Technology

Newtec EL501 Hub. Photo: Newtec [Via Satellite 10-17-13] Satellite communications specialist Newtec and U.S. commercial Internet service provider SniperHill have deployed new satellite technology to provide increased throughput and service availability for Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) networks on U.S. and NATO bases in Afghanistan. The solution is enabling SniperHill, part of the DHI Telecom...

[Via Satellite 10-16-13] SES has entered a public-private partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA) for the development of a full-electric propulsion satellite platform. The partnership is part of a program called ELECTRA, which aims at developing a small- and medium-sized satellite platform, manufactured in Europe. SES is the prime contractor to ESA for the...

[Via Satellite 10-16-13] Thales Alenia Space Italy has been awarded a contract by the Italian Space Agency to build the Multi Element Telescope for Imaging and Spectroscopy (Metis) instrument, in conjunction with Compagnia Generale per lo Spazio (CGS). The Metis instrument will be used on the European Space Agency’s Solar Orbiter scientific satellite. The Solar...

[Via Satellite 10-15-13] Harris CapRock Communications has announced the signature of a five-year contract with Carnival Corporation to provide communications services onboard more than 100 cruise ships within its 10-brand cruise line fleet. The dual-band satellite communications solution will enable the Carnival brands to reach dramatically improved bandwidth levels for improved passenger connectivity speeds. To meet Carnival’s needs, Harris...

[Via Satellite 10-15-13] Broadband Satellite Services Limited (BSS) has announced it has completed the acquisition of AND Group and the Satcom Global group of companies. Focused on the satellite communication and telecommunication markets, BSS acquired the two businesses as part of its growth strategy, to expand into all of the key vertical markets within the...

[Via Satellite 10-15-13] Northrop Grumman has Maureen Del Duca as its new vice president and deputy general counsel, Litigation and Investigations, the company announced Oct. 14. In this role, Del Duca will be responsible for leading and managing the company’s top quality internal team, and overseeing outside counsel for litigation, arbitration and investigations. Del Duca...

[Via Satellite 10-15-13] The Global VSAT Forum (GVF), and the Satellite Interference Reduction Group (IRG) have announced they are looking to actively engage the military in interference discussions and initiatives. This is one part of the two organization’s broad plans to tackle interference, a major issue in the satellite industry. According to the IRG, satellite...

[Via Satellite 10-14-13] Wessex Water has implemented a high-availability Communications-on-the-Move (COTM) solution from Hughes Europe, Hughes announced Oct. 14. This solution will help Wessex Water support rapid deployment of its mobile emergency response units in remote areas when disaster strikes, such as flooding. Wessex Water provides water and sewage treatment services to 1.3 million people...

[Via Satellite 10-14-13] SatStream Media is launching SatstreamNet, a multicast-IP content delivery network developed specifically for the maritime industry. The network aims to provide over the air content to vessels on separate satellite channels, without impacting their existing communications networks. SatstreamNet uses the on-board VSAT or TVRO antenna to receive the media streams on the...

[Via Satellite 10-14-13] Gilat Satellite Networks (Gilat) continues to make strong progress in Latin America after another key contract win last week. It received a letter of award for equipment and services from Entel S.A., the largest telecom operator and satellite network operator in Bolivia. The deal is potentially worth around $12 million to Gilat....