Technology

[Via Satellite 02-13-2014] NanoRacks has deployed its first two CubeSats from the International Space Station (ISS) that will eventually be part of the largest CubeSat deployment in history. These two CubeSats are a part of a 28-satellite constellation for its customer Planet Labs. These small satellites, about the size of a loaf of bread, are...

[Via Satellite 02-13-2014] The Defense Weather System Directorate at the Space and Missile Systems Center in California has awarded a $5.8 million contract to Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corporation to produce the Ion Velocity Meter (IVM) under the U.S. Air Force Space Situational Awareness Environmental Monitoring program. The IVM will fly aboard the Constellation Observing...

[Via Satellite 02-12-2014] Globalstar has launched the STX3 simplex satellite global transmitter, featuring low power-consuming technology. Engineers have developed the chip to be about one third of the size of its predecessor, bringing it down to the size of a quarter. The STX3 is designed to be integrated into a range of M2M devices and...

[Via Satellite 02-11-2014] Skybox Imaging has taken the first steps toward fleshing out its entire constellation of small, high-resolution Earth observation satellites. The company selected Space Systems/Loral (SSL) to build 13 identical LEO satellites, each measuring approximately 60 x 60 x 95 centimeters and weighing roughly 120 kilograms, to be launched during 2015 and 2016....

[Via Satellite 02-11-2014] MultiChoice and Eutelsat have joined together to create the DStv Eutelsat Star Awards, a pan-African student competition created to raise awareness and excitement for space technology in the younger generation. “With the fast-changing digital landscape, we have an obligation to Africa’s youth to ensure that they are empowered to adapt and to...

[Via Satellite 02-10-2014] Kratos Integral Systems International (Kratos ISI), a business unit of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, has selected SKY Perfect JSAT to upgrade its Epoch IPS satellite fleet management system to support its JCSAT 14 satellite. SKY Perfect JSAT has used the Epoch IPS for more than 10 years to operate its satellites...

[Via Satellite 02-10-2014] Honeywell and Inmarsat have finalized the critical design review (CDR) of the GX Aviation aircraft avionics on schedule. The product is expected to be introduced in the first half of 2015. GX Aviation is a global high-speed in-flight connectivity service that will provide the aircraft with data rates of up to 50...

[Via Satellite 02-10-2014] NASA has selected 16 CubeSats from nine states to fly as auxiliary payloads planned to launch in 2015, 2016 and 2017. The CubeSats come from universities across the country, a primary school, non-profit organizations and NASA field centers. CubeSats are research spacecraft called nanosatellites that measure about 4 inches on each side...

[Via Satellite 02-04-2014] Iridium today announced the launch of three new products: Iridium BURST, Iridium GO!, and Iridium Pilot Land Station. The products, while released in the same time frame, focus on different sections of the satellite communications industry. The new products include a portable satellite hotspot, a high power broadcast service, and a communications...

[Via Satellite 01-31-2014] Raytheon reported high earnings in the fourth quarter of 2013, but reported lower-than-expected revenues due to the decline in U.S. military spending, an effect of the 2011 Budget Control Act. The 2013 fourth quarter and full-year results call also revealed that 2014 and 2015 are expected be transitional or “down” years for...