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Planes equipped with a 1090 MHz ADS-B transceiver can be tracked using Aireon’s space-based ADS-B. Photo: Aireon. [Via Satellite 09-23-2014] Aireon has announced it is including a free emergency aircraft-tracking feature in its upcoming space-based Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) constellation. The Aircraft Locating and Emergency Response Tracking (ALERT) system will become operational shortly after the…

An Atlas V launch vehicle carrying the NROL 67 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office. Photo: ULA [Via Satellite 09-23-2014] Alliant Techsystems (ATK) has offered the United States Air Force a solid rocket alternative to the Russian-built RD-180. The proposal would replace the RD-180 with a domestically produced engine for use in United Launch Alliance’s…

Novomoskovsk urban agglomeration as seen via satellite. Photo: Wikimedia Commons [Via Satellite 09-23-2014] The Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) is spearheading a new initiative to lift bans in place on satellite imagery with less than 1-meter resolution. In a meeting held with President Vladimir Putin, the agency presented a draft resolution that would allow for…

A Nok Air Boeing 737-800. Photo: Jakkrit Prasertwit/Wikimedia [Via Satellite 09-23-2014] Thailand-based Nok Air has conducted its first flight from Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport to Phuket, Thailand using Ku-band satellite connectivity to provide 3G-like speeds for passengers. The service, provided through partnerships with Thaicom and Global Eagle Entertainment, is now fully operational. The three…

MDA Radarsat 2. Photo: MDA [Via Satellite 09-23-2014] The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) has awarded MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates (MDA) with three projects to apply satellite data to national interests: tracking ships, geo-hazard monitoring, and logging and deforestation. Under the agreement, MDA is tasked with evaluating the application of radar and optical imagery to accelerate…

A Raysat Satcom On The Move (SOTM) Antenna. Photo: Gilat [Via Satellite 09-23-2014] Terabit Wave has ordered several Ku-band terminals from Gilat Satellite Networks for a Myanmar government agency. The purchases include a SkyEdge 2 hub and terminals with SatTrooper manpacks, Raysat Satcom-On-The-Move antennas, WaveStream Block UpConverters (BUCs) and the related modems. Terabit Wave’s government…

An LG IPS curved Ultra HD TV. Photo: Maurizio Pesce (Flickr) [Via Satellite 09-18-2014] United States pay-TV giant DirecTV is actively looking into supporting Ultra-HD content in 2014, Michael White, chairman, president and CEO told investors at Goldman Sachs Communacopia Conference. Despite being critical of the market potential of Ultra-HD in the past, he said…

Ben Olivier, new CEO of Thales Alenia Space U.K. Photo: Thales Alenia Space [Via Satellite 09-22-2014] Martin Gee, former CEO of Thales Alenia Space U.K., has stepped down from his executive position. Taking the helm is Ben Oliver, former director of Systems Engineering and Assessment Limited’s (SEA) space division. Olivier has held previous roles at…

Airbus A350XWB seats. Photo: Airbus [Via Satellite 09-22-2014] Honeywell Aerospace has announced a collaborative initiative with Thales to create a joint In-Flight Connectivity (IFC) service using Ka-band Global Xpress (GX) capacity. The companies plan to integrate Honeywell JetWave hardware into Thales cabin network solutions, starting with the Airbus A350XWB and expanding to other aircraft. Honeywell…

iSAT Africa’s central Earth station for Yamal 402. Photo: Gazprom Space Systems [Via Satellite 09-22-104] Wananchi Group subsidiary iSAT Africa has entered a contract with Gazprom Space Systems (GSS) for capacity on the Yamal 402 satellite. Under the agreement, iSAT Africa will use the satellite’s southern beam for services in the Democratic Republic of Congo…