October 2014

The Aerovision Fulmar civilian UAV. Photo: Txema1/Wikipedia [Via Satellite 10-24-2014] Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are growing in popularity with a number of industries looking into the potential and benefits of using UAVs for their businesses. From train operators and energy companies, to farming and environmental organizations, the interest grows by the minute. As many UAV…

The KD-2 Mine in West Virginia as seen by SkySat 2. Photo: Skybox Imaging [Via Satellite 10-24-2014] Skybox Imaging, the satellite imagery company purchased by Google for nearly $500 million in cash, has initiated the Skybox for Good program where the company will provide current satellite imagery for projects dedicated to environmental sustainability, education and…

The 100th Merlin 1D engine. Photo: SpaceX [Via Satellite 10-24-2014] SpaceX has completed the 100th Merlin 1D engine used to power the Falcon 9 rocket less than two years since beginning production. SpaceX currently manufactures four engines per week; by the end of the year, that number is projected to reach five per week. The…

A digital representation of the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS). Photo: FAA [Via Satellite 10-24-2014] Raytheon has received a $131 million contract from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) Dual Frequency Operations (DFO) Segment 1. WAAS augments GPS data for use in providing more accurate navigation information for pilots,…

A satellite uplink station. Photo: Advantech Wireless [Via Satellite 10-24-2014] Advantech Wireless has boosted the rate of manufacture for its Gallium Nitride (GaN) product line after demand exceeded production capacity. Cristi Damian, VP of business development at Advantech Wireless, said the company was previously unable to keep pace with the requests for GaN Solid State…

The ATMS instrument. Photo: NASA [Via Satellite 10-24-2014] Northrop Grumman has received a $121 million award from NASA for the Joint Polar Satellite System 2 Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS). Under the sole source contract modification, Northrop Grumman will build the instrument using the same design employed on JPSS 1 and the Suomi National Polar-orbiting…

Model Electron rocket at the launcher’s unveiling. Photo: Rocket Lab. [Via Satellite 10-23-2014] Rocket Lab, manufacturer of the Electron small satellite launch vehicle, has set its sights on launching no less than once per week when commercial operations begin. The company grabbed headlines after announcing that it had already signed 30 customers for the as-of-yet…

Students of SOS Children’s Village Bangui run out of school at the end of classes. Photo: Sylvain Cherkaoui, SOS Children’s Villages [Via Satellite 10-23-2014] Thuraya Telecommunications is working with the Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) SOS Children’s Villages to bring satellite connectivity to the Central African Republic. The company donated public calling office units, SatSleeves and Thuraya…

Oil derricks. Photo: Jim Hickcox [Via Satellite 10-23-2014] Globecomm, in partnership with a top Iraqi telecommunications provider, has completed a 158-Mb VSAT network that will support oil and gas exploration. A European-based client will use the network to connect its main exploration site, which has more than 5,000 residents, along with other locations. The connectivity…

Trimble assets will see increased M2M coverage with Iridium. Photo: Lauren Manning (Flickr) [Via Satellite 10-23-2014] Iridium has signed an agreement to provide Machine-to-Machine (M2M) services to Trimble for its transportation and logistics business. The partnership helps Trimble expand coverage of assets beyond North America to include Europe and other parts of the world. Iridium’s…