News & Events

A Falcon 9 leaving the hangar. Photo: SpaceX [Via Satellite 09-11-2014] Japan-based Sky Perfect JSAT has selected SpaceX to launch the in-orbit backup satellite JCSAT 16. The launch is scheduled for the first half of 2016. Sky Perfect JSAT is also launching JCSAT 14 with SpaceX in 2015. The company chose SSL to build both…

Lt. Gen. Neller visits SP-MAGTF Africa. Photo: Cpl. Shawn Valosin, U.S. Marine Corps [Via Satellite 09-11-2014] The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) has exercised the first option year period in its contract with TeleCommunication Systems (TCS). Issued under the joint DISA/General Services Administration (GSA) Future Commercial Satcom Acquisition Program, the agency awarded $13.7 million for…

RRSat’s (RRmedia’s) Hawley Teleport. Photo: RRSat [Via Satellite 09-11-2014] Hispasat is expanding its capacity and offerings with new connection points and coverage over its orbital position at 30 degrees west. The operator is increasing the number of shared digital platforms available on its fleet, which enable individual audiovisual channels to broadcast within digital multiplexes, sharing…

[Via Satellite 09-11-2014] Spacecom has signed a long-term agreement with Ukraine’s 1+1 Media for the broadcast of its channels on the Amos 6 satellite. From the 4 degrees west orbital position, Spacecom’s satellite will provide satellite broadcast services for 1+1 Media’s entire network over its Ku-band pan-European transponders. After its scheduled launch in 2015, Amos…

OSS coverage illustration. Photo: Laser Light [Via Satellite 09-11-2014] Laser Light Communications, a company dedicated to creating the first Optical Satellite System (OSS), has selected Ball Aerospace as its prime contractor. Ball Aerospace is responsible for a first phase design analysis, preceding an initial eight-satellite Medium Earth Orbiting (MEO) constellation. According to Laser Light, at…

SuperFlex Pro Cinema Cache Server. Photo: IDC [Via Satellite 09-11-2014] International Datacasting Corporation (IDC) has shipped a new deployment of the SuperFlex Pro Cinema Cache Servers and the SuperFlex Pro Cinema Event Players to Chile-based CineColorSat. The SuperFlex Pro Cinema Cache Server enables the satellite delivery of movies, while the SuperFlex Pro Cinema Event Player supports…

DVB-S2X Software Upgradeable equipment. Photo: Newtec [Via Satellite 09-11-2014] Newtec has created a full portfolio of Digital Video Broadcasting–Satellite Second Generation X (DVB-S2X) based modulators, modems, demodulators, hubs and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) boards. Through a software upgrade, existing products can now be DVB-S2X enabled. According to Newtec, professional applications can see spectral efficiency gains of…

Photo: Emerging Markets Communications (EMC) [Via Satellite 09-10-2014] Emerging Market Communications (EMC) is seeing strong growth in Brazil, as the company looks to boost its presence in Latin America while riding the momentum of recent contract wins and a notable regional acquisition. Jesus Barber, EMC’s VP of maritime and mobility told Via Satellite that the…

From right to left: David Thompson, chairman and CEO, Orbital; Masood M. Sharif Mahmood, CEO, Yahsat; Stéphane Israël chairman and CEO, Arianespace. Photo: Yahsat [Via Satellite 09-10-2014] United Arab Emirates (UAE) based satellite operator Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat), has selected Orbital Sciences to build its next satellite, Al Yah 3. Slated for launch…

An artist’s rendering showing two Boeing 502 Phoenix satellites in orbit. The inaugural customer for the 502 Phoenix is HySpecIQ of Washington D.C., which ordered a complete hyperspectral imaging system in Sept. 2014. The small satellites measure 1.25m wide x 1.25m deep x 1m tall. Photo: Boeing [Via Satellite 09-10-2014] Boeing has received a contract…