October 2014

The Express AM6 satellite prior to launch. Photo: TsENKI [Via Satellite 10-28-2014] Russia Satellite Communications Company (RSCC) has confirmed the Express AM6 satellite is performing nominally despite launching into a lower orbit on Oct. 21 using a Proton rocket. Following the launch, which was reported as successful, evidence arose that the satellite was delivered into…

ESA and European Commission leaders signing their agreement on Copernicus. Photo: ESA [Via Satellite 10-28-2014] The European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Commission have established the budget for the Copernicus environmental monitoring program. The European Union’s seven-year Multiannual Financial Framework provides nearly $5.5 billion for Copernicus, of which approximately $4 billion will be allocated…

Artist’s rendition of Optus D3 satellite. Photo: Optus [Via Satellite 10-28-2014] Foxtel has entered a new five-year agreement with Australia-based Optus Satellite for capacity on the Optus D3 satellite. The company will broadcast nine new High Definition (HD) channels, accessible by customers with an IQ2 or MyStarHD Set Top Box (STB) service and an HD…

ASC 9.3 Meter Dual ReflectorEarth Station Antenna. Photo: ASC [Via Satellite 10-28-2014] PT Anta Mediakom of Indonesia has purchased a high performance 9.3-meter gateway for one of its customers from ASC Signal. The gateway will be used in a VSAT hub for C-band communications. ASC Signal is also providing the antenna system with the company’s…

Airborne LCTs are set for their first demonstration in 2015. Photo: Northrop Grumman [Via Satellite 10-27-2014] Northrop Grumman and industry partners Lockheed Martin and Telecommunications Systems (TCS) are awaiting U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) certification for Low Cost Terminals (LCTs) the companies began developing five years ago. The terminals are funded 50-50 between Northrop Grumman…

An SES uplink dish. Photo: SES [Via Satellite 10-27-2014] Qatari satellite company Es’hailSat has entered a partnership with SES subsidiary SES TechCom for assistance building a new teleport north of the capital city of Doha. Through the comprehensive consultancy service agreement, Es’hailSat will be able to leverage the technical experience of SES as it seeks…

A trawler in Raglan harbor. Photo: Andym5855 (Flickr) [Via Satellite 10-27-2014] Beijing Marine communication and Navigation Co. (MCN Beijing), Inmarsat’s largest distribution partner in China has created and is now offering a communications application called Fish Chat targeting the coastal fishing industry. Inmarsat has tested and certified the app, which works on the company’s Fleet…

Rome, Italy as seen in Harris Imagelinks. Photo: Harris Corp. [Via Satellite 10-27-201] The U.S. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency has awarded a potential $770 million in indefinite delivery/requirements contracts for up to five years to Harris Corporation to provide geospatial data services. Under Foundation GEOINT Content Management (FGCM) contracts, Harris will create high-quality data and products…

A satellite ground station. Photo: Wikipedia/Michael Lucan [Via Satellite 10-27-2014] MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates (MDA) is providing a ground station in China to expand the availability of Radarsat 2 data. EarthView Image subsidiary EarthSTAR has signed a contract worth more than $10 million with MDA for a multi-year extension of Radarsat 2 distribution rights. Launched…

[Via Satellite 10-27-2014] Comtech Xicom Technology, a subsidiary of Comtech Telecommunications, has received an award for $1.5 million to supply high-power millimeter-wave Traveling Wave Tube Amplifiers (TWTAs) from a U.S. government customer. The Comtech Xicom TWTA is a rugged outdoor amplifier and will be used in fixed and transportable satellite links for strategic military communications.…