Finance

CapRock Government Solutions signed a multi-year, multi-transponder strategic purchase agreement with U.K.-based Paradigm Secure Communications, CapRock announced Nov. 3.     The deal gives CapRock the ability to offer X-band capacity and network services to the U.S. military and intelligence communities via Paradigm’s Skynet 5 satellite fleet.     In December 2008, CapRock signed a similar multi-year,...

Inmarsat has appointed AST and NSSL launch distribution partners for its global satellite phone services (GSPS), set to go live at the end of the second quarter of 2010, AST and NSSL announced Nov. 3.     The companies will distribute the IsatPhone Pro, a global handheld service and the first new product in the GSPS...

Epes Carriers shipping subsidiaries Epes Transport System and Texas Star Express are launching an asset tracking and cargo sensor solution from SkyBitz for their fleet of approximately 2,800 trailers, SkyBitz announced Nov. 3.     The SkyBitz solution will provide improved asset allocation, total load visibility and improved logistics and security to the shipping companies, which...

Hughes has purchased capacity on the Hylas satellite from U.K. broadband satellite company Avanti Communications for an initial payment of 7.5 million British pounds ($12.2 million), Avanti announced.     As a result of the deal, Hughes will acquire Hylas capacity over the next 10 years in an effort to grow its business in Europe. Hughes...

Orbit Technologies appointed William Thompson marine satcom sales director for the Americas, the company announced Oct. 20.     The company, which mainly has targeted Europe in recent years, said it is Thompson’s appointment is an effort to aggressively target the North and Latin American maritime markets.     Thompson will be responsible for promoting the company’s...

The formula for keeping oil and gas industry employees happy is similar to the strategy that U.S. military is using to boost troop morale in Afghanistan. Both employ a focus on making employees and soldiers feel at home. The problem is, for the next generation of offshore workers and combat troops, feeling "at home" means...

With the global economy poised for a rebound, satellite modem manufacturers are responding with new products and services, capable of supporting a wide array of business and government applications. Among today’s fastest growing sectors is the commercial machine-to-machine (M2M) asset tracking and data communications market.  Transmitting short bursts of data to satellites, companies can monitor...

ND Satcom, an SES Astra company, unveiled a product it believes sets new standards in terms of latency. The zero latency product, which has yet to be named or branded, is targeted mainly at international companies with overseas production or office facilities. NDSatCom officials believe the market could “bring several hundreds and thousands of installations...

[Satellite News 11-03-09] I have just returned from Kourou, French Guiana where I witnessed the spectacular launch of both the NSS-12 and Thor 6 satellites on Thursday, Oct. 29.     It was my first time covering a launch first hand, and I found it a thoroughly intense experience. Kourou, with its fusion of French and...

[Satellite News 10-02-09] Launch services and access to space are at the forefront of discussions in the satellite sector, particularly in light of Sea Launch’s bankruptcy filing.     SES CEO Romain Bausch spoke to Satellite News about his view on the launch services situation and what SES might be prepared to do to ensure there...