General news on the satellite and space industry from around the web
DARPA Phoenix artist rendition. Image Credit: DARPA [Via Satellite 09-04-2014] The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA’s) Tactical Technology Office (TTO) has published a request for information (RFI) for robotic satellite servicing missions in or near Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO). Based on the RFI, DARPA is seeking to learn the technical characteristics of spacecraft buses…
Globalstar 9600 satellite phone. Image credit: Globalstar [Via Satellite 09-04-2014] Globalstar has introduced a new satellite-enabled data solution for satellite phones and smartphones. The Globalstar 9600 can connect up to eight users at a time beyond the reach of cellular networks. Starting at a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $149.99, Globalstar is targeting customers…
SpaceX AsiaSat 8 mission. Photo: SpaceX [Via Satellite 09-03-2014] SpaceX has filed a petition with the United States Patent and Trademark Office over private launch company Blue Origin’s patent for “Sea Landing of Space Launch Vehicles and Associated Systems.” SpaceX asserts in its petition that the technology patented by Blue Origin should be deemed “unpatentable,”…
Orange Business Services provides connectivity to BW Offshore’s land-based and offshore locations. Photo: BW Offshore [Via Satellite 09-03-2014] Orange Business Services was awarded a five-year $12 million contract from BW Offshore for an end-to-end satellite communications solution. The company will graft BW Offshore’s 14 vessels and two land-based locations into the Orange Multiprotocol Label Switching…
A Crossover middle school class. Photo: Crossover Academy [Via Satellite 09-03-2014] SkyVision Global Networks has extended its donation of satellite capacity to Ghana’s Crossover Academy for use in e-learning programs. Crossover relies on charitable donations from around the world to continue operating in the remote village of Tongor-Attokrokpo, Ghana. The school’s student body is comprised…
Fred.Olsen’s Boudicca cruise ship in port. Photo: Fred.Olsen [Via Satellite 09-03-2014] MTN Communications has increased both staff and office space at its Southampton, U.K. office to accommodate its expanding maritime business. The company has experienced a number of contract expansions, notably with Fred.Olsen Cruise Lines, Silversea Cruises, TUI Cruises and Technip. P&O Ferries, a new…
IRISmaps geospatial data. Photo: IRISmaps screenshot [Via Satellite 09-03-2014] OmniEarth has completed the purchase of IRISmaps in a stock-for-stock transaction. OmniEarth anticipates the acquisition will accelerate its growth in agriculture and energy: the top two markets the company is currently focusing on. IRISmaps portfolio of customized cloud-based geospatial solutions already includes asset and environmental monitoring…
An Entropic CSS chip. Photo: Entropic [Via Satellite 09-03-2014] StarTimes has implemented Entropic’s EN5288 Channel Stacking Switch (CSS) in the company’s new single-cable Low Noise Block (LN) down-converter and Multi-switch support for Digital Video Recorders (DVRs). The Entropic solution creates an end-to-end single-cable run satellite solution from StarTimes’ LNB and Multi-switch products to its set-top…
Mauricio Segovia. CEO of Axesat. Photo: Axesat [Via Satellite 09-02-2014] Latin American satellite solutions provider Axesat is looking into cellular backhaul as its next major vertical. With VSAT profits coming more often from the rise of Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) than from dramatic increases in site numbers, the company has spent a significant amount…
An installation on the Guyana Defence Force military base in the New River Triangle. Photo: Eutelsat [Via Satellite 09-02-2014] iNet Communications, the licensed telecoms provider for Global Technology in Guyana, has entered an agreement with Eutelsat for its IP Easy satellite broadband service. Under the agreement, Global Technology will offer broadband connectivity through iNet with…