Really Rocket Science

Orbital Sciences will pay $10 million over several years for 20 percent of Iridium Next hosted capacity.
[Satellite Today – 02/04/2011]

Program problems and budget restrictions change thinking on how military space capabilities should be developed and deployed.
[Aviation Week – 02/04/2011]

KVH Industries completes major capacity increase across three key regions of its global mini-VSAT Broadband satellite communications network.
[SatNews – 02/04/2011]

Hughes Europe, subsidiary of Hughes Network Systems, sells seventh HX hub to international satellite Internet services provider Bentley Walker for Caribbean and South America.
[SatNews – 02/04/2011]

Leaks reveal Chinese-U.S. tensions over anti-satellite tests by both countries.
[Global Security Newswire – 02/03/2011]

Pentagon report warns that field of space debris is so dense that a single collision between satellites could set of an uncontrolled chain reaction capable of destroying the communications network on earth.
[The Telegraph – 02/03/2011]

SES WORLD SKIES signs capacity extension with TIBA to enable distribution of an expanding lineup across Latin America through 2030.
[SatNews – 02/03/2011]

Globalstar hails FCC decision to allow LightSquared to use mobile satellite spectrum for terrestrial-only devices as necessary and looks forward to similar decisions benefitting Globalstar and other mobile companies.
[IEWY – 02/03/2011]

Comtech EF Data and Tachyon to jointly develop airborne COTM solutions delivering the highest bandwidth airborne terminals available in the industry.
[SatNews – 02/03/2011]

Vizada to release new Viznet DVB-S2/ACM-based broadband platform.
[Satellite Today – 02/03/2011]

Gilat Satellite Networks selected to provide SkyEdge II broadband network to a defense agency for military communications.
[Defence Professionals – 02/03/2011]

Telespazio Argentina signs contract to provide Mobile Tele-offices using C-COM’s auto-pointing  iNetVu antenna systems to Argentina Ministry of Interior.
[SatNews – 02/03/2011]

Last minute deal saves Super Bowl telecast, temporarily ending dispute that had kept Fox programming off DirecTV’s system for weeks.
Connect Amarillo – 02/03/2011]

Independent global study confirms IsatPhone Pro as the ultimate handheld satellite phone.
[Business Wire – 02/03/2011]

u-blox introduces ultra-compact MAX-6 family of GPS modules.
[SatNews – 02/03/2011]

Israel and the European Space Agency sign cooperation agreement to identify common areas of mutual interest, notably in the area of space science and exploration.
[SatNews – 02/02/2011]

Russia loses contact with military satellite launched Feb. 1.
[GPS World – 02/02/2011]

Orbcomm’s last remaining AIS-capable low-Earth orbit satellite fails; AIS service down.
[Satellite Today – 02/02/2011]

Hughes Network Systems selected by Boeing to provide the Ground Communications Network for the MEXSAT Satellite Based Network system.
[PR Newswire – 02/02/2011]

First flight of Russia’s Soyuz-ST-B carrier rocket from the European space center in French Guiana is set for August 31, 2011.
[SatNews – 02/02/2011]

Orbital Sciences contracts with Thales Alenia Space for Iridium Next systems integration and testing.
[Trading Markets – 02/02/2011]

German satellite service provider atrexx finalizes largest ground services contract, for connecting a major European country’s embassy sites in Africa and the Middle East with VSAT technology.
[SatNews – 02/02/2011]

Frequency Electronics receives major contract from Boeing Space & Intelligence Systems to supply on-board timing and frequency generation components for MEXSAT system.
[Globe Newswire – 02/02/2011]

KVH unveils new KVH CommBox(tm) Ship/Shore Network Manager at Digital Ship Scandinavia Conference.
[SatNews – 02/02/2011]

Comtech Xicom TWTAs to feature touch-screen control interfaces.
[Satellite Today – 02/02/2011]

Looking to aid Egyptians?  Perhaps you want to "Buy This Satellite."
[Time – 02/02/2011]

Marine Instruments selects Quake Global modems for satellite tracking of vessels and buoys in the open ocean.
[Business Wire – 02/02/2011]

Dish Network to buy hybrid satellite and terrestrial communications company DBSD for $1 billion.
[Denver Business Journal – 02/01/2011]

Raytheon completes acquisition of Applied Signal Technology.
[Satellite Today – 02/01/2011]

India’s space agency focuses on manned spaceflight, lunar exploration, and planetary probes, and considers a Moon mission.
[TMCnet – 02/01/2011]

Globecomm Systems wins $2.6 million contract to provide turnkey RF electronics install for multiple Telemetry, Tracking & Control Earth stations.
[SatNews – 02/01/2011]

Optus orders Irdeto conditional access technology to extend customer access to its satellite digital-only and HDTV channels in Australia.
[Satellite Today – 02/01/2011]

Stratos introduces BGAN Humanitarian Pricing plans for first responders.
[PR Newswire – 02/01/2011]

PolarSat introduces 8-PSK modulation capability on VSATPlus3 modem.
[Satellite Today – 02/01/2011]

Metamaterials hold promise of lighter, more efficient antennas for satellites.
[R&D Magazine – 01/31/2011]

European Space Agency investigates novel self-aligning flat antennas.
[R&D Magazine – 01/31/2011]

UK Space Agency selects Amsat-UK to provide its FunCube hardware board sets for the agency’s first satellite UKube-1.
[Satellite Today – 01/31/2011]

Gilat’s Spacenet receives multi-year contracts for over 27,000 lottery sites.
[Trading Markets – 01/31/2011]

Integral Systems Incorporated wins $13 million plus contract modification from US Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center to consolidate satellite ground systems.
[SIGNALSCAPE – 01/31/2011]

Hughes Network Systems receives TMCnet Satellite Spotlight Product of the Year Award.
[PR Newswire – 01/31/2011]

WBMSAT PS satellite communications systems services

Good luck trying to shut down the Internet in Egypt. You can’t close off the satcom links — especially Thuraya, Iridium, Globalstar or Inmarsat satellite phones.

Although the Internet remains locked down in Egypt, Al-Najjar has been participating in the lively stream of posts on Twitter using the hashtags #Jan25 and #Egypt.

Some of those postings suggest the use of satellite Internet services offered by companies such as Thuraya, Iridium and Inmarsat.

"While in conversation last night, two guys said that they will have the ability to buy one of those phones and transmit," Al-Najjar said. "They were given 18 [phone] numbers outside Egypt to send [photos] to."

Foreign media posted in Cairo published dramatic photos on Friday of protestors battling police firing tear gas and using water cannons to disperse crowds. But absent Internet or mobile phone access, it’s much more difficult for most Egyptians to self-publish, an act that has become an increasingly important component of breaking news coverage.

Satellite Internet services aren’t cheap, however, compared to wired Internet access. Al-Najjar said a satellite-capable phone could cost around US$1,300 in Egypt.

A Thuraya customer service representative said on Friday there were no issues with its service in Egypt, but she did not know if there was an uptick in traffic coming from the country.

Satellite services are not dependent on local carriers for connectivity. So someone in Egypt, for example, could snap a photo of the protests and upload it to a computer connected to a BGAN satellite modem.

As long as the person has aimed the portable modem properly at the satellite, the person should have broadband Internet access, said a sales representative based in South Africa for GlobalCom, which sells portable Internet access for Iridium, Thuraya, Inmarsat and Globalstar Satellite.

 Who started this mass protest stuff? The Ukrainians with their Orange Revolution!

Orbital Sciences signs systems integration and test contract with Thales Alenia Space, prime contractor for Iridium NEXT.
[SatNews – 01/28/2011]

Avanti wins two new contracts to further develop and demonstrate technology to deliver fideo to the edge of terrestrial networks using its HYLAS 1 satellite.
[SatNews – 01/28/2011]

Boeing successfully conducts first over-the-air ground test of Ka-band satellite communications phased-array antenna system for enabling wideband SATCOM on aircraft.
[SatNews – 01/28/2011]

Russian unmanned cargo spacecraft lifts off, bound for international space station.
[SatNews – 01/28/2011]

DigitalGlobe collaborates with Satellite Sentinel Project to deliver first images of evolving situation in Sudan following historic vote on independence.
[SatNews – 01/28/2011]

Ziplink announces that OmniGlobe has deployed its advanced optimization technology to reduce bandwidth requirements while improving customer’s satellite broadband performance.
[SatNews – 01/28/2011]

MSCI’s announcement of 78+ satellite constellation "COMMStellation" of 12Gb per satellite for global broadband reminiscent of ambitious LEO plans of the past – is the plan justified by the numbers?
[NSR – 01/27/2011]

LightSquared ambitious plan for nationwide terrestrial/satellite LTE mobile network gets] boost with FCC decision to allow use of handsets that are not satellite-capable.
[The Register – 07/27/2011]

ViaSat is awarded first Defense Security Service Award of Excellence in Counterintelligence.
[SatNews – 01/27/2011]

Japanese unmanned robot cargo ship arrives at international space station.
[Space.com – 01/27/2011]

International Datacasting receives contract from Canadian Department of National Defence for continued operation of Canadian Forces Radio and Television.
[SatNews – 01/27/2011]

Russian astronomers predict slim possibility of Earth strike by asteroid Apophis on April 13, 2036.
[SatNews – 010/27/2011]

Tesacom receives Iridium certification for maritime satellite communication and tracking system.
[PR Newswire – 07/27/2011]

Orange Business Services to provide and manage a VSAT satellite system developed for marine communications for the diving support vessels of Crest Subsea.
[Satellite Spotlight – 07/27/2011]

Air Force awards Raytheon and Lockheed Martin contracts to provide designs for new "Space Fence" radar system that can detect much smaller satellites and debris than present system.
[Information Week – 07/27/2011]

KVH promotion offers free small screen HDTV to boat owners purchasing certain marine satellite HDTV systems.
[SatNews – 01/27/2011]

Russian space experts point to gross underfunding of space programs and advocate teaming up with India and Kazakhstan.
[SatNews – 01/27/2011]

Sirius XM asks FCC to end its subscription price cap.
[Satellite Today – 01/27/2011]

US Air Force Academy’s FalconSAT-3 satellite provides unique joint service with United States Military Academy at West Point, New York.
[SatNews – 01/26/2011]

Blue Sky Network introduces HawkEye 5300, a dual-mode asset tracking device using both GSM and Iridium satellites for 100% global coverage.
[Trucking Info – 01/26/2011]

TVN signs with Teracom to supply headend technology for Sweden’s roll-out of DVB-T2 scheduled for the end of 2012.
[Satellite Today – 01/26/2011]

ITT announces successful completion of environmental tests of the next-gen weather satellite instrument for the GOES-R program.
[SatNews – 01/26/2011]

Iridium signs partner agreements with five new companies including KORE Telematics.
[Telecom Engine – 07/26/2011]

Shaanxi Broadcast & TV Network Intermediary Company begins trials of Irdeto’s Cloaked CA, a conditional access system to be part of transitioning two million subscribers from analog to digital services.
[SatNews – 01/26/2011]

SES WORLD SKIES announces order from Artel under U.S. FCSA program to provide C-band capacity in support of government initiatives.
[Business Wire – 01/26/2011]

Economics of Earth Observation market distorted by reliance on a few large users – government and military organizations.
[NSR – 01/25/2011]

New MST-100M man-pack satellite terminal from Agile Communications features fully motorized platform with auto-acquisition.
[EON – 01/25/2011]

LightSquared CEO Sanjiv Ahuja attempts to reassure authorities that modification of its license to allow terrestrial as well as satellite offerings will not interfere with GPS services.
[telecoms – 01/25/2011]

Orbit wins US follow-on order worth $7.2m to install dozens of its OrSat Ku-band systems on the undisclosed customer’s fleet of ships.
[Globes – 01/25/2011]

Iridium to establish maritime service centers to support Iridium OpenPort products worldwide.
[Satellite Spotlight – 01/25/2011]

NASA announces contest for best images of currently orbiting NanoSail-D solar sail.
[SatNews – 01/25/2011]

Lockheed Martin plans to increase affordability and efficiency of space system development with new advanced technology and virtual simulation facility, Collaborative Human Immersive Laboratory.
[SatNews – 01/25/2011]

Broadpoint signs new contracts with global shipping company V.Ships Offshore to provide Ku- and C-band services for the company’s worldwide operations.
[SatNews – 01/25/2011]

Non-profit Space Data Association announces offering of conjunction assessment processing to a majority of all operational geosynchronous satellites.
[Satellite Spotlight – 01/24/2011]

Airborne is awarded contracts for solar array panels for first 14 satellites of the Galileo program.
[SatNews – 01/24/2011]

Surrey Satellite Technology Limited to conduct an experiment, launching a smartphone into orbit to see what it is capable of.
[Satellite Spotlight – 01/24/2011]

Hughes Communications dominant stakeholder Apollo appoints Barclays Capital to begin sales process.
[Fierce Telecom – 01/22/2011]

Global Navigation Satellite System industry faces challenges in using multiple systems interchangeably as number of satellites is projected to far exceed the "optimal intersection" of 70 postulated by head of Galileo Operations and Evolution department of ESA.
[Inside GNSS – January/February 2011]

WBMSAT PS satellite communications systems services

Zenit-3SB rocket launches Elektro-L1 meteorological satellite from Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan.
[SatNews – 01/21/2011]

Azerbaijan experts from Ministry of Communications and Information Technologies travel to U.S. to discuss development of its first national satellite.
[ABC.AZ – 01/21/2011]

EUMETSAT now delivering globally direct readout of data from instruments on board its Metop polar-orbiting satellite via the Advance High Resolution Picture Transmission system.
[SatNews – 01/21/2011]

Indian Air Force to get dedicated communication satellite this year.
[The Economic Times – 01/21/2011]

Satellite Broadband Ireland inks over EUR 5 million utility deal with Eutelsat.
[RTT News – 01/21/2011]

SatCom Group changes its name to One Horizon Group.
[Satellite Today – 01/21/2011]

ATCi answers demand for disaster recovery services voiced at Pacific Telecommunications Council Conference in Hawaii January 15-17, 2011.
[PR Newswire – 01/21/2011]

Avanti UK wins key broadband satellite testbed contract from UK’s Technology Strategy Board.
[ISPreview – 01/21/2011]

International Communications Group Datalink-100 Receives Iridium Certification & ARINC AQP Approval.
[Trading Markets – 01/21/2011]

Space Florida gets $48 million launch contract to provide launch services for federal government.
[SatNews – 01/21/2011]

United Launch Alliance DeltaIV Heavy rocket lifts off from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex with payload for the National Reconnaissance Office.
[SatNews – 01/20/2011]

TanMar Communications, a provider of communication solutions to the oil and gas and maritime industries and government agencies deploys Spacenet satellite equipment and services.
[TMCnet – 01/20/2011]

Norsat acquires military antenna developer Sinclair Technologies for $19.2 million.
[Satellite Today – 01/20/2011]

Broadband satellite communications company Hughes Communications looking for new owner.
[SatNews – 01/20/2011]

Arinc completes Air Force space weather sensor upgrade at 29 locations of the Ionospheric Data Network.
[Satellite Today – 01/20/2011]

Microsat Systems Canada announces development of COMMStellation, a polar communications satellite constellation of 78 microsatellites.
[SatPRNews – 01/19/2011]

NASA to unveil new rocket integration and launch facility at Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.
[Satellite Today – 01/19/2011]

Worldwide Satellite Telecommunications Industry report published by Barnes Reports features 2010 current and 2011 forecast estimates on size of industry for 47 largest countries in world.
[Satellite Spotlight – 01/19/2011]

A communications cross-link between missile defense satellites tested successfully after activation by U.S. companies Northrop Grumman and Raytheon.
[UPI – 01/19/2011]

NanoSail-D nanosatellite successfully ejected from Fast Affordable Scientific and Technology Satellite – ham operators asked to listen for signals and report.
[SatNews – 01/19/2011]

GMPCS joins with Global Marie to deploy Speedmail, a fast, reliable and easy-to-use satellite phone email service.
[Satellite Spotlight – 01/19/2011]

FCC authorizes Sirius Radio to temporarily establish 2,000-watt transmitter in Hawaii.
[ABC News – 01/19/2011]

OmniAccess S.L. launches BroadBEAM Ultra, latest addition to its maritime VSAT broadband services, based on iDirect’s next generation DVB-S2 Evolution platform.
[SatNews – 01/19/2011]

Integral Systems’ SATCOM Solutions Division General Manager To Discuss Naval Maritime Satellite Communications Requirements At The 2011 Naval And Maritime SATCOM Workshop.
[TheStreet – 01/19/2011]

Stratos Global reaches mileston of 2,000 IsatPhone Pro activations.
[SatNews – 01/19/2011]

WTA releases new white paper "How to Buy Satellite Capacity."
[worldteleport.org – 01/19/2011]

Hughes Network Systems ships more than 327,000 broadband satellite terminals in 2010, the most ever in one year.
[SatNews – 01/19/2011]

Berry Smnutny, chief executive of Germany’s largest satellite company OHB-System, suspended for criticizing the E. U. Galileo satellite project.
[New York Times – 01/18/2011]

U.S.A.F. 50th Space Wing completes phase on of two phase Global Positioning System constellation expansion.
[SatNews – 01/18/2011]

Iridium signs agreements with 17 service partners to participate in the company’s Network Quality Guarantee program.
[Satellite Today – 01/18/2011]

T-HT of Croatia selects Eutelsat satellite neighborhood at 16 degrees East to extend reach of its MAXtv pay-TV platform to homes across Croatia.
[Satellite Spotlight – 01/18/2011]

RRsat selected to distribute BabyTV to North America.
[PR Newswire – 010/18/2011]

Hughes ships its 2.5 millionth broadband satellite terminal.
[PR Newswire – 01/18/2011]

Indian Space Research Organisation plans three major satellite launches in first quarter of 2011.
[IBN Live – 01/17/2011]

SES ASTRA expands further into Central and Eastern European market, with three transponders to be used by Bulgarian DTH operator Satellite BG.
[SatNews – 01/107/2011]

COM DEV of Canada is awarded US$9 million to provide equipment for a military communications satellite.
[Ottawa Citizen – 01/17/2011]

Ya, that’s German for "Galileo is a stupid idea." Who said it? The CEO of the prime contractor to build the system, OHB Technology. How’s he doing today? Fired. That’s right, Berry Smutny was quoted by Wikileaks via the Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten…

"I think Galileo is a stupid idea that primarily serves French interests."

"…doomed to failure…"

"…waste of EU taxpayers’ money…"

That was in October, 2009. They were awarded the contract about a year ago (January, 2010).

They’re doing a fine job in Europe. Galileo was to cost $4.5 billion, but now approaches $26 billion. Outstanding.

Glad SES is "contributing" to this fine system.

Perhaps the honesty by-product of the whole Wikileaks thing is good for business.

LightSquared wireless network plan could interfere with systems such as Defense Department communications according to a U.S. agency that manages federal use of airwaves.
[Reuters =- 01/14/2011]

A radical new US military drone aircraft, able to fly for days in the stratosphere while providing satellite-like communications, completes test flight on hydrogen fuel.
[The Register – 01/14/2011]

Launch of ViaSat’s first high-capacity broadband communications Ka-band satellite to be delayed several months after receiving damage while being moved inside a factory in California,
[Spaceflight Now – 01/14/2011]

As recovered "Zombie satellite" Galaxy 15 undergoes tests and company officials consider placing it back into service, investigators now blame a build-up of static electricity for the failure.
[Spaceflight Now – 01/14/2011]

GMV Space Systems is selected as part of General Dynamics team to modernize NASA’s TDRS satellite constellation’s ground system.
[SatNews – 01/14/2011]

T-Hrvatski Telekom (T-HT) Selects Eutelsat’s 16 Degrees East Neighbourhood to Roll-out MAXtv Pay-TV Platform to Viewers Across Croatia.
[PR Newswire – 01/14/2011]

Sun Direct leases two additional Measat-3 Ku-band transponders.
[Satellite today – 01/14/2011]

Lines of communication between the U.S. Government and the commercial satellite communications industry deteriorate, contrary to spirit of the National Space Policy.
[SIGNAL – 01/13/2011]

Eutelsat’s KASAT satellite successfully on station at 9 degrees East and undergoing in-orbit tests.
[PR Newswire – 01/13/2011]

Iran plans to put into orbit a new domestically manufactured satellite named Fajr (Dawn) in the current Iranian calendar year, which will end on March 20 this year.
[Tehran Times – 01/13/2011]

Russia to launch oceanography satellite in March to keep track of vast amount of data to improve weather, climate, and ocean forecasts.
[SatNews – 01/13/2011]

SES WORLD SKIES U.S. Government Solutions wins two new contract vehicles through the FCSA that broaden government access to the company’s global satellite bandwidth and services.
[Business Wire = 01/13/2011]

Intelsat S.A. borrows $3.75 billion from a consortium of banks and securities in an effort to reorganize its assets and simplify operations.
[Satellite Today – 01/13/2011]

U.S. Space LLC and ATK announce creation of ViviSat, a new satellite life extension venture whose services can add several years to revenue-producing life of a satellite.
[SatNews = 01/13/2011]

Astrium Reports Modest Growth in 2010; Plans Military Focus in 2011
[Satellite Today – 01/13/2011]

Shocking disaster images dominating news bulletins and major global sporting events combine to create an unprecedented demand for live transmissions from Australia to the World in early 2011.
[SatNews = 01/13/2011]

Space Tourism Company to Sell Three Russian Soyuz Seats to International Space Station.
[Satellite Today – 01/13/2011]

Mayflower Communications is awarded patent for "Antijam Filter system and Method for high Fidelity High Data Rate Wireless Communication" that can filter out interfering signals.
[Satellite Spotlight – 01/12/2011]\

Hughes HX broadband satellite system enables remote monitoring of forest fires in Russia.
[PR Newswire = 01/12/2011]

Thrane & Thrane’s Aviator 200 Wi-Fi Service Certified for Cessna Aircraft.
[Satellite Today – 01/11/2011]

British earth station at Goonhilly, once the world’s largest, whose satellite communications operation shut down in 2006, to be refurbished and used for space radio telescopes.
[Space Business and Industry – 01/11/2011]

Morgan Stanley analysts expect the satellite industry’s strong 2010 overall performance to continue in 2011.
[Satellite Today – 01/11/2011]

Spirit Wireless of Portland, OR, provides critical satellite communications devices for hunters.
[AmmoLand – 01/11/2011]

Frequency Electronics, Inc. is awarded a follow-on contract of approximately $12 million for a U.S. Government high capacity, secure communications satellite program.
[Globe Newswire – 01/11/2011]

Avanti established as credible operator in broadband satellite communications as growth is forecast to be substantial, and it moves forward with HYLAS-2 and HYLAS-03.
[Sharecast = 01/11/2010]

Orbital-Built Glory Earth Science Satellite Arrives at Vandenberg Air Force Base Launch Site.
[Business Wire – 01/11/2011]

Key elements of Ariane 5 launcher arrive in Korou as preparations go forward for its second launch of 2011, to carry the Yahsat 1A and Intelsat New Dawn satellites into orbit.
[SatNews – 01/10/2011]

iDirect Government Technologies forges partnership with Integral Systems in order to help the U.S. Coast Guard modernize its large cutter fleet.
[TMCnet – 01/10/2011]

Central & Eastern European Video Markets Continue Strong Gains.
[NSR Report – January 2011]

WBMSAT PS satellite communications systems services

Clooney-sponsored Satellite Sentinel Project to monitor election proceedings in volatile Sudan.
[CBN News – 01/07/2011]

New Israeli military technology speeds up warfare, harnessing digital and satellite technology to enable response to battlefield changes in seconds.
[msnbc – 01/07/2011]

Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. wins contract from the European Space Agency to provide spectrometer as part on instrumentation for Sentinel 5 Precursor atmospheric monitoring mission.
[Satellite Today – 01/07/2011]

GeoEye wins contact from Republic of the Maldives for vessel monitoring system for fisheries management and safety.
[SatNews – 01/07/2011]

Colorado Springs military contractor Infinity Systems Engineering wins $17.4M 5 1/2 year contract from Air Force Space Command for communications and engineering support on three military communications satellite systems.
[Colorado Springs Gazette – 01/07/2011]

EchoStar Advance Technologies acquires Utah-based Moved Networks, a technology innovator delivering advanced solutions for large scale streaming of quality video on the internet.
[SatNews – 01/07/2011]

Newcom International of Miami is ranked fourth fastest growing teleport in the world for 2010 by the World Teleport Association.
[Satellite Spotlight – 01/07/2011]

ARTEL wins first contract award for satellite services under the new $5B General Services Administration and Defense Information Services Agency joint-contract vehicle.
[PR Newswire – 01/06/2011]

Spot Connect lets Bluetooth phones communicate with satellites.
[Mobile Magazine – 01/06/2011]

Comtech wins $27.2M order to provide satellite communications equipment to U.S. Army.
[M2M – 01/06/2011]

Shares of Gilat Satellite Networks surge after contracts with Colombia’s Ministry of Information Technology and Communications are extended.
[Bloomberg – 01/06/2011]

Albania’s DigitAlb pay-TV platform extends to 2020 its satellite capacity at Eutelsat’s 16 degrees East neighborhood.
[PR Newswire – 01/06/2011]

Iridium’s Direct Internet software package makes it easier and faster to connect to the Internet using the 9555 and 9505A satellite phones.
[SatNews – 01/05/2011]

RapidEye signs partnership agreement with NiK Insaat Ticaret of Turkey to add the company to its distributor team in Turkey.
[SatNews – 01/05/2011]

ISRO plans to launch at least two large communications satellites this year to mitigate shortage of transponders due to failure of two consecutive GSLV missions.
[Economic Times – 01/05/2011]

Integral Systems Inc. wins $10M five-year IDIQ contract to modernize U.S. Coast Guard’s satellite communications for its large cutters.
[Satellite Spotlight – 01/05/2011]

DTH and the drive towards Hybrid – even though terrestrial networks seem to be the more logical source, there is not dearth of satellite-enabled solutions.
[NSR – 01/05/2011]

GlobaLogix acquires Blast Energy Services satellite division, adding fully integrated satellite services to its comprehensive suite of services supporting recovery and analysis of data for its energy industry customers.
[Business Wire – 01/05/2011]

Lubbock County Texas plans to integrate Spacenet’s satellite equipment and services into its mobile command vehicle that is used across state to maintain data, voice, and video communications during emergency situations.
[TMCnet – 01/05/2011]

Lockheed Martin Space Systems wins sole source contract from NASA for Systems Engineering for In-Space Servicing.
[SatNews – 01/04/2011]

Thales Alenia Space signs contract with French space agency CNES to produce Surface Waves Investigation and Monitoring instrument for teh China France Oceanography Satellite.
[SatNews – 01/04/2011]

Voice of Russia reports plans for about 50 space launches from three launching pads and 10 combat training and test launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles in 2011.
[SatNews – 01/04/2011]

Globecomm Systems wins $7.3M managed services contract from a Government prime contractor.
[TMCnet – 01/04/2011]

Blue Marble Network announces new Maritime VSAT service for Asia Pacific market.
[SAT PR News – 01/04/2011]

Perla Group International procures $4.5M of satellite and teleport infrastructure and plans to build world class teleport in the Mediterranean, likely in Cyprus.
[Marketwire – 01/04/2011]

Intelsat plans to immobilize "Zombiesat" Galaxy 15 following communications shutdown and equipment reset caused by loss of power – considers moving it to one of Intelsat’s orbital slots and fully testing the satellite’s communications capabilities.
[Aviation Week – 01/04/2011]

Indian developer Tripura launches Geo-Spatial 3D satellite-based imagery system to track terrorists and curb crime.
[Satellite Today – 01/03/2011]

Failure of India’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle on December 25 caused by snapped connectors.
[Spaceflight Now – 12/31/2010]

Orbital-built KOREASAT-6 launched from European space center in French Guiana.
[BusinessWire – 12/30/2010]

Charles Ergen of Echostar and Dish Network accumulates debt of bankrupt satellite operators TerreStar Networks and DBSD North America in challenge to Harbinger Capital, pursuing broadband spectrum owned by the bankrupt companies.
[The Wall Street Journal – 12/30/2010]

ILS to launch Satmex 8 in 2012.
[Satellite Today – 12/30/2010]

ImageSat settles spy satellite dispute with Serbia.
[Satellite Today – 12/30/2010]

India’s NRSC plans to launch 30 satellites by 2020.
[Satellite Today – 12/29/2010]

Turkey’s test satellite 3USAT debut set for September 2011.
[Satellite Today – 12/29/2010]

Satellite optimization enhances service delivery in a 4G world.
[TMCnet – 12/29/2010]

Upcoming NSR webinar – The Satellite Industry Year in Review . . . and a Look Ahead to 2011.
[gotomeeting.com]

WBMSAT PS satellite communications systems services

Last week’s on-target Ariane 5 launch occurred at sunset in French Guiana, providing an excellent view of the vehicle’s ascent – including the separation of its two solid boosters at an altitude of some 67 km., and the payload fairing’s jettisoning at 106 km.    Estimated orbital parameters at the injection of its cryogenic upper stage:
– Perigee: 249.4 km. for a target of 249.4 km.
– Apogee: 35,922 km. for a target of 35,907 km.
– Inclination:  2.99 deg. for a target of 3.00 deg.

 "Zombie" satellite Galaxy 15 finally tamed – following loss of earth lock the satellite’s batteries drained; the Baseband Equipment command unit reset, and the satellite began accepting commands.
[Space Ref – 12/28/2010]

Arane 5 scheduled to launch Hispasat 1E and Koreasat 6 from Kourou on December 28.
[Space Ref – 12/28/2010]

KA-SAT successfully launched from Baikonur spaceport by Russia’s Proton-M carrier rocket.
[ITAR-TASS – 12/27/2010]

TerreStar creditors agree to reorganization plan, allowing EchoStar to buy $125M of preferred stock as part of plan.
[Satellite Today – 12/27/2010]

German broadcaster ARD leases capacity from Eutelsat and SES to bring programming to German soldiers in Afghanistan.
[Satellite Today – 12/27/2010]

Pakistan to launch its first indigenously developed communications satellite in 2011 from a launch site in China.
[Associated Press of Pakistan – 12/27/2010]

An Indian Geostationary Satellite Launch Vehicle carrying a telecommunications satellite is destroyed after veering off course.
[Space News – 12/27/2010]

Ahumanright.org wants to buy commercial satellite Terrestar-1 from its bankrupt operator to bring affordable internet to the World’s poor.
[Fast Company – 12/27/2010]

Six-ton Ka-Sat, bigger than recently launched Hylas, to serve customers in the so-called "hot-spots" of Europe, providing tens of millions of households with speeds generally up to 10Mbps.
[Press TVG – 12/26/2010]

Another NASA spinoff – inflatable antennas can be installed and de-installed quickly and support emergency satellite communication.
[Space Ref – 12/24/2010]

ViaSat receives $13.8M delivery orders from PM Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below that include installation and test of satellite ground station and control center equipment.
[Trading Markets – 12/24/2010]

China helps Bolivia fund its first communications satellite.
[News24 – 12/23/2010]

Globalstar takes delivery of two satellites from Thales Alenia Space.
[SatNews – 12/22/2010]

Harris to supply SAR military satellite payload.
[Satellite Today – 12/22/2010]

Norsat Ka-band BUC is used in antimatter study at the CERN laboratory in Switzerland.
[SatNews – 12/22/2010]

RapidEye’s first large scale mosaic, depicting all of Germany, is now for sale.
[SatNews – 12/22/2010]

Mexico pays Boeing $1B to build satellites for communications and security; Boeing to team with Orbital Sciences in meeting requirements.
[Fox Business – 12/21/2010]

Intelsat selects SatLink of Israel for iDirect VNO solution to provide its clients with managed hub services.
[Digital Producer Magazine – 12/20/1010]

Scientists hope to use Iridium satellite network, whose satellies carry magnetometers, to help predict solar storms and provide advisories to satellite operators.
[Scientific American – 12/20/2010]

WBMSAT PS satellite communications systems services

Russian State Commission states that Proton M not at fault in loss of GLONASS satellites, but ILS, Khrunichev, Eutelsat, and Astrium KA-SAT mission team stands down for a week to review report.
[SatNews – 12/10/2010]

Obama administration proposes export control modernization.
[Satellite Today – 12/810/2010]

SatMAX Corporation announces master teaming agreement with Nsite which will provide another government contract avenue.
[SYS-CON Media – 12/10/2010]

MeshTV, experienced provider of end-to-end satellite transmission, upgrades streaming content service to allow multiple live streams to mobile devices.
[Satellite Spotlight – 12/10/2010]

Mobexx adds satellite communications to Mentor Ranger in vehicle work alone system.
[MHW Magazine – 12/10/2010]

South Australian satellite ground station supports NASA mission, tracking SpaceX Dragon’s descent from low-earth orbit.
[IT News – 12/10/2010]

Marlink will provide Sealink VSAT service to GC Rieber Shipping, a global operator of vessels within the subsea, polar expedition, and marine seismic segments.
[SatNews – 12/10/2010]

IDC wins Supterflex receiver order worth $1.15M from unnamed pan-European content distribution company.
[Satellite Today – 12/10/2010]

BIG CBS Networks launches BIG CBS {Prime, first of three new English entertainment channels, on AsiaSat 3S.
[SatNews – 12/10/2010]

Cheese for Monty Python is mystery civilian payload carried by SpaceX Dragon in successful launch.
[SatNews – 12/09/2010]

The Army’s first satellite in 50 years rides into orbit aboard the Falcon SpaceX vehicle.
[al.com – 12/09/2010]

Milestone 200th Ariane under preparation for February Automated Transfer Vehicle mission, which will service International Space Station.
[SatNews – 12/09/2010]

FCC plans to seek greater role in disputes between programmers and cable and satellite distributors.
[LA Times – 12/09/2010]

Inmarsat names Globe Wireless’ Globe iFusion the 2010 Maritime Solution of the Year.
[SatNews – 12/09/2010]

LA Police department selects Spacenet satelllite service to help manage emergency situations across the city.
[Trading Markets – 12/09/2010]

OmniGlobe Networks EMEA is first company to receive full MENOS certification for Fast News Gathering terminal developed in close cooperation with Newtec and the Arab States Broadcasting Union.
[SatNews – 12/09/2010]

Geoeye to acquire Spadac, a geospatial predictive analytics company, for $46M.
[Satellite Today – 12/09/2010]

GeoSpatial Experts, developer of firs photo-mapping software package, introduces three new GPS Camera bundles designed for geotagging and mapping digital photographs.
[SatNews – 12/09/2010]

Thales Alenia Space will build W3D satellite for Eutelsat Communications.
[Satellite Spotlight – 12/08/2010]

Cisco uses satellite router to make first VoIP call without the support of any terrestrial infrastructure to route the call.
[Urgent Communications – 12/08/2010]

NASA selects small business research and tech projects, including small satellite construction companies.
[NASA.gov – 12/08/2010]

Thuraya expands commercial partnership with Etilisat to provide IP and maritime service in the UAE.
[Zawya – 12/08/2010]

Vizada to supply VSAT equipment and lease Ku-band satellite capacity to European Union Rule of Law mission in Kosovo.
[Satellite Today – 12/08/2010]

Lockheed Martin-build BSAT-3b satellite begins service for Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation of Japan.
[PR Newswire – 12/08/2010]

Frequency Electronics contract for providing timing and frequency sources for satellites could exceed $30M with options.
[Satellite Spotlight – 12/08/2010]

FCC regulation of internet providers, allowing companies to bill customers according to amount of internet usage, could put brakes on online video industry, handing cable and satellite providers a victory.
[Washington Post – 12/08/2010]

Malfunction preventing deployment of antenna on LightSquared’s new satellite launched Nov. 14 may imperil discussions with companies for capacity on its new network.
[Bloomberg – 12/08/2010]

Newtec satellite modulators deployed in fleet  of one of largest European public broadcasters, Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR).
[SatNews – 12/08/2010]

NASA ejects NanoSail-D nanosatellite from its Fast, Affordable Science and Technology satellite.
[Satellite Today – 12/08/2010]

OnAir has agreement with Solar Impulse to supply satellite broadband connectivity during its attempt to become first solar powered aircraft to circumnavigate the Earth.
[SatNews – 12/08/2010]

Three GLONASS-M satellites launched earlier this week to complete Russia’s Global Navigation System failed to reach orbit, presumably falling into Pacific Ocean.
[Russia beyond the headlines – 12/07/2010]

Telespazio selects Arianbespace to launch Sicral 2 satellite in 2013.
[Satellite today – 12/07/2010]

Inmarsat launches satellite phones into Vietnam.
[DZ Times – 12/07/2010]

Echostar meets highest department of defense security requirements for satellite services.
[Marketwire – 12/07/2010]

Thrane & Thrane releases Aviator 200 airborne solution in Middle East.
[Satellite Today – 12/07/2010]

Comtech Telecommunications receives second 6-month contract extension to Movement Tracking System program with U.S. Army, to provide satellite airtime and equipment through July 2011.
[Globe Newswire – 12/07/2010]

Inmarsat reports that 30% of some 11,000 satcom terminals providing satellite services to government, commercial, and corporate aircraft are in business aircraft.
[Aviation Week – 12/07/2010]

Encompass Digital buys Ascebnt Media’s content distribution business.
[Satellite Today – 12/06/2010]

Thales Australia signs deal to supply satellite communications for Australia’s three new air-warfare destroyers.
[smh.com – 12/06/2010]

Sirius XM-5 satellite ready for service.
[Satellite Today – 12/06/2010]

Orbcomm declares new ground station at Hartebeeshoewk, west of Pretoria New Zealand, operational.
[engineering news – 12/06/2010]

Arianspace to launch Franco-Italian Milcom satellite in 2013.
[Space News – 12/06/2010]

WBMSAT PS satellite communications systems services