June 2015

Planet Labs satellites deploying from the ISS. Photo: NanoRacks [Via Satellite 06-16-2015] Northern Sky Research (NSR) forecasts the launch of more than 2,500 sub-100-kg satellites during the next decade, according to the firm’s latest report, “Nano and Microsatellite Markets, 2nd Edition.” According to NSR research, activity in this segment will generate cumulative revenues that exceed $4.7…

The Es’hail 1 satellite. Photo: Arianespace [Via Satellite 06-16-2015] Qatari satellite company Es’hailSat has launched a new exclusive SD channel for Al Araby Television Network from the Es’hail 1 satellite. The new channel follows a January 2015 agreement where Al Araby Television Network chose to broadcast its HD channel on Es’hail 1. Located at the…

Offshore oil platform. [Via Satellite 06-16-2015] Harris CapRock Communications has introduced a service to improve remote maritime and oilrig connectivity for crewmembers with cellphones or smartphones. The expanded offshore GSM service provides crew members anywhere around the world with reliable mobile roaming as well as pay-as-you-go voice, text, email, and some smartphone data services. Global…

Artist’s rendition of Dream Chaser at Huntsville International Airport. Photo: Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County [Via Satellite 06-15-2015] Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) and a consortium of partners are evaluating the feasibility of landing the Dream Chaser spacecraft at Huntsville International Airport. The announcement, made at both the 2015 Paris Air Show and at a…

Digital rendering of a OneWeb SmallSat. Photo: OneWeb [Via Satellite 06-15-2015] OneWeb has selected Airbus Defence and Space to be its industrial partner for a constellation of 900 microsatellites to deliver global broadband. Each satellite will have a mass of less than 150 kilograms, with first launches into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) beginning in 2018.…

Artist’s rendition of the ABS 8 satellite. Photo: Boeing [Via Satellite 06-15-2015] Asia Broadcast Satellite (ABS) has awarded a contract to Boeing for a third all-electric 702 Small Platform (SP) satellite. The ABS 8 satellite is scheduled for delivery in 2017, and will be the highest power payload to date on a Boeing 702SP, sporting…

PhoneSat 2.5, a CubeSat built at NASA’s Ames Research Center. Constructed using commercially available smartphones, PhoneSat 2.5 measures about four inches on each side.Photo: NASA Ames [Via Satellite 06-15-2015] NASA’s Launch Services Program (LSP) has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for its recently created commercial Venture Class Launch Services (VCLS) for small satellites and…

KVH Network Operations Center. Photo: KVH [Via Satellite 06-15-2015] Inmarsat and KVH Industries have signed a reciprocal distribution agreement with immediate effect to become non-exclusive distributors of certain services. Under the agreement, KVH becomes a non-exclusive, global distributor of Inmarsat’s Fleet One and FleetBroadband services. Fleet One is a voice and data service configured for…

Artist’s rendition of the Anik F2 satellite. Photo: Telesat [Via Satellite 06-12-2015] Despite the downturn in the global energy market, demand for greater throughput is continuing to drive the need for remote connectivity. This trend influenced Canada’s Galaxy Broadband Communications, a satellite communications company focused on resource, government, and enterprise markets in North America, to…

Radomes like this one in Colorado are the primary link for systems like GPS OCX and the satellites they operate. Photo: Raytheon [Via Satellite 06-12-2015] Raytheon recently demonstrated the Global Positioning System’s Next Generation Operational Control System (GPS OCX) to the Department of Defense (DOD) and other stakeholders through a series of realistic operational demonstrations.…