Satellite News articles from July 2007

Satellite News archives from July 2007

Sirius-XM Merger Debate Reheats As FCC Calls For Public Comment.
July 2, 2007... The rhetoric supporting the proposed merger of Sirius Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio has been heating up during the first full week of summer, just as regulators invited public comment about whether a decade-old prohibition against...

EMS Technologies To Acquire DSpace.
July 2, 2007... In a move both to bolster its aeronautical broadband offerings and facilitate its entry to the land mobile and maritime markets, Norcross, Ga.- based EMS Technologies Inc. has signed a definitive agreement to acquire DSpace, of Adelaide,...

ADS-B Teams Await August FAA Decision On $15 Billion Contract.
July 2, 2007... The key to reducing delays and increasing safety in the aviation industry lies in the quick adoption of a satellite-based air traffic control system, according to aviation experts. A major step toward this goal should take place before the...

Satellite-Delivered Digital Cinema Signals Transformation In Film Industry.
July 2, 2007... With Microspace Communications Corp.'s digital cinema premiere of "Transformers" in Los Angeles June 27, the Raleigh, N.C.-based provider of broadcast video, data and audio satellite services may have found a metaphor for the future of the...

Thales Alenia Space To Build Indonesian Satellite.(for Indonesian Satellite Corporation Tbk P.T.)(Brief article)
July 2, 2007... PT Indosat Tbk awarded a contract to Thales Alenia Space to build and launch the Palapa-D communications satellite, Thales announced June 29. Palapa-D, scheduled to be placed in orbit in 2009, will replace Palapa-C2 at 113* West and...

Gateway Broadcast Services Leases Capacity On Eutelsat W3A.
July 2, 2007... Eutelsat Communications finalized a five-year deal with Gateway Broadcast Services for capacity on the W3A satellite, Eutelsat announced June 29. Gateway Broadcast will use the Ku-band capacity on W3A's African beam to launch a pay-TV...

Powerstar International To Acquire Skyboard Corp. For Digital Signage.(Brief article)
July 2, 2007... Powerstar International, a wireless and digital signage solutions provider via wireless, satellite and terrestrial platforms, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Skyboard Corp. of Calgary, Alberta, Powerstar announced June 28....

Rockwell Collins To Provide GPS Receivers For Army Program.
July 2, 2007... The U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Life Cycle Management Command awarded a contract to Rockwell Collins to supply GPS receivers for the Ground- Based GPS Receiver Application Module program, the company announced June 28. The...

Russia Orbits Military Satellite.
July 2, 2007... Russia placed a military satellite into orbit aboard a Zenit-M rocket, Russia's space agency announced June 29. The mission from Baikonur Cosmodrome had been delayed from December for technical reasons. [Copyright 2006 Access...

FCC Seeks Comments On Rule Preventing Sirius-XM Merger.
July 2, 2007... The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is seeking public comments on the 1997 rule that would bar the merger of Sirius Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio. The FCC issued a notice of proposed rulemaking June 27 that seeks...

STMicroelectronics Chipset To Be Used In Sirius TV Offering.
July 2, 2007... STMicroelectronics , which has provided radio receiver chipsets for Sirius Satellite Radio since 2004, will provide the digital broadcasting chipset for Sirius Backseat TV, STMicroelectronics announced June 28. The core of the video...

Second Bigelow Experimental Spacecraft Launched.(Genesis 2 of Bigelow Aerospace Co.)(Brief article)
July 2, 2007... Genesis 2, the second experimental pathfinder spacecraft for Bigelow Aerospace, was placed into orbit June 28 by a Russian Dnepr rocket, the company announced. Genesis 2 is designed to test systems intended for use in manned commercial...

Satellite Systems Launches Satellite Communications Subsidiary.
July 2, 2007... Satellite Systems Corp. has established a subsidiary, Dominion Test Instruments, to enhance satellite communications offerings, the company announced June 26. Satellite Systems has been manufacturing satellite beacon tracking receivers for...

NASA Awards Contract For Orion Pad Escape System.(National Aeronautics and Space Administration)(Reynolds, Smith and Hills Inc.)(Brief article)
July 2, 2007... Reynolds, Smith and Hills Inc. received a contract from NASA to design the escape system for the agency's next generation space exploration vehicle, the company announced June 27. In the event of an emergency on the pad, the Emergency...

ESA Signs Development Contract For Future Launch Vehicles.(European Space Agency)(NGL Prime S.p.A.)(Brief article)
July 2, 2007... The European Space Agency (ESA) signed a pair of contracts with Italy's NGL Prime S.p.A. to develop concepts for future launch vehicles as well as develop a reusable test vehicle under ESA's Future Launchers Preparatory Program, ESA...

MicroSat Systems To Help Design Platform For Mars Gravity Biosatellite Program.
July 2, 2007... MicroSat Systems Inc. of Littleton, Colo., is participating with a student team to develop and fabricate the platform for a prototype biosatellite, the company announced June 27. The Mars Gravity Biosatellite Program is a collaboration...

MSV Appoints VP For Next-Gen Services.
July 2, 2007... Mobile Satellite Ventures LP (MSV) appointed Ines LeBow vice president for next-generation services programs, the company announced June 28. LeBow previously served as senior vice president of engineering and operations for Xspedius...

CommScope To Acquire Andrew In $2.6 Billion Deal.
July 2, 2007... After being rebuffed nearly a year ago, CommScope Inc. has signed an agreement to acquire Andrew Corp., including Andrew's satellite communications group, the companies announced June 27. "We believe that the combination of Andrew and...

AsiaSat, Indiasign To Launch Platform On AsiaSat 2.
July 2, 2007... Asia Satellite Telecommunications Co. Ltd. (AsiaSat) and Indian broadcast services provider and systems integrator Indiasign Pvt. Ltd. signed an agreement to jointly launch a C-band platform on AsiaSat 2, the companies announced June 27. ...

Global Energy, RAMTelecom To Provide Wireless Broadband For Remote Oil And Gas Sites.
July 2, 2007... Global Energy Services Ltd. will provide a communications network for an unidentified North American oil and gas exploration and production company, with RAMTelecom Inc. the exclusive provider of satellite services to the network serving...

MDA Delivers Robotic Arm For Space Station.
July 2, 2007... MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA) delivered Dextre, a robotic arm for the International Space Station, to NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the company announced June 27. The arm was developed under a contract from the Canadian...

GenCorp Rebounds To Post 2007 Second Quarter Profit.(Financial report)
July 2, 2007... GenCorp Inc.'s aerospace and defense segment reported revenues of $190.7 million in the second quarter, up from revenues of $165.5 million in the same period a year ago, GenCorp announced June 27. The segment reported operating profits of...

Gilat To Supply SkyEdge Network For Russian Telecom.
July 2, 2007... Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. will provide a SkyEdge broadband satellite network to Russian telecom operator Sibirtelecom, Gilat announced June 26. The network will consist of more than 1,200 VSATs and will be used to bring telephony and...

SatCom Wins U.S. Government Contract.
July 2, 2007... SatCom Group Holdings received a contract to supply satellite airtime to the U.S. Navy, SatCom announced June 26. The first year's share of a five-year deal is valued at about $10 million. [Copyright 2006 Access Intelligence, LLC. All...

Lockheed Martin Team Completes Space Radar Review.
July 2, 2007... The Lockheed Martin Space Radar team completed an integrated baseline review with the U.S. Air Force, Lockheed Martin announced June 27. The system is being developed to provide global intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance for the...

NASA Sets Up Einstein Probe Office.(National Aeronautics and Space Administration)(Brief article)
July 2, 2007... NASA created an office to facilitate the agency's work in medium-class science missions designed to investigate phenomena such as dark energy, black holes and cosmic microwave background radiation, NASA announced June 26. The Einstein...

Ion Media Networks Extends Deal With SES Americom.(Brief article)
July 2, 2007... Ion Media Networks, the largest TV station group in the United States, extended its distribution agreement with SES Americom, the satellite operator announced June 26. Ion has distributed programming via AMC-1 since 1998, and the...

NSR Report Expects MSS Market To Reach $7.1 Billion By 2012.
July 2, 2007... NSR estimates the global Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) market will grow from 1.8 million in-service units in 2005 to more than 6.7 million units by the end of 2012, the company announced. The reach and coverage of MSS has broadened and...

Comtech Receives Equipment Order For Southeast Asia.
July 2, 2007... Comtech EF Data Corp. received a $1 million order to supply satellite communications equipment to an unnamed cellular service provider in Southeast Asia, the company announced June 26. The equipment will support the expansion of cellular...

UDcast Expands DVB-H Mobile TV Technology Markets.
July 2, 2007... UDcast signed a cooperative agreement with Zentek to provide the Japanese and Far East Asia markets with the international mobile TV standard, DVB-H, UDcast announced June 26. Under the terms of the non-exclusive agreement, Zentek, which...

Estonia, ESA Sign Cooperation Agreement.(European Space Agency)(Brief article)
July 2, 2007... The European Space Agency (ESA) and the government of Estonia signed a cooperative agreement, the first signed by a group of countries that recently joined the European Union, ESA announced June 26. Estonia intends to become a European...

Spacehab Subsidiary Wins $35 Million NASA Contract.(Astrotech Space Operations L.P.)(National Aeronautics and Space Administration)(Brief article)
July 2, 2007... Astrotech Space Operations, a subsidiary of Spacehab, received a contract from NASA to provide payload-processing services for expendable launch vehicles, Spacehab announced June 25. The contract, valued at up to $35 million, covers...

Lockheed Martin-Northrop Grumman TSAT Team Demonstrates Laser Communications Subsystem.
July 2, 2007... Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman have validated the laser communications technology developed for the U.S. Air Force's Transformational Satellite Communications (TSAT) program, the companies announced June 25. The Lockheed...

E'Prime Aerospace Corp. Names Board Executives.
July 2, 2007... E'Prime Aerospace Corp. added two members to its executive board, the company announced June 26. June Nichols, deputy director of the U.S. Small Business Administration during the Reagan and Bush administrations, will serve as...

Arianespace Orders 35 Launchers From Astrium.
July 2, 2007... Arianespace has ordered 35 Ariane 5 launchers in a follow-on agreement with Astrium, Arianespace announced June 23. The production order extends beyond a 2004 purchase order for 30 Ariane 5 launchers, and allows the procurement of long...

ICO North America Completes Thermal Vacuum Test.
July 2, 2007... ICO North America Inc. completed the thermal vacuum test milestone for its 2 gigahertz (GHz) mobile satellite service (MSS) communications satellite, ICO announced June 22. The test, which is designed to verify performance of the...

Starsys To Develop Deployable Boom For Air Force.
July 2, 2007... Starsys Inc. received a subcontract from the Air Force Research Laboratory Space Vehicles Directorate to continue development of deployable boom structures for satellites, SpaceDev announced June 21. The $750,000, 24-month contract calls...

Tandberg Television Names President Of Operations In Americas.(Al Nunez)(Brief article)
July 2, 2007... Tandberg Television, part of the Ericsson Group, appointed Al Nunez president of operations in the Americas, Tandberg announced June 25. Nunez previously served as Tandberg's senior vice president of sales. Before coming to the company,...

TCS Names Vice President For SwiftLink Division.
July 2, 2007... TeleCommunication Systems Inc. (TCS) named Barry Dowdy vice president of its SwiftLink Deployable Communications Systems division, TCS announced June 25. Dowdy will be responsible for TCS' deployable communications business unit,...

CommScope To Acquire Andrew In $2.6 Billion Deal.
July 9, 2007... With news last week that CommScope Inc. had signed an agreement to acquire Andrew Corp. after having been rebuffed for a previous bid nearly a year ago, one element that reportedly has not changed is the intent to sell off Andrew's satellite...

Analysts: Sea Launch Clients Waiting For Return To Flight.
July 9, 2007... If Sea Launch suffered like a wallflower through last month's Paris Air Show while fellow launch providers Arianespace and International Launch Services (ILS) took turns announcing contractual pas de deux with various customers, industry...

Romtelecom Looks To DTH To Shore Up Falling Revenues.(Dolce direct-to-home)
July 9, 2007... Romtelecom, a telecommunications provider in Romania, is looking to have a strong impact in the nascent satellite pay-TV market there, and could offer a template for other telcos in the region to exploit the TV space. Romtelecom launched...

Heavy Competition.(Romtelecom's direct to home)
July 9, 2007... While IPTV may be on the mid-term agenda for Romtelecom, the company's initial focus is on making its DTH platform a success. Romtelecom competes against a number of other DTH platforms in Romania, but Romtelecom potentially has a...

Premiere Prepares To Launch New DTH Initiative.
July 9, 2007... All systems are go for German pay-TV operator Premiere and its new Premiere Star subsidiary as the companies plan the September launch of the latter's eponymous direct-to-home (DTH) offering. Premiere announced July 3 that it had struck a...

Diverse Strategy.(Premiere Cable and T-Online)
July 9, 2007... Premiere's strategy is one of the more interesting approaches of any pay- TV operator in the major European markets. Already the main DTH provider in Germany, Premiere has teamed with T-Online to have a strong Internet Protocol TV (IPTV)...

Subscriber Targets.(Premiere Cable Communications direct to home television services)(Brief article)
July 9, 2007... While Premiere hopes to add 200,000 subscribers per year for Premiere Star, Winter believed it too soon to speculate about the financial performance of the DTH offering. "It is too early to talk about profit and precise figures... (but)...

Short Transmissions.
July 9, 2007... Irdeto Acquires IDWay Irdeto, a provider of conditional access services to direct-to-home operators, has acquired IDWay, Irdeto announced July 6. The companies began working together in 2006, and the acquisition of IDWay, which...

Spurned Satellite Radio Bidder Throws Hat Back In Ring.
July 16, 2007... A would-be player in the proposed merger of Sirius Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio is making a new pitch for an old plan, even though he has little confidence the plan will or should work. In 1997, Primosphere Limited Partnership...

Inmarsat Hopes Governments Take Note of Brazil Project.
July 16, 2007... Inmarsat has forged a partnership to bring satellite-based communications solutions to 1,000 islands off the coast of Brazil, hoping to showcase the impact its Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) technology can have on remote communities....

MultiChoice CEO Assesses Gateway Impact in Africa.
July 16, 2007... Competition for the direct-to-home (DTH) market in Africa is warming up with MultiChoice Africa's pre-eminence in the region likely to come under threat from Gateway Broadcast Services as the latter looks to tap into the demand for...

TMF: MSS Manufacturers' Revenues To Double By 2012.
July 16, 2007... Revenues among mobile satellite services (MSS) manufacturers will increase by slightly more than 50 percent by 2012, analyst Tim Farrar forecast in a report released July 9. Revenues will grow from $493 million in 2006 to a projected $740...

Comtech Will Provide Cellular Backhaul Equipment For Middle East Network.
July 16, 2007... Comtech EF Data Corp. received an order to deliver satellite infrastructure equipment that will be used in a cellular backhaul network in the Middle East, Comtech Telecommunications Corp. announced July 13. Under an order from an...

Second Wind Orders Globalstar Modems.
July 16, 2007... Second Wind Inc. has agreed to purchase 750 Globalstar satellite modems to relay data collected at remote sites throughout the United States and Canada, Globalstar announced July 12. Second Wind will integrate Globalstar's GSP-1620 modem...

KVH Launches Next-Generation Maritime Broadband.
July 16, 2007... KVH Industries Inc. has introduced a new satellite communications service that enables 24-inch antennas to provide always-on broadband data connections to maritime vessels, the company announced July 12. The mini-VSAT broadband service...

Saab Space Orders Spacecraft Release Mechanism From SpaceDev.
July 16, 2007... SpaceDev Inc.'s Starsys unit will manufacture 60 low-shock spacecraft release mechanisms for Sweden's Saab Space AB, SpaceDev announced July 11. It is the third major production order for Starsys' Clamp Band Opening Device, which is a...

Polsat Adds New TVN Channel.(Cyfrowy Polsat)(Brief article)
July 16, 2007... Cyfrowy Polsat, a direct-to-home operator in Poland, signed a deal to add an additional channel from broadcaster TVN, the operator announced July 12. TVN Gra will be the eighth TVN channel to be included in Polsat's DTH platform, and the...

Impsat Leases Capacity On NSS-10.
July 16, 2007... Impsat, a wholly owned subsidiary of Global Crossing, has contracted the equivalent of about 2.5 transponders on SES New Skies' NSS-10 satellite, SES New Skies announced July 12. Located at 322.5 degrees East, the satellite's C-band beams...

Spaceway-3 Arrives In Kourou For August Launch.
July 16, 2007... Hughes Network Systems' Spaceway-3 satellite has been delivered to the European Spaceport in French Guiana, Arianespace announced July 11. The spacecraft will be part of a scheduled Aug. 14 launch of an Ariane 5 along with BSAT-3a. ...

Thomson Delivers Digital Cinema Beyond Borders.
July 16, 2007... Thomson, a European digital technology company, has delivered a motion picture to both the United States and other countries on the same day, the company announced July 11. Through its Technicolor Digital Cinema business, Thomson claims...

Iridium System Certified By EASA.
July 16, 2007... The ICS-200 Iridium Communications System from International Communications Group has been approval by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), International Communications announced July 10. EASA, the European Union's civil aviation...

Round Solution Rolls Out GPRS/GPS Modules.
July 16, 2007... Round Solution has introduced communications modules for programming with Python's open-source-licensed programming language, the company announced July 10. Now available are a small, industrial-grade, quadband-compatible general packet...

DataPath Acquires Swe-Dish Satellite Systems AB.
July 16, 2007... DataPath Inc. has acquired satellite communications manufacturer Swe-Dish Satellite Systems AB, DataPath announced July 11. Swe-Dish, based in Stockholm, provides systems to U.S. military organizations; German, British, Japanese and...

BSkyB's Broadband Offerings Post Strong Gains.
July 16, 2007... BSkyB added 259,000 broadband customers in the company's 2007 fourth quarter, bringing the total number of subscribers to 716,000, the company announced July 11. BSkyB launched its Sky Broadband offerings in 2006 following the...

U.S. Air Force To Assess Radarsat-2 Capabilities.
July 16, 2007... MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. received a contract to assist the U.S. Air Force in an evaluation of the capabilities of the Radarsat-2 satellite, including a study of operating a second satellite in tandem with radar imagery...

TerreStar Networks To Provide Services In Rural Vermont Program.(Brief article)
July 16, 2007... TerreStar Networks Inc. is establishing a pilot project for deployment and testing of its wireless broadband and telecommunications services to rural and underserved areas in Vermont, the company announced July 11. Designed to enhance...

SatCom Networks Africa Chooses Gilat's SkyEdge.
July 16, 2007... Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. will provide a SkyEdge broadband satellite network to SatCom Networks Africa Ltd., a Tanzanian public data communications operator, Gilat announced July 11. SatCom Networks, which has operated Gilat VSAT...

Astra 1L Ready For Service.
July 16, 2007... The Astra 1L satellite has been deployed to its final orbital position at 19.2 degrees East to begin commercial operations, SES Astra said July 11. The Lockheed Martin-built satellite will deliver direct-to-home broadcast services to...

Israel Aerospace Industries To Build, Launch Amos 4.
July 16, 2007... Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has signed a contract with Space Communication Ltd. (Spacecom) to develop and manufacture the Amos-4 satellite, IAI announced July 10. Amos-4 will carry Ka- and Ku-band transponders and allow Spacecom to...

Integral Systems To Provide ProtoStar Ground System.
July 16, 2007... Integral Systems Inc. received a contract from ProtoStar to provide a ground system for the ProtoStar 1 satellite, Integral announced July 9. Integral will provide its Epoch Integrated Product Suite satellite control system for...

Thuraya Secures New Financing.
July 16, 2007... Thuraya has confirmed details of a new round of financing to fund its mobile satellite services business plans. The operator signed an agreement to raise $125 million through a syndicated loan facility arranged by Emirates Bank and...

One Touch Systems, Mainstream Data Distance Learning Partnership.
July 16, 2007... One Touch Systems and Mainstream Data will team up to provide interactive distance-learning and communication solutions to large and mid-sized corporate and government organizations, the companies announced July 10. Product offerings...

Alcatel-Lucent Begins DVB-SH Trial.
July 16, 2007... Alcatel-Lucent has launched a trial of its solution for a broadcast mobile TV platform using the DVB-SH standard in S-band, the company announced July 9. The pilot is running from June to September in southwestern France using SFR's 3G...

C-Com Signs China Broadcast Technologies To Distribution Agreement.(Brief article)
July 16, 2007... C-Com Satellite Systems Inc. has signed a distribution agreement with Beijing-based China Broadcast Technologies Co. Ltd., for the resale of iNetVu Mobile Satellite antenna systems in China, C-Com announced July 10. China Broadcast will...

OmniGlobe Networks To Provide Satellite-Cellular Service In Rural Canada.(Brief article)
July 16, 2007... OmniGlobe Networks Inc. has formed a partnership with Naskapi Imuun Inc. to provide a satellite-cellular communications service to First Nation communities across Canada, OmniGlobe announced July 10. The service, which will be available...

GMV Sees Revenues Climb 18 Percent.(Brief article)
July 16, 2007... GMV, a private, multinational firm headquartered in Madrid, increased overall revenues by 18 percent, or $90.6 million, in 2006, the company announced July 10. The company's space and defense segment, which represent about 64 percent of...

Thrane & Thrane Licenses VOIP Technology For Explorer Handset.
July 16, 2007... Thrane & Thrane has licensed HelloSoft's voice-over-Internet protocol (VOIP) technologies for its next-generation Explorer handset, HelloSoft announced July 10. HelloSoft provides software that enables VOIP on mobile handsets without...

DirecTV-10 Orbited Aboard ILS Proton.
July 16, 2007... International Launch Services (ILS) launched the DirecTV-10 satellite July 7 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, ILS announced. A Proton Breeze M rocket placed the satellite into a geosynchronous transfer orbit for approximately two months of...

TCS Gains Defense Satellite Equipment Contract.
July 16, 2007... TeleCommunication Systems Inc. (TCS) has received a $2.6 million contract from the U.S. Army to provide satellite parts and services for Defense Satellite Communication System (DSCS) terminals and the DSCS Frequency Control System, the...

E'Prime Aerospace, Space Propulsion Systems Form Strategic Alliance.(Brief article)
July 16, 2007... E'Prime Aerospace Corp. and Space Propulsion Systems Inc. have signed a strategic alliance agreement for Space Propulsion to share its patented concept for the design and manufacturing of advanced performance solid rocket propellants,...

NASA's Dawn Mission Delayed Until September.(National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
July 16, 2007... The launch of NASA's Dawn spacecraft has been rescheduled to September, NASA announced July 7. The primary reasons for the delay are a combination of limited launch opportunities in July and the potential impact to launch preparations...

Spacenet Introduces Digital Telephone Service Over Satellite.
July 16, 2007... Spacenet Inc. has introduced its Connexstar Digital Phone, a carrier class telephone solution available as part of the company's Connexstar satellite service, Spacenet announced July 9. The service enables customers to make digital...

Solutrea Awarded Army And Air Force Exchange Service Contract.
July 16, 2007... Solutrea Inc., a subsidiary of Powerstar International Inc., has been awarded a contract valued at more than $2 million from the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) to install the head-end and remote systems to support an upgrade to...

Sky Launches On-Demand Service In New Zealand.
July 16, 2007... Sky Television New Zealand has launched on-demand services for its direct-to-home customers in New Zealand, the company announced July 8. The service provides My Sky subscribers the opportunity to receive premium movies and special events...

GloNav Names Vice President For Customer Design And Support.
July 16, 2007... GloNav Inc., which develops GPS and other satellite navigation solutions, has appointed Paul Hansen vice president of customer design and support, the company announced July 9. Previously, Hansen, who co-invented the core technologies for...