Finance

Lockheed Martin Corp. will sell its share of the International Launch Services (ILS) joint venture to a consultant who has advised the aerospace and defense giant on the launch venture, Lockheed Martin announced Sept. 7. Lockheed Martin will sell its ownership interests in ILS and Lockheed Khrunichev Energia International Inc. (LKEI) to Space Transport Inc.,...

By Lisa Daniel After enduring years of low prices created by too many vehicles and too few satellites, the commercial launch industry is undergoing a market correction that is filling manifests and creating competitive services and alliances as well as some new players. For customers, the shift in supply and demand has meant rising prices...

In our June column, we reviewed the history and status of small satellites, generally considered to be those weighing less than 500 kilograms when fully fueled, from the commercial side. The other area in which small satellites will play a growing role is governmental civil and military use. Under the 500-kilogram umbrella, a few subcategories...

NASA selected Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) and Rocketplane Kistler to demonstrate their ability to loft cargo and eventually crew members to the International Space Station (ISS). In the demonstration contracts, each firm would have to demonstrate various proficiencies, including a test flight in 2008. The demonstration contracts would be worth about $207 million for Rocketplane...

By Gordon Feller The Russian economy is expected to continue its sustained and steady growth rate in 2006. When the final tally is in at the end of this year, the country’s total gross domestic product should grow by at least 6 percent, matching the past two years. This economic strength has brought the interest...

With a population of more than 1 billion people, India has been targeted as one of the largest potential markets for satellite services, but the Indian Space Research Organization‘s (ISRO) efforts to play a key role in developing the market have been thrown into chaos after the failed launch of the Insat-4C satellite July 11,...

Boeing Co. warned that it would take a $350 million charge before the end of 2006 if it shuts down its Connexion by Boeing satellite Internet service for aircraft, the company announced July 26. In a release detailing the company’s 2006 second quarter financial performance, Boeing said its business segment that includes the Connexion service...

After enduring some lean years, the commercial launch industry is beginning to gain momentum again according to officials from Arianespace, International Launch Services (ILS) and Sea Launch, the three major commercial launch providers. "We’re working hard to launch six Ariane 5s this year," said Clay Mowry, president of Arianespace Inc., Arianespace’s Washington, D.C.-based marketing arm....

By Nick Mitsis The year 2005 was a robust year for services and hardware within the global satellite communications industry, with even stronger activity forecasted for the next few years. Once again, Via Satellite took a closer look at the industry developments that shaped business endeavors in 2005. Based on our database that tracks geostationary...

Boeing Co. looks to have come to terms with the U.S. government on settling a pair of government investigations into the company’s business practices. But the deal did not receive across the board praise from U.S. lawmakers. Boeing agreed to pay the U.S. government $615 million to settle charges of ethical misconduct surrounding the U.S....