February 2015

Superyacht’s are typically the frontrunners of maritime connectivity. Photo: Wikipedia [Via Satellite 02-27-2015] Noting an uptick in expectation for faster bandwidth in the satellite communications market, NSSLGlobal recently ran a study that found nearly half of all superyacht crewmembers expect to receive the same connectivity speeds at sea as they do on land. With superyachts…

The Saphir Robotics Project. Photo: Thales Alenia Space [Via Satellite 02-27-2015] As part of the company’s “Tomorrow’s Factory” initiative, Thales Alenia Space is deploying the Saphir Robotics Project in clean rooms tentatively starting the second half of this year. The project, developed collaboratively with KUKA and AKEO+, creates a workstation with two robotic arms: one…

WorldView 3 image of Sao Paulo Brazil at 30 cm resolution. Photo: DigitalGlobe [Via Satellite 02-27-2015] DigitalGlobe signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) to collaborate on applications of Earth observation (EO) technologies for economic, social, and scientific benefits, with an emphasis on developing countries. Together…

Extreme racers from the 2014 Marathon Des Sables. Photo: Cimbaly/E. Sampers/MDS [Via Satellite 02-27-2015] The Marathon Des Sables (MDS) Organizing Committee has decided to use Spot Gen3 safety devices from Globalstar Europe Satellite Services for this year’s race, as well as the MDS 2016 and 2017. The multi-stage race takes places in the Sahara desert,…

Testing green propellant technologyPhoto: Aerojet Rocketdyne [Via Satellite 02-27-2015] The Department of Defense (DOD) Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program awarded Aerojet Rocketdyne a three-year contract for Research and Development (R&D) into green monopropellants and gas generators. The company has joined forces with the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center; the U.S.…

London, U.K., is considered one of the world’s emerging smart cities. Photo: James Offer (Flickr) [Via Satellite 02-26-2015] The “connected car” and “smart cities” are two potentially new and exciting markets the satellite industry could play in over the coming years, particularly the former as the potential for “always-on” connectivity could be a big draw for…

MDA offices. Photo: MDA [Via Satellite 02-26-2015] MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates (MDA) has signed a contract valued at more than $23 million with Aselsan Electronic Industries to provide Ku-band payload equipment for a communications satellite subsystem. This award is in addition to the existing contract announced in April 2014 for the provision of a X-band…

Solar Impulse aircraft in flight. Photo: Solar Impulse [Via Satellite 02-26-2015] Intelsat and ITC Global will provide ground-to-ground satellite communication services to Solar Impulse, a completely fuel-free aircraft, during its first round-the-world solar flight. Intelsat and ITC Global will enable the ground crew and support teams to communicate from anywhere to anyone in the world.…

Canadian Armed Forces Lockheed CP-140 Aurora. Photo: Arturus via Wikimedia [Via Satellite 02-26-2015] The Canadian Department of National Defense is upgrading its Lockheed CP-140 Aurora aircraft with advanced airborne satellite communication systems from ViaSat in cooperation with L-3 Electronic System Services (ESS). The collaboration on the Quick Reaction Capability (QRC) program between the three parties,…

Optus Thuraya SatSleeve on iPhone; communications coverage chart. Photo: Thuraya [Via Satellite 02-26-2015] The Optus Thuraya SatSleeve, which transforms a smartphone into a satellite phone, is now available for iPhone 6. The SatSleeve attaches to the back of a compatible device and is activated through the SatSleeve app. It enables iPhone and Samsung Galaxy users…