July 2015

Intelsat’s U.S. administrative headquarters (left), SpaceX headquarters (right). Photos: Intelsat and SpaceX [Via Satellite 07-29-2015] Intelsat has tempered down a disagreement with SpaceX over the deployment of two experimental satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). SpaceX is planning to launch a constellation of approximately 4,000 SmallSats for telecommunications services, and plans to use six to…

Photo: Shutterstock/Eutelsat [Via Satellite 07-29-2015] Eutelsat is becoming a partner of Starburst Accelerator, a startup accelerator established in 2013 to stimulate growth in the aerospace industry by closing the gap separating new ventures from established companies, public organizations and venture capital firms. As the first corporate partner with an operator profile to support Starburst Accelerator,…

Long March 3B/Yuanzheng-1 rocket carrying two new-generation satellites for the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS). Photo: Xhinua [Via Satellite 07-29-2015] On Saturday, July 25, China launched two satellites aboard a Long March 3B/Expedition 1 rocket for its indigenous Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), BeiDou. The launch occurred from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwestern…

The flag of Ghana. Photo: David Whillans (Flickr) [Via Satellite 07-29-2015] Airtel Ghana and Thuraya Telecommunications have partnered to provide 100 percent coverage for Ghanaians through a combination of terrestrial and mobile satellite connectivity. Thuraya’s satellite-based solutions will help bridge the digital divide both for individuals and businesses through an agreement with Airtel Ghana that…

Artist’s rendition of a Boeing 702SP satellite. Photo: Boeing [Via Satellite 07-29-2015] Frequency Electronics has delivered a GPS Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) multi-channel receiver/down converter to be installed on a hosted payload scheduled for launch later this year. The hosted payload is part of the Federal Aviation Administration‘s (FAA) GPS WAAS program, which augments…

Sergio Murillo, director general, Red 52. Photo: Red 52 [Via Satellite 07-28-2015] Red 52, a growing Mexico-based satellite communications company, anticipates Latin America will remain a hotbed for satcom demand in the years to come. The company has grown year over year for the past four years, with 2015 being one of the most successful…

Hersonissos, CretePhoto: Karol K [Via Satellite 07-28-2015] SpeedCast has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Sait Communications, a fast-growing maritime communications service provider in southern Europe. Sait Communications has been active in the maritime communications business for close to 10 years, and services about 2,500 ships, including many of Greece’s largest shipping companies. SpeedCast anticipates the acquisition…

Pohnpei Airport, Micronesia. Photo: Matt Kieffer [Via Satellite 07-28-2015] FSM Telecommunications Corporation (FSMTC) has reached a multi-year, multi-transponder agreement with Asia Broadcast Satellite (ABS) for C-band capacity on its ABS 6 satellite. The capacity agreement will provide Internet connectivity to support FSMTC’s growing business. FSMTC is a public corporation established by the Federated States of…

Executives from RSC Energia and RSCC. Photo: RSCC [Via Satellite 07-28-2015] Russian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC) and RSC Energia have signed an agreement to work together on developing advanced communications and broadcasting satellite systems. The agreement is expected to result in more efficient use of resources from both companies in order to design such systems.…

U.S. Marine Corps Pvt. David Phelan moves a satcom antenna as Sgt. Vincent Flores, both assigned to Alpha Company 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, checks for signal strength with secure data communication equipment while attempting to acquire a signal on a weather deck aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). Photo: U.S. Pacific Fleet [Via…