Avionics of Japan, and SITA unit OnAir based in Geneva – article includes the satellite providers they work with. [Reuters – 04/14/2014]

RigNet and CPN introduce new packages SCADA solution for oilfield service companies. [The Wall Street Journal – 04/14/2014]

Huawei and Comtech EF Data announce integrated satellite solution platform using Comtech EF Data’s advanced VSAT and Huawei’s routers, communications, and monitoring systems. [WhaTech – 04/12/2014]

WBMSAT satellite communications consulting services

Inmarsat engineers worked out probable path of flight MH370 using Doppler effect of signals from the plane to their satellites.
[asia one Malaysia – 03/28/2014]

An artist’s image of a robotic refueler (left) approaching an orbiting satellite –
Credit: NASA – Space.com

Advocates say robotically refueling and maintaining satellites in Earth orbit will allow government agencies and private companies to dramatically extend their lifetime.
[Space.com – 03/28/2014]

CFOSat – Credit: CNES artist’s concept by Oliver Sattler – Space News

French and Chinese space agencies confirm joint venture to build ocean-surface radar satellite carrying instruments from both nations.
[Space News – 03/28/2014]

Thousands of VSAT operators left in lurch by failure of India’s Insat 3 satellite.
[Space News – 03/28/2014]

Research and Markets has added “Global Satellite Communication in the Oil and Gas Industry 2014-2018″ to their offering, discussing the expected growth of UDW rigs and role of satellite communication for UDW exploration.
[Digital Journal – 03/28/2014]

New Euroconsult research assesses distribution mechanisms within the Earth Observation value chain.
[Satellite Markets & Research – 03/28/2014]

Third AEHF satellite begins transmitting using its protected communications payload, joining two other satellites undergoing system test in orbit with a suite of user terminals.
[AZO Sensors – 03/28/2014]

F-15E – Credit: Boeing artist’s concept – Space News

Boeing Defense Space and Security, targeting 66% reduction in launch cost, wins three way competition for Pentagon contract to build and demonstrate low-cost airborne satellite launching system.
[Space News – 03/28/2014]

New U.S. military weather satellites could launch on Minotaur rockets.
[Space News – 03/28/2014]

Arianespace’s medium-lift Soyuz launch with the Sentinel-1A Earth observation satellite is moving into its final preparations for an April 3 liftoff from French Guiana.
[Space Mart – 03/28/2014]

Sentinel 5 – Credit: ESA artist’s concept – Space News

ESA orders nearly $200 million spectrometer from Airbus for polar-orbiting meteorological satellite to be launched in 2021.
[Space News – 03/28/2014]

Commercial-off-the-shelf consumer components are now just as reliable as hardware specifically developed for satellites, driving the small satellite revolution, according to Surrey founder.
[Space News – 03/28/2014]

Inmarsat is supporting the Think Global Flight mission to highlight the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.
[Incentive Travel – 03/28/2014]

Image taken by the Thaichote satellite on March 24, 2014 –
Source: Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency – Bloomberg

Thai satellite images of more than 300 objects in the south Indian Ocean produced another lead in the hunt for Malaysian Air Flight 370.
[Bloomberg – 03/27/2014]

Opening new assembly line, Orbital Sciences Technology announces it is manufacturing 81 new satellites for Iridium at its Gilbert Arizona factory.
[Business Wire – 03/27/2014]

Asian satellite fleet operators and service providers are counting on the growth of high-definition (HD) television in the region to offset any drop in prices for C-band capacity due to oversupply.
[Space News – 03/27/2014]

ISRO announces April 4 launch for new Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System 1B satellite.
[Via Satellite – 03/27/2014]

ETL Systems has been chosen by Boeing to support Inmarsat’s GX services for high speed maritime communications.
[Satellite Spotlight – 03/27/2014

Commercial vessel equipped with KVH’s TracPhone V7. Photo: KVH – Via Satellite

RHL Hamburger Lloyd Tanker selects KVH Mini-VSAT broadband to provide global broadband service for tankers.
[Wall Street Journal – 03/27/2014]

Novelsat claims that its newly introduced FreeBand solution gives broadcasters “free” bandwidth for video contribution.
[Satellite Evolution Group – 03/27/2014]

Gogo receives certification for in-flight connectivity in Europe.
[Via Satellite – 03/27/2014]

Japan Airline has selected Panasonic Avionics for an expansion of in-flight Wi-Fi for its international fleet, including 787′s, 777-200ER’s, and 767-300ER’s.
[Via Satellite – 03/27/2014]

According to SVP of marketing and strategic planning at KVH, all the major sectors of the maritime industry are pushing for greater connectivity.
[Via Satellite – 03/27/2014]

Evolve Broadband deploys Globecomm Systems’ hybrid 4G LTE solutions.
[Via Satellite – 03/27/2014]

More than 1,000 satellites are in orbit.
[The Washington Post – 03/27/2014]

LandSat 8 images of mudslide area before (bottom) and after – SatNews

Landsat 8 uses Operational Land Imager (OLI) to observe fatal mudslide in Washington State.
[SatNews – 03/26/2014]

Recent deals may signal that civil government uptake could present tangible opportunities, thus softening the blow from milsatcom decline in most markets in the short/medium term.
[NSR – 03/26/2014]

GPM Image of March 10 cyclone – Photo: NASA/JAXA – Via Satellite

NASA and JAXA release first images from the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory.
[Via Satellite – 03/26/2014]

Singer’s NML Capital, seeking to enforce $1.7 billion in judgments over Argentina’s defaulted bonds, sues SpaceX over Argentina launch contracts
[Space News – 03/26/2014]

The National Broadband Network Company of Australia institutes a “fair use” policy and deploys additional capacity to allow its interim satellite service to function more effectively.
[Delimiter – 03/26/2014]

Yahsat and Thuraya co-host annual satellite industry reception in Washington D.C.
[Zawya – 03/26/2014]

Delta Air Lines will be launching Gogo’s Wi-Fi service on international flights of Ku-band-enabled Boeing 747-400′s.
[Via Satellite – 03/26/2014]

New report by MarketsandMarkets puts value of M2M satellite communication market at $4,763.4 million by 2019.
[TMC News – 03/25/2014

Glonass M satellite – Photo: JSC “Academician M.F. Reshetnev”
Information Satellite Systems – Via Satellite

Russia’s Glonass M satellite successfully separates from “Fregat” stage and reaches orbit.
[Via Satellite – 03/25/2014]

JAXA chooses Mitsubishi Heavy Industries as prime contractor for development of new flagship launcher with greater commercial focus.
[Via Satellite – 03/25/2014]

Communication Technology Satellite – Credit: NASA – Space.cm

Space history photo – Communication Technology Satellite launched in 1976, after five years of cooperation between Canada and the U.S.
[Space.com – 03/25/2014]

Boeing meets key production milestones on initial 702 Small Platform (SP) all-electric propulsion satellites, with late 2014 or early 2015 delivery expected.
[Via Satellite – 03/25/2014]

C-COM increases its sales presence in the Middle East and Africa.
[Reuters – 03/25/2014]

Profen establishes Turkish Gateway Earth Station to manage internet traffic in Turkey provided on Avanti’s HYLAS 2 satellite.
[Satellite Spotlight – 03/25/2014]

F-35A – Credit: Matt Short/Lockheed Martin – Aviation Week

South Korea is likely securing an offset deal that will include a new military communications satellite along with its F-35A purchase.
[Aviation Week – 03/24/2014]

TV5MONDSEW HD chooses MEASAT for Asia-wide distribution.
[Satellite Evolution Group – 03/25/2014]

Federal agencies are learning that with recent developments, the tools of commercial satellite communications (COMSATCOM) are becoming increasingly efficient and effective.
[Federal Times – 03/24/2014]

ViviSat, a satellite-servicing startup developing life-extension vehicles for end-of-life commercial communications satellites in geostationary orbit, has booked two customers for three missions, and expects to start building its specialized spacecraft by the end of 2014.
[Aviation Week – 03/24/2014]

Airbus Defence & Space launches new AuroraGlobal satellite communications package that collates Ka-band, Ku-band and L-band services, integrating offerings from Inmarsat, Iridium, Intelsat, Eutelsat, Telenor, Thuraya and SES.
[Seatrade Global – 03/24/2014]

Inmarsat launches IsatPhone 2, with longest battery life in the industry, capable of receiving incoming call alerts with antenna stowed.
[Morning Star – 03/24/2014]

Kratos has been selected by Turksat Satellite Communication to deliver a full-motion antenna system for installation at its Gölba ?, Turkey site.
[Wall Street Journal – 03/24/2014]

Satcom Direct earns initial STC from the FA for installation of its Satcom Direct Router (SDR) in Lear 60 aircraft.
[Digital Journal – 03/24/2014]

OG2 satellite under construction – Photo: Sierra Nevada Corporation – Via Satellite

With the launch of the first six OG2 satellites coming up at the end of April, Orbcomm is planning to offer two new services that the company hopes will greatly expand its share of the M2M market.
[Via Satellite – 03/24/2014]

Lockheed Martin awards General Dynamics contract for U.S. Air Force GPS 3 satellite program.
[Via Satellite – 03/24/2014]

Ariane 5 ECS launch – NASA photo – NASA Spaceflight.com

Arianespace successfully lofted Astra 5B and Amazonas 4A into orbit via their Ariane 5 ECA rocket on Saturday, March 22.
[NASA Spaceflight.com – 03/22/2014]

At Mobile Deployable Communications Conference adaptability, agility, and scalability seen as key requirements, with a continued extant requirement for bandwidth and operability even as budgets tighten.
[iDirect Blog – 03/22/2014]

High winds delay launch of Astra 5B and Amazonas 4A.
[Broadband TV News – 03/21/2014]

Satellites pick up two significant objects in the southern Indian Ocean southwest of Australia, one estimated at 78 feet long, and ships are steaming quickly toward both.
[Hot Air – 03/20/2014]

Malaysia Airlines Jet – NDTV file photo

Missing flight MH370 puts spotlight on satellite technologies that could ensure tracking and communicating with aircraft over water and uninhabited areas.
[NDTV Gadgets – 03/20/2014]

Congress acknowledges need for new acquisition models for DOD to obtain needed satellite bandwidth – recorded Federal News Radio panel discussion with SES GS CEO and
government officials and consultants.
[Federal News Radio – 03/20/2014]

NewSpace Global releases 2014 SmallSat report examining global industry leaders, major investors, and sources of revenue in this sometimes obscure market.
[SatNews – 03/20/2014]

KazSat-3 at the testing and assembling division of Baikonur cosmodrome. ©RIA Novosti

KazSat-3 being readied for shipment to Baikonur.
[Tengri News – 03/20/2014]

Orbital drops antitrust lawsuit against United Launch Alliance.
[Space News – 03/20/2014]

Es/HailSat solicits bids for second satellite.
[Space News – 03/20/2014]

RRsat plans expansion in US market, opening a new office in the United States.
[Via Satellite – 03/20/2014]

Exelis installs its satellite communications on-the-move technology into the U.S. Army Stryker vehicle during the Army Expeditionary Warfighting Experiment at Fort Benning, GA.
[Executive Biz – 03/20/2014]

M7 group selects EUTELSAT 9A to launch its new pay-TV platform in Hungary.
[Satellite Evolution Group – 03/20/2014]

Speedcast strengthens it leadership position in the Asian maritime market with new facilities in Singapore.
[Satellite Evolution Group – 03/20/2014]

SES reaches 291 million TV homes around the world, with 151 million in Europe; sees room for growth in Latin America.
[Via Satellite – 03/19/2014]

DMSP-19 encapsulation within the Atlas V launch vehicle payload fairing represents an important milestone for the DMSP-19 launch campaign.
[Los Angeles AFB – 03/19/2014]

Arianespace launch – Satellite Evolution Group file photo

Arianespace calls for opening of U.S. government market to international launch services competition.
[Satellite Evolution Group – 03/19/2014]

Head of Germany’s space agency urges ESA to scrap the favored Ariane 6 plans.
[Space News – 03/19/2014]

Gogo receives supplemental type certificate from FAA to install Ku-band satellite connectivity service on Airbus A330 aircraft.
[Yahoo Finance – 03/19/2014]

Inmarsat signs contract with Hughes Network Systems to manufacture the new Low Profile BGAN terminal.
[Satellite Evolution Group – 03/19/2014]

Globecomm Maritime forms a strategic relationship with Future Care, Inc, to create Future Care Live, a video-enabled telemedicine solution.
[Satellite Evolution Group – 03/19/2014]

Gilat introduces StealthRay 300X-M Low-Profile Ultra-Compact X-Band Satellite-on-the-Move Antenna.
[ThomasNet News – 03/19/2014]

RSCC and Thales Alenia Space successfully launch two new Russian communications and broadcasting satellites, Express At1 and At2.
[Via Satellite – 03/18/2014]

Former Arianespace chief says SpaceX has advantage on cost in testimony to French Senate.
[Space News – 03/18/2014]

GeoStar 3 platform – Space Daily file photo

Orbital introduces the GEOStar-3 commercial communications satellite platform.
[Space Mart – 03/18/2014]

Pentagon weaning itself from controversial bandwidth lease with Hong Kong firm.
[Space News – 03/18/2014]

Ball Aerospace powers on bus of the first Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS-1) satellite for the first time.
[Yahoo Finance – 03/18/2014]

File photo CCL3 – MarineLink.com

An alliance between France’s Orolia, and Transas Group aims to integrate Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) and Search and Rescue (SAR) functionality into enhanced marine communication solutions.
[MarineLink – 03/18/2014]

Harris Broadcast splits into two separate companies: Imagine Communications and Gates Air.
[Via Satellite – 03/18/2014]

Gogo’s business group Aircell unveils its ST 4300, a new in-flight communications system for business aircraft.
[Via Satellite – 03/18/2014]

Elektrobit completes a multi-year study with European Space Agency (ESA), analyzing the benefits of using multiple antennas (MIMO) in satellite communications.
[CIOL – 03/18/2014]

Airbus Defense and Space launch new high throughput satcom services featuring Ku-, X-, and Ka-bands without need to change antenna systems.
[Space Daily – 03/18/2014]

Gilat SkyEdge II-c Capricorn IP Router offers throughput exceeding 200 Mbps.
[Thomas Net – 03/18/2014]

Moscow accuses Ukraine of electronic attack on satellite.
[Free Beacon – 03/17/2014]

M2M satellite communication market to grow at a CAGR of 9.8% to 2019 according to RnRsMarketResearch report.
[Satellite Spotlight – 03/17/2014]

Global Satellite Communication market in the Oil and Gas industry is to grow at a CAGR of 5.74 percent over the period 2013-2018.
[Live – PR – 03/17/2014]

Arab satellite pay-TV market expected to grow at steady pace from 2014 to 2017, with room for more entrants into the market.
[Via Satellite – 03/17/2014]

Azerbaijan and Argentina to cooperate in outer space.
[azernews – 03/17/2014]

kangshutters/shutterstock.com – CGN

GSA renews satellite-based training network contract with Hughes Network Systems.
[GCN – 03/17/2014]

Orange Business Services joins European Union to assist in development of cloud-based ship management platform.
[Via Satellite – 03/17/2014]

Satellite signals can confirm plane’s identity.
[KETV – 03/17/2014]

PlanetLabs small satellite – New York Times

Start-up Planet Labs aims to conquer space market, launching dozens of small satellites to provide near constant observation of Earth.
[New York Times – 03/16/2014]

Arabsat issues an RFP for four new satellites, to be designated HS3, HS4, AR6E and AR6A.
[Broadband TV News – 03/16/2014]

Gilat Satellite Networks chosen by Inmarsat as Gobal Xpress services partner for new fixed land VSAT opportunities.
[Space Ref – 03/16/2014]

TECOM antenna – Avionics Intelligence

Ka-band tail-mounted satellite communications antenna for in-flight Internet connectivity introduced by TECOM.
[Avionics Intelligence – 03/16/2014]

VSAT Auto-commissioning systems enable accurate VSAT pointing, crosspol, and power adjustment, providing feedback to the installer from a carrier monitoring system over the VSAT link.
[SatMagazine – March issue]

WBMSAT satellite communications consulting services

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]

NASA’s latest communications satellite, TDRS-L, gets a lift into space on a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket using a Russian designed RD-180 first stage engine. [CBS News – 01/24/2014]

Sentinel-1 satellite – Credit: ESA artist concept – Space News

Europe mounts defense of radar satellite spectrum against wireless broadband incursion. [Space News – 01/24/2014]

Space Travel file image

President Obama signs new spending bill including money to continue NASA’s human space exploration program, bringing back Project Constellation. [Space Travel – 01/24/2014]

Illustration only – Space Daily

Sierra Nevada reserves Atlas rocket for 2016 Dream Chaser test flight. [Space Travel – 01/24/2014]

Virgin Galactic reaches significant milestone in testing of new family of liquid rocket engines for LauncherOne, its small satellite launch vehicle. [Space Travel – 01/24/2014]

Small lander named Philae – Credit: ESA artist concept – Space News

ESA managing expectations for small lander to be launched from comet-chaser satellite Rosetta for attempt to latch onto Comet 67P by harpoon in November 2014. [Space News – 01/24/2014]

Airbus Defence and Space to build ground segment for France’s net-generation optical and infrared reconnaissance satellite system and maintain it for 12 years. [Space News – 01/24/2014]

GVF-EMP Conference – Creating the New “New” Verticals – Air, Water, Surface & Rail – coming to London February 11th and 12th will analyze “seamless connectivity” for today’s communications users. [SatNews – 01/24/2014]

ILS to launch Yamal 601 satellite for Russia’s Gazprom Space Systems in 2016. [Via Satellite – 01/23/2014]

Global Satellite Broadband Communication in Public Safety market forecast to grow at a CAGR of 8.45% over the period 2014 – 2018 in new report added to Research and Markets offering. [Yahoo Finance – 01/23/2014]

India’s satellite communication sector has experienced significant growth over past five years driven by demand from DTH payTV platforms and growing telecommunication needs in the country according to Euroconsult report. [SatNews – 01/23/2014]

Location Based Services (LBS) ,market in Asia Pacific region set to grow at CAGR of 32.98% over the period 2013-2018 according to new report by Research and Markets, but lack of knowledge among users could challenge the growth. [Satellite Markets & Research – 01/23/2014]

RFIEUI and IRG announce a merger helping the two groups to better serve the industry and combat satellite interference together. [Satellite Evolution Group – 01/23/2014]

NASA expected to miss congressional deadline for releasing call for proposals for concepts for Discovery-class planetary science missions later this year. [Space News – 01/23/2014]

Former U.S. Defense Secretary Gates says Pentagon believed PLA acted alone without knowledge of civilian Chinese leadership in 2007 Anti-satellite test. [Space News – 01/23/2014]

Spot 6 image of Bora Bora, French Polynésia. Credit: Astrium image – Space News

France to make older Spot optical Earth observation images available to researchers for free. [Space News – 01/23/2014]

SES selects Xstream to enhance Video on Demand platform. [Via Satellite – 01/23/2014]

Inmarsat Government finalizes agreement to be a Value Added Reseller for Inmarsat Global Xpress as a cleared company under a proxy agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense. [Via Satellite – 01/23/2014]

Telered and MEASAT provide TV services in Philippines. [Via Satellite – 01/23/2014]

GS Group survey shows high demand for quality digital TV in Pakistan, but reveals problems influencing the quality of TV services. [Via Satellite – 01/23/2014]

U.S. Navy accepts three MUOS ground stations built by General Dynamics. [The Wall Street Journal – 01/23/2014]

NSSLGlobal opens teleport in Perth, Australia. [Satellite Evolution Group – 01/23/2014]

Afghanistan drawdown that began in 2011 has led to diminishing growth in the global land mobile satcom market. [NSR report – 01/22/2014]

Telesat majority owner Loral Space & Communications explores a sale of the Canadian satellite communication services company. [Chicago Tribune – 01/22/2014]

ATK MegaFlex. Photo: ATK – Via Satellite

ATK demonstrates MegaFlex Solar Electric Propulsion solar array for NASA. [Via Satellite – 01/22/2014]

ILS president says it is too early to say if launch market is oversaturated. [Via Satellite – 01/22/2014]

U.S. Southern Command embarks on ambitious international CubeSat program, turning to the Naval Postgraduate School for evaluation of the micro satellites. [SIP Trunking Report – 01/22/2014]

Sierra Nevada Corp to announce expansion plans for its Dream Chaser Space System. [R&D Magazine – 01/22/2014]

Environmental & Safety Systems International spins of ESSI Communications division to create BlueTide Communications Corporation, focused on satellite communications for energy, maritime, and yacht leisure markets. [Via Satellite – 01/22/2014]

Alphasat’s high-frequency hosted payload set to begin experiments. [Via Satellite – 01/22/2014]

Digitaria International selects Signalhorn to provide satellite communications services to passengers and crew aboard fleet of twelve luxury vessels operated in the Americas, Mediterranean, and South African markets. [telecompaper – 01/22/2014]

MTN signs new agreement with Carnival Corporation extending partnership providing Internet services to customers and crew aboard several of their cruise ships. [Via Satellite – 01/22/2014]

New report added to offering of Research and Markets, “Analysis of Global Wireless Backhaul via Satellite Market,” discusses expected growth in the market in various regions, and key drivers for satellite backhaul. [Business Wire – 01/21/2014]

NASA and Roscosmos to sign new transportation services contract by summer. [Space News – 010/21/2014]

Gilat Satcom and Gilat Satellite Networks to supply fixed and on-the-move satellite services to the Israeli government. [Yahoo Finance – 01/21/2014]

Spacebel signs commercial contract to supply Vietnam with VNREDSat 1b, an Earth observation system made in Belgium set to launch in 2017. [Via Satellite – 01/21/2014]

Badan SAR Nasional selects Thuraya Telecommunications to provide satellite communications to improve search and rescue efforts in Indonesia. [National Post – 01/21/2014]

Globalstar launches industry’s lowest cost and most accessible prepaid service thoughout EMENA. [CIOL – 01/21/2014]

Telstra Global launches new Points-of-Presence increasing its global Multi-protocol Label Switching (MPLS) network in Western Europe and the American Midwest. [Via Satellite – 01/21/2014]

LiveTV and Eutelsat agree to launch new Ka-band satellite connectivity for airlines in Europe. [Yahoo Finance – 01/21/2014]

HISPASAT now offers HIGH TV 3D across Europe. [SatNews – 01/21/2014]

Australian Defense Force selects ViaSat terminal for data link network management. [Via Satellite – 01/21/2014]

With new HTS systems launching over next year or two, FSS C-band capacity might get lost in the mix, but it is not going anywhere, adding another 55 TPEs of capacity over the next ten years. [NSR Report – 01/20/2014]

SpeedCast re-branding positions it in a top five position in the international satellite telecommunications service provider market. [University Chronicle – 01/18/2014]

President of Astrium Services Government (now part of the Airbus group) calls the “Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA)” procurement strategy for the U.S. military dangerously flawed. [Via Satellite – 01/17/2014]

NASA Tech Briefs article discusses photonic laser thrusters for spacecraft maneuvering. [NASA Tech Briefs – January Issue]

WBMSAT satellite communications consulting services

NASA Space Launch System could make ‘outside the box’ science missions possible. [Space Travel – 01/17/2014]

Marines build field-based command and control center for satellite and radio operations at Camp Hansen, Okinawa as part of pre-deployment communication exercise. [dvids – 01/17/2014]

Omnibus bill fully funds primary NOAA satellites, but does not fund an adjunct satellite intended to host instruments that cannot fit on NOAA’s primary polar-orbiting platforms. [Space News – 01/16/2014]

Screaming through space at nearly one million miles a day, NASA’s New Horizons, launched in 2006, draws closer to its target Pluto, with encounter to begin in January 2015. [SatNews – 01/16/2014]

GATR Technologies spins diminished military spending into opportunity with latest $440 million contract. [Via Satellite – 01/16/2014]

Amid growing sentiment that U.S. military must adopt new ways of operating in space to cope with new threats and declining budgets, top executive with Lockheed Martin says the company must change as well. [Space News – 01/16/2014]

Harris Broadcast acquires Imagine Communications, a digital video solutions company that delivers bandwidth-efficient services with prime video quality for online applications and TV Everywhere. [Via Satellite – 01/16/2014]

KVH plans to debut multicast service intended to replace longstanding practice of sending DVDs by mail to ports in advance of ship arrivals. [Space News – 01/16/2014]

ILS to launch Eutelsat 9B satellite in 2015. [Via Satellite – 01/16/2014]

Dish and Southwest Airlines extend partnership and “TV Flies Free” promotion – through December 31, 2014 customers using iOS, Android, and other Internet-ready devices can get 20 live TV channels free, and VOD. [SatNews – 01/16/2014]

Thuraya Telecommunications launches latest version of Thuraya SatSleeve for Android-based smartphones. [Via Satellite – 01/16/2014]

Viking Satcom deploys ground station equipment to support SES’s new SES 6 satellite. [Via Satellite – 01/16/2014]

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

Government & Military Satcom – pessimistic views overshadow many opportunities for solutions that address military requirements of lower budgets while at the same time offering more bandwidth. [NSR – 01/15/2014]

Boeing Space Surveillance system helps U.S. Air Force reduce satellite loss by 66%, detecting potential threats more quickly and allowing operators to take early action if necessary. [Via Satellite – 01/15/2014]

SpaceX drives sharp increase in projected launches at Cape Canaveral, which plans to support up to 21 rocket launches in 2014, a 50% increase from 2013. [Space News – 01/15/2014]

ViaSat sees future in aeronautical and maritime broadband markets. [Space News – 01/15/2014]

Members of Netherlands Parliament want Minister of Defense to explain the exact purpose of equipment owned by the American Defense Ministry in Burum, Friesland. [NLTimes – 01/15/2014]

KVH doubles capacity of global C-band beams as its mini-VSAT broadband customers increase reliance on broadband connectivity. [The Wall Street Journal – 01/15/2014]

Planning to connect your car to the Internet by satellite – Kymeta and UIEvolution. [Via Satellite – 01/15/2014]

Indian launch of GSAT-14 communications satellite validates technology of ISRO’s indigenous GSLV-D5 rocket. [Space.com – 01/14/2014]

Air Force searches for companies in the industry able to upgrade GPS satellite waveform generators. [Military & Aerospace – 01/14/2014]

General Shelton tells George Washington University students that space is the “ultimate high ground,” fundamental to the economy. [Milsat Magazine – January issue]

Boeing tests new anti-jamming technology making it easier and cheaper for the U.S. military to send secure communications via current satellites that do not have their own anti-jamming capability. [UPI – 01/14/2014]

The first of two Intelsat launches by ILS in 2015 will be Intelsat DLA-2, also known as Intelsat 31. [Via Satellite – 01/14/2014]

C-COM receives new orders from Russian reseller AltegroSky for additional iNetVu auto-deploy antenna systems. [Yahoo Finance – 01/14/2014]

Tethers Unlimited is testing new propulsion method that might greatly improve access to as well as capability of CubeSats. [Via Satellite – 01/14/2014]

RigNet and Harris CapRock target energy businesses in Houston Texas, naming Houston as its Americas regional headquarters. [Houston BizBlog – 01/14/2014]

ViaSat’s Fly-Fi premiers on JetBlue Airways, offering new in-flight high-capacity Wi-Fi, opening the skies to business passengers needing faster internet while traveling. [U-T San Diego – 01/14/2014]

Singapore Technologies Electronics wins $468 million in 4Q 2013 contracts for intelligent transportation, satellite communications, and advanced electronics and information communications technologies. [Via Satellite – 01/14/2014]

Fifth Lockheed Martin MUOS secure communications satellite completes assembly and enters system test. [Yahoo Finance – 01/13/2014]

2013 was an unprecedented year for satellite broadband access services with record subscriber growth – NSR forecasts the global satellite broadband assess market will add over 4.3 million net new subscribers in coming ten years. [NSR – 01/13/2013]

Technavio report projects global satellite broadband communication in the Public Safety market to grow at a CAGR of 8.45% in the 2013 – 2018 period. [SBWire – 01/13/2014]

NASA’s next-generation TDRS L satellite mounted atop Atlas 5 rocket in preparation for launch on Thursday, January 23. [Spaceflight Now – 01/13/2014]

SpaceX may pick Texas over controversial Merritt Island launch site. [Space News – 01/13/2014]

Future commercial prospects for laser satellite communication could include providing “broadband access to remote parts of the world without having to dig thousands of kilometres of trenches to lay down optical fibres.” [Novus LIght – 01/13/2014]

Comtech receives $4.4 million contract to provide upgrade to Brazilian Military satellite network. [CiOL – 01/13/2014]

Cloud Front Group and Saratoga Data Systems announce availability of Flume software protocol that transmits data up to 5-100X faster than TCP and 3X faster than SCPS acceleration protocol over satellite communications. [IT Business Net – 01/13/2014]

MTN pioneers new iDirect X7 high-performance satellite modem on the Norwegian Breakaway, dramatically improving the efficiency and throughput of the vessel’s communications system. [SatNews – 01/13/2014]

Bently Walker extends reach across Africa and the Middle East using Avanti’s HYLAS 2 satellite. [Satellite Spotlight – 01/13/2014]

Raytheon to develop strategic SATCOM system to link nuclear forces to national command authorities. [Military & Aerospace – 01/10/2014]

WBMSAT satellite communications consulting services

Navman Wireless adds satellite communications option to its OnlineAVL2 fleet tracking platform.
[Construction Equipment Guide – 01/04/2014]

Inmarsat PLC completes acquisition of Globe Wireless.
[The Wall Street Journal – 01/03/2014]

Columbus ISS (NASA Photo) – Space News

European Space Agency says that by late 2015 it will reduce its annual space station operating costs by 30% compared with 2010.
[Space News – 01/03/2014]

Mexican Oil and Gas reform opens up satellite opportunity for Jaba satellite engineering.
[Via Satellite – 01/03/2014]

Liberty Media reaches for control of SiriusXM satellite radio.
[LA Times – 01/03/2014]

Bolivian state-owned telecommunications company Entel establishes contact with the country’s first communications satellite, Tupac Katari, orbited in December.
[Hispanically Speaking News – 01/03/2014]

Eutelsat closes transaction to acquire 100% of share capital of SATMEX.
[The Wall Street Journal – 01/02/2014]

SpaceX rocket on pad (Space photo) – SatNews

SpaceX delays launch of Thaicom-6 by at least 3 days to allow launch team to resolve issue with Falcon-9 v1.1 rocket’s fairing.
[SatNews – 01/02/2014]

Amos 4 (IAI photo) – Via Satellite

Spacecom’s Amos 4 satellite concludes testing, prepares to enter commercial service.
[Via Satellite – 01/02/2014]

Soyuz 2.1v rocket – Via Satellite

New Soyuz 2.1v rocket completes first successful launch, carry8ing an AIST student built microsatellite and two SKRL 756 radar calibration spheres for the Russian Ministry of Defense into orbit.
[Via Satellite – 01/02/2014]

Airbus Defence and Space, formerly named Astrium, congratulates SpaceX for retaining focus on cost efficiency without veering off into fascinating but unnecessary engineering challenges.
[Space News – 01/02/2014]

Entropic Communications gets patent for “Method and Apparatus for Cross Polarization and Cross Satellite Interference Cancellation.”
[4-Traders – 01/02/2014]

CHIRP on SES-2 – Space News

U.S. Air Force targets 2016 for CHIRP follow-on.
[Space News – 01/02/2014]

Given the seriousness of the space debris problem, the Secure World Foundation discusses the need for space situation awareness among satellite operators.
[Via Satellite – 12/31/2013]

China puts into service its high-definition Earth observation satellite Gaofen 1.
[Via Satellite – 12/31/2013]

EIAST engineers. Photo: EIAST – Via Satellite

UAE announces plans to launch first domestically-built satellite in 2017.
[Via Satellite – 12/31/2013]

NASA artist’s concept showing the kinds of land surface data DESDynI mission will collect – Space News

Joint mission with India considered as NASA looks for savings in Earth science missions.
[Space News – 12/31/2013]

Energia completes full cycle of ground tests on Earth Observation Satellite EgyptSat 2, to be launched in April 2014.
[Via Satellite – 12/31/2013]

A Coronal Mass Ejection, or CME, as captured by NASA’s SDO Telescope. Photo: NASA – Via Satellite

UK to invest approximately $7.6 million in space weather forecasting system to protect technology from solar activity.
[Via Satellite – 12/30/2013]

China says it will have 30 satellites in its Beidou navigation system by 2020 to improve accuracy to within inches to better compete with the U.S. GPS.
[GPS Daily – 12/30/2013]

Gazprom Space Systems’ board of directors unanimously approves several long-term company goals for development until 2020. including continued construction and sustainment of fleet of Yamal satellites..
[Via Satellite – 12/30/2013]

Newsat gets Malaysian satellite regulator’s confirmation with respect to the use of the orbital slot 91.5 degrees East for the Jabiru-1 satellite.
[4-Traders – 12/30/2014]

New report published by Reportbuyer.com, “Global Fixed Satellite Service Market 2012 – 2016,” forecasts the market to grow at a CAGR of 5.44% over the period.
[Yahoo Finance – 12/30/2013]

AEHF satellite – Lockheed Martin photo – Space News

Lockheed gets $116 million for AEHF launch support.
[Space News – 12/31/2013]

House Energy and Commerce Committee announces plans to use 2014 to begin process leading to an update of the Communications Act for the digital age.
[The Washington Times – 12/29/2013]

New law precludes Russian satellite monitor stations in U.S. unless Secretary of Defense and Director of National Intelligence certify they will not be used to spy.
[New york Times – 12/29/2013]

Euroconsult believes High Throughput Satellite (HTS) services are poised for record-breaking growth, with 33 HTS systems to be launched over the next three years (31 have been launched over past decade).
[Via Satellite – 12/27/2013]

Skybox Imaging releases first high resolution HD video images from SkySat 1.
[Via Satellite – 12/27/2013]

 WBMSAT satellite communications consulting services

Two of the Swarm satellites will operate 150 meters distant from each other from an orbit of 460 kilometers, while the third will be raised to operate from 530 kilometers during the mission’s four-year duration. Credit: ESA artist’s concept – Space News

Europe’s three identical Swarm satellites designed to study Earth’s magnetic field from low Earth orbit successfully launched after a wait of nearly two years.
[Space News – 11/22/2013]

– SatNews

Skybox Imaging, only the fifth organization licensed to provide high-resolution space-based imagery of Earth, launches its first satellite, SkySat-1.
[SatNews – 11/22/2013]

(Skybox seeks to shake up the earth imaging market by ringing the earth with constellations of low earth orbit high resolution imaging satellites that are dramatically cheaper to build and maintain.)
[Wired.com – 06/18/2013]

Volunteers from AMSAT-UK confirm signals were successfully received from FUNcube-1, one of several cubesats aboard the Russian Dnepr launch in Yasny on Thursday.
[SatNews – 11/22/2013]

The goal of Phoenix is to develop a maneuverable spacecraft equipped with a dexterous robotic arm to salvage useful components from retired communications satellites in geostationary orbit. Credit: DARPA artist’s concept – Space News

Honeybee Robotics of New York wins contract from U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DAARPA) for work on experimental satellite servicing and salvaging project known as Phoenix.
[Space News – 11/22/2013]

SpaceX confirms failure of Falcon 9 v1.1 engine to re-ignite September 29 was caused when the igniter fluid lines froze following exposure to oxygen – easy fix reassures insurers and customers including SES on eve of SES-8 launch.
[Space News – 11/22/23013]

Senate bill would require Pentagon to study feasibility of U.S. alternative to the Russian RD-180 engine that powers one of its workhorse rockets.
[Space News – 11/22/2013]

U.S. House Intelligence Committee proposes reduced funding for spy satellites.
[Space News – 11/22/2013]

Boeing to sell commercial Global Xpress bandwidth to government users.
[Space News – 11/22/2013]

Workaround at Army’s Regional Hub Node in Guam boosts Teleport satellite access for U.S. forces in the Asia-Pacific region.
[Defense Systems – 11/22/2013]

STPSAT-3 satellite from the Air Force’s Operationally Responsive Space Office and Space Test Program is successfully launched from NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center’s Wallops Flight Facility along with 28 other payloads.
[Hispanic Business – 11/21/2013]

Satellite Industry Association (SIA) testifies on the satellite industry’s leading role in commercialization of space at hearing held by House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Space Subcommittee.
[SatNews – 11/21/2013]

The Dnepr launch vehicle – RiaNovosti

Dnepr launch from Yasny air force base in southern Russia carries 33 international satellites into orbit, including DubaiSat 2 Earth imaging satellite, STSAT-3 infrared astronomy satellite, SkySat-1 earth imaging satellite, Aprizesat 7/8 asset tracking data satellite, UniSat biomedical experiment satellite, and several cubesats.
[RiaNovosti – 11/21/2013]

Argentine state satellite company Arsat and its Italian counterpart Telespazio have signed a MoU that calls for collaboration in the space sector, including launch support, space operations, and satcom services.
[telecompaper – 11/21/2013]

Arianespace orders ten new Vega launchers from Italian manufacturer European Launch Vehicle (ELV).
[Satellite Evolution Group – 11/21/2013]

Mars image Credit: European Space Agency image – Space News

Mars 2020 rover to include test device to tap planet’s atmosphere for oxygen.
[Space News – 11/21/2013]

Surrey Satellite Technology Limited’s space-based S-band radar system, NovaSAR, wins innovation award from The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).
[Satellite Evolution Group – 11/21/2013]

Credit: Inspiration Mars artist’s concept – Space News

Private manned U.S. Mars mission will not get off the ground as planned in January 2018 unless it secures support of the U.S. government within the next few months.
[Space News – 11/21/2013]

KVH sponsors International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network event in London. [Satellite Evolution Group – 11/21/2013]

Successful launch of Air Force experimental satellite lets scientists breathe easier, after NASA’s Glory climate-monitoring spacecraft was lost due to a March 2011 launch failure.
[Space News – 11/20/2013]

Alphasat reaches operational in-orbit position, successfully completing all in-orbit tests.
[SatNews – 11/20/2013]

World Technology Network names ViaSat as 2013 award winner for creation of transformational high-capacity satellite system.
[Yahoo Finance – 11/20/2013]

Air Force Space Command looks at ways to drive down cost of terminals and unveils new strategy for acquiring satellite capacity.
[National Defense – 11/20/2013]

NSR’s Land Mobile & Handheld Satellite Markets (LM&H) report offers the industry’s most comprehensive analysis of this vital and evolving satellite communications market.
[SatNews – 11/20/2013]

Liberalised regulatory regimes have opened up markets in Africa that previously posed significant challenges for operators and service providers, and the African market… is open for business.
[humanipo – 11/20/2013]

RRsat is appointed as Inmarsat distribution partner for Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) services.
[Yahoo Finance – 11/20/2013]

ITU plays key role in bringing communications to some of worst hit areas of the Phllippines.
[Via Satellite – 11/20/2013]

SMART Communications and Thuraya deploy mobile satellite handsets to establish critical connectivity in the Phillipines.
[Hispanic Business – 11/20/2013]

Post Italiane selects Eutelsat’s Tooway satellite broadband service to take true broadband across Italy.
[The Wall Street Journal – 11/20/2013]

Astrium announces new SKYWAN 5G satellite platform that fulfills all roles in the network at AfricaCom.
[Thomasnet – 11/20/2013]

(Courtesy graphic) – Schriever Air Force Base

The 3rd Space Operations Squadron will celebrate the Defense Satellite Communications System B10 satellite’s 20th anniversary on orbit Nov. 28 – the satellite was designed to operate for only 10 years.
[Schriever Air Force Base – 11/19/2013]

Musings from a trip to SatComRus 2013 held in Dubna, about three hours north of Moscow, where Russia’s top satellite executives meet to discuss the industry in one of the world’s major satellite communications markets.
[Via Satellite – 11/19/2013]

Artist’s depiction of MUOS – Lockheed – National Defense Magazine

Radio manufacturers announced that they have achieved important milestones in the fielding of terminals that will connect to the Navy’s long-delayed Mobile User Objective System communications satellites.
[National Defense – 11/19/2013]

Alcatel-Lucent to provide Japanese cable operator Tonami Satellite Communications Television with ultra-broadband access solution, increasing speed to customers by up to 20 times.
[Satellite Spotlight – 11/19/2013]

Yahsat enters into agreement with Astrium and Boeing for Ka-band capabilities for maritime patrol aircraft.
[Hispanic Business – 11/19/2013]

SIS Live selects Ateme codecs to equip new fleet of satellite news gathering vehicles.
[Via Satellite – 11/19/2013]

Hunter Communications is approved by Industry Canada to compete in the Canadian market, and begins selling space segment.
[Via Satellite – 11/19/2013]

Mona Lisa – CNN file image

NASA successfully transmits digital image of Mona Lisa to satellite orbiting the moon and back using lasers.
[CNN – 11/18/2013]

Via Satellite dedicates edition for the Middle East & Africa region, both vibrant regions with strong demands for capacity, with Africa possibly the next big hotspot for satellite.
[Via Satellite – 11/18/2013]

Harris Corporation unfurlable mesh antenna reflectors on MUOS satellite launched in July successfully deploy in space.
[Business Wire – 11/18/2013]

Australian government is considering its options after iiNet announced it would no longer sign up any new customers to the National Broadband Network (NBN) interim satellite service as it reaches its limit.
[zdnet – 11/18/2013]

Incredible Connection partners with Maxwell Technology to bring high-speed satellite broadband to South Africa, especially suited for the agricultural and hospitality industries.
[ITweb – 11/18/2013]

Canadian government issues request for proposals for mobile satellite communication terminals for Canadian Army vehicles.
[Ottawa Citizen – 11/16/2013]

 WBMSAT satellite communications consulting services

Senate Intelligence Committee recommends allowing U.S. firms to sell higher-resolution satellite imagery on the open market.
[Space News – 11/15/2013]

European Commission will offer “free, full and open” access to the Earth observation satellites providing data for the commission’s Copernicus program starting in December.
[Space News – 11/15/2013]

U.S. Navy resumes work on MUOS ground station following six-month standoff with Sicily.
[Space News – 11/15/2013]

Galileo prime contractor said it had completed development of the first satellites earlier than planned, and that this will compensate for the late start in testing and later-than-planned delivery to the European Space Agency (ESA).
[Space News – 11/15/2013]

Echostar’s HughesNet consumer broadband service outpaces ViaSat’s Exede service with 72,000 net subscriber additions in third quarter; company announced it is paying Dish Network to continue TerreStar 2 construction, without disclosing satellite purpose.
[Space News – 11/15/2013]

With its North American business recovering and second-generation satellites in service, Globalstar looks to Latin America and other International markets.
[Space News – 11/15/2013]

Private-equity group Ardian has purchased 30 percent stake in satellite-based environmental data collection and positioning service provider CLS of France; cash needed to pursue internal and acquisition-fueled growth, including U.S. market.
[Space News – 11/15/2013]

The second annual Visions Awards ceremony at SATCON awarded winners in three categories: David Hershberg, Founder and CEO of Globecomm Systems won the Visionary Executive of the Year; Advantech Wireless’ SapphireBluTM series High Power Amplifiers won the Innovative Product of the Year and satellite operator Arabsat won the Most Promising Company of the Year.
[PRLOG – 11/15/2013]

SMART communications and Thuraya deploy mobile satellite handsets to establish critical connectivity in the Philippines.
[Hispanic Business – 11/15/2013]

Thaicom Plc installs satellite-based communication facilities using its IPStar or Thaicom 4 satellite for typhoon Haiyan-hit areas in Philippines.
[The Nation – 11/15/2013]

UK-based satellite technology company Avanti partners with IP communications services firm Internet Solutions to provide enterprise services in South Africa.
[IT web Africa – 11/15/2013]

South Korea’s indigenously built STSAT-3 “Science and Technology Satellite 3” scheduled for November 21 launch from Russian Yasny launch base.
[SatNews – 11/14/2013]

Broadcast industry needs reality check on where we stand today in terms of encoding standards for SD, HD, and 3D channels, with fully 73% of SD channels still MPEG-2.
[NSR – 11/14/2013]

Although satellite broadband has grown slower that predicted three years ago, new NSR report says 2013 represents a landmark year for that market.
[Via Satellite – 11/14/2013]

ISRO selects Arianspace for Gsat 15 and Gsat 16 launches.
[Via Satellite – 11/14/2013]

Though Astrium is being merged with Airbus due to under-performance, its satellite and space-transportation businesses have been doing well.
[Space News – 11/14/2013]

Lockheed Martin Space Systems division to close its Newtown, Pennsylvania facility by 2015 as part of corporate-wide cost reduction including workforce reduction of 4,000.
[Space News – 11/14/2013]

Globalstar’s Spot releases satellite-based theft-alert tracking device.
[Via Satellite – 11/14/2013]

Responding to growing consumer demand to watch favorite content on mobile devices, DISH readies upgrade to DISH Anywhere app that incorporates Transfers functionality to iOS and Android phones and tablets.
[SatNews – 11/14/2013]

Tampa Microwave to design satellite terminals for Inmarsat’s Global Xpress satellite network.
[Via Satellite – 11/14/2013]

Emerging markets push global Pay-TV subscriber base past 886.5 million in third quarter of 2013.
[Via Satellite – 11/14/2013]

NASA’s MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN) satellite scheduled for November 18 launch from Cape Canaveral.
[SatNews – 11/13/2013]

SES advised by Arianespace that ASTRA 5B satellite launch will be delayed to January of 2014 due to delay in co-passenger satellite Amazonas 4A.
[SatNews – 11/13/2013]

Newtec wins ASBU BroadcastPRO Outstanding Achievement Award for its pivotal role in developing new DVB-S2 extensions technology.
[4rfv – 11/13/2013]

Comcast Wholesale renews and expands key agreements with SES for nearly 650 MHz of C-band capacity to deliver solutions to media companies across North America.
[Via Satellite – 11/13/2013]

English ITU dispatches emergency satellite communication equipment to areas of the Philippines severely affected by Typhoon Haiyan.
[Satellite Spotlight – 11/13/2013]

ITC Global completes capacity deal with SES to connect remote oil, gas and mining operations throughout North America.
[Wall Street Journal – 11/13/2013]

Eutelsat signs deal with Rai to expand HD broadcasting in Italy.
[Via Satellite – 11/13/2013]

SES-Astra’s SAT-to-IP protocol allows any of 32 users with device having an IP address to receive up to 6 satellite TV programmes simultaneously.
[Phys-Org – 11/13/2013]

Gilat Satcom announces new fibre and satellite services in Africa which will increase broadband availability.
[Developing telecoms – 11/13/2013]

OnlineAVL2 Fleet Tracking Platform, with satellite communications option, provides continuous visibility of heavy equipment and on-road vehicles.
[ThomasNet – 11/13/2013]

Mobile Satellite Communications Survey, Prospects to 2022, is an expert analysis of the mobile satellite industry from MarketResearchReports.Biz.
[SB Wire – 11/12/2013]

Russia launches Russian Defense Ministry communications satellite.
[Global Times – 11/12/2013]

Airlines and air navigation service providers meet with Aireon for space-based ADS-B advisory committee meeting.
[Via Satellite – 11/12/2013]

EIAST hosts international committee on Global Navigation Satellite Systems.
[Via Satellite – 11/12/2013]

iDirect wins 2013 Via Satellite Excellence Awards for Technology Company of the Year and Social Media Company of the Year.
[Sacramento Bee – 11/12/2013]

ViaSat’s military business still growing despite U.S. Government cutbacks.
[Space News – 11/12/2013]

Kore, world’s largest wireless services provider specializing in global machine-to-machine (M2M) communications, adds broadband satellite services from Inmarsat.
[Yahoo Finance – 11/12/2013]

Encompass implements ScheduALL across the U.S.; the UK is to follow.
[Via Satellite – 11/12/2013]

ND Satcom’s next generation SKYWAN 5G significantly reduces total cost of ownership since only one type of device is needed for all roles in the network.
[SatNews – 11/12/2013]

Navman wireless adds satellite communications option to its fleet tracking solution.
[Hispanic Business – 11/12/2013]

Ericsson’s latest Mobility Report gives the latest trends in the wireless industry, relevant to the satellite industry in light of cellular backhaul services.
[Via Satellite – 11/11/2013]

Spacecom secures financing for Amos 6 satellite.
[Via Satellite – 11/11/2013]

First Global Xpress satellite nears launch.
[Via Satellite – 11/11/2013]

Telecoms Sans Frontieres (TSF) and United Nations Disaster Assessment ad Coordination Agency (UNDAC) work together to deploy satellite communications support in Philippines.
[Marinelink – 11/11/2013]

SES and its partners in emergency.lu deploy satellite communications in Philippines.
[Yahoo Fiinance – 11/11/2013]

British engineers demonstrate use of Ka-band for much higher bandwidth support of UAVs.
[the engineer – 11/11/2013]

Belgium-based SatADSL to launch new range of satellite services for African enterprises.
[Star Africa – 11/11/2013]

Canadian government reaches out to other countries and companies for partnership on massive Arctic satellite communications program.
[The Star – 11/09/2013]

Euroconsult details exciting changes to come in the satellite industry in new report “Satellites to be Built & Launched by 2022, World Market Survey.”
[Via Satellite – 11/08/2013]

WBMSAT satellite communications consulting services