June 2015

An early lab test of freeing a solar panel for the DARPA Phoenix program. Photo: U.S. Naval Research Lab/DARPA [Via Satellite 06-02-2015] The United States Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has revamped its Phoenix satellite program for a geostationary satellite-servicing vehicle, changing the goals of the initial mission and future potential missions to better…

Aireon global space-based ADS-B diagram. Photo: Aireon [Via Satellite 06-01-2015] Iridium Communications has completed the first successful integration of the Aireon payload on an Iridium Next satellite. This is a key technical milestone toward the first launch of Iridium Next and the first demonstration of the Aireon air traffic surveillance capability. The forthcoming Aireon service…

A VSAT capable of leveraging the Inmarsat-Gilat partnership. Photo: Inmarsat [Via Satellite 06-02-2015] Inmarsat and Gilat Satellite Networks have partnered on a wholesale, fully managed high-speed satellite broadband service delivered through Inmarsat’s Global Xpress Ka-band network and Gilat’s SkyEdge 2-c platform. The service is available in select regions for fixed Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT)…

The AsiaSat 4 satellite’s C-band footprint. Photo: AsiaSat [Via Satellite 06-02-2015] AsiaSat is planning to deploy a dedicated Ultra-HD broadcast platform in the next few months, starting with a C-band transponder on the AsiaSat 4 satellite at 122 degrees east. The platform will be able to deliver two to five full time Ultra-HD channels, which…

Mobile devices drive greater demand for cruise line connectivity. Photo: MTN [Via Satellite 06-02-2015] MTN Communications has signed agreements for maritime communications services with six customers. Four of the customers — Crystal Cruises, Moana Cruises, Paul Gauguin Cruises and Phoenix Reisen — renewed agreements, and two — American Cruise Lines and Club Med Cruises —signed…

A StarTimes shop in Africa. Photo: StarTimes [Via Satellite 06-02-2015] China’s StarTimes has contracted additional capacity on SES’ SES 5 satellite at 5 degrees east to bolster Direct-to-Home (DTH) services in Africa. StarTimes currently provides English-language DTH content to viewers across the continent and has more than 5 million Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) and DTH…

Newtec Dialog Hubs. Photo: Newtec [Via Satellite 06-02-2015] Asia Broadcast Satellite (ABS) has purchased a Newtec 4IF dialog hub for one of its regional teleport facilities in Asia to launch next generation Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) and data services. The first installation is scheduled for completion in July 2015. The Newtech Dialog multiservice platform…

John Paffett, CEO of SST-US. Photo: SST-US [Via Satellite 06-01-2015] Surrey Satellite Technology-US (SST-US), the United States-based subsidiary of Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL), anticipates increasing its headcount around eightfold by 2020 as the company grows its presence in the U.S. small satellite sector. Roughly two years ago, the company moved to its current headquarters…

The BT Tower in London, United Kingdom. Photo: Simon & His Camera (Flickr) [Via Satellite 06-01-2015] BT Group has renewed and expanded services on three Intelsat satellites — Intelsat 10-02 located at 1 degree west, Intelsat 805 at 55.5 degrees west, and Intelsat 19 at 166 degrees east — to distribute programming for BBC World Service.…

Photo: ebayink (Flickr) [Via Satellite 06-01-2015] Thaicom, in partnership with a joint venture between Kantana Group and Intouch Holdings, is launching a second screen platform in Thailand, starting with the TV show Gossip Girl. Channel 3 Television Network, one of Thailand’s largest broadcasters, is licensed to transmit the U.S. show, which will begin airing in early…