Really Rocket Science

Import-Export bank provides financing allowing Inmarsat to purchase Boeing satellites.
[SatNews – 05/14/2011]

At Global Space and Satellite Forum in Abu Dhabi, a call for an international space traffic management body.
[Gulf News – 05/14/2011]

Smart Communications lends Smart Link $-190 satellite phones and provides airtime to keep group in touch during 7-day trek through deep forest in Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park in the Phillipines.
[Phillipine Star – 05/14/2011]

Thaicom sees IPStar bandwidth business booming in first quarter.
[Satellite Today – 05/13/2011]

Astrotech wins $16.2M contract to fabricate, install, and test satellite Ground Support Equipment for U.S. government.
[SatNews – 05/13/2011]

Congressman Mike Turner successfully includes language in National Defense Authorization Act requiring the Secretary of Defense to notify Congress in case of widespread interference with military’s use of GPS satellites.
[POB online – 05/13/2011]

Integral Systems chosen by SES to provide global geolocation services to help protect its global fleet of satellites from effects of radio frequency interference.
[SatNews – 05/13/2011]

Second-Generation Orbcomm satellites delayed until late 2011.
[Space News – 05/13/2011]

MDA selected by Thales Alenia Space to provide 486 high-performance Ka-band cross link and feeder link antennas for Iridium NEXT satellites.
[SatNews – 05/13/2011]

C-COM Satellite Systems receives its largest order in history for its iNetVu mobile satellite antenna systems from Telemann Communications Company, a reseller in Japan.
[TechZone360 – 05/13/2011]

National Broadband Network of Australia reaches agreement with Optus to provide Internet Satellite Services as part of its rollout.
[Broadband Expert – 05/13/2011]

Lockheed Martin wins $105M WIN-T contract to deliver on-the-move broadband networking capability using satellite and radio links.
[Satellite Spotlight – 05/12/2011]

Arianespace begins initial build-up at French Guiana Spaceport for its fourth heavy-lift mission of 2011, to launch BSAT-3c/JCSAT-110R and ASTRA 1N.
[SatNews – 05/12/2011]

Guardian Mobility intends to acquire Alakai Technologies in order to incorporate its data monitoring technology into Guardian’s open platform satellite communications and data management systems.
[Satellite Spotlight – 05/12/2011]

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency decides to send halt command to DAICHI infrared earth observation satellite after three weeks of unsuccessful attempts to communicate with it.
[SatNews – 05/12/2011]

Vizada adds VSAT capability to Universal Card prepaid voice service.
[Satellite Today – 05/12/2011]

iDirect VSAT platform chosen for Iridium Next ground-control upgrade.
[Satellite Today – 05/12/2011]

NASA’s Dawn spacecraft obtains first image of giant asteroid Vesta.
[SatNews – 05/12/2011]

Northrop Grumman and Applied Minds announce success of recent launch and orbit of a Mayflower test microsatellite.
[SatNews – 05/12/5011]

Israel’s Defense Ministry to invest millions in upgrading country’s space communication capabilities.
[Space News – 05/11/2011]

Florida’s governor and legislators commit more than $43M for growth of space industry in Florida.
[SatNews – 05/11/2011]

Northrop Grumman wins $372M Air Force contract to provide satellite antenna system for B-2 stealth bomber that will help it send and receive information up to 200 times faster than now.
[Business Week – 05/11/2011]

Pau Pyrenees in southern France becomes Europe’s first airport to use new EGNOS Safety-of-Life Service to guide aircraft in for landing using only this space-based navigation signal.
[SatNews – 05/11/2011]

Afcom Satellite Network deploys first dual mode Satellite/TETRA communications system for emergency response vehicle in Niger Delta.
[Business Wire – 05/11/2011]

Hughes deploys HX System broadband satellite networks for Microcom in Democratic Republic of the Congo.
[Satellite Today – 05/11/2011]

Russian Satellite Communications Company and Eutelsat announce signing of MOU to launch new satellite at 36 degrees East.
[Traders Huddle – 05/10/2011]

Arianespace’s third Ariane 5 mission enters final preparations, readying for May 19 launch of GSAT-8 and ST-2.
[SatNews – 05/10/2011]

Landsat images capture Memphis, Tennessee flooding.
[SatNews – 05/10/2011]

GlobeCast and JIB launch NHK World HD on Eurobird 1.
[Satellite Today – 05/10/2011]

RapidEye works with SST Software to integrate its precision farming maps into SST’s information management products and services.
[SatNews – 05/10/2011]

NewCom International develops Emergency Communications Response Network to provide instant, cost-effective contingency or back-up communications for government and law enforcement personnel.
[SatNews – 05/10/2011]

Sky Italia orders IP video solutions from T-VIPS.
[Satellite Today – 05/10/2011]

Syria blocks satellite phone communications.
[Financial Times (MENA) – 05/09/2011]

United Launch Alliance launches Space-Based Infrared System Satellite into orbit for U.S. Air Force.
[Military Aerospace – 05/09/2011]

Gilat wins Australia NBN satellite contract.
[Satellite Spotlight – 05/09/2011]

Mitec of Montreal sells satellite communications business to Quebec-based provider of microwave components.
[Montreal Gazette – 05/09/2011]

At Global Space and Satellite Forum, UAE’s DubaiSat-1 seen as part of focus on space technology as new common ground for organisations, governments, and individuals in the region and globally.
[AMEinfo – 05/09/2011]

Yahsat’s new satellite, Y1A, reaches orbital position.
[7DAYS – 05/09/2011]

Use of Ka-band along with L-band satellites with 400 narrow beams (planned Alphasat 1-XL by Inmarsat) and use of lighter materials allow very compact, lightweight satellite systems for the warfighter.
[Defense Systems – 05/09/2011]

DigitalGlobe cooperates with two German companies to provide new range of high quality 3D data maps.
[SatNews – 05/09/2011]

MDA signs multi-year contracts to supply oil field monitoring products utilizing advanced RADARSAT-2 surveillance capabilities covering entire Canadian oil field.
[SatNews – 05/09/2011]

U.S.-based Space Adventures offers to equip Soyuz launch vehicle with additional living space for eight-day commercial flights around the moon.
[SatNews – 05/09/2011]

Mercury Computer Systems to provide leading prime contractor with Ensemble and Echotek products for use in high-speed satellite communications system to transfer ISR data from UAVs to ground forces.
[SatNews – 05/09/2011]

Norsat satellite terminals used by U.S. military as part of relief efforts in Japan following earthquake and tsunami.
[SatNews – 05/09/2011]

Arianespace receives “keys” to Soyuz launch complex at Guiana Space Center from the European Space Agency.
[SatNews – 05/08/2011]

Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo hits another milestone on way to beginning commercial operations in suborbital space.
[Satellite Spotlight – 05/06/2011]

WBMSAT PS satellite communications systems services

Final launch of space shuttle Endeavor is called off due to heater failure as six-man crew is walking toward the pad – NASA hopes to try again Monday.
[msnbc – 04/29/2011]

Azerbaijan is to sign a loan with French bank BNP Paribas in May to finance its first national telecommunications satellite Azerspace.
[ABC.AZ – 04/29/2011]

Arianespace to launch ABS-2 satellite for Asia Broadcast Satellite in 2013.
[Brahmand Defence & Aerospace News – 04/29/2011]

World’s largest product tanker owner, Maersk, fields KVH CommBox for network management on 120 vessels.
[GlobeNewswire -04/29/2011]

Two more communications providers, SI Wireless and Cellular South, join companies signing bilateral roaming agreements with LightSquared to expand planned nationwide 4G-LTE network.
[SatNews – 04/29/2011]

Pactel International is awarded multiyear contract to manage SamoaTel’s International Telephony business.
[SatNews – 04/29/2011]

Tracking Central Pty Ltd to  acquire exclusive licensing rights in Australia and New Zealand for GTX Corp’s GPS Smart Shoe product designed for seniors suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s.
[SatNews – 04/29/2011]

Global Space and Satellite Forum accepting registrants for the Use of Space Science and Technology for Disaster Management and Emergency Response workshop May 11 in Abu Dhabi.
[SatNews – 04/28/2011]

First meeting of Hosted Payload Alliance brings together representatives of industry and government to share creative solutions to challenging budgets for satellite systems.
[SatNews – 04/28/2011]

Eutelsat satellites booked for total of 13,000 MHz hours, equivalent to 15 transponders over 24 hours, for coverage of the royal wedding in London.
[SatNews – 04/28/2011]

COM DEV International is awarded Authorization to Proceed contract to provide equipment for a new commercial satellite.
[SatNews – 04/28/2011]

Texas-based Proactive Communications Inc. is awarded one of first fixed satellite services contracts from Texas Department of Information Resources, to provide rapid support in disasters and serve other needs.
[Satellite Spotlight- 04/28/2011]

Department of Veterans Affairs gets 13 systems from F4W Inc. which provide internet and VoIP connectivity for emergency situations, and include satellite broadband for when cellular is not available.
[PR Newswire – 04/28/2011]

EMS Technologies initiates new satellite communications study for The Commonwealth of Australia.
[Business Wire – 04/28/2011]

The second in series of 12 GPS IIF satellites arrives at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
[SatNews – 04/28/2011]

STM and ViaSat successfully demonstrate waveform interoperability between the STM SatLink 2000 modem and the ViaSat DoD-standard Joint Internet Protocol Modem.
[SatNews – 04/28/2011]

Skyware Global announces opening of new office in Washington DC area.
[SatNews – 04/28/2011]

Russia and Sweden agree to improve cooperation in the space industry, including launching Swedish satellites using Russian carrier rockets.
[SatNews – 04/28/2011]

KVH’s new TracPhone V3, at just 14.5″ (37cm) the world’s smallest Ku-band maritime VSAT terminal, receives FCC license.
[GlobeNewswire – 04/27/2011]

Rumors have owners of Telesat fighting over the price for which the Canadian satellite communications company might be sold.
[Ottawa Citizen – 04/27/2011]

Team including scientists at Los Alamos and Sandia national laboratories and the Air Force Research Laboratory work to improve capabilities for detecting and monitoring threats to U.S. space operations (space junk).
[PhysOrg – 04/27/2011]

Chinese space officials confirm plans to build a 60-ton space station by 2020 and build a space freighter for hauling supplies to the station.
[SatNews – 04/27/2011]

DirecTV takes measure of its subscribers’ preferences with regard to possible launch of Netflix-like video streaming service, following the acquisition of Blockbuster by Dish Network.
[The Hollywood Reporter – 04/27/2011]

Malaysia’s no. 1 rated HD channel, ONE HD, joins MEASAT’s video neighborhood.
[SatNews – 04/27/2011]

Topcon Precision Agriculture announces that its HiPer series of satellite receivers has been expanded to include a specialty receiver for the worldwide agriculture market.
[Precision Pays – 04/27/2011]

Spanish operator Digital+ launches 3D demo channel on SES ASTRA’s ASTRA.
[SatNews – 04/27/2011]

Integral Systems is selected as Mewxsat-3’s turnkey ground segment subcontractor.
[Satellite Today – 04/27/2011]

Track24 launches first global tracking and messaging systems for individuals and small businesses using Iridium satellite network and Track24’s mapping software.
[SatNews – 04/27/2011]

AMI to support Thrane Aviator SwiftBroadband service in the United States.
[Satellite Today – 04/27/2011]

NASA’s nanosatellite NanoSail-D is slowly descending after successfully orbiting the Earth’s upper atmosphere for 95 days after deploying its 100-square-foot sail on January 20th.
[SatNews – 04/27/2011]

SES announces new investment in new Luxembourg satellite control facilities and business center.
[Satellite Spotlight – 04/26/2011]Russian Space Forces re-establish contact with military satellite, Geo-IK-2, which went missing in February.
[SatNews – 04/26/2011]Intelsat’s new African satellite, New Dawn, is safely in orbit following Good Friday launch from French Guiana.
[Engineering News – 04/26/2011] ATK is awarded contract to provide upgraded more powerful second stage motor for Orbital Science Corporation’s Taurus II commercial launch vehicle.
[SatNews – 04/26/2011]ORBCOMM announces its two-way satellite data communications services are now authorized in Equador.
[Benzinga – 04/26/2011]Kazakhstan ready to consider Russia’s proposal of converting Baikonur Space Center into a joint-stock company, with Russia as major shareholder, according to RIA Novosti.
[SatNews – 04/26/2011]MTN Satellite Communications and ERZIA announce completion of Santander Teleport in Spain.
[PR Newswire – 04/26/2011]Satcom Direct becomes distribution partner for Inmarsat’s global phone services, offering them directly to government, military, and corporate aviation customers and resellers.
[PR Web – 04/26/2011]SES WORLD SKIES announces three new capacity deals with Global Crossing to meet growing connectivity demand across Latin America.
[Business Wire – 04/26/2011]Inmarsat and SkyWave develop new low data rate tracking, monitoring and message service promising up to 37x data capability of current global M2M services, for Q3 2011 launch.
[NSR – 04/26/2011]NARSS puts EgyptSat-2 launch on indefinite hiatus.
[Satellite Today – 04/25/2011]Arianespace launches two satellites – Yahsat 1A and Intelsat’s New Dawn, from French Guiana.
[redOrbit – 04/24/2011]Thuraya to sponsor the Istanbul University Solar Race Team in the World Solar Challenge across the continent of Australia, also providing Thuraya IP and Thuraya XT as their full communication solutions.
[SatNews – 04/24/2011]

SpaceX wins $75M NASA contract to complete Dragon spacecraft and modify it for human transport with launch escape system.
[Military Aerospace – 04/20/2011

WBMSAT PS satellite communications systems services

Global satellite machine-to-Machine (M2M) service revenues to reach $1.7B by 2017 according to new Gobal Industry Analysts report.
[San Francisco Chronicle – 04/15/2011]

U.S. Defense Information Systems Agency wants to lease a single commercial satellite for 15 years for $440M, meeting 78% of U.S. Central Command’s requirements in Afghanistan and Iraq while dramatically cutting costs.
[Next Gov – 04/15/2011]

Cheetah “Morale Satellite” system provides free phone calls home and fast Internet connectivity for soldiers in Afghanistan.
[DIVIDS – 04/15/2011]

Comtech receives $1.2M satellite ground station equipment order from a large integrator for a military requirement in a Latin American country.
[Your Industry News – 04/15/2011]

Senators Pat Roberts (R-Kan) and Ben Nelson (D-Neb) in an open letter ask fellow senators to call on FCC to stop LightSquared from deploying its nationwide LTE network until it proves service does not interfere with GPS services.
[Fierce Wireless – 04/15/2011]

Space Data Association announces full operational capability of its Space Data Center, established by commercial satellite operators to improve the safety and efficiency of space operations.
[SatNews – 04/14/2011]

United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carries National Reconnaissance Office’s L-34 secret satellite payload aloft from Vandenberg.
[SatNews – 04/14/2011]

Arianespace to launch ASTRA 2E satellite for SES ASTRA in 2013.
[Brahmand – 04/14/2011]

New way to cool military satellite payloads to be tested by Northrop Grumman Corporation with an experiment on the International Space Station.
[SatNews – 04/14/2011]

Newtec extends invitation to all to join their 2011 Business Seminar “How to Keep Satellite Services Profitable” in Miami May 11 and 12, with first day capped by leisurely cruise and dinner.
[SatNews – 04/14/2011]

ITT successfully concludes Critical Design Review for imaging payload for the Worldview-3 Earth observation satellite being built for DigitalGlobe.
[SatNews – 04/14/2011]

Iridium excecutive states that the biggest opportunity ever for placing hosted payloads aboard telecommunications satellite system (the 66-satellite next generation Iridium system) may be lost because of slow-moving government bureaucracies.
[Space News – 04/14/2011]

Gilat’s SkyEdge II Broadband Satellite Network selected by Telecom Namibia to provide hundreds of locations throughout Namibia with VOIP and Internet services.
[SatNews – 04/14/2011]

New satellite to be launched from Kodiak Alaska, TACSAT-4, will carry UHF payload in highly elliptical orbit that will allow soldiers to communicate from deep canyons rather than out in the open, saving lives, though only available 6-7 hours a day.
[National Defense – 04/14/2011]

Advantech Wireless signs contract with Hoje Telecom of Brazil to provide VSAT upgrade hub, RF equipment, and more than 1,000 remote terminals.
[SatNews – 04/14/2011]

Globalstar Europe Satellite Services, in conjunction with Globalstar Avrasya of Turkey, provisioned to cover all of European sub-continent as well as northern Africa, Middle East, and most of Mediterranean and eastern Atlantic ocean maritime region.
[SatNews – 04/14/2011]

U.S. Air Force awards Integral Systems $6.99M contract for Rapid Attack Identification, Detection, and Reporting System to provide near real-time detection, characterization, geolocation, and electromagnetic Interference reporting for critical satellite communication systems.
[SatNews – 04/14/2011]

Dynetics and Pratt & Whitney join Rocket City Space Pioneers team competing for Google $30M Lunar X Prize to be awarded to first team to build and launch to the moon a privately funded spacecraft capable of completing a series of exploration and transmission tasks.
[SatNews – 04/14/2011]

MDA signs contract worth more than $40M to provide technology support for satellite communications and information service for a confidential customer.
[Windsor Star – 04/14/2011]

92,708 total registered attendees for 2011 NAB show in Las Vegas, with 25,691 international attendees and 1,314 news media, beating 2010 final attendance of 88,044.
[SatNews – 04/13/2011]

German aerospace contractor approved for taking lead role in designing European data relay satellite to promptly relay images of Earth from orbiting spacecraft back to ground stations.
[Spaceflight Now – 04/13/2011]

Top Azerbaijani official says country will launch communications satellite in 2012.
[RFE/RL – 04/13/2012]

Russia plans to test a next-generation spacecraft, build a new cosmodrome and even consider a manned mission to Mars after 2035.
[R&D Magazine – 04/13/2011]

China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology announces launch of eighth satellite of the Beidou-2 global navigation system aboard a Long March 3A rocket on April 10, 2011.
[Examiner – 04/13/2011]

RRSAT grows global broadcast network to over 590 channels featuring SD, HD, and 3D formats and increased number of playout centers in Israel and U.S.
[PR Newswire – 04/13/2011]

Arqiva will launch dedicated DVB-S2 MPEG-4 shared platform at Los Angeles teleport, affording broadcasters and mobile providers access to 100% of U.S. cable headends via SES WORLD SKIES’ AMC-10 satellite.
[TMCnet – 04/13/2011]

Raytheon leads team bidding on U.S. Air Force Launch and Test Range System (LTRS) Integrated Support Contract (LISC).
[Defense – Aerospace – 04/13/2011]

Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission approves merger of XM Canada and Sirius Canada.
[Satellite Today – 04/13/2011]

Intelsat’s New Dawn African satellite rescheduled for April 22 launch.
[Engineering News – 04/12/2011]

SES ASTRA Platform Services opens new playout centre near Munich, significantly expanding capabilities to provide broadcasters and production houses around the world with state-of-the-art playout and platform services.
[SatNews – 04/12/2011]

Harris to deliver shipboard satellite communications terminals to Canadian Navy.
[Satellite Spotlight – 04/12/2011]

SES WORLD SKIES announces AMC-3 C-band capacity deal with Weigel Broadcasting to deliver new digital ME TV channel to broadcast stations and viewers across U.S.
[Business Wire – 04/12/2011]

GMPCS unveils IsatTruck vehicular satellite phone package.
[PR Web – 04/12/2011]

TeleCommunications Systems selected as participant in FCSA contract allowing government agencies to procure services from commercial satellite services providers.
[Market Wire – 04/12/2011]

NSR press release – Revenues for Broadband Satellite Satellite Services to Exceed S$9 Billion by 2020.
[NSR – 04/12/2011]

GlobeCast selects Eurobird 9A to launch HD distribution platform.
[Indian Television – 04/12/2011]

Level 3 buys Global Crossing in effort to create a networking giant.
[Business Insider – 04/11/2011]

Maiden voyage of Ocean Star Pacific, first ship of the first national cruise line based in Mexico, to offer MTM satellite communications VSAT, crew calling, and Internet services.
[PR Newswire – 04/11/2011]

Qatar plans early 2013 launch of its high-powered communications satellite Es’Hail, being built under joint investment with Eutelsat.
[Gulf Times – 04/11/2011]

TerreStar GENUS satellite-enabled cellular smartphone provides expanded voice and data roaming coverage for mobile users.
[SatNews – 04/10/2011]

Iran’s claims about satellite service raise difficult question for ITU – “Can regulators refuse to accept word of sovereign nation about its own assets even if they are convinced it is lying?”
[Spacenews – 04/08/2011]

NSR Report “Broadband Satellite Markets” – VSAT networking and broadband access continue gains; a turning point for IP trunking.
[NSR – May 2011]

NSR Report “Global Satellite Manufacturing and Launch Markets” – 109 payloads were carried by 74 launch missions worldwide over the past 12 months, down from 2009 by 6.5%.
[NSR – May 2011]

Raytheon seeks new applications for System designed to communicate with deeply submerged swiftly moving submarines using satellites and underwater communications systems tied to buoys, since Navy has yet to come to decision on deployment.
[National Defense Magazine – May 2011]

NSR upcoming – HTS and KA-SAT: “Changing the European Telecom Landscape” – An Interview with Eutelsat.
[gotomeeting – May 24, 2011]

WBMSAT PS satellite communications systems services

Imagery from MDA Systems Information Group’s RADARSAT-2 satellite is being used to assess damage and direct relief efforts to the main stricken areas of Sendai, Japan, in the wake of the March 11 earthquake.
[SatNews – 03/18/2011]

Imagery from the Formosat-2 high resolution satellite, the only one capable of imaging the same point every day because of its atypical orbit, allow international community to follow evolution of Japanese earthquake disaster day by day.
[SatNews – 03/18/2011]

NAB sets off debate over “Spectrum Hoarding.”
[PC World – 03/18/2011]

Arqiva is expanding its U.S.-based government and domestic operations in Washington, D.C. by developing and refining its teleports for secure transmissions.
[Satellite Today – 03/18/2011]

The first experiment to investigate the effects of solar plasmasphere disturbances on satellite communications will be launched aboard the UK Space Agency’s maiden CubeSat mission.
[the engineer – 03/18/2011]

Telenor Satellite Broadcasting (TSB) signs five-year agreement with NewWave Broadband to provide iDirect’s Virtual Network Operator services for its maritime customer ShipEquip.
[Satellite Today – 03/18/2011]

Integrating SCPC Return Channel technology, iDX v3.0 software enables service providers to manage TDMA and SCPC networks over same platform.
[ThomasNet News – 03/18/2011]

Satellite broadband provider Wildblue moves to larger headquarters, with plans to hire 30 workers.
[Business Week – 03/18/2011]

NASA-affiliated scientists propose using low-powered, ground-based laser to nudge pieces of space debris off of collision courses with each other.
[SatNews – 03/17/2011]

SES selects International Launch Services (ILS) to launch the SES-6 satellite on a Proton rocket in 2013.
[Satellite Today – 03/17/2011]

Globalstar takes delivery of six next generation (2G) satellites at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
[SatNews – 03/17/2011]

LightSquared working group formed to test for possible interference to GPS has 34 members including Garmin and other GPS vendors as well as Verizon Wireless, Sprint Nextel, NASA, FAA, and other government agencies.
[PC World – 03/17/2011]

ITU assists communications in Japan by sending 13 Iridium satellite phones, 37 Inmarsat BGAN terminals, and 78 Thuraya satellite phones with GPS to assist in search and rescue work.
[Computer World – 03/17/2011]

Lockheed Martin successfully tests next generation GPS integrated flight software and computer processors, demonstrating enhanced ability to communicate among the satellite, network communications and navigation elements.
[emoney daily – 03/17/2011]

Norsat International Inc. releases multi-band versions of its GLOBETrekker™ and Rover™ satellite systems, which will now be available in Ka-band.
[SatNews – 03/17/2011]

Intelsat renews contract with social media company dBase Media, who will provide social media strategy, implementation and reporting in preparation for New Dawn satellite launch.
[The Street – 03/17/2011]

Skylogic to market Eutelsat’s next generation Tooway product on the powerful KA-SAT high throughput Ka-band satellite.
[SatNews – 03/17/2011]

EMA Group (EMA) announces that the Albanian government has awarded the Company a contract to implement Iridium-based Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) for the country’s commercial fishing fleet.
[SatNews – 03/17/2011]

Intelian Technologies unveils its largest VSAT communications antenna, a 2.4m C-band antenna for marine applications.
[Satellite Spotlight – 03/17/2011]

Intelsat contracts Canada’s MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates (MDA) to develop commercial satellite-refueling business that will include launch of a Proton-class servicing spacecraft and a test mission on a disused communications satellite.
[Aviation Week – 03/16/2011]

Launch providers in tough panel discussion at Satellite 2011, with some bullish about their futures, others not so bullish, and a bit of criticism of one another.
[Satellite Spotlight – 03/16/2011]

Integral Systems announces that the Company has been selected by Intelsat to provide its EPOCH Integrated Product Suite (IPS) satellite command and control software to manage Intelsat’s newest satellites – Intelsat 21 and 22.
[SatNews – 03/16/2011]

Inmarsat and partner Skywave Mobile Communications make data service available on global handheld satellite phone, IsatPhone Pro.
[PR Newswire – 03/16/2011]

DISH Network receives approval from a U.S. bankruptcy court to acquire a 100% stake of DBSD North America Inc.
[Zacks – 03/16/2011]

iDirect announces that Bentley Walker Ltd., one of the largest VSAT network operators in Europe, has purchased iDirect’s SatManage network management system.
[SatNews – 03/16/2011]

Thales Alenia Space selects EMS Defense & Space for L-band communications hardware for low-earth orbiting, cross-linked satellites produced by a third company.
[Government Video – 03/16/2011]

Gateway Communications selects Gilat as its primary VSAT provider, enhancing services to mobile and fixed line operators with connections in Africa and to the rest of the world.
[SatNews – 03/16/2011]

Thuraya announces signing of key distribution agreement with Athens-based Tetra Communications, who will market Thuraya’s voice and broadband data services in Greece and surrounding NATO countries.
[SatNews – 03/16/2011]

INPE of Brazil selects Brüel & Kjær to be the supplier of their replacement data acquisition and vibration test system for satellite launch simulation and qualification testing.
[SatNews – 03/16/2011]

ViaSat and Asia Broadcast Satellite enter into a multi-year agreement to provide Ka-band satellite service in key areas of the Middle East using the ABS-7 satellite.
[SatNews – 03/16/2011]

Integral Systems announces release of a new version of the satID® Geolocation System by its wholly-owned subsidiary, RT Logic.
[SatNews – 03/16/2011]

XTAR is awarded bandwidth contract by Intelsat for 79.5 MHz of X-band capacity from its XTAR-EUR satellite sitting over Europe and Middle East.
[SatNews – 03/16/2011]

Globecomm Systems introduces auto-aligning VSAT antenna using band-specific feed cartridges with integrated RF electronics to enable quick switch in the field from X- to Ka- to Ku- satellite bands.
[SatNews – 03/16/2011]

Avanti’s Hylas 1 in-orbit testing complete; satellite ready to begin servicing broadband customers in Europe.
[ZDNet – 03/15/2011]

Yahsat selects Hughes Networks Systems to enable broadband services on Yahsat’s high performance Y1B Ka-band satellite.
[PR Newswire – 03/15/2011]

World Teleport Association announces recipients of 16th annual Teleport Awards of Excellence during luncheon ceremony at Satellite 2011.
[SatNews – 03/15/2011]

Globecomm introduces its FAST terminal for rapid deployment of enterprise-class communications solutions.
[Business Wire – 03/15/2011]

Tachyon is expands its broadband capacity over Southwest Asia with a capacity lease on Eutelsat’s SESAT 2 satellite.
[SatNews – 03/15/2011]

Satlink selects Zixi’s broadcast-quality HDTV over the cloud in place of satellite trunk lines and where satellite or fiber optic transmission services are not feasible.
[Business Wire – 03/15/2011]

SES WORLD SKIES has a new capacity deal with Axesat that’s aimed at meeting escalating corporate service demand across Latin America and the Caribbean.
[SatNews – 03/15/2011]

DigitalGlobe contracts with Lockheed Martin Commercial Launch Services for the launch of WorldView-3.
[SatNews – 03/15/2011]

Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) will launch the SES-8 medium-sized communications satellite on a Falcon 9 vehicle in 2013, under the startup launch service provider’s first geostationary communications satellite launch contract.
[Aviation Week – 03/14/2011]

Iridium Communications wins $13.4 million follow-on task order from the U.S. Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren to implement Phase 3 of the Distributed Tactical Communications System (DTCS) program.
[TMCnet – 03/14/2011]

Stratos Government Services (SGSI) wins General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule 70 FCSA contract to provide commercial satellite communications products and services to the U.S. Government.
[Satellite Spotlight – 03/14/2011]

Dire state of communications in Japan following earthquake evident in NBC report where reporter provided satellite phone to American teacher so she could reach out to her family in the states.
[Computer World – 03/14/2011]

RRSat assists in launch of HIGHTV, reportedly the first international entirely 3D entertainment channel.
[TV Technology – 03/14/2011]

Top secret military payload NROL-27 lifts off from Cape Canaveral on Delta IV rocket.
[Universe Today – 03/12/2011]

WBMSAT PS satellite communications systems services

ATTENDING SATELLITE 2011?  Send me an email if you’d like to meet.  Bill

Russia’s Raduga-1 geostationary military communication satellite has likely lost communications with the flight control center and may have run out of fuel.
[CRI English – 03/11/2011]

Naval Research Laboratory positions unique elliptic-orbit TacSat-4 for launch in May 2011.
[Business Wire – 03/11/2011]

Group of 17 major stakeholders in GPS industry want FCC and NTIA to make LightSquared guarantee its planned network won’t interfere with GPS systems.
[Wireless Week – 03/11/2011]

Yahsat’s Y1A satellite, Abu Dhabi’s first, ready for March 30 launch by Arianespace from French Guiana.
[Gulf News – 03/11/2011]

Hughes Network Systems high-performance commercial satellite router receives National Institute of Standards and Technology security certification.
[SatNews – 03/11/2011]

New technology from SES ASTRA base on ASTRA2Connect allows telecommunications operators and Internet service providers to offer satellite-base broadband via existing last-mile infrastructure.
[SatNews – 03/11/2011]

Germany’s Fairplay Towage selects FleetBroadband from Stratos for deep-sea tugboats.
[PR Newswire – 03/11/2011]

UK Royal Academy of Engineering report claims that growing dependence on satellite navigation systems poses serious economic and safety risks to society.
[The Register – 03/10/2011]

Euroconsult reports that revenue in global aeronautical satellite communications market grew by almost 25% in 2010; growth expected to continue at slower pace over next decade.
[SatNews – 03/10/2011]

International Symposium for Personal and Commercial Spaceflight to be held in New Mexico in October to focus on how technical advances are driving success of companies in commercial space industry.
[SatNews – 03/10/2011]

South African Maritime Safety Authority installs sophisticated navigation satellite systems to protect the country’s waters from piracy and other threats.
[The New Age – 03/10/2011]

NASA soon to unveil its new rocket integration facility at Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia; first customer to be Orbital Sciences Corp with its Taurus II launch vehicle.
[SatNews – 03/10/2011]

FCC to determine whether to extend rate caps on SiriusXM satellite radio beyond July 28 – final comments due March 11.
[Twice Mobile – 03/10/2011]

SpeedCast signs multi-year agreement with SES WORLD SKIES for additional capacity on NSS-6, NSS-7, and NSS-12 to serving growing demand of maritime customers in Middle East, Africa, and South America.
[SatNews – 03/10/2011]

First Space Based Infrared Systems satellite delivered by Air Force to Florida base for May launch.
[U.S. Air Force web site – 03/10/2011]

New Zealand satellite communications provider Farmside and IPStar provide free of charge wireless communications via satellite in support of post-earthquake rescue efforts.
[SatNews – 03/10/2011]

Satellite communications provider NSSLGlobal assists Associated Press communicate with world during Eqyptian uprising.
[SatNews – 03/10/2011]

French capital development fund acquires Thomson Video Networks, promising revamped satellite product line.
[Satellite Today – 03/10/2011]

Blue Sky Network debuts new SkyRouter 2, allowing customers to more easily track and communicate with all their mobile assets.
[SatNews – 03/10/2011]

Satcom Direct partners with AirCare Solutions Group to offer in-flight tele-medicine service to FDF customers.
[Satellite Today – 03/10/2011]

The Satellite Users Interference Reduction Group changes its name to Satellite IRG, and re-aligns its management structure.
[Satellite Today – 03/10/2011]

Vizada and Telemar win 85-ship maritime broadband contract in Germany.
[Satellite Today – 03/10/2011]

Boeing announces completion of Preliminary Design Review for three Ka-band satellites with hosted payloads to be built for Inmarsat as Inmarsat-5 spacecraft.
[SatNews – 03/09/2011]

UltiSat wins contract from AT&T Government Solutions to provide satellite-based Internet services to U.S. military personnel in Afghanistan.
[Satellite Today – 03/09/2011]

Inmarsat selects Cobham as intital launch partner for maritime satellite terminals for its forthcoming Global Xpress service.
[Trade Arabia – 03/09/2011]

Hiding in plain site at Satellite 2011 – a Norsat 1.8 meter transportable terminal concealed in a ConcealFab Corp PVC barn.
[SatNews – 03/09/2011]

Aircell announces plans to migrate its Gogo airborne Wi-Fi service to international flights as well as increase performance of its domestic services.
[PC Magazine – 03/09/2011]

Globecomm Systems launches Globecomm Maritime, bringing together its four business units Telaurus, Mach6, Evosat, and Carrier2CVarrier to provide a comprehensive suite of maritime communication solutions.
[SatNews – 03/09/2011]

Hughes executive to address military forum at Satellite 2011 on commercial satellite capabilities for government/defense communications-on-the-move (COTM).
[PR Newswire – 03/09/2011]

NSR report – Earth Observation value-added services may not offer the easy cruise anticipated, but could become a bumpy ride.
[NSR – 03/09/2011]

Turkey signs $571M deal with Mitsubishi Electric of Japan for two satellites.
[Satellite Today – 03/08/2011]

Iridium is making a push into lower-cost satellite services.
[Space News – 03/08/2011]

CapRock selected as one of 46 prime vendors to be awarded basic ordering agreement by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; continues string of successful GSA Schedule 70 awards.
[Globe Newswire – 03/08/2011]

C-Com set to unveil two mobile satellite antenna systems at Satellite 2011, including its iNetVu Airline Checkable antenna.
[marketwire – 03/08/2011]

Air Force awards contract to study Ka-band architectures and acquisition strategies to Hughes Network Systems.
Defense Systems – 03/07/2011]

Spacenet receives 2010 Satellite Spotlight Product of the Year Award.
[Business Wire – 03/07/2011]

Thuraya announces launch of new Seagull 5000i maritime terminal in partnership with Addvalue Communications.
[AMEinfo – 03/07/2011]

Matys Satcom Ltd. introduces new LP-90 low profile phased array Ku-band satellite antenna system intended for high-performance broadband connectivity to defense, homeland security and commercial land vehicles on the move as well as maritime.
[Government Video – 03/07/2011]

SES enters framework understanding with Sea Launch regarding possible cooperation on future launch of SES satellites on Sea Launch launch vehicles.
[SatNews – 03/07/2011]

WBMSAT PS satellite communications systems services