Really Rocket Science

Sirius XM-5 satellite successfully placed into transfer orbit aboard Russian Proton-M rocket.

[ITAR-TASS – 10/15/2010] 

Cyprus-based Intership selects broadband VSAT services by MTN for its 177,000 deadweight ton ships being built in China.
[Satellite Spotlight – 10/15/2010]

Newcom expands worldwide reach with value added services including VideoMeetings, Internet Protocol TV (IPTV (News – Alert)) Services, and SatFAX.
[Satellite Spotlight – 10/15/2010] 

Launcher integration enters final phase as Arianespace prepares for Soyuz 2 launch of 6 Globalstar satellites next week.
[SatNews – 10/14/2010] 

SatMAX presents at SATCON on wirelessly using satellite phones and modems in command centers, airplane hangars, and indoor installations.
[Market Watch – 10/14/2010] 

WTA publishes its annual Inside the Top Operators research report.
[SatNews – 10/14/2010] 

Comtech EF Data wins $3.2M order from unnamed U.S. Government Agency for satellite communications equipment to upgrade fielded terminals.
[Satellite Today – 10/14/2010] 

Stratos Global is provides world’s largest media organizations with Inmarsat BGAN] mobile broadband satellite service to broadcast coverage of the Chilean Mine Rescue.
[SatNews – 10/14/2010]

GlobalTop Technology announces GlobalTop Gms-u1LP, an all-in-one, high sensitivity, low power consumption, small SMD form factor (16 x 16 x 6 mm) GPS antenna module.
[SatNews – 10/14/2010] 

Northrup tests new computers and satellite communications hardware on B2 bomber.
[UPI-10/14/2010] 

Applied Satellite Engineering (ASE) has unveiled their SatChat Program for Windows(tm) as a powerful enhancement for the Iridium 9555 satellite phone.
[SatNews – 10/14/2010] 

LightSquared assembles rapid response team to deploy its technologies (basically a box of satellite-capable phones) quickly at disaster locations.
[The Register – 10/14/2010] 

Sirius co-founder Robert Briskman to be inducted into hall of fame at his alma mater, the University of Maryland’s Clark School of Engineering.
[PR Newswire – 10/14/2010] 

Canada’s Telesat sells out its Anik G1 X-band satellite capacity entirely to Paradigm Services two years before it is to be launched.
[Ottowa Business Journal – 10/13/2010] 

TSI Wins $5.5 Million NASA Emergency Ground Station Upgrade Contract.
[Satellite Today – 10/13/2010] 

Asia Broadcast Satellite signs Space Systems/Loral to build its ABS-2, with 12 KW of payload power and upt to 87 C-band, Ku-band, and Ka band transponders over 10 different beams.
[Market Watch – 10/13/2010] 

The Nigerian FederaL government announces plans to launch pico satellite to monitor its space assets, hoping to avoid another loss of a satellite.
[SatNews – 10/13/2010] 

Israel-based Gilat to buy Wavestream for $130M in cash.
[Bloomberg – 10/13/2010] 

SES signs agreement with South African information and communications technology provider SkyeVine to deliver its satellite broadband service in Africa.
[SatNews – 10/13/2010] 

IBM introduces new cloud services platform making it easier for communications service providers including satellite companies to use cloud computing.
[Venture Beat – 10/13/2010] 

Telenor Satellite Broadcasting,  a regional satellite operator delivering services throughout Europe and the Middle East, has launched a nexgen satellite network based on the iDirect’s Evolution platform.
[SatNews – 10/13/2010] 

Globecom Systems announces contracts with various U.S. Government Agencies valued at $8.8M.
[Market Watch – 10/12/2010]

LightSquared to provide free satellite phones and services to serve needs of American Indians and Alaskan Natives.
[Urgent Communications – 10/12/2010] 

Phoenix Releases Iridium Satellite-based Asset Tracking, Monitoring Gateway.
[Satellite Today – 10/12/2010] 

NATO orders 3 UHF control stations from satellite communications equipment provider Viasat, for use in Afghanistan, the Balkans, and other theaters.
[Space News – 10/12/2010] 

CapRock gets long term contract renewal from Diamond Offshore for Gulf of Mexico fleet.
[Kansas City.com – 10/12/2010] 

Intelsat General and iDirect Government Technologies partner to implement SatManage system for major maritime network for military vessels.
[PR Newswire – 10/12/2010] 

YTL, declaring that Malaysian consumers are dissatisfied with TV services and costs, warns incumbent Astro that it is going after the digital TV market currently served by Astro.
[The Edge – 10/12/2010] 

SES Astra brings Astra2Connect to U.K. business customers.
[Satellite Today – 10/11/2010] 

Thuraya signs service provider agreement in Taiwan with Chunghwa Telecom to provide mobile satellite services focusing on disaster prevention and restoration, maritime, and global travelers.
[TMCnet – 10/11/2010] 

03b signs multi-year deal with Netcom Africa to deliver high capacity broadband connectivity to offshore platforms and ships.
[Satellite Today – 10/11/2010] 

NSR Report – is mobile banking in the developing world the next "killer app" for satellite backhaul?
[NSR – October 2010] 

Microwave Journal MilSatCom webcast October 26 to discuss military satellite communications market trends through 2020, and new opportunities for advanced electronic components.
[Microwave Journal – October 2010]

WBMSAT PS satellite communications systems services

Courtesy of Bill McDonald…

Microspace Communications to offer shared hub services using X-Digital Systems platform.
[PRWeb – 10/02/2010]

Orange picks Gilat for broadband satellite communications solutions.
[TMCnet – 10/01/2010]

Fashion TV HD now delivered to North, Central, and South America by RRsat on Intelsat-805.
[PR Newswire – 10/01/2010]

KVH wins $42m Coast Guard contract to install mini-VSAT on as many as 216 small cutters over next 3 – 5 years.
[Trade Only – 10/01/2010]

NASA awards Raytheon $1.7B contract to create Joint Polar Satellite System to replace older weather-monitoring satellite program.
[Executive Biz – 10/01/2010]

The Society of Satellite Professionals International honors three outstanding young satellite professionals with its 2010 Promise Awards.
[SatNews – 09/30/2010]

Harris Corp and Atlas Telecom  launch joint venture to deliver intelligence solutions and geospatial 3-D visualization for the United Arab Emirates.
[Satellite Today – 09/30/2010]

Cobham SATCOM’s Sea Tel Product and Uplogix announce new levels of automated control and recovery for maritime VSAT IP networking devices.
[SatNews – 09/30/2010]

LightSquared is donating up to 2,000 satellite phones and service to Indian Health Service (IHS), a federal agency that serves the health needs of the country’s American Indian and Alaska Native populations.
[Wireless Week – 09/30/2010]

Hylas-1 to be shipped to French Guiana in preparation for November launch following extensive testing in India.
[SatNews – 09/29/2010]

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency successfully injects MICHIBIKI satellite into quasi-zenith orbit above Japan.
[SatNews – 09/29/2010]

NASA EPOXI exploration satellite successfully performs its 20th trajectory correction maneuver as it speeds toward comet Hartley 2.
[SatNews – 09/29/2010]

LightSquared, building hybrid satellite-terrestrial mobile broadband network, faces significant financing challenges and difficult competitive market.
[Wireless Week – 09/29/2010]

Military terrestrial satcom market projected to peak in 2014 according to recently published Strategy Analytics Advanced Defense Systems forecast.
[Space Daily – 09/29/2010]

China’s satellite navigation system struggles as delayed release of decoding files for access limits early use of the system.
[Market Watch – 09/29/2010]

Two Russian companies plan to build first commercial low-earth-orbit space station.
[Universe Today – 09/29/2010]

Harbinger Capital’s Phil Falcone’s latest bet – bold move by LightSquared and SkyTerra to launch nationwide satellite/terrestrial broadband network.
[Bloomberg – 09/29/2010]

Glowlink rolls out capability to locate satellite interference emitters using a single satellite.
[SatNews – 09/28/2010]

ORBCOM partners with OHB and LuxSpace to build and launch two AIS enabled satellites.
[Business Wire – 09/28/2010]

Integral Systems to expand existing satellite fleet control system to support four Boeing 702 satellites already in orbit.
[Market Watch – 09/28/2010]

New surveillance satellite designed to detect and monitor debris and space objects that could be threat to national security and communications is launched from Vandenberg AFB, California.
[AP – 09/27/2010]

MTN Satellite Communications announces signing of MNESCO Limited as authorized reseller in Korea.
[SatNews – 09/27/2010]

ViaSat gets add-on order worth $5.5M for Multifunctional Information Distribution System – Low Volume Terminals and spares from the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command.
[SatNews – 09/27/2010]

The Russian Satellite Communications Company signes contracts with Information Satellite Systems and Thales Alenia Space for three new satellites.
[Broadband TV News – 09/27/2010]

AT&T now selling satellite-enables smart phone, the TerreStar Genius.
[Online Athens – 09/26/2010]

Globecomm Systems awarded one-year contract worth $4M from a U.S. Government agency for Ku-band space segment and bandwidth management; with four options the contract could reach $20M over 5 years.
[Sat PR News – 09/26/2010]

Direct-to-Home (DTH) growth and consolidation over past year culminates in market with 113 operators at end of 2009, reaching more than 130 million subscribers in over 85 countries.
[NSR Report – September 2010]

WBMSAT PS satellite communications systems services

Satmex 5 next potential target of interference from Galaxy 15 as the rogue satellite continues to drift out of control with the communications package still operating.
[Space – 09/17/2010]

Rascom-QAF1R aand Nilesat 201, launched on Ariane 5 ECS rocket from French Guiana August 4, are now in operation.
[Satnews – 09/17/2010]

Artel is selected by GSA and DISA as first winner under $5 billion satellite services contract vehicle.
[PR Newswire – 09/17/2010]

Hughes Communications inaugurates its third India satellite hub at Hyderabad to enhance its offerings to its clients and serve as a disaster recovery back-up site.
[Telecom Tiger – 09/17/2020]

Spacenet Integrated Government solutions now operates Raysat Antenna Systems U.S. Division, recently acquired by Spacenet’s parent company, Gilat.
[TMCnet – 09/17/2010]

NASA announces awards for NASA Launch Services II contract, to the tune of $15B.
[SatNews – 09/16/2010]

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is stepping up its production to launch eight spacecraft a year in order to meet increasing demand.
[Satellite Today – 09/16/2010]

KVH announces new airtime rate plans for its mini-VSAT broadband service and hardware, including seasonal rate for subscribers not using vessels year-round.
[SatNews – 09/16/2010]

ViaSat releases software enhancements for its LinkWayS2 satellite network system adding mobile communication capabilities and network control center operating system options.
[SatNews – 09/16/2010]

FCC refuses to extend deadline for Globalstar to come in compliance with commission rules so its mobile spectrum can be used by partner Open Range in delivering broadband to remote users, directly impacting Open Range’s plans.
[Fierce Broadband Wireless – 09/16/2010]

RapidEye successfully passes Operational Readiness Review for the European Space Agency.
[SatNews – 09/16/2010]

Astrium wins new compe\itetive contract from European Space Agency as follow-up to the Next Exploration Science and Technology study to develop a Lunar Lander.
[Satellite Today – 09/16/2010]

WTA white paper "Ka-Band and the Teleport" examines how the coming wave of Ka-band satellite capacity may transform the business of companies that create and deliver services via satellite today.
[SatNews – 09/16/2010

Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) is supporting Change the Equation (CTEq), a CEO-led initiative to cultivate widespread literacy in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
[SatNews – 09/16/2010]

Pactel International establishes a new satellite link between their US Hub and the Cocos Islands, using Newtec’s DVB-S2 technology.
[SatNews – 09/16/2010]

Kepler’s prediction begins to be realized as rings build around earth formed by space junk, such as remains of the collision between a Russian satellite and an Iridium satellite in 2009.
[New Scientist – 09/15/2010]

Ghana-base triple-play provider K-NET uses Newtec’s Sat3Play to extend the reach of their services throughout West Africa.
[SatNews – 09/15/2010]

Marlink and Vizada institute significant expansion of Marlink’s contract with one of world’s largest shipping companies – AP Moller-Maersk.
[SatNews – 09/15/2010]

According to the sify news website, Bangladesh will soon launch a new satellite for improvement of information and communication technology, a government statement said.
[SatNews – 09/15/2010]

Russia to fully rebuild its network of weather forecasting and monitoring satellites by 2030 under a state program for the development of meteorology.
[SatNews – 09/15/2010]

Air Force program "BATMAN" aims to modernize gear that commandos take with them on covert missions; latest capabilities include being able to manually switch from terrestrial to satellite communications
[MSNBC – 09/14/2010]

Astrium Services has signed a 10-year partnership with the Russian research and development center ScanEx for the reception and distribution rights on the upcoming SPOT 6 and 7 satellites.
[SatNews – 09/15.2010]

Integral Systems subsidiary SAT Corporation chosen by Hispasat to upgrade Monics carrier monitoring and interference detection to Hispasat’s 1E satellite.
[Market Watch – 09/14/2010]

A Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS) Demonstration program satellite shows increased set of capabilities by detecting and tracking another satellite.
[SatNews – 09/14/2010]

KVH mini-VSAT coverage for Internet and Voice to be expanded into new South American region as KVH signs agreement with Star One for capacity on C-1 to serve Brazil.
[Market Watch – 09/13/2010]

New Chinese broadcast satellite Sinosat-6, launched on September 5, faces shortened life as leak develops in its helium-pressurization system.
[Space – 07/13/2010]

Rockwell Collins has teams with ND SatCom to integrate the SkyWAN 7000 series modem into the SWE-DISH CommuniCase(r) Technology (CCT) platform.
[SatNews – 09/13/2010]

Mobile Satellite Services and the Need for Speed – NSR webinar October 13 to discuss demand for connectivity on land, in the air, or at sea, coupled with drive to give customers faster download speeds at cheaper prices.
[NSR Webinar October 13, 2010}

WBMSAT PS satellite communications systems services

“The importance of mobile satellite spectrum is demonstrated time and time again and cannot be overstated. This spectrum is used for the provision of satellite telecommunications services that make it possible for first responders, UN relief agencies, and military to provide the critical services of rescuing survivors and coordinating housing, food and medical care quickly in the aftermath of hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes and other disasters.

Iridium supports the Federal Communications Commission’s recognition of this. With its decision today, the Commission has taken an important step to preserve and protect this vital resource for its intended and most important uses.”

That’s the "statement" from Iridium regarding the FCC’s decision to deny competitor Globalstar

It sure sounded like a good idea. Now Open Range is screwed. Excellent report in Fierce Broadband Wireless…

Indeed, the FCC has always been careful about requiring the MSS industry to roll out satellite services in addition to terrestrial services. It wanted to see a successful MSS industry and agreed with MSS players early on that adding a terrestrial component would result in better device form factors and greater penetration in buildings, a drawback to today’s satellite services.

It appears Globalstar was banking on the fact that rural broadband is an initiative near and dear to the heart of Genachowski and the commissioners and hoped that would prompt the FCC to rule in its favor. Open Range had the spectrum and the funding to make rural broadband a reality across some 500 rural communities. "Globalstar maintains that these public interest factors are more compelling now, as denial of the requested extensions would force Open Range to discontinue wireless broadband service to rural customers who are currently receiving it," the FCC said in its ruling.

The FCC’s ruling was the right one, but the consequences will be hitting a company that had one of the best chances to fulfill the FCC’s goal of bringing broadband to underserved areas. There a number of parties hurt by Globalstar’s lack of follow through. For instance, Alvarion and WiChorus, now part of Tellabs, have contracts with Open Range.

I don’t know where Open Range will find new spectrum in 60 days. Even if it does, customers will face disruption because of incompatible devices. Moreover, I think it’s highly unlikely Globalstar will ever come into compliance now. Open Range can’t wait around.

Hey, if they’re using satcom for backhaul to WiMAX towers, let’s see if one of the GEO operators steps in.

Cobbet Hill earthstation expands satellite services in Europe, Middle East, and Africa with purchase of third iDirect Evolution hub.
[PR Newswire – 09/11/2010]

Arianespace signs production contract with European Space Agency to produce first operational Vega rocket launch; will deliver five launchers.
[Satellite Today – 09/10/2010]

CBS’s Stranathan believes the evolution from satellite back to terrestrial may begin within the next five years, with multiple carriers and growth of fiber-optic networks nationwide.
[Satellite Today – 09-10-2010]

Row 44 raises $37m in funding to continue rolling out its in-flight satellite service for Southwest Airlines.
[Satellite Today – 09/10/2010]

SIDOFI Communications Investments, Ltd. plans to acquire a 9.33% stake in Asianet Satellite Communications, Ltd., an India-based cable network services company, from Americorp Ventures Limited.
[Trading Markets – 09/10/2010]

Focus on "the next big thing"  at IBC 2010 continues to be 3-D.
[Satellite Today – 09/10/2010]

Iridium announces that Norbulk Shipping will install Iridium’s OpenPort systems across its fleet of more than 70 ships.
[Satellite Spotlight – 09/10/2010]

Astrium leases Hylas 1 capacity to test military Ka-band services.
[Satellite Today – 09/09/2010]

KVH offers Premier Support 24 X 7 X 365 for owners of vessels with the TracPhone V7 satellite communications system.
[Trading Markets – 09/10/2010]

RRsat partners with BT to deliver first intercontinental interactive 3D video broadcast between London and Tel Aviv.
[Market Watch – 09/10/2010]

Russian Rokot orbits a Gonets-M satellite and two Kosmos satellites according to Russian Defense Ministry spokesman.
[SatNews – 09/09/2010]

Via Embratel adopts Entropic’s Channel Stacking Swtich technology, to better serve customers in multiple-dwelling unit (MDU) environments by supporting multiple tuners over a single cable.
[Market Watch – 09/09/2010]

Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) and Astrium engage in commercial agreement to provide dedicated launch services to European small satellite market.
[SatNews – 09/09/2010]

The satellite sector of the economy has ridden through the collapse of the economy well and business now looks to be booming, though warning flags exist.
[Satellite Today – 09/09/2010

SES WORLD SKIES gets extension from Services Sound and Vision Corporation to continue delivering television and radio programming to British troops around the world.
[SatNews – 09/09/2010]

Military and commercial wideband satellites to provide broader coverage and address bandwidth surge, transforming battlefield communications.
[Defensesystems – 09/09/2010]

SES ASTRA and Digitaria create nationwide energy monitoring system in Italy using Newtec’s Sat3Play technology for connecting remote sites.
[SatNews – 09/09/2010]

Bell Canada is on the verge of a major effort to get inside Canadian family rooms with the introduction of new Internet-based TV services.
[The Vancouver Sun – 09/10/2010]

Wegener receives order for receivers to be used in expansion of international background music network.
[Market Watch – 09/09/2010].

Euroconsult releases report forecasting the number of satellites it expects to be launched by the end of the decade – 1,220 satellites.
[BBC Spaceman blog – 09/09/2010]

Intelsat is expanding Russian DTH satellite provider Orion Express’ programming capacity on the Intelsat 15 satellite.
[Satellite Today – 09/09/2010]

RRsat enters into partnership with Europe’s Digital Media Center (DMC) to offer a complete global playout and content delivery solutions to regional broadcasters.
[Satellite Today – 09/09/2010]

Hughes Communications receives Euroconsult award as Broadband Satellite Operator of the Year.
[Market Watch – 09/08/2010]

SES extends its Multi Launch Agreement with International Launch Services through the end of 2014.
[Satellite Today – 09/08/2010]

SES ASTRA signs new service distribution agreement with Amman, Jordan-based satellite services provider, GSISCO (German Satellite Internet Service Company) to market its ASTRA2Connect service in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Yemen.
[SatNews – 09/08/2010]

Sky Deutschland to launch 3-D satellite service in October.
[Satellite Today – 09/08/2010]

KVH to acquire software engineering company Virtek Communications.
[Market Watch – 09/08/2010]

Comtech Mobile Datacom receives $25m military contract.
[Business Week – 09/08/2010]

Harmonic encoders and statistical multiplexing implemented in headend for new South African pay TV service.
[Market Watch – 09/08/2010]

Gilat is selected by Kenya Commercial Bank to provide SkyEdge II broadband satellite network.
[SatNews – 09/08/2010]

Iridium collaborates with Danish Maritime Safety Administration in project to demonstrate maritime safety information broadcasts.
[Market Watch – 09/08/2010]

Comtech and CPI announce termination of agreement and plan of merger.
[SatNews – 09/08/25010]

Global VSAT Forum launches Maritime Satcom Forum to expand deployment of satellite technology in the maritime industry.
[PR Newswire – 09/08/2010]

Stratos Global successfully deploys Inmarsat FleetBroadband satellite communications service on the entire fleet of 70 container vessels for Evergreen Marine Corp.
[SatNews – 09/08/2010]

Lockheed Martin is selected by GeoEye to launch the company’s next generation high-resolution Earth-imaging satellite, GeoEye-2.
[SatNews – 09/08/2010]

European scientific satellite Ocean Circulation Explorer fixed and again transmitting data.
[UPI – 09/07/2010]

Canadian satellite company Com Dev dismisses its CEO after heavy losses in Q3 2010.
[Satellite Today – 09/07/2010]

Telefonica International Wholesale Services of Peru chooses Gilat for broadband satellite communications network.
[Market Watch – 09/07/2010]

Spanish broadband company Quantis is rolling out full-service broadband solution to remote and rural communities across Spain based on Newtec’s Ka-band Sat3Play technology, hub, and terminals.
[Satellite Today – 09/07/2010]

VIVACOM, the leading telecommunications provider in Bulgaria, signs multi-year multi-transponder contract for capacity on Intelsat 12 satellite.
[SatNews – 09/07/2010]

U.S. Army awards TeleCommunications Systems up to $3.8m for deployable satellite systems equipment.
[Market Watch – 09/07/2010]

Europe Media Port announces that emerging Iranian DTH broadcaster Kahkeshan Digisat has selected EMP to provide DTH uplink teleport and transmission services to its European and Middle East targeted markets.
[SatNews – 09/07/2010]

StreamXcel Plus switching between satellite networks promises "always on" connectivity to shipping vessels.
[TMCnet – 09/07/2010]

In the fourth launch in five weeks, Chinese broadcasting satellite is placed in orbit.
[Space.com – 09/07/2010]

Spain and Norway to build a satellite to be launched in 2014 to be used for both civilian and military purposes.
[physorg.com – 09/07/2010]

Stratos Global joins forces with new Channel Partner, Zedi Inc., to deploy the world’s first large-scale SCADA network based on Inmarsat’s BGAN mobile broadband satellite service.
[SatNews – 09/07/2010]

American company Orbital Sciences begins production of first national telecommunications satellite of Azerbaijan.
[Azerbaijan Business Center – 09/07/2010]

Long-standing Cobham dealer Ship Equip. places the largest single quantity order ever received for the company’s Sea Tel 09 series antennas.
[SatNews – 09/07/2010]

GE Satcom uses Newtec’s TelliCast IP software to power its maritime triple-play service.
[SatNews – 09/07/2010]

WBMSAT PS satellite communications systems services

Texas-based TierOne Networks is getting the wrong kind of attention. After being awarded $19 million in broadband stimulus funds, news of their SEC violations surfaced and the USDA yanked the money back, via Stimulating Broadband…

The U.S. Department of Agriculture yesterday awarded $19 million in broadband stimulus funds to a Texas wireless firm that has been charged with multiple securities violations in 3 jurisdictions over the past 3 years.

In the most recent case the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission charged the firm, TierOne Converged Networks, Inc., in US District Court in Dallas with violations of federal securities law.  State securities regulators in Colorado and Texas issued cease and desist orders against the company in 2009 and 2008.

The SEC filed charges against TierOne alleged “material misrepresentation” in the raising of “almost $9.5 million from approximately 200 investors in 34 states through a continuous unregistered offering of securities.”   The initial SEC complaint was filed on April 27 against the firm, a wireless Internet service provider (WISP).  In a settled complaint action, filed with the court 3 days later, TierOne agreed to stop the practices alleged by the agency, without admitting to or denying the veracity of the charges. 

I wonder how many other questionable funding deals are out there. TierOne calls itself a WISP (Wireless Internet Service Provider), but I don’t see any satcom as part of the solution.

You’re doing it wrong. Look at the recent news on two deals in southwest Virginia, where they’re going to a couple of old timer telecoms, via Bloomberg BusinessWeek…

Two projects in southwestern Virginia will receive federal stimulus funding to provide high-speed Internet access in rural areas.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the funding Tuesday.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will provide a $7.45 million loan and a $17.4 million grant to the Scott County Telephone Cooperative. The funding will be used to provide broadband service to about 12,000 residents, 80 businesses and 16 community institutions.

A $6.06 million loan and a $14.16 million grant will go to the Lenowisco Planning District Commission to build a fiber-optic network. Vilsack says the network will provide broadband access to more than 42,000 residents, an estimated 1,550 businesses and 100 community institutions.

Scott County Telephone Coop gets their video programming via satellite, so that’s cool. Although it looks like they’ll be laying down some fiber to get ‘er done.

The August Broadband Stimulus award announcements also included satcom…

• Hughes Network Systems received $59 million to offer satellite broadband service to rural residential and commercial subscribers nationwide. Approximately 258,685 people stand to benefit, as do 3,200 businesses.
• WildBlue Communications was awarded $20 million to offer satellite broadband service in the West and Midwest United States. Approximately 110,150 people stand to benefit, as do roughly 4,896 businesses.
• Spacenet received an $8 million award to offer satellite broadband service to rural residential subscribers in Alaska and Hawaii.
• Echostar was awarded $14 million award to offer satellite broadband service to rural residential and commercial subscribers. The funds will provide service to 42,478 people and 1,888 businesses.

Hope the satcom players keep it clean — and book some business.

China to launch communications satellite Sinosat-6 within next few days from Xichang Satellite Launch Center.
[xinhuanet – 09/03./2010]

Less than half of Internet connections meet FCC goal of 4 Mbps downstream and 1 Mbps upstream; satellite internet connections grow at faster rate of 6% than DSL, but still number only 1 million subscribers.
[nextgov – 09/03/25010]

Three GLONASS global navigation system satellites successfully orbited by Russia.
[SatNews – 09/02/2010]

MTN announces StreamXcel Plus, a new integrated hardware and software solution for managing shipboard satellite communications.
[SatNews – 09/02/2010]

Star Navigation Systems Group Ltd. introduces new and improved STAR-ISMS(tm) Inflight Safety Monitoring System, an adjunct to the traditional "black box" and huge improvement in aerospace safety technology.
[SatNews – 09/02/2010]

New Signature Interference Characteristics tool is launched by Satellite Users Interference Reduction Group to provide assistance when encountering and resolving unknown signals interfering with satellite signals.
[SatNews – 09/02/2010]

Integral Systems is awarded $1.5m contract modification to its Command and Control System – Consolidated contract by the U.S. Air Force.
[SatNews – 09/02/2010]

OnAir launches full Mobile OnAir and Internet OnAir inflight passenger communications services on first of  EGYPTAIR’s fleet of Airbus 330-300 aircraft.
[SatNews – 09/02/2010]

Vizada teams up with partner Nautical to provide Inmarsat FleetBroadband service to more than 300 Spanish fishing vessels, allowing them to comply with new European Union regulations.
[SatNews – 09/02/2010]

Thrane & Thrane’s EXPLORER 325 will handle communications during "green" expedition in which two electric Nissan Qashquals are driven around the world.
[SatNews – 09/02/2010]

SES ASTRA announces new initiative to support introduction of 3D television in Europe.
[SatNews – 09/02/2010]

Euroconsult, in new report, forecasts that number of satellite communications terminals aboard commercial and private ships will more than double over the next decade.
[SatNews – 09/02/2010]

GE Satcom is launching satellite-based communications service for shipping operators, delivering triple-play service with telephone, internet, and TV content.
[Financial Post – 09/01/2010]

Apple to launch $99 set-top box later this month in direct challenge to traditional cable, satellite, and telecom TV service providers.
[Dallas News – 09/01/2010]

New system for predicting solar storms promoted as means to help avoid power and communications blackouts, though European Space Agency holds that there is little danger of communications satellites being damaged by solar storms.
[TG Daily – 09/01/2010]

Eurosport selects capacity on Eutelsat’s EUROBIRD ™ satellite to transmit the TENNIS US Open in 3d for demonstrations at the Berlin IFA consumer electronics show.
[SatNews – 09/01/2010]

NASA’s newest Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite, GOES-15, successfully completes five months of on-orbit testing and is accepted into service.
[NOAA – 09/01/2010]

VISLINK to unveil Advent NewsLite, a portable, IP-enabled SatCom terminal designed for use with current and new lightweight antenna systems to combine high bandwidth broadcast contribution fees with flexibility of BGAN type news gathering.
[SatNews – 09/01/2010]

VISLINK announces formation of VISLINK (China) Limited, to enhance its sales and marketing presence in China.
[SatNews – 09/01/2010]

Stratos Global begins deployment of its new StratosMAX II broadband service across the Gulf of Mexico region.
[SatNews – 09/01/2010]

Newtec Elevations modulators, shapers, and encapsulators utilized by CETel African to upgrade trunking services to Africa and the Middle East.
[SatNews – 09/01/2010]

Eddie Bauer First Ascent expedition team successfully ascends Mount Everest and maintains contact with project team and uploads photos during the ascent using a Stratos Global Inmarsat BGAN mobile broadband terminal.
[SatNews – 09/01/2010]

Unmanned aircraft system guided by satellite navigation has been developed within ESA’s Business Incubation Centre to provide rapid monitoring of land areas and disaster zones – already have assisted Spanish farmers in Andalusia fight land erosion.
[SatNews – 09/01/2010]

Globecomm Systems quadruples its points-of-presence and teleport facilities, enabling telecommunications service providers to enhance and simplify connect5ivity requirements around the globe.
[Market Watch – 08/31/2010]

Gravity-mapping satellite GOCE glitch expected to be fixed by work-around, as officials hope for approval to extend its mission.
[space.com – 08/31/2010]

Orange uprates its IP services over satellite to African continent with Newtec Elevation modems and FlexACM technology.
[SatNews – 08/31/2010]

NASA reports that debris from the ICESat spacecraft fell to Earth in the Barents Sea on August 30.
[SatNews – 096/01/2010]

Propulsion glitch prevents the first AEHF satellite of the U.S. Air Force from reaching operating orbit; service devises new orbit-raising plan utilizing smaller thrusters that will delay arrival at operating orbit by six months.
[MSN – 08/30/2010]

Next DigitalGlobe remote sensing satellite to be built by Ball Aerospace.
[SatNews – 08/30/2010]

Boeing-built WGS satellites carry 10 Harris-provided phased-array antennas, providing flexibility and data rates crucial to soldiers on the battlefield.
[Florida Today – 08/30/2010]

New fiber cables being layed connecting West Africa to the Internet bring competition, but many remote regions still will not have fiber access.
[Google Hosted News – 08/29/2010]

WBMSAT PS satellite communications systems services

Space News is reporting an anomaly with the AEHF spacecraft’s propulsion…

 The U.S. Air Force is investigating an anomaly with the propulsion system on its first Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) secure communications satellite and may alter its orbital maneuvering plan, the service announced Aug. 20.

The satellite was launched Aug. 14, and an unspecified problem occurred when operators fired the spacecraft’s thrusters to boost it to its designated testing orbit, Air Force Col. Dave Madden, the service’s military satellite communications program director, said in a press release. The satellite and all its subsystems remain safe and stable, and engineers are considering possible changes the orbital boosting process, it said.

Officially, the Military Satellite Communications Wing at Los Angeles Air Force Base is calling it a "concern."

DARPA refocuses its System F6 program to allow an open community of researchers and developers to have more input in designing the architecture for a network of wirelessly connected small satellites.

[Information Week – 08/20/2010]

Viasat subsidiary WildBlue gets $19.5M stimulus grant to activate new subscribers on its satellite broadband services.

[socaltech – 08/20/2010]

Boeing wins $182m contract to start building a seventh military communications satellite for the U.S. Air Force.

[Reuters – 08/19/2010]

LightSquared notifies Inmarsat to begin implimenting Phase 1 of cooperation agreement to re-band L-Band radio spectrum, providing additional bandwidth to both parties in the contiguous spectrum.

[TeleGeography – 08/19/2010]

KVH boosts mini-VSAT broadband capacity more than 500% in North American waters with an additional full transponder and new spread spectrum waveform.

[Market Watch – 08/19/2010]

Thrane & Thrane furthers its aeronautical dealer network within the UlS. and Canada, appointing four new dealers, as demand for its extensive range of satellite communications services remains strong.

[SatNews – 08/19/2010]

Competetitors in the 2010-11 Velux 5 Oceans round-the-world yacht race will relay video action of the race using FleetBroadband, fitted with Thrane & Thrane Sailor 250 terminals.

[SatNews – 08/19/2010]

SatNews and Surrey Satellite Technology team to deliver learning experience in December regarding current and future technologies involved in small satellite design.

[SatNews – 08/19/2010]

Inmarsat puts cost of new Boeing communications satellites and associated ground systems at $1.2B.

[Bloomberg – 08/18/2010]

ARRA awards announced this week include $100M to four satellite broadband providers to cover remote areas.

[PC World – 08/18/2010]

Gilat Satcom reinforces its satellite activities in Africa.

[Satellite Spotlight – 08/18/2010]

Johns Hopkins Universithy, Boeing, and Iridium Communications announce ne space-based service to help scientists monitor magnetic storms around Earth to assist in forecasting space weather that might affect satellite communications.

[Cnet – 08/18/2010]

India begins testing Centralised Monitoring System which can track all communication traffic – wireless and fixed line, satellite, internet, e-mails, and VoIP, to gather intelligence inputs.

[The Economic Times – 08/18/2010]

Spot LLC and DeLorme announce that the DeLorme Earthmate PN-60w with SPOT sSatellite Communicator wins Best in Show Award presented by GearJunkie.com at recent Outdoor Retailer trade show.

[Market Watch – 08/18/2010]

Intelsat IS-27 satellite to be C-Ku band hybrid augmented with 20 X 25 kHz channel UHF payload for government applications; will be launched in 2012 and will replace the Intelsat 805 satellite.

[TMCnet – 08/17/2010]

SES WORLD SKIES NSS-9 capacity to be used by the Nature conservancy on remote Palmyra Atoll 1000 miles south of Hawaii to establish connection with their National Wildlife Refuge.

[SatNews – 08/17/2010]

Fisher Communications of Seattle first to implement newly launched Streambox Avenir, a mobile device that can be carried as a side pack as alternative to SNG/ENG vehicles for field newsgathering.

[MarketWatch – 08/17/2010]

ViaSat deploys airborne Communications-On-The-Move terminals onboard several dozen U.S. Air Force Project Liberty aircraft to support ISR operations.

[SatNews – 08/17/2010]

Iran postpones satellite deployment as work on the satellite continues.

[Global Security Newswire – 08/16/2010]

Thuraya introduces Thuraya IP, a small 13.85 ounce package that allows users to control upload and download streaming bandwidths, contributing to significant savings.

[SatNews – 08/16/2010]

Google expances satellite ad offering via DirecTV deal.

[BtoB online – 08/16/2010]

New VC7700 series digital video compression and transmission system from NEC features one of industry’s lowest compression delays – 10 milliseconds.

[SatNews – 08/16/2010]

Social Media Venture launches national satellite service offering, an Internet satellite service to be provided through an agreement with YourNetPlus.com.

[Satellite Spotlight – 08/16/2010]

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