General news on the satellite and space industry from around the web
A Pegasus rocket mated to the “Stargazer” L-1011 carrier aircraft. Photo: Orbital Sciences [Via Satellite 11-24-2014] Orbital Sciences has received a launch contract from NASA for the agency’s Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON) scientific satellite. Orbital will use the air-launched Pegasus rocket to deliver the satellite into Low Earth Orbit (LEO). ICON’s launch is slated for…
A Gilat SkyEdge 2-c Hub. Photo: Gilat [Via Satellite 11-24-2014] Gilat Satellite Networks has received orders for its SkyEdge 2-c terminals from Internet Service Providers (ISPs) RDN in Italy, Europasat in the United Kingdom, and Switzerland’s Swisscom. The ISPs plan to use the terminals to provide satellite broadband through SES’ Astra Connect Internet services for…
Combined coverage at 16/17 east. Photo: Eutelsat [Via Satellite 11-21-2014] In a highly important strategic move, Eutelsat and Spacecom have joined forces to better serve the African broadcast market. The two companies have agreed to establish a framework for cross-commercialization of Ku-band capacity connected to the high-power African service areas of Eutelsat’s Eutelsat 16A satellite…
JPSS 1 satellite. Photo: NASA [Via Satellite 11-21-2014] NASA has awarded Northrop Grumman a $121 million contract to build and deliver the third Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS) for NOAA’s Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS). ATMS provides critical atmospheric temperature and moisture profiles to support weather forecasting. The instrument has 22 channels spanning the frequency…
A O3b satellite prior to launch. Photo: O3b [Via Satellite 11-21-2014] O3b Networks and Hermes Datacomms have partnered to deliver advanced communications services to a major energy customer in Angola. O3b and Hermes will provide ultra low latency services to deployed bases and camps in Angola before extending network reach offshore. The end-to-end service will…
SmartSky 4G LTE Network rendering. Photo: Smartsky [Via Satellite 11-21-2014] Satcom Direct has been selected as the exclusive provider or SmartSky services for the business aviation community. SmartSky Networks is planning a 2016 rollout of its first airborne 4G LTE-based wireless network, SmartSky 4G. The service aims to provide real-time, business-grade connectivity with more than…
McQ OmniWatch Portable ISR Video Kit. Photo: McQ [Via Satellite 11-21-2014] McQ Inc., a remote surveillance, security and environmental monitoring solutions provider, has entered a partnership with Iridium Satellite Communications Network to develop applications for commercial and government customers. In addition to the partnership with Iridium, McQ has also partnered with Verizon Wireless on Machine-to-Machine…
[Via Satellite 11-21-2014] M/A-COM Technology Solutions (MACOM) and Canare Electric announced a collaborative solution that enables high-quality, long distance transmission for next-gen editing, routing and switching applications. MACOM’s 12G-SDI Chipset now supports transmission of 4k60p video using a single 12Gbps link over 80 meters of L-4.5CHD coaxial cable. “As SDI data rates evolve to 12Gbps…
Orbital’s Antares rocket for the Orb-3 mission prior to launch. Photo: NASA HQ [Via Satellite 11-20-2014] After a thorough review of Orbital Sciences’ go-forward plan following the Oct. 28 Antares rocket failure, ATK remains confident in continuing the merger of its aerospace and defense groups with Orbital. The launch mishap, for which Orbital’s Antares launch…
Ecuador’s legislative palace in Quito houses the country’s national assembly. [Via Satellite 11-20-2014] International Datacasting Company (IDC) has been selected by the Asamblea Nacional del Ecuador, Ecuador’s national assembly, to bolster a previous IDC audio network and deploy a new IDC video distribution service. IDC’s Ecuadorian partner Advicom Cia. Ltda will assist in project completion.…