Government/Military

[Via Satellite 03-20-2014] Harris Corporation has created a high-frequency (HF) tactical radio network that has the ability to link U.S. military bases with clear communications and improved capabilities. During a demonstration, the network allowed U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) personnel to send and receive voice and data messages simultaneously using beyond line-of-sight communications. Harris established...

[Via Satellite 03-19-2014] Exelis has completed and fully tested six transmitter assemblies, which are integral payload components for the first in a series of the next generation of GPS 3 navigation satellites. The navigation payload transmitters carry high-powered GPS signals from space to Earth, benefitting military, commercial and civilian users. The test program includes random...

[Via Satellite 03-19-2014] Harris Corporation has completed initial interoperability testing of the Falcon 3 AN/PRC-117G multiband manpack radio using the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) waveform. MUOS is the next-generation U.S. Department of Defense military satellite communications system for delivering cellular-based service through tactical radios. “Simple software upgrades will bring MUOS to more than 30,000...

[Via Satellite 03-14-2014] Northrop Grumman’s Astro Aerospace strategic business unit has delivered 32 self-deploying, monopole JIB antennas for the next four GPS 3 satellites. The antennas were delivered to Lockheed Martin and, once installed, they will deploy to form an RF antenna array. Sixteen more JIB antennas will be delivered in early 2014, according to...

[Via Satellite 03-12-2014] Germany’s Federal Network Agency has awarded a contract to Kratos Defense and Security Solutions’ Integral Systems Europe (Kratos ISE) business group to provide a satellite carrier monitoring solution and integrate it with their existing interference geolocation system. Kratos ISE will implement Monics, the industry’s leading carrier monitoring product from Kratos ISE’s sister...

[Via Satellite 03-06-2014] The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has awarded Hughes Network Systems a contract to provide commercial satellite communications (COMSATCOM) end-to-end solutions to enable the network’s distance learning capabilities. The task will support the Government Education and Training Network (GETN), a coordination of eight federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Defense, executive...

[Via Satellite 03-05-2014] The United States Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense held an open session meeting with United Launch Alliance (ULA) President and CEO Michael Gass, and SpaceX CEO and Chief Designer Elon Musk. During the meeting both companies testified before Congress on the topic of introducing more competition into the Evolved Extended Launch Vehicle...

[Via Satellite 02-28-2014] Northrop Grumman has delivered a plug-and-play Modular Space Vehicle (MSV) that will allow military commanders to use satellites that can be assembled and launched quickly to fulfill immediate needs. The MSV is an open systems spacecraft bus that has a capability known as “responsive space,” which is ability to launch smaller, less...

[Via Satellite 02-26-2014] Thales Alenia Space has won a contract awarded by French defense procurement agency DGA to provide operational support for the Syracuse 3, Athena-Fidus and Sicral 2 space systems. The contract involves station-keeping and support services for the satellites. The Syracuse 3 space system is comprised of two telecommunications satellites in geostationary orbit,...

[Via Satellite 02-26-2014] The use of the International Space Station (ISS) as a platform for launching CubeSats has grown so much that the station crew may have to adjust their approach to keep pace. The most recent load of 33 satellites from Planet Labs, NanoSatisfi, SkyCube and others currently under way is now more than...