News on key developments at SupremeSAT, and general news on the Space and Satellite industry from across the web
GeoMetWatch orbiter rendition. Photo: GeoMetWatch [Via Satellite 08-29-2014] Commercial weather company GeoMetWatch is reevaluating its original plan to orbit six geo-hyperspectral sounders as hosted payloads. Instead, the company hopes a new approach that includes separate satellites will help to bring the constellation online by 2020. “We are looking at some free-flyer opportunities which, for some of…
CONAE’s Tronador 2 launch vehicle. Photo: Wikipedia [Via Satellite 08-29-2014] The National Commission on Space Activities (CONAE), Argentina’s space agency, has completed the second experimental flight of the Tronador 2 launch vehicle. The rocket, VEX 1B, reached a height of 2,200 meters during the 27 second flight. CONAE launched the Tronador 2 rocket in Pipinas,…
Hiroshima following the August 2014 landslide. Photo: GetHiroshima.com (Flickr) [Via Satellite 08-29-2014] C-Com Satellite Systems reports its customer Japan Satellite Communications (JSC) has deployed iNetVu mobile antennas in response to landslides in Hiroshima, Japan. Heavy rain triggered the landslides, which have displaced more than 1,500 people and killed more than 70. “JSC has deployed over 350…
NASA’s lightweight cryotank, built by Boeing. Photo: NASA [Via Satellite 08-29-2014] NASA has completed an extensive set of tests on a new large 5.5-meter diameter composite cryogenic fuel tank. Built by Boeing, the lightweight tank is being evaluated for use on rockets. Engineers at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. simulated the physical…
Inmarsat HQPhoto: Inmarsat [Via Satellite 08-29-2014] Inmarsat has received a $9.1 million dollar Phase 2 quarterly payment from LightSquared within the 60 day contractual cure period. LightSquared’s July 2, 2014 notice of default was issued by Inmarsat following a missed payment. As of July 1, LightSquared owed a quarterly Phase 2 payment of approximately $4.1…
Netwec equipment for Bentley Walker. Photo: Newtec [Via Satellite 08-29-2014] VSAT service provider Bentley Walker has expanded its coverage to include Iraq. The company has installed a Newtec IP Broadband Hub at Avanti’s Makarios Teleport gateway, located in Cyprus, to begin providing service throughout the country. Last year Bentley Walker used thousands of Newtec terminals…
A Dish antenna. Photo: Dave L (Flickr) [Via Satellite 08-28-2014] Satellite pay-TV provider Dish Network has filed a petition to the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) against the proposed $45.2 billion merger of Comcast and Time Warner Cable, arguing that the combined cable company would irreparably hinder competition for video. The petition, which spans more…
Yamal 401 satellite during construction. Photo: ISS Reshetnev [Via Satellite 08-28-2014] Russian satellite manufacturer ISS-Reshetnev has completed building the Yamal 401 telecommunications satellite. Fabricated for Gazprom Space Systems, the satellite is slated to launch on a Proton rocket. Yamal 401 is the third satellite ISS-Reshetnev has built on its heavy-class Express-2000 bus. The 2976-kilogram spacecraft…
The Alcântara Launch Center (CLA) Receiving equipment. Photo: AEB [Via Satellite 08-28-2014] Brazil’s Institute of Aeronautics and Space (IAE) plans to conduct a sounding rocket test at the Alcântara Launch Center in São Luis, Maranhão on Aug. 29. Launch VS-30 V13, designated Operation Fox, is the first Brazilian space vehicle to use liquid propellant. Orbital…
KCA Deutag’s T-210Dreco 2000E Oil Rig in Oman. Photo: KCA Deutag [Via Satellite 08-28-2014] KCA Deutag has expanded its contract with Signalhorn for maintenance of its satellite and terrestrial network in Oman. Due to the requirements of KCA Deutag’s business, rigs must be constructed at a significant distance from terrestrial communications. Signalhorn’s previous contract was…