News & Events

SpaceX Falcon 9 launch of TurkmenÄlem52E/Monacosat. Photo: SpaceX [Via Satellite 04-28-2015] SpaceX successfully launched the TurkmenÄlem52E/MonacoSat satellite to Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO) on April 27 aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. The Thales Alenia Space-built satellite reached GTO in approximately 32 minutes, where orbit raising will bring the satellite to its final orbital location at 52…

The JPSS 1 satellite. Photo: Ball Aerospace [Via Satellite 04-28-2015] Ball Aerospace has integrated four out of five instruments for the Joint Polar Satellite System 1 (JPSS), under contract from NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. The company has integrated the Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CrlS), Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS), Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite-Nadir…

Akasaka, Tokyo, Japan. Photo: Shinya Ichinoche (Flickr) [Via Satellite 04-28-2015] Sky Perfect JSAT Corporation has identified Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo as the location for WakuWaku Japan, the company’s recently announced subsidiary, which is scheduled for establishment on May 1. WakuWaku Japan is tasked with delivering Japanese content to overseas audiences, and is 100-percent owned by Sky…

[Via Satellite 04-27-2015] The satellite industry is laden with talent, and in the May 2015 issue of Via Satellite Magazine, we spoke to leaders from all verticals who have made the industry an even more impressive field. Via Satellite’s Excellence Awards covers the industry from big satellites to small, and from newcomers to seasoned veterans.…

Kosmotras’ Yasny launch site, adjusting the pH in silos for a previous mission. Photo: Kosmotras [Via Satellite 04-27-2015] Iridium announced the production of the qualification dispenser for the company’s initial Iridium Next launch with ISC Kosmotras is complete. Qualification testing is on-track for completion in June 2015. Dispenser qualification includes static load testing, shock testing,…

Arianespace’s VA222 dual launch mission. Photo: Arianespace [Via Satellite 04-27-2015] Arianespace and Airbus Safran Launchers successfully launched the Thor 7 satellite for Telenor Satellite Broadcasting and the Sicral 2 joint French-Italian military satellite on April 26 aboard an Ariane 5 rocket. The mission was the 222nd for the Ariane-series, and the first for Airbus Safran…

Pico Digital Headquarters. Photo: Pico Digital [Via Satellite 04-27-2015] Pico Digital has entered an agreement to acquire the broadcast products business of International Datacasting (IDC). The acquisition includes IDC’s product portfolio, customers, and supplier relationships. Most of IDC’s employees are expected to join Pico Digital once the acquisition closes, which is anticipated in June 2015,…

Artist’s rendition of the MERLIN satellite. Photo: Airbus Defence and Space [Via Satellite 04-27-2015] Airbus Defence and Space has been awarded a contract to build a joint Earth observation satellite for the French space agency (CNES) and the German space agency (DLR) for the study of methane concentrations in Earth’s atmosphere. The Methane Remote Sensing…

Magellan Engineers at work in the Advanced Satellite Integration Facility (ASIF). Photo: Magellan Aerospace. [Via Satellite 04-24-2015] Canadian aerospace company Magellan Aerospace recently unveiled its new Advanced Satellite Integration Facility (ASIF) in partnership with the University of Manitoba that the company believes will foster a productive relationship between academia and industry. The Winnipeg-based 6,000-square-foot facility…

A 9.4-meter Earth station from ASC Signal. Photo: ASC Signal [Via Satellite 04-24-2015] Globecomm has signed a contract with ASC Signal for a new Earth station at the company’s Laurel, Md. location, along with a Next Generation Controller (NGC) upgrade for a 5.6-meter antenna. The Earth station will feature a new NGC-equipped, 9.4 meter, Ku-band…