Government/Military

[Via Satellite 09-09-2014] The United States Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) has awarded a $54 million contract to ViaSat as well as a separate contract to Data Link Solutions to jointly develop and qualify new Tactical Targeting Network Technology (TTNT) capabilities. The awards support a U.S. government program aimed at transitioning from the Multifunctional...

[Via Satellite 09-05-2014] The United States Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC) has selected Space Systems/Loral (SSL) to host government payloads on commercial satellites. The SMC awarded SSL an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract valued at a maximum of $494.5 million for both Geostationary (GEO) and Low Earth Orbit (LEO)/Medium Earth Orbit...

[Via Satellite 08-28-2014] Brazil’s Institute of Aeronautics and Space (IAE) plans to conduct a sounding rocket test at the Alcântara Launch Center in São Luis, Maranhão on Aug. 29. Launch VS-30 V13, designated Operation Fox, is the first Brazilian space vehicle to use liquid propellant. Orbital Engineering and the IAE manufactured the liquid propellant, which...

[Via Satellite 08-28-2014] Thales Alenia Space has received an $87 million contract from the Italian Space Agency for the Second Generation Cosmo-SkyMed Earth Observation (EO) satellite program. The contract is split between Thales Alenia Space Italia and Telespazio. Thales Alenia Space Italia will use approximately $57 million to construct two EO satellites. Telespazio is allocated...

[Via Satellite 08-27-2014] The European Space Agency (ESA), having established control of the latest two Galileo satellites launched Aug. 22 by an Arianespace Soyuz rocket into an unintended orbit, is preparing to continue using the satellites. Intended for a circular Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), the satellites experienced a launch anomaly placing them in an elliptical orbit...

[Via Satellite 08-26-2014] The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) a joint satellite program between NASA and JAXA, has nearly exhausted its fuel supply. Based on fuel tank pressure readings NASA estimates the satellite will deorbit in November 2016. The TRMM satellite continues to send data that is used to study tropical rainfall’s influence on global...

[Via Satellite 08-25-2014] The United States Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center (AFSPC) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) on a new booster as well as a potential new launch system for the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program. Conclusions drawn from the RFI process may constitute sufficient market research for a follow-on...

[Via Satellite 08-21-2014] The European Space Agency has not yet identified the cause of several anomalies that have affected some of the first Galileo satellites. Three of the first four in orbit have experienced irregularities that officials said are so far unrelated. ESA is taking steps to prevent further troubles with the European Global Navigation...

[Via Satellite 08-21-2014] The National Security Agency (NSA) has granted Type 1 certification for Harris Corporation’s Falcon 3 RF-340M multi-channel manpack radio. Harris is now able to field the radios for secure communications reaching up to the top secret level of information assurance. The company expects to make the first delivery to the U.S. Navy...

[Via Satellite 08-20-2014] Private satellite operator XTAR is considering ways to expand its fleet to include coverage over the Asia-Pacific region. Currently, the company has two satellites in orbit — XTAR LANT and XTAR EUR — providing coverage over the Americas, Europe, Africa and parts of Asia, exclusively for government customers. XTAR’s satellites currently do...