Government/Military

[Satellite TODAY 01-25-13] The United States Army has ordered $5 million in new kits to upgrade 100 Handheld, Manpack, Small Form Fit (HMS) AN/PRC-155 two-channel Manpack radios from General Dynamics. The upgrade includes a field-replaceable power amplifier and supporting software, and it will enable secure voice and data communication with the MUOS system, which delivers...

Artist conception of the SORCE satellite. Image credit: NASA [Satellite TODAY 01-25-13] Orbital Sciences is celebrating the tenth anniversary of successful operation for its Solar and Radiation Climate Experiment (SORCE) satellite, the company announced Jan. 25.    SORCE was launched into orbit in 2003 aboard Orbital’s Pegasus rocket in a mission that originated from Cape...

The launch of NASA’s next Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS-K) has been delayed because of a rocket part needs to be replaced.

[Satellite TODAY 01-23-13] The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has unveiled initial development details from its Phoenix Program, which aims to recycle older, non-functional satellites for repurposing. The agency launched a video on its website that showcases various prototype arms that can grip a satellite hurdling through space 22,000 miles above the Earth.  ...

[Satellite TODAY 01-23-13] ITT Exelis has been selected by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to research the development of a small satellite navigation payload. The $2.15 million contract, announced Jan. 23, will task Exelis with augmenting the current Global Positioning System (GPS) program. The company will begin the work on GPS NAVSAT this month...

JPSS-1 spacecraft artist rendering. Image credit: JPSS.NOAA.gov [Satellite TODAY 01-22-13] Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. has cleared the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS-1) spacecraft in its final major design review. The success indicates the spacecraft’s development is on track for its scheduled launch during the first quarter of 2017.    With the presence of NASA...

[Satellite TODAY 01-17-13]Essential information solutions provider MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates (MDA) has signed a multi-million dollar contract amendment with the Commonwealth of Australia, the company announced Jan. 17.    MDA will provide a six-month extension to the original three-month assessment activity to provide new critical information in support of Australia’s efforts in Afghanistan.  The assessment...

[Satellite TODAY 01-17-13] Lockheed Martin has delivered the second Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO-2) Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) spacecraft to the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, where it will be prepared for a March liftoff aboard a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas 5 rocket, the manufacturer announced Jan. 16.    Featuring a mix...

[Satellite TODAY 01-15-13] Eutelsat Communications will deploy a new generation of advanced functions developed by the satellite’s prime contractor Thales Alenia Space on its upcoming Eutelsat 8 West B satellite to enhance its performance, flexibility and signal security.   The new features are now entering the final qualification phase as part of the Atlas program,...

[Satellite TODAY 01-14-13] The Value-Added Services (VAS) market associated with the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) will more than double its current intake of approximately 22 billion euros to 56 billion euros by 2021 as domestic and international stakeholders continue to demonstrate growing interests in collaboration with European providers, according to a new Frost &...