Government/Military

European scientists are finding that Earth observation satellites not only can lead policymakers to water but can also make them think. Four years after the European Space Agency‘s (ESA) Committee on Earth Observation Satellites launched a Technology Informatics Guiding Educational Reform (TIGER) Initiative to help alleviate Africa’s water woes, an African official expressed optimism that...

The first of the U.S. Air Force‘s new missile-warning sensor payloads is performing well after completing an initial round of performance checkouts, the Air Force’s space czar said Nov. 29. The Space Based Infrared Systems (SBIRS) High sensor payload is "meeting or exceeding our expectations," Ronald Sega, under secretary of the Air Force, told reporters...

The European Space Agency (ESA) has awarded a contract for the development of next-generation DVB-S2 satellite multicasting products to the International Datacasting Corp. (IDC) as part of ESA’s "Telecom Start-up Project Initiative," where ESA plays an investment role by supporting the development of new satellite systems and technologies in preparation for future services. The objective...

Telecommunication Systems Inc. (TCS) received a contract from an unnamed U.S. government agency to supply a secure satellite communications network, the company announced Nov. 29. TCS will provide its Swiftlink deployable communications suite that incorporates satellites terminals, space segment and a communications hub. The hub and remote equipment are provided by iDirect Technologies. Details of...

Andrew Corp., a global provider in communications equipment and systems, expanded its milsatcom offerings Nov. 28 with introduction of a new 2.4-meter transportable antenna to serve military and large commercial customers. The lightweight 2.4-meter Rugged Quick Deploy Transportable Antenna offers high radio frequency performance, efficient gear-driven pedestal mount for high accuracy, and quad- band operation....

Germany’s Terrasar-X radar satellite is scheduled to be launched Feb. 27 launch aboard a Russian Dnepr-1 rocket, the German Aerospace Center (DLR) announced. The mission had been planned for Oct. 31 but was rescheduled following the July failure of a Dnepr. Terrasar-X, the first German satellite to be built in a public-private partnership between DLR...

Satellite operator Hispasat is offering advanced broadband services via its onboard processing system housed on the Amazon satellite. The company’s advanced multimedia-enhanced regenerative Hispasat (Amerhis) system is an advanced multimedia useful load on a commercial communications satellite. The program is sponsored by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Center for Technological and Industrial Development...

International Communications Group (ICG) announced Nov. 20 its appointment of Techstart LLC as authorized distributor for its Iridium-based satellite communication products in the defense and aerospace sector.

A Russian Federation military satellite was deorbited and burned up in the Earth’s atmosphere Nov. 20 after its mission was completed, according to Xinhua. The latest of three Cosmos satellites launched by Russia this year, Cosmos-2423 was placed into orbit in September and accomplished its mission before burning up, according to a quoted Russian spokesman...

Norsat International Inc. has announced fulfilling a follow-on order from the United States Air Force for the supply of additional portable satellite equipment and training for San Antonio-based Air Force News. The news organization has more than 480 Air Force, Army and civilian members assigned to 28 locations worldwide. The service broadcasts news, information and...