Government/Military

[Satellite Today – 4-15-08] The U.S. Air Force Space and Missiles Systems Center (SMC) has ordered three additional Minotaur space launch vehicles from Orbital Sciences Corp., Orbital announced April 15.     The order, which is valued at $40 million, is for two Minotaur 4 vehicles and one Minotaur 1 vehicle, for launches set to take...

[Satellite Today – 4-15-08] Northrop Grumman has submitted a proposal to NASA to design and develop the next generation of GOES-R satellites, Northrop Grumman announced April 15.     Northrop Grumman’s proposal for the Geostationary Environmental Operational Satellite — Series R (GOES-R) builds on its experience designing, developing and integrating research and operational environmental spacecraft and...

[Satellite Today – 4-14-08] Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat) has inked a deal with the United Arab Emirate (UAE) Armed Forces to provide secure satellite communications in the UAE, the operator said April 14. The UAE Armed Forces will lease satellite capacity on Yahsat satellites for a 15-year period as Yahsat’s first government customer....

[Satellite Today – 4-14-08] Thales Alenia Space has won a contract worth 305 million euros ($482.1 million) to provide the first Sentinel-3 earth observation satellite to the European Space Agency (ESA), the company said April 14.     The satellite is devoted to oceanography and land-vegetation monitoring as part of the European Global Monitoring for Environment...

[Satellite Today – 4-14-08] General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems has completed satellite integration and environmental testing for GeoEye’s next-generation earth imaging satellite, GeoEye-1, General Dynamics announced April 11.      GeoEye-1 is part of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) NextView program, which is designed to ensure that the NGA has access to commercial imagery in support...

[Satellite Today – 4-10-08] Harris Corp. has been awarded a 10-year, $40 million contract to supply depot support and engineering services for multiple space control systems for the U.S. Space and Missile System Center Space Superiority Systems Wing, Harris announced April 10.     The Space Superiority Systems Wing is responsible for delivering and sustaining space...

[Satellite Today – 4-10-08] The Canadian government has rejected the sale of MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA)’s satellite business to Alliant Techsystems Inc. (ATK), Canadian Industry Minister Jim Prentice said in an e-mail to the companies April 10.     “As Minister responsible for the Investment Canada Act, I am writing to advise you that,...

[Satellite News – 4-10-08] The Canadian government has rejected the sale of MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA)’s satellite business to Alliant Techsystems Inc. (ATK), Canadian Industry Minister Jim Prentice said in an April 10 e-mail to the companies.      “As Minister responsible for the Investment Canada Act, I am writing to advise you that,...

[Satellite Today – 4-8-08] Lockheed Martin has completed a review of improved flight software that will provide command and control of the Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) geosynchronous orbit spacecraft, the company announced April 8.     SBIRS is designed to provide early warning of missile launches as well as simultaneously support other missions, including missile...

[Satellite Today – 4-8-08] Boeing Co. has demonstrated the readiness of the advanced electronics that will be used in the Transformational Satellite Communications System (TSAT) program, the company announced April 8.     Tests of the TSAT application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) demonstrated the microchip’s functionality, speed and suitability for spaceflight. The tests, completed in late...