Technology

[Via Satellite 12-17-13] Exelis will support data analysis of images from SkySat 1, the first in a planned constellation of 24 satellites from Skybox Imaging. Support for SkySat 1 will be available in the early 2014 release of the company’s ENVI image analysis software. The new sub-meter imaging satellites will make timely and valuable information...

[Via Satellite 12-17-13] Astrium and GeoNorth are working together to build the first multi-mission Direct Receiving Station (DRS), with a unique offering of both high-resolution and very high-resolution optical and radar satellite imagery capabilities. The agreement will give GeoNorth the capability of priority tasking the Astrium Services satellite constellations to capture imagery anywhere on the...

[Via Satellite 12-17-13] South Korea’s Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning has released Kompsat 5 images acquired for the purpose of calibration. During the early operation and calibration phase, all the functionalities of satellite have been verified and now it is under calibration of payload system. The released images were acquired for the verification...

[Via Satellite 12-16-13] The U.S. Air Force has awarded Lockheed Martin more than $200 million in contract options to complete production of its fifth and sixth next-generation Global Positioning System satellites, known as GPS 3. In February, the Air Force awarded Lockheed Martin a fixed price $120 million contract to procure long lead parts for...

[Via Satellite 12-16-13] Space Systems/Loral (SSL) and AsiaSat signed a construction agreement for AsiaSat 9, the replacement satellite for AsiaSat 4. The new satellite will be used for television broadcast, private networks and broadband services across the Asia Pacific. Designed to operate in C-, Ku-, and Ka-band, AsiaSat 9 will be located at 122 degrees...

[Via Satellite 12-16-13] M/A-COM Technology Solutions (MACOM) has announced a new 5V RF Low Noise Amplifier ideally suited for 50-2700 MHz cable, terrestrial and satellite applications. “The MAAM-011117 has been designed specifically for customers requiring a highly linear, low noise, amplifier solution that covers DVT-T, -C and -S bands,” said Graham Board, product manager, MACOM....

[Via Satellite 12-12-13] ATK has successfully completed the last major technical milestone in its contract from the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center Defense Weather Systems Directorate. The company worked on a yearlong study of network-centric small satellites as an element of future weather satellite systems for a possible next generation operation system....

[Via Satellite 12-12-13] Raytheon has manufactured and integrated all required subassemblies in completion of a major milestone for its second Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS), which will fly on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Joint Polar Satellite System 1 spacecraft, scheduled to launch in 2017. The integrated sensor is now entering testing,...

[Via Satellite 12-12-13] Advantech Wireless has successfully completed the delivery of several orders totaling $1M for its 25W GaN C-band and X-band BUCs. The 25W GaN C-band and X-band BUCs are constructed in a compact cooling enclosure specially designed for outdoor operation. The units are weatherproof and suited for harsh environments such as man-pack terminal...

[Via Satellite 12-10-13] Broadcom Corporation has introduced a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) chip, designated BCM47531, that generates positioning data from five satellite constellations simultaneously (GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, SBAS and BeiDou), totaling 88 satellites. The newly added Chinese BeiDou constellation increases the number of satellites available to a smartphone, enhancing navigation accuracy, particularly in urban...