February 2016

NREL work Aug. 25, 2015 on a Secure Distribution Grid Management (DGM) testbed for cyber security in power systems. Photo: Dennis Schroeder / NREL [Via Satellite 02-16-2016] ViaSat has successfully completed vulnerability assessment, penetration testing and secure network implementation for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Distribution Grid Management (DGM) system test bed, which is…

Photo: SoftBank [Via Satellite 02-16-2016] Japanese telco SoftBank intends to provide high-speed LTE services using Gilat’s satellite-based cellular backhaul technology following a successful field trial. This technology makes it possible for SoftBank to cost-effectively offer high-speed mobile communication services in remote areas where it is difficult to install fixed-line facilities and base stations. SoftBank expects…

A side view of the Electron rocket. Photo: Rocket Lab [Via Satellite 02-16-2016] Spire, a satellite company focused on providing weather and maritime data to public and private customers, has signed a launch services contract with Rocket Lab to fly payloads on up to 12 missions with the Electron vehicle. The missions are scheduled to…

Telesat’s Telstar 12 Vantage satellite before shipping to launch. Photo: Airbus Defence and Space. [Via Satellite 02-16-2016] Panasonic Avionics has booked nearly all the High Throughput Satellite (HTS) Ku-band capacity covering the Mediterranean, Europe and Middle East on Telstar 12 Vantage through a new a multi-year contract with Telesat. The capacity covers major aeronautical routes…

exactEarth’s exactView 9 satellite. Photo: Hisdesat [Via Satellite 02-12-2016] ExactEarth held its first standalone conference call as a public company after its spinout from Com Dev concluded. During the call, CEO Peter Mabson laid out plans to expand its Satellite Automatic Identification (AIS) System data services. As exactEarth steps out on its own, the company…

TracVision M9 on a tanker. Photo: KVH [Via Satellite 02-12-2016] KVH Industries has reached a new milestone, having recently shipped its 200,000th mobile satellite antenna. The antennas include KVH’s TracPhone line for broadband access at sea, and the company’s TracVision line of satellite television receive-only antenna systems. The two product lines provide connectivity and access to satellite television…

400W Low Ku-Band (12.75 – 13.25 GHz) SSPA/SSPB Second Generation GaN. Photo: Advantech Wireless [Via Satellite 02-12-2016] Advantech Wireless has released a new Solid State Power Amplifier/Power Block (SSPA/SSPB). The SapphireBlu SSPA/SSPB, based on second generation Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology, is designed to service satellites operating in the 12.75 to 13.25 GHz band. The small form…

[Via Satellite 02-12-2016] Gilat Satcom is now shipping its “Digital Classroom In A Box” product to Africa. The company developed Digital Classroom In A Box as the e-learning component for its “Smart Village” portfolio launched last year to provide Internet, Voice Over IP (VoIP) and Video over IP through an affordable private satellite network. Smart…

Bill Crandall, chief of advanced projects, NovaWurks. Photo: NovaWurks [Via Satellite 02-10-2016] NovaWurks, a provider of high technology space products and services, has named Bill Crandall as the company’s new chief of advanced projects. Previously a senior program manager at NovaWurks, Crandall will manage the company’s growing commercial division for space-based services and technologies. He will…

Photo: CPI Industries [Via Satellite 02-11-2016] Communications and Power Industries’ (CPI) recent acquisition of ASC Signal showed positively for the company during its first quarter 2016 earnings, shoring up revenue at a time when weakness in global markets slowed growth in other sectors. CPI purchased ASC Signal, a manufacturer of satellite Earth station, radar and High Frequency…