News & Events

[Via Satellite 02-06-2015] Inmarsat has selected IDG Europe to provide L-TAC services to Sweden. L-TAC is a satcom system designed to meet military requirements on the Inmarsat I-4 satellite network. The service uses an antenna adaptor to work with existing tactical radios without needing additional training or certification. L-TAC is interoperable between Ultra-High Frequency (UHF)…

A Kymeta prototype radome. Photo: Kymeta [Via Satellite 02-05-2015] In preparation for the launch of its first EpicNG High Throughput Satellite (HTS) toward the end of this year, Intelsat has signed a significant partnership with Kymeta, designer of an electronically steerable flat satellite antenna. Kymeta will introduce Ku-band “mTenna” satellite antenna solutions tailored to EpicNG,…

Seatback in-flight entertainment via IFC. Photo: Global Eagle Entertainment [Via Satellite 02-05-2015] Global Eagle Entertainment (GEE) is jointly designing a new In-Flight Connectivity (IFC) antenna with Quantenelektronische Systeme GmbH (QEST). The new global antenna aims to provide airlines with a reliable, high-speed IFC solution that operates at all latitudes — including equatorial regions — where…

Artist rendition of the Anik F1R. Photo: Airbus Defence & Space [Via Satellite 02-05-2015] Telesat has signed an agreement with AMC Networks Broadcasting & Technology, a subsidiary of AMC Networks, the owner and operator of several cable brands. Under the deal, AMC Networks Broadcasting & Technology will use C-band capacity on Telesat’s Anik F1R satellite.…

Diagram of ADS-B satellite tracking coverage. Photo: Aireon [Via Satellite 02-05-2015] The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and Aireon have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to enhance aircraft tracking in the Singapore Flight Information Region (FIR). Through this collaboration, Aireon aims to work with CAAS to enhance surveillance coverage over the entire Singapore…

A man using SPOT satcom technology. Photo: Globalstar [Via Satellite 02-05-2015] Globalstar Europe Satellite Services has reached an agreement with Agiltech for the distribution and retail sales of Globalstar’s SPOT satellite communications portfolio of products across France. SPOT’s satellite-enabled tracking and positioning capabilities currently help organizations across Europe to monitor, track and support people and…

The U.S. Air Force’s AEHF 2 satellite. Photo: Patrick Air Force Base [Via Satellite 02-04-2015] In the recently released budget request for Fiscal Year 2016, the United States Department of Defense (DOD) asked for $177.5 billion, of which $7.1 billion would be allocated specifically to space-based systems. This is approximately $300 million less than what…

Artist’s rendering of a GEOStar 3 satellite. Photo: Orbital Sciences [Via Satellite 02-04-2015] Orbital Sciences will use Aerojet Rocketdyne’s XR-5 Hall thrusters on its newest satellite bus, the GEOStar 3, for an all-electric design. The contract provides electric propulsion systems for the next three years, capable of both orbit raising and station-keeping. Orbital Sciences introduced…

Estonia accedes to ESA Convention. Photo: ESA [Via Satellite 02-04-2015] Estonia, a member state of the European Union (EU) has taken a critical step toward membership in the European Space Agency (ESA). On Feb. 4, the country’s Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications — who leads foreign trade and entrepreneurship — Anne Sulling, along with…

Ted Tewksbury, interim president and CEO at Entropic. Photo: Entropic [Via Satellite 02-04-2015] MaxLinear has agreed to purchase semi-conductor solutions manufacturer Entropic, with unanimous approval from both boards of directors. MaxLinear placed the implied total transaction value at approximately $287 million and the implied enterprise value is $181 million — the net of Entropic’s cash…