Putin’s Proton
ILS is laying off 25% of it’s workers. For those of you keeping score at home, chalk up another Russian-controlled business fail.
Big Bang Monday: The White Hole
Check out this abstract…
While most of the singularities of General Relativity are expected to be safely hidden behind event horizons by the cosmic censorship conjecture, we happen to live in the causal future of the classical big bang singularity, whose resolution constitutes the active field of early universe cosmology. Could the big bang be also hidden behind a causal horizon, making us immune to the decadent impacts of a naked singularity? We describe a braneworld description of cosmology with both 4d induced and 5d bulk gravity (otherwise known as Dvali-Gabadadze-Porati, or DGP model), which exhibits this feature: The universe emerges as a spherical 3-brane out of the formation of a 5d Schwarzschild black hole. In particular, we show that a pressure singularity of the holographic fluid, discovered earlier, happens inside the white hole horizon, and thus need not be real or imply any pathology. Furthermore, we outline a novel mechanism through which any thermal atmosphere for the brane, with comoving temperature of 20% of the 5D Planck mass can induce scale-invariant primordial curvature perturbations on the brane, circumventing the need for a separate process (such as cosmic inflation) to explain current cosmological observations. Finally, we note that 5D space-time is asymptotically flat, and thus potentially allows an S-matrix or (after minor modifications) AdS/CFT description of the cosmological big bang.
Got your head wrapped around it yet? Probably not. Our friends at Science Daily explain it a little more…
What we perceive as the big bang, they argue, could be the three-dimensional “mirage” of a collapsing star in a universe profoundly different than our own.
“Cosmology’s greatest challenge is understanding the big bang itself,” write Perimeter Institute Associate Faculty member Niayesh Afshordi, Affiliate Faculty member and University of Waterloo professor Robert Mann, and PhD student Razieh Pourhasan.
Conventional understanding holds that the big bang began with a singularity — an unfathomably hot and dense phenomenon of spacetime where the standard laws of physics break down. Singularities are bizarre, and our understanding of them is limited.
“For all physicists know, dragons could have come flying out of the singularity,” Afshordi says in an interview with Nature.
The problem, as the authors see it, is that the big bang hypothesis has our relatively comprehensible, uniform, and predictable universe arising from the physics-destroying insanity of a singularity. It seems unlikely.
So perhaps something else happened. Perhaps our universe was never singular in the first place.
Their suggestion: our known universe could be the three-dimensional “wrapping” around a four-dimensional black hole’s event horizon. In this scenario, our universe burst into being when a star in a four-dimensional universe collapsed into a black hole.
In our three-dimensional universe, black holes have two-dimensional event horizons — that is, they are surrounded by a two-dimensional boundary that marks the “point of no return.” In the case of a four-dimensional universe, a black hole would have a three-dimensional event horizon.
In their proposed scenario, our universe was never inside the singularity; rather, it came into being outside an event horizon, protected from the singularity. It originated as — and remains — just one feature in the imploded wreck of a four-dimensional star.
The researchers emphasize that this idea, though it may sound “absurd,” is grounded firmly in the best modern mathematics describing space and time. Specifically, they’ve used the tools of holography to “turn the big bang into a cosmic mirage.” Along the way, their model appears to address long-standing cosmological puzzles and — crucially — produce testable predictions.
Of course, our intuition tends to recoil at the idea that everything and everyone we know emerged from the event horizon of a single four-dimensional black hole. We have no concept of what a four-dimensional universe might look like. We don’t know how a four-dimensional “parent” universe itself came to be.
But our fallible human intuitions, the researchers argue, evolved in a three-dimensional world that may only reveal shadows of reality.
They draw a parallel to Plato’s allegory of the cave, in which prisoners spend their lives seeing only the flickering shadows cast by a fire on a cavern wall.
“Their shackles have prevented them from perceiving the true world, a realm with one additional dimension,” they write. “Plato’s prisoners didn’t understand the powers behind the sun, just as we don’t understand the four-dimensional bulk universe. But at least they knew where to look for answers.”
Still interested? I bet you are! Read more here. Relax: there’s a video on the Perimeter Institute site.
WBMSAT News Bits 08/08/2014
European DTH market may be poised for a significant shakeup in the coming months, following a proposed merger between three of the continent’s largest DTH platforms.
[NSR – 08/08/2014]
There is a mismatch between what entrepreneurs building large cubesat constellations want to buy and what traditional suppliers are offering.
[Space News – Space News – 08/08/2014]
Credit: Dennis Wingo graphic/Inset ISEE-3 Reboot Project artist’s concept by Mark Maxwell – Space News
A group including Google is to offer live streaming of data from satellite missions beginning with the Aug. 10 lunar flyby of NASA’s 36-year-old International Sun-Earth Explorer (ISEE)-3) through a new website called SpacecraftForAll.com.
[Space News – 08/08/2014]
SingTel Satellite joins forces with three of the world’s main maritime charities to help seafarers use onboard technology to keep in touch with loved ones at home.
[Satellite Spotlight – 08/08/2014]
Orbcomm expects revenue boost now that SpaceX has patched the firm’s “hole in the sky.”
[Space News – 08/08/2014]
Dismissed SpaceX employees sue over lack of warning.
[Space News – 08/08/2014]
MSTelcom extends agreement with Intelsat to expand satellite broadband services in Angola.
[TMCnet – 08/08/2014]
Avanti and iSAT sign multi-year contract to extend East Africa satellite broadband coverage.
[4-traders – 08/08/2014]
Afghan TV channel to be broadcast via Azerspace-1 satellite. [News.Az – 08/08/2014]
GVF launches online training courses to prepare students to complete the EUI Basic Technical Operator certification exam.
[SatNews – 08/08/2014]
Walton Enterprises expands de-ice systems manufacturing capacity through move to new facilities in San Bernardino, California.
[SatNews – 08/08/2014]
July 2014 marked end of period of no orders for full electric propulsion satellites since the March 2012 deal between Boeing, SpaceX, ABS and Satmex – SES, Eutelsat, and Aniara announced orders.
[NSR – 08/07/2014]
IBISWorld Satellite & Earth Communication Systems Services Procurement Category market research report updated; expects decline in prices in three years to 2014.
[PRWeb – 08/07/2014]
U.S. looks to Japan space program to close Pacific communications gap.
[Space Daily – 08/07/2014]
Well-known hacker to demonstrate ability to hack satellite communications equipment that ground troops use to co-ordinate movements and airlines use for navigation..
[News.com – 08/07/2014]
A new attitude system developed by the Air Force and a small business offers improved maneuverability capabilities for small space research satellites.
[SatNews – 08/07/2014]
UAE sets its sights on space by announcing a mission to Mars.
[Khaleej Times – 08/07/2014]
CASBAA is hopeful that India is closer to enacting long-awaited reforms to its satellite policies under the leadership of new Indian Prime Minister.
[Via Satellite – 08/07/2014]
COM DEV gets Authorizaton and Proceed contract for C- and Ku-band multiplexers and coaxial and waveguide switches for a customer’s high throughput satellite.
[Via Satellite – 08/07/2014]
Inmarsat establishes office in Beijing, China.
[CRIENGLISH.com – 08/07/2014]
Though departing subscribers have undercut subscriber additions, EchoStar still enjoys satellite broadband revenue gains.
[Space News – 08/07/2014]
Norsat secures $1.7 million order from Datacom for X-band marine VSAT terminals for a military project in Asia.
[The Wall Street Journal]
Digital rendering of a Firefly launch system. Photo: Firefly Space Systems – Space News
Small satellite startup launch company Firefly Space Systems recruits General Astronautics to join its strategic team.
[Via Satellite – 08/07/2014]
Cubesat – Satellite Evolution Group file image.
Universal Space Network moderated a meeting of 20 CubeSat industry leaders in an effort to develop a standardized communications package.
[Satellite Evolution Group – 08/07/2014]
Space Daily File image: Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite.
Fourth MUOS communication satellite clears launch-simulation test.
[Space Daily – 08/06/2014]
C-COM iNetVu antenna systems deployed to assist with communications during recent earthquake in China.
[Market Wired – 08/06/2014]
ILS forming review board in September to determine whether Proton should be cleared to return to commercial flight this fall.
[Space News – 08/06/2014]
Delivery of an RD 180 engine – Credit ULA photo – Space News
Notwithstanding sanctions, ULA is standing by for RD-180 deliveries through 2017.
[Space News – 08/06/2014]
Credit: ESA/Rosetta/MPS for OSIRIS Team MPS/UPD/LAM/IAA/SSO/INTA/UPM/DASP/IDA image – Space News
Europe’s comet-hunting Rosetta probe reaches “scientific Disneyland” after 10 years of cruising through space on trajectory to bring it to the comet.
[Space News – 08/06/2014]
Credit: ESA/Rosetta/MPS for OSIRIS Team MPS/UPD/LAM/IAA/SSO/INTA/UPM/DASP/IDA image – Sports Illustrated
Charter Communications will broadcast the SEC Network after ESPN reached an agreement with the satellite company.
[Sports Illustrated – 08/06/2014]
An oil rig towing. Photo: Jay Phagan (Flickr) – Space News
Nearly a quarter of RigNet’s revenue for the second quarter of the fiscal year came from the $25 million acquisition of Inmarsat’s enterprise energy business unit.
[Via Satellite – 08/06/2014]
Generation Orbit’s Flight Experiment Testbed. Photo: Generation Orbit – Space News
Generation Orbit Launch Service successfully completed captive-carry test flight for its air-launch SmallSat vehicle.
[Via Satellite – 08/06/2014]
D’Amico launches shipboard communications app, toctoc, that acts as hub to synchronise and connect to smartphone contacts and across range of social media channels.
[Digital Ship – 08/06/2014]
PAR Technology Corporation subsidiary Rome Research Corporation gets contract potentially worth $23.5 million to continue support to operate and maintain NAVSATCOMMFAC Northwest.
[The Wall Street Journal – 08/06/2014]
Orange Niger taps Intelsat for cellular backhaul services.
[Via Satellite – 08/06/2014]
SpaceX Falcon 9 launch of Asiasat 8 – Credit: SpaceX – CBS News
SpaceX Falcon 9 launches AsiaSat 8 communications satellite.
[CBS News – 08/05/2014]
SpaceX to build world’s first commercial site for orbital rocket launches in the southernmost tip of Texas.
[R&D Magazine – 08/05/2014]
SSL to build Intelsat 36 satellite.
[Via SAtellite – 08/05/2014]
Google closes Skybox Imaging purchase.
[Via Satellite – 08/05/2014]
Empowering Mission-Critical Broadband Satellite Communications for Naval Vessels – SatNews
ORBIT Communication Systems announces that it has received a $2.5 million order to provide satellite communication systems to one of the world’s principal navies.
[SatNews – 08/05/2014]
SkyVision wins VSAT deal with Bank of Africa Burkina Faso.
[Via Satellite – 08/05/2014]
Steadily increasing capacity, reduced costs, modular functionality and higher data transfer rates now mean satellite communications can exceed even the most stringent requirements for public safety communications, all delivered through a more robust network than 4G LTE.
[Government Video – 08/05/2014]
Frontline Communications partners with TVU Networks to introduce new cellular/microwave/satellite IP vehicle solution.
[CNN Money – 08/05/2014]
United Launch Alliance carries the Air Force’s seventh Global Positioning System (GPS 2F-7) satellite to space.
[Via Satellite – 08/04/2014]
Iridium has delivered the first satellite engineering model for the upcoming Iridium NEXT constellation.
[SatNews – 08/04/2014]
Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. CEO feels that applying Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) consumer technology to satellite will continue to revolutionize satellite design over the next decade.
[Via Satellite – 08/04/2014]
Booz Allen Hamilton Engineering Services will introduce to the public safety community its new next-generation broadband deployable communications system.
[MarketWatch – 08/04/2014]
NSR Report provides comprehensive market analysis of the three major methods of UltraHD consumption via satellite – DTH, IPTV, and Cable distribution.
[NSR Report – August 2014]
WBMSAT satellite communications consulting services
| Technical Proposals | System Acceptance Testing |
| Link Analysis | System Quality Testing |
| Systems Engineering | Project Management |
| Systems Integration | Satellite Industry Research |
360-895-0478 email: [email protected]
Black Eye for Satcom at Black Hat?
This week, at Black Hat USA in Las Vegas, Ruben Santamarta is to present his findings of how he was able to hack satcom terminals, at least in theory.
At first glance, especially with lots of alarming details from DailyTech, you’d think the party for in-flight WiFi via satcom was over. Their piece was based on a Reuters story, which wasn’t as frightening.
The theoretical hack involves low-bandwidth services using Inmarsat and Thuraya. In-flight broadband uses more bandwidth and wasn’t really included in the study. Managing unmanned terminals is common in this industry segment.
Take a look at the white paper (PDF) published by IOActive and see for yourself. You can be sure all those mentioned in the 25-page report are asking their engineers if this is indeed possible.
I wouldn’t worry about it much.
WBMSAT News Bits 08/01/2014
DigitalGlobe revenue up despite steep drop in Russian business.
[Space News – 08/01/2014]
Artistic rendition of WorldView-4 courtesy of Lockheed Martin. – SatNews
DigitalGlobe announces plans to accelerate the launch of WorldView-4 to mid-2016 to meet demand from its Direct Access and other commercial customers.
[SatNews – 08/01/2014]
MEASAT Satellite Systems gets an agreement with Pilipinas Global Network Limited for capacity on MEASAT-3 to distribute Aksyon TV International and Kapatid TV5 to over 120 countries.
[SatNews – 08/01/2014]
Euroconsult report projects that on average 115 satellites will be launched per year over the next decade, generating U.S. $248 billion in revenue.
[Satellite Markets & Research – 07/31/2014]
Congressional study states the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office is buying intelligence satellites faster than necessary and calls for a slowdown.
[Space News – 07/31/2014]
NEC Corporation and the Mexican Space Agency have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the development of advanced satellites.
[PCB Design – 07/31/2014]
Eutelsat orders all-electric satellite, EUTELSAT 172B, from Airbus Defence and Space; pledges to investors that it will limit capital spending.
[Space News – 07/31/2014]
MDA satellite exports feel the effect of Canada’s tough stance on Russia.
[Space News – 07/31/2014]
Map of projected ground station sites. Photo: Spaceflight Inc – Via Satellite
Spaceflight Inc. to build 12 ground stations for new division, Spaceflight Inc., to provide satellite communications through a global network.
[Via Satellite – 07/31/2014]
Credit: NASA artist’s concept – Space News
NASA budgets around $130 million for seven-instrument science payload for the Mars 2020 rover.
[Space News – 07/31/2014]
Geolink Satellite Services to deploy iDirect’s X7 remotes to improve speed and performance for customers in the oil and gas, mining and maritime industries.
[Market Watch – 07/31/2014]
Eutelsat sees most important growth engine as broadcast, with potential for steady growth for many years to come, especially in the emerging markets.
[Bloomberg Businessweek – 07/31/2014]
SES has moved the operations for 23 satellites — roughly half the company’s fleet — to a new Satellite Operations Center (SOC) in Princeton, N.J.
[Via Satellite – 07/31/2014]
Airbus Group and Safran have selected a chief executive officer and outlined the board of directors for their new 50-50 joint European launch venture.
[Via Satellite – 07/31/2014]
DirecTV beats earnings estimates on demand for World Cup.
[Bloomberg – 07/31/2014]
SSTL subsidiary Surrey Satellite Technology US announced it is pursuing a second Orbital Test Bed (OTB) mission for 2016.
[Via Satellite – 07/31/2014]
Asia at Night. Photo: NASA Earth Observatory – Via Satellite
New report by Media Partners Asia predicts that DTH numbers in Asia will reach 110 million by 2018, up from 56.3 million in 2013.
[Via Satellite – 07/30/2014]
SSL delivers AsiaSat 6 to Cape Canaveral launch base where it is to be launched next month by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
[Digital Journal – 07/30/2014]
China certifies Iridium satellite communications systems for installation on 737-700 and -800 aircraft.
[MRO Network – 07/30/20104]
Spaceflight announces Spaceflight Networks to address need for cost-effective small-satellite data communications.
[Digital Journal – 07/30/2014]
Artist’s concept, GPS III satellite – Digital Insight Research
Lockheed Martin has awarded a contract to General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems to provide network communication systems for two more GPS III satellites.
[airforce-technology.com – 07/30/2014]
Iridium NEXT leverages Radisys’ T-series platform for its next generation ground station infrastructure.
[The Wall Street Journal – 07/30/2014]
Digital rendering, EUTELSAT 36C – Photo: Airbus Defence and Space – Via Satellite
MultiChoice Africa purchases entire 15 Ku-band payload on Eutelsat’s upcoming satellite EUTELSAT 36C.
[Via Satellite – 07/30/2014]
Orbcomm GES facility in South Korea. Photo: Orbcomm – Via Satellite
Orbcomm purchases GES site in Brazil; service provider partner Mahd Telecom gets regulatory approval to provide Orbcomm services in Oman.
[Via Satellite – 07/30/2014]
Satellite Information Services selects Level 3 Video Cloud to help improve quality of online streamed and broadcast content.
[Market Watch – 07/30/2014]
Type 3 X/Y tracking antenna. Photo: TSC – Via Satellite
Planet Labs contracts with Telecommunications Systems to build global satellite-tracking network.
[Via Satellite – 07/30/2014]
Delta 4 launches space surveillance satellites for the U.S. Air Force.
[Space News – 07/29/2014]
Digital rendering of Thales U.K. satellites. Photo: Thales U.K – Via Satellite
Thales UK planning to take lead role in creation of a new “mini” geostationary satellite bus.
[Via Satellite – 07/29/2014]
SASL selected for study on accommodating a NASA instrument to monitor air pollutants over North America on a commercial satellite. [Satellite Evolution Group – 07/29/2014]
Peter Beck, founder and CEO, Rocket Lab. Photo: Rocket Lab – Via Satellite
Rocket Lab announces Electron carbon-composite dedicated small satellite launch vehicle; first 30 launches have been booked.
[Via Satellite – 07/29/2014]
Boeing, in a first-of-its-kind arrangement for the company, is working with ViaSat to provide an integrated satellite service to a U.S. Government customer.
[PCB Design – 07/29/2014]
An O3b satellite. Photo: O3b – Via Satellite
GSA approves SES Government Solutions to sell O3b service to U.S. government.
[Via Satellite – 07/29/2014]
Techdemosat-1 – Space Daily image
SSTL marks completion of TechDemoSat-1 LEOP phase with a “selfie.”
[Space Daily – 07/29/2014]
NBN Co appoints IPSTAR as wholesaler for Australian Internet service .
[Satellite Evolution Group – 07/29/2014]
Lockheed Martin approves DeLorme’s inReach satellite communicator for use in the company’s Adverse Condition Alerting Service and Surveillance-Enhanced Search and Rescue.
[Via Satellite – 07/29/2014]
A GOES-R Spacecraft System and Propulsion Modules in Lockheed Martin Cleanroom // NOAA – Nextgov
NOAA satellite data stolen from contractor’s PC in 2013 but incident could not be investigated since employee would not turn over PC.
[Nextgov – 07/28/2014]
Chief scientist for orbital debris with NASA’s orbital debris program office says cooperation between the U.S. and Russia is essential to reign in proliferation of space debris.
[Via Satellite – 07/28/2014]
Intelsat General and 13 other U.S. space companies will have an opportunity to bid on task orders designed to streamline the process of getting government capabilities into orbit (hosted payloads).
[Wall Street Journal – 07/28/2014]
The Society of Satellite Professionals International (SSPI) launches “How Satellites Make a Better World” infosite to catalogue enormous contributions of satellite technology to the world.
[SatNews – 07/28/2014]
55th Strategic Communications Squadron receive DISA top award in recognition of excellence.
[SatNews – 07/28/2014]
Iridium announces broad availability of the world’s first truly global mobile satellite hotspot, Iridium GO!.
[Market Watch – 07/28/2014]
Xplornet plans “unprecedented” expansion of high-speed Internet to all of rural Canada.
[The Globe and Mail – 07/28/2014]
WBMSAT satellite communications consulting services
WBMSAT News Bits 07/28/2014
Free NSR webinar July 30 – Energy Markets via Satellite: Is There a Market Beyond Deep Water?
[NSR – July 30]
The United States claims China conducted a “non-destructive” test of an anti-satellite missile July 23 and called for China to end the development of such capabilities.
[Space News – 07/28/2014]
Bandwidth demand for maritime markets to exceed 160 satellite transponders by 2023.
[NSR – 07/28/2014]
Communication with Russian satellite Photon-M restored.
[Science Recorder 07/26/2014]
Ariane 5 approaches the launch pad – SatNews file photo.
Ariane 5 gets ready for launch of heaviest-ever payload as is rolls out the rocket for the July 29 liftoff of the final ATV mission.
[SatNews – 07/28/2014]
Europa concept is a nuclear-powered probe known as Clipper (above). Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech artist’s concept – Space News
If NASA sends a nuclear-powered probe to Jupiter’s moon Europa, it would launch no sooner than 2024, and effectively rule out other nuclear missions to the outer solar system before then.
[Space News – 07/28/2014]
Eutelsat America Corp has been awarded a contract by the US Air Force to support the deployment of future US Government payloads (hosted payloads) on its satellites.
[Satellite Evolution Group – 07/28/2014]
MTN continues to lead the cruise market.
[Satellite Evolution Group – 07/28/2014]
Viasat acquires Gray Labs and gets its high-rate modem product line and custom spacecraft technologies for Earth observation.
[SatNews – 07/28/2014]
Avanti and Yahsat reportedly first to order satellites from Orbital Sciences based on the new GeoStar-3 higher-power satellite frame.
[Space News – 07/25/2014]
SES 12 – Credit: SES – Space News
SES ordered its first high-throughput satellite because it was unable to provide optimal service to certain government and mobility customers with a conventional wide-beam satellite.
[Space News – 07/25/2014]
ULA rocket with DMSP satellite – Credit: ULA photo – Space News
U.S. Department of Defense wants to reprogram money this year to boost the number of competitively awarded contracts under its primary satellite launching program.
[Space News – 07/25/2014]
WB-57 – Credit: NASA photo by Sean Smith – Space News
NASA crew of WB-57 caught sight of the SpaceX Falcon 9 as it ascended, and of the first stage as it plummeted toward the ocean, but was unable to get a good shot of the descending stage’s first engine burn.
[Space News – 07/25/2014]
Rockwell Collins sells its military ground-based satellite communications business.
[Market Watch – 07/25/2014]
In preparation for Iridium NEXT, the company has issued more than 30 RFPs to build new broadband subscriber products.
[Via Satellite – 07/25/2014]
Thales Alenia Space claims it holds a profit advantage over rival Airbus. Defence and Space.
[Space News – 07/25/2014]
API Technologies wins million dollar order for manufacture of commercial satellite communication systems.
[Market Watch – 07/25/2014]
SpaceX Dragon capsule berths at the International Space Station // NASA // Nextgov
SpaceX scores partial victory in bid to get slice of government contracting, as a federal judge agrees to review a multi-bi8llion-dollar contract awarded to ULA without competition.
[Nextgov – 07/25/2014]
Japanese airline Skymark Airlines is providing In-Flight Connectivity (IFC) free of charge to fliers via Panasonic Avionics’s eXConnect global connectivity service.
[Via Satellite – 07/25/2014]
RSCC, in partnership with OOO Isatel, put satellite-supported broadband equipment on board the Russian research/survey vessel Akademik Tryoshnikov for Artic mission.
[SatNews – 07/25/2014]
Surrey Satellite Technology US has decided on five payloads to carry on the company’s Orbital Test Bed (OTB) mission in 2016
[Via Satellite – 07/25/2014]
Rally – OFFROAD.COM file photo – OFFROAD.COM
SATMODO provides satellite phones for BAJA RALLY.
[Off-Road.com – 07/25/2014]
Intelsat completes move from Washington DC’s Van Ness neighborhood to Tysons.
[Tech Bisnow – 07/25/2014]
Hughes, Thales showcase rapidly deployable LTE network using 700 MHz public safety spectrum & satellite.
[PCC Mobile Broadband – 07/25/2014]
The launch of three U.S. Air Force space surveillance satellites July 24 was postponed for the second time in as many days, this time because of weather conditions.
[Space News – 07/24/2014]
Roscosmos photo – The Moscow Times
Russian Communications and Mass Media Minister wants Russia to produce all of its communications satellites on home soil as sanctions threaten availability of high-tech components.
[The Moscow Times – 07/24/2014]
NASA’s Mars Odyssey spacecraft passes above Mars’ south pole in this artist’s concept illustration handout released by NASA July 24, 2012. – Reuters
NASA puts out a call for a commercially owned and operated satellite network on Mars.
[Reuters – 07/24/2014]
Via Satellite file map – Via Satellite
NOAA has awarded a license to Tempus Global Data for a hyperspectral imaging and sounding system constellation.
[Via Satellite – 07/24/2014]
Space Systems/Loral (SSL is one of the companies selected by NASA to study system concepts and key technologies for NASA’s Asteroid Redirect Mission.
[Satellite Evolution Group – 07/24/2014]
China Eastern Airlines offers broadband connected flights over China using China Telecom Satellite aeronautical service and Panasonic Avionics Corporation’s eXConnect system.
[Market Watch – 07/24/2014]
Retiring Senator Jay Rockefeller hopes to lay groundwork for congressional action that would allow online video services to offer even more programming options than cable and satellite companies could.
[National Journal – 07/23/2014]
Budget cuts and newly developing threats to operations in space demand change in calculus on resiliency of the Defense space program.
[U.S. Department of Defense – 07/23/2014]
SES launches first free-to-air digital TV platform in West Africa.
[ScreenAfrica – 07/23/2014]
Ultra-HD TVs make gains but still lack market penetration according to IHS.
[Satellite Markets & Research – 07/23/2014]
Web-connected cabins offer investment opportunities as the market for inflight internet is set to grow to $2.1 billion by 2023 according to Euroconsult report.
[Reuters – 07/22/2014]
Honeywell’s latest passenger survey on In-Flight Connectivity (IFC) shows just how much the mindset toward flying connected has changed.
[Via Satellite – 07/22/2014]
Purdue University students to test green rocket propellant they developed, partnering with Aerojet Rocketdyne to demonstrate the fuel can replace hydrazine.
[R&D Magazine – 07/22/2014]
UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) has announced a ground-breaking strategic partnership with the private sector to deliver e-learning programs in Kenya to thousands of marginalized girls.
[SatNews – 07/22/2014]
Despite oversupply in a few regions and bands due to accelerated satellite construction, NSR projects the market will grow by 76 percent, from about $11.8 Billion currently to $21.1 Billion by 2023.
[SatNews – 07/21/2014]
Arianespace wins launch contract for Sentinel 1B satellite.
[Via Satellite – 07/21/2014]
O3b begins service with full initial constellation.
[Via Satellite – 07/21/2014]
China and Brazil agree to continue the China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellite program with an additional satellite, CBERS 4A.
[Via Satellite – 07/21/2014]
SatNews graphic – SatNews
Department of Defense awards satcom support contracts for SSC Pacific. [SatNews – 07/21/2014]
DARPA awards SSL contract for flight hardware capable of taking a variety of small missions to space aboard the company’s GEO satellite platform.
[Via Satellite – 07/22/2014]
NOAA photo of magnetometer – Nextgov
The fifth of six instruments to be carried by the GOES-R next generation weather satellites, the magnetometer, is now ready for integration.
[Nextgov – 07/21/2014]
Liquid Telecom steps up resources leased from Eutelsat to meet increasing demand for IP connectivity from broad portfolio of clients including national parks and mining and exploration.
[SatNews – 07/21/2014]
Airbus Defense and Space expands strategic agreement with Inmarsat on Global Xpress high-speed broadband to resell to U.S. government market.
[Space Daily – 07/21/2014]
AltegroSky Group’s acquisition of CJSC’s “Moskovsky Teleport” allow entry into new market segments of satellite communications.
[SatNews – 07/21/2014]
Inmarsat keen on offering India high-tech services of monitoring climate, power grids, and water levels in reservoirs in real-time without human intervention.
[Zee News – 07/20/2014]
NSR report, “Global Satellite Capacity Supply and Demand, 11th Edition” now available.
[NSR – July 2014]
WBMSAT satellite communications consulting services
Lost in Space: Fruit Flies, Mushrooms and Geckos
Too bad Geico doesn’t offer spacecraft insurance. The Russians could use some help, as they hold a large share of both launch and in-orbit failures.
I feel bad for the researchers suffering the latest Russian space program setback, the in-orbit loss-of-control for the Foton M-4 spacecraft, carrying a payload of geckos, fruit flies and mushrooms.
Russia’s Progress space firm confirmed Thursday that the Foton-M4 satellite was not responding to commands from the ground to start its onboard engine and lift it to a higher orbit.
However the company said in a statement that all other systems on the satellite, which was launched on July 19, were operating normally and information from the scientific experiments was being transmitted to the ground.
“The equipment which is working in automatic mode, and in particular the experiment with the geckos is working according to the programme,” said Oleg Voloshin, a spokesman of Russia’s Institute of Medico-Biological Problems, which is running the experiment.
The two-month mission is monitoring by video how well the geckos sexually reproduce in space, according to the Institute’s website.
Progress said the design of the Foton-M4 “allows for the functioning of the satellite in automatic mode for a long time.”
A space expert cited by Interfax said that in its current orbit the satellite could stay up in space as long as three or four months.
OK, so maybe they can’t control the thrusters, but all else is working.
Perhaps the resulting “Russian lizard sex in space” video will compete with the popularity of Russian dash cam videos.
WBMSAT News Bits 07/17/2014
Satellite companies on the Future Space 2014 event panel “Return of Wicked Cool Space Technology,” discussed advanced satellite manufacturing and launch systems.
[Via Satellite – 07/18/2014]
Futron announces the release of the 2014 Space Competitiveness Index.
[Satellite Markets & Research – 07/18/2014]
Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), prime contractor for Orbcomm’s OG2 satellites, has established communication with the first six spacecraft launched July 14, 2014.
[Via Satellite 07/18/2014]
GPS3 satellite – Credit: Lockheed Martin artist’s concept – Space News
Senate spending bill directs U.S. Air Force to develop alternative GPS payload.
[Space News – 07/18/2014]
Short-term demand for 4K/Ultra-HD televisions hindered by lack of consumer awareness and sensitivity to the cost of the advanced sets.
[Satellite Markets & Research – 07/18/2014]
UAE reveals plans for unmanned mission to Mars by 2021.
[Reuters – 07/16/2014]
Two space satellites for India will be manufactured in Russia.
[ITAR TASS – 07/16/2014]
Liquid Telecom extends Eutelsat contract to 2019.
[Via Satellite – 07/18/2014]
Artist rendition of the SES 12. Photo: SES – Via Satellite
SES selects Airbus to build new hybrid high throughput communications satellite SES 12 to increase capacity available in the Asia Pacific region.
[Via Satellite – 07/17/2014]
DoD official says a replacement for the RD-180 Russian rocket used for satellite launches could take 8 years and cost $2 billion.
[Via Satellite – 07/17/2014]
Russia installs Glonass satellite station in Brazil.
[Via Satellite – 07/17/2014]
Airbus Defence and Space and Inmarsat expand Global Xpress partnership.
[Via Satelli9te – 07/17/2014]
Virgin Galactic sets sights on 2016 for LauncherOne.
[Via Satellite – 07/16/20147]
– SatNews file image
Dauria Aerospace tapped by India-based satcom provider Aniara to design and build two new generation, small, Ku-band geostationary satellites.
[SatNews – 07/16/2014]
Hughes Network Systems hiring more engineers to expand satellite services.
[Gazette.Net – 07/16/2014]
MCS TV and Newslux choose Eutelsat to drive TV channel expansion in Southeast Asia.
Market Watch – 07/16/2014]
middle east on line file photo
United Arab Emirates announces it will create a space agency with the aim of sending the first Arab unmanned probe to Mars by 2021.
[Middle East Online – 07/16/2014]
SpaceX has completed the long-awaited launch of Orbcomm’s first batch of second-generation satellites.
[Via Satellite – 07/15/2014]
Northrop Grumman breaks ground at site for its new government-focused satellite facility, the Maryland Space Assembly and Test building.
[Via Satellite – 07/15/2014]
Korean manufacturer KNS announces the launch of its C-Band 2.2m satellite antenna in two variations.
[The Digital Ship – 07/15/2014]
Milpeak announces the expansion of its satellite communication rental services to cover the needs of the mining and exploration industry.
[Digital Journal – 07/15/2014]
Arabsat signs lifetime use agreement with Asia Broadcast Satellite for a multi-Ku-band payload on ABS3A to be launched later this year or early next year.
[Via Satellite – 07/15/2014]
North American M2M satellite communications market projected to be worth $1.43 billion by 2019 in new report by MicroMarket Monitor.
[Digital Journal – 07/14/2014]
Loral is in the final chapter of its corporate life and is in the process of selling its last significant asset, Telesat.
[Seeking Alpha 07/14/2014]
Orbital Sciences launches Cygnus to ISS with 28 CubeSats for Planet Labs.
[Via Satellite – 07/14/2014]
A Falcon 9 rocket in a hangar. Photo: SpaceX – Space News
SpaceX confirms the Air Force has certified the Falcon 9 rocket as meeting the three-launch prerequisite for the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program.
[Via Satellite – 07/14/2014]
Raytheon prepares to deliver on the FAB-T contract shortly after winning the U.S. Air Force competition for the family of Beyond Line of Sight Terminals.
[Via Satellite – 07/14/2014]
EBU uses NovelSat’s modulators to broadcast three World Cup matches in Ultra-HD, including the final game between Germany and Argentina.
[Via Satellite – 07/14/2014]
Satcom Direct expands Savannah, GA, office to provide additional classrooms for training airline employees on aircraft cabin satellite communications.
[Via Satellite – 07/14/2014]
WBMSAT satellite communications consulting services
No Free Speech or Paids Ads in Russia
The remnants of totalitarian communism in Russia refuses to go away. Putin’s mafia-style government first tried to take down the satellite TV signal of Dozhd, one of the few remaining independent channels. The channel is available via Yamal 300K, Eutelsat 36B, Astra 4A, and Dish Network in the U.S. (via Anik F3).
Now the government wants to ban advertising on any channel beside FTA television, most of which is state-owned or controlled. Removing one of the main sources of revenue is their way of putting them out of business.
Dozens of small and independent Russian television stations could face closure after lawmakers approved a controversial bill banning advertising on cable and satellite channels.
The proposal would also consolidate state-controlled channels’ dominance of the advertisement market.
The surprise bill raced through Russia’s State Duma, the lower house of parliament, last week, sailing through its three compulsory readings in just two sessions.
Excluded from the ban are “national, compulsory, universally accessible” channels and those conveyed by terrestrial broadcasting — meaning all the state-controlled channels that currently dominate Russian television.
Advocates say the new law aims to end unfair competition on the television market, where pay channels supposedly benefit from mixed funding schemes — subscription fees and advertising — while free broadcast channels are limited to commercials.
But the heads of 15 pay channels, including Natalya Sindeyeva of opposition-leaning Dozhd TV, have written a letter to the government warning that the ban will sound the death knell for more than half of Russia’s cable and satellite channels.
“Excluding the advertising model could place about 150 thematic pay channels on the brink of survival,” the letter says. “Raising payments for television services may lead to understandable customer dissatisfaction.”
The signatories also warn that the new law will hurt small and medium-sized businesses currently advertising on pay channels since “only big-business representatives can afford advertising on federal channels.”
Read the letter in Russian here. Behold the quick translation into English…
From an article in the newspaper “Kommersant” from 26/06/14, we were surprised to learn that in the State Duma in an expedited manner planned to adopt a package of amendments to the “Law on Advertising.” Our keen interest aroused amendment prohibiting advertising on pay channels. We believe that consideration of this amendment, the State Duma of the Russian Federation should take into account the following circumstances:
1. Absolutely no obvious reason why television channels necessary in law to impose a particular model in the market. We believe that any TV channel can select or advertising model, or paid, or mixed. The choice of a model should be determined solely by market mechanisms rather than the provisions of the legislation. According to our information the absence of such legislative restrictions characteristic of the vast majority of countries around the world.
2. Most pay-TV channels now uses both models of monetization of their business – and advertising and paid. Exception advertising model will deliver about 150 paid thematic channels on the brink of survival. It is possible, the financial burden will be shifted to the subscribers. Services of the largest Russian operators used by tens of millions of Russian citizens. Increased pay for TV service can lead to understandable frustration consumers.
3. Please note that the central channels of essential federal campaigns can afford only representatives of big business. For medium and small business advertising on such channels is not available due to its high cost. But representatives of small and medium businesses can promote on the Russian market their products and services by means of pay-TV channels. They can appeal to the audience of thematic channels, which are most likely to consume their product or service at feasible prices for their business. Ban such advertising can lead to a significant delay in the development of small and medium-sized businesses in our country. We believe that this provision of the legislation is contrary to public policy to support small and medium-sized businesses.
Appeal with the proposal to postpone consideration of this amendment in the spring session of the State Duma. Propose to discuss the amendment with the business community, and nominate it for discussion by the State Duma in view of his opinions.
This is ridiculous, yet typical of Putin’s stupidity. Gutting the Russian economy is obviously not a consideration.
People will find want they want from other sources: the truth.
SpaceX Falcon-9 Feeds The Reefer
Congrats to ORBCOMM, providers of ReeferTrak and other fine services, on their launch this morning…
Thanks to SpaceX for bolting a rocketcam to the fuselage!