Government/Military

[Via Satellite 09-15-2016] Satellite operators in Latin America’s three largest economies are hopeful that economic weakness in the region will pass in the near future. New presidents in Brazil and Argentina, and policy changes in Argentina and Mexico specifically, are having salient impacts on the countries’ telecommunications sectors. “It is a really tough year for...

[Via Satellite 09-09-2016] The United States Army is considering a demonstration constellation comprised of a ring of small satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) for telecommunications services. The potential constellation, known as the Army Global on the Move Satcom (ARGOS) system, would prove out an Army science and technology experiment, determining if such a system...

[Via Satellite 09-09-2016] ViaSat has selected MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates (MDA) to establish a repair, maintenance and upgrade service facility for its Link 16 military communication terminals. The Link 16 terminals are currently deployed across Canada supporting the Canadian Department of National Defense. Repairs and upgrades are necessary to maintain the efficiency of the current...

[Via Satellite 09-09-2016] Lockheed Martin has signed a wide-ranging Letter of Intent (LoI) with Poland’s state-owned defense company Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ). The agreement, signed at the International Defence Industry Exhibition (MSPO), paves the way for PGZ member companies to be directly involved in the manufacture of satellite systems, aircraft, helicopters, weapons and combat systems,...

[Via Satellite 09-08-2016] Aerojet Rocketdyne has successfully completed its final test series on its sub-scale oxygen rich preburner as part of the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Hydrocarbon Boost Technology Demonstrator (HBTD) program. Aerojet Rocketdyne tested the preburner at full power and full duration to provide key insights for future engines that use this...

[Via Satellite 09-08-2016] Arianespace has signed a contract with the European Space Agency (ESA) to launch the ADM-Aeolus satellite, a key mission within the scope of Europe’s Earth Explorer program. ADM-Aeolus will provide global observations of 3-D wind profiles from space, enabling scientists to refine the currently known characteristics and improve techniques for modeling and...

[Via Satellite 09-07-2016] The New Zealand Defence Force, as part of the Strategic Bearer Network Phase 1 program, has awarded a second contract to Rockwell Collins for a Deployable Ku-band Earth Terminal (DKET) satcom system. The Strategic Bearer Network Phase 1 program oversees the modernization of networked communications equipment interfacing with the Wideband Global Satcom...

[Via Satellite 09-01-2016] Australia’s National Broadband Network Company (NBN Co.), the state run telecommunications company tasked with closing the country’s digital divide, says it is on track to complete its network by 2020. The company released its Corporate Plan 2017 on Aug. 30, outlining how NBN is aiming to complete the network rollout of high-speed...

[Via Satellite 09-02-2016] NASA has selected 21 research and technology proposals from American small businesses and research institutions for Phase 2 of the agency’s Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program. These selectees are permitted to enter negotiations for possible contract awards worth a combined total of approximately $15.8 million. The winning proposals span a wide...

[Via Satellite 08-29-2016] SES Government Solutions (SES GS) has received a contract from a U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) end user for low latency satellite communications through O3b Networks. SES, the owner of SES GS, increased its stake in O3b in April, and raised the capital needed for 100 percent ownership in May. The company...