March 2015

O3b’s MEO satellite network, artist rendering. Photo: 03b Networks [Via Satellite 03-12-2015] O3b Networks has selected AvL Technologies to design and build the transportable terminal antenna system for use with O3b’s Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellite network. The program calls for AvL to develop and manufacture the hardware and software for a family of earth…

Inauguration of the Thales Alenia Space/Omnisys Centro Tecnológico Espacial in São José dos Campos, Brazil. Photo: Thales Alenia Space [Via Satellite 03-12-2015] Thales Alenia Space and Omnisys have inaugurated their joint Space Technology Center in the Sao Jose dos Campos technology park in Brazil. Initially, the new center will develop technology partnerships with local Brazilian…

Eron Miller, Chief, Satcom Division, Infrastructure Directorate,DISA. Photo: DISA [Via Satellite 03-11-2015] The United States Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) performs the critical work of establishing and managing commercial satellite communications (comsatcom) contracts for the Department of Defense (DOD). With an eye to the future, the agency is already planning what comes next after the…

Artist impression of SKA1 MID in South Africa. Photo: SKA [Via Satellite 03-11-2015] Yahsat’s satellite broadband division YahClick received a contract to provide connectivity for the Square Kilometer Array (SKA) in South Africa. SKA is a massive project to build the world’s largest radio telescope, with a large swath of it being built across South…

Honeywell will provide terminal hardware to enable connectivity for government users, such as Boeing’s Air Force One aircraft, pictured here. Photo: Boeing. [Via Satellite 03-10-2015] Inmarsat Government has announced a new agreement to make Honeywell the service provider to the U.S. government aeronautical market for the Global Xpress constellation network. Under the new agreement, Honeywell…

Photo: Global Eagle Entertainment [Via Satellite 03-11-2015] Global Eagle Entertainment (GEE) and Air China have successfully completed the first in-flight newscast using Ku-band connectivity. During the live television test flight, the Xinhua News Agency broadcast between the National People Congress/Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conferences (NPC/CPPCC) and Air China’s In-Flight Connectivity (IFC)-equipped Boeing 777. The satellite…

Perth, Australia. Photo: Satcom Global [Via Satellite 03-11-2015] Following the opening of its Russian office in 2014, Satcom Global continues its international expansion with the opening of new sites around the world. On March 10 the company announced a Perth, Australia office to improve service to customers in the western region of the country. Prior to…

Parrot UAV system. Photo: Inmarsat [Via Satellite 03-11-2015] Inmarsat’s Parrot Bebop Drone, which weighs in at just 14 ounces, has been certified for use over the Inmarsat network. The certification comes following six-months of collaboration with wireless technology provider Parrot and is part of Inmarsat’s ongoing open technology strategy announced in January. The Parrot Bebop…

Sunset with Crown Princess and Carnival Liberty at the pier in Grand Turk, Lesser Antilles. Photo: Robert Pratt, Flickr [Via Satellite 03-11-2015] Based on findings from tracking on customer performance on its hybrid broadband network, new Internet billing method and Internet café solution, MTN Communications found the average Megabyte (Mb) consumption rate of cruise ship operators increased by more…

Iridium Next satellites. Photo: Iridium [Via Satellite 03-11-2015] Iridium has selected Thales to join a group of competitively chosen companies to build terminals for its future broadband service Iridium Certus. Thales will create, build and sell products for broadband via Iridium Next satellites, which begin launching in October. Iridium previously indicated plans to announce at…