September 2014

A ThinKom Antenna specialized for aircraft. Photo: ThinKom [Via Satellite 09-17-2014] Inmarsat has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with ThinKom Solutions to evaluate market opportunities for Communications-on-the-Move (COTM) applications using its antenna and product solutions. The partnership will center on developing terminals for Inmarsat’s Global Xpress High Throughput Satellite (HTS) network. Inmarsat said COTM…

Artist rendition of the SES 12. Photo: SES [Via Satellite 09-16-2014] SES is preparing future satellites to include a greater focus on mobility, especially regarding In-Flight Connectivity (IFC). Two upcoming SES spacecraft, SES 9 under construction by Boeing, and the High Throughput Satellite (HTS) SES 12 by Airbus Defence and Space, will have features enabling…

ULA Atlas 5 NROL 67 Launch. Photo ULA [Via Satellite 09-16-2014] United Launch Alliance (ULA) has announced it has completed a study on domestically produced engines that could replace the Russian-built RD-180 for the Atlas 5. In June 2014 the joint Boeing-Lockheed Martin venture signed several contracts with U.S. companies to evaluate domestic alternatives following…

SGDC satellite. Photo: AEB [Via Satellite 09-16-2014] Telebras and the Brazilian Ministry of Defense have ordered a X- and Ka-band satellite from Thales Alenia Space. The Geostationary Satellite Defense and Strategic Communications (SGDC) spacecraft is planned to serve both military applications as well as provide telecommunications to rural parts of the country. Currently, Brazil relies…

Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner interior. Photo: Boeing [Via Satellite 09-16-2014] Spain-based airline Air Europa has selected Panasonic Avionics for In-Flight Entertainment and Connectivity (IFEC) services. Under the agreement, Panasonic will provide its eX3 and eXConnect IFEC solutions. Air Europa is the third largest airline in Spain, and will be using Panasonic’s Ku-band satellite service for its…

Eutelsat’s smartLNB demo at IBC. Linear television and connected TV services directly via satellite. Photo: Eutelsat [Via Satellite 09-16-2014] Eutelsat and Cisco have partnered for a demonstration of cloud-based video content provided over satellite. The demonstration at IBC 2014 showcased live IP streaming and Push Video On Demand (VOD) through a turnkey solution using Eutelsat’s…

Harris Falcon 3 radio. Photo: Harris Corporation [Via Satellite 09-16-2014] The United States Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) has awarded a $19 million Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract to Harris Corporation for as many as 1,500 Falcon 3 AN/PRC-152A wideband radios and accessories. The U.S. Department of Defense uses the AN/PRC-152A wideband tactical…

A BlackBerry Storm smartphone. Photo: Cheon Fong Liew (Flickr) [Via Satellite 09-15-2014] The world is on track to see mobile subscriptions outpace the human population in a short period of time, according Ericsson’s August 2014 interim update of the “Ericsson Mobility Report.” In Q2 2014, there were 80 million new mobile subscriptions, raising the number…

OG2 Spacecraft Attached to ESPA Ring. Photo: SNC [Via Satellite 09-15-2014] Orbcomm has confirmed that all six of the company’s second-generation satellites, OG2, have begun providing Machine-to-Machine (M2M) and Automatic Identification System (AIS) services. The satellites, which were launched on July 14 by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, are now processing more than 20 percent…

Gazprom Space Systems (GSS) and Onlime Execs sign agreement. Photo: GSS [Via Satellite 09-15-2014] Onlime has entered an agreement with Gazprom Space Systems (GSS) for capacity on the upcoming Yamal 402 satellite. GSS will provide Ku-band capacity, which will expand Onlime’s coverage across the continent. Onlime is currently bolstering its presence across Africa through the…