December 2014

News on key developments at SupremeSAT, and general news on the Space and Satellite industry from across the web

NASA Programs Dawn Spacecraft to Begin Ceres Approach Phase – Satellite Today

This artist’s concept shows NASA’s Dawn spacecraft heading toward the dwarf planet Ceres. Photo: NASA/JPL-Caltech [Via Satellite 12-30-2014] Mission controllers at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) have beamed the programmed maneuvers for the Dawn spacecraft to begin its approach phase as it nears Ceres, the largest body in the asteroid belt. Dawn was recently behind…

China Deorbits FY 2C Weather Satellite – Satellite Today

China’s first generation of geostationary meteorological satellite named Feng Yun (FY-2). Photo: China’s National Satellite Meteorological Center [Via Satellite 12-30-2014] China’s first geostationary meteorological satellite, FY 2C, has been deorbited in compliance with national space debris mitigation standards and those of the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC), according to China’s state-run media agency Xinhua. The…

ILS Proton Delivers Six-Ton SES Satellite to GTO – Satellite Today

The ILS Proton mission that launched SES’ Astra 2G satellite. Photo: Roscosmos. [Via Satellite 12-29-2014] International Launch Services (ILS) lofted the Astra 2G satellite for SES on Dec. 27 using a Proton Breeze M booster. The rocket carried the six-ton satellite into Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO) after a mission lasting nine hours and 12 minutes.…

RigNet Acquires Kazakh Oilfield Communications Company – Satellite Today

Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. Photo: russavia/Wikipedia [Via Satellite 12-29-2014] RigNet has acquired 49 percent of the shares of the oilfield communications company Timas Munaicom in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The purchase enables RigNet to provide remote communications services in the country as well as a means to expand to nearby geographies. “RigNet now has the ability…

Himawari 8 Satellite Releases First Images – Satellite Today

Earth as seen from the Himawari 8 weather satellite. Photo: Japan Meteorological Agency [Via Satellite 12-29-2014] The Japan Meteorological Agency has released the first images from the Himawari 8 geostationary weather satellite, which launched Oct. 7, 2014 aboard an H2A rocket. Mitsubishi Electric built the satellite using the DS2000 platform. The Himawari 8 spacecraft is…

Russia Launches Resurs P2 Satellite Aboard Soyuz 2.1b – Satellite Today

The Resurs P2 Soyuz launch. Photo: Roscosmos [Via Satellite 12-29-2014] The Russian remote sensing spacecraft Resurs P2 launched aboard a Soyuz 2.1b rocket on Dec. 26 2014 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The Earth observation satellite is capable of panchromatic and hyperspectral imaging, and carries equipment for automatic ship identification. Built by TsSKB-Progress (Samara), the Soyuz…

Dan FreyerHS SupremeSAT

SupremeSAT appoints Mr Daniel Freyer As Vice-President, Business Development

Colombo – 29th December, 2014. SupremeSAT (PVT) ltd, today announced the appointment of Dan Freyer as VP – Business Development, to further strengthen its activities in North America. Dan has a successful track record of over 20 years of business development and marketing in the satellite industry, and with leading organisations including Intelsat, PanAmSat, Hughes…

Remote Connectivity Demand Boosts Optus Satellite Throughout 2014 – Satellite Today

Optus Satellite VP Paul Sheridan. Photo: Optus Satellite [Via Satellite 12-26-2014] Australia’s remote connectivity needs are fueling growth for domestic satellite operator Optus Satellite. The company’s latest satellite, Optus 10, began commercial service this month following a Sept. 11 Ariane 5 launch. Optus Satellite Vice President Paul Sheridan told Via Satellite that demand for telecommunications…