Technology

[Via Satellite 11-20-2014] IsoTropic Networks, a satellite broadband provider and iDirect Host Network Operator (HNO) has extended its iDirect iSupport Premium Package for three additional years. The company has seen growth in maritime and oil and gas verticals, prompting the need for new hires. IsoTropic will use the premium iSupport options for training new employees....

[Via Satellite 11-19-2014] Globecomm has leased additional capacity on Gazprom Space System’s Yamal 402 satellite, totaling 36MHz. The new capacity will serve customers in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Globecomm offers services on two Gazprom Space Systems satellites, Yamal 402 and Yamal 202, with uplinking services at teleports in the Netherlands, the United...

[Via Satellite 11-18-2014] The Aerospace Corporation has tested Busek Co.’s BHT-1500 Hall Effect Thruster, used for electric propulsion of satellites. The nonprofit found the thruster to be largely unaffected by test facility pressure. According to Busek, the BHT-1500’s design enables it to operate with higher efficiency in the high-vacuum conditions of space. “The BHT-1500’s superior...

[Via Satellite 11-17-2014] HySpecIQ, a commercial remote sensing startup, has selected Raytheon to build hyperspectral payloads for the company’s two upcoming satellites. Raytheon will develop the payloads in El Segundo, Calif. and expects to finish them in 2017. Once manufacturing is complete, the payloads will be integrated into the satellites, which are the first to...

[Via Satellite 11-17-2014] Airbus Defence and Space has completed Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP) operations, and in-orbit trials for the Measat 3b satellite. NewSat’s Jabiru 2 hosted payload is now also operational and is supporting its first carriers. Measat has collocated the new satellite with Measat 3 and Measat 3a at 91.5 degrees east....

[Via Satellite 11-17-2014] Australian broadcaster Super Radio Network (SRN) has chosen International Datacasting Corporation’s (IDC’s) Star Pro Audio Solution to upgrade and expand its satellite radio distribution network. Today the company broadcasts 36 AM and FM radio stations, 45 translators and five Sydney DAB+ radio stations, the majority of which are delivered by satellite. The...

[Via Satellite 11-13-2014] Boeing Network and Space Systems (N&SS) has successfully mated Asia Broadcast Satellite’s ABS 3A satellite and Eutelsat’s Eutelsat 115 West B satellite in a stacked configuration for a conjoined satellite launch. The two all-electric satellites are based on Boeing’s 702 Small Platform (SP). Boeing and Phantom Works built the 702SP platform, which...

[Via Satellite 1-13-2014] Measat and satellite transmission technology specialist NovelSat have successfully tested 64APSK modulation on Africasat 1a. The test used Novelsat’s NS3000 professional high-data rate satellite modem with the company’s NS3 technology on Africasat 1a’s high-powered pan-African beam. The companies reported an increase in spectral efficiency levels of 20 to 50 percent. Measat anticipates...

[Via Satellite 11-13-2014] British satellite operator Avanti has approved C-Com Satellite Systems’ iNetVu Ka-band 98-cm Hughes based terminal. The mobile vehicle mounted system is C-Com’s second to gain Avanti approval to operate on the Hylas 1 and Hylas 2 satellites. C-Com has already begun to deliver the iNetVu Ka-98H antenna systems to Avanti resellers. The...

[Via Satellite 11-12-2014] MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates (MDA) is optimistic it can capture new business in the small satellite market through its subsidiary Space Systems Loral (SSL). In February 2014 Skybox Imaging partnered with SSL to build 13 small Earth imaging satellites known as “SkySats.” Skybox built the first two satellites, SkySat 1 and SkySat...