Government/Military

[Via Satellite 08-29-2016] The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) completed an experimental mission using a scramjet engine on Aug. 28. The test used ISRO’s Advanced Technology Vehicle (ATV), a two stage spin stabilized sounding rocket with identical solid motors, as the booster to carry the engines. ISRO mounted the twin scramjet engines on the back...

[Via Satellite 08-29-2016] French space agency CNES’ President Jean-Yves Le Gall recently met with Bo Andersen, director general of the Norwegian Space Center (NSC) to review joint projects and prepare for future European space activities. The space agency leaders reviewed projects the two nations are pursuing together: the New Generation Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI-NG),...

[Via Satellite 08-26-2016] The Alaska Aerospace Corp. (AAC), which oversees the Pacific Spaceport Complex – Alaska (PSCA), formerly called Kodiak Launch Complex, is looking to woo small satellite launchers to bring commercial business to the facility. While the AAC has traditionally targeted large, government contracts, the company is also working with two private micro-launch companies,...

[Via Satellite 08-26-2016] Mexico’s Ministry of Communications and Transportation has formally accepted the Mexsat satellite system from prime contractor Boeing following the completion of final field-testing, the company announced today. Mexsat provides 3G+ voice and data services to mobile terminals on land, air and sea for the enhancement of the country’s national security, civil and...

[Via Satellite 08-24-2016] SpeedCast International is expanding its relationship with Inmarsat beyond maritime to also serve government customers with Global Xpress (GX). As a Value Added Reseller (VAR), SpeedCast will sell the high throughput Ka-band offering to its portfolio of services for government customers. GX entered worldwide commercial service in December 2015. Its government-focused services...

[Via Satellite 08-23-2016] European officials are nearing a critical decision point for the future of the Governmental Satellite Communications (GovSatCom) system, a program that would provide satellite communications resources to the European Union (EU), provided that enough members are interested. First embarked on in 2013, program leaders will provide participating member states with options for...

[Via Satellite 08-23-2016] DLR Space Administration has awarded a contract to OHB System AG to oversee new communications technologies to be tested in space through the Heinrich Hertz satellite mission. OHB is handling technology management, and is responsible for the scientific and technical aspects of the technology orders. The purpose of the Heinrich Hertz satellite...

[Via Satellite 08-23-2016] Cubic Corporation, through its subsidiaries TeraLogics, Dtech Labs and Gatr Technologies, has received initial purchase orders to provide the U.S. military’s Unified Combatant Commands (UCC) with Tactical Two-way Sensor Data Transport (T2SDT) baseband kits. Cubic’s integrated T2SDT solution will upgrade existing Digital Video Broadcasting-Return Channel via Satellite (DVB-RCS) terminal capabilities. T2SDT terminals...

[Via Satellite 08-22-2016] United Launch Alliance (ULA) completed its seventh launch of the year on Aug. 19, orbiting the second pair of twin Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP) spacecraft for the United States Air Force. The company used a Delta 4 Medium for the AFSPC-6 mission, which used a common booster core powered with...

[Via Satellite 08-18-2016] The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) recently leveraged satellite phones and broadband terminals to connect staff during the country’s presidential election on Aug. 11. Global Telesat Communications (GTC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Orbital Tracking Corp., provided more than 200 Thuraya XT Pro satellite phones, Thuraya IP satellite broadband terminals and RedPort...