Arianespace Chosen to Launch Kazakhstan’s DZZ-HR Satellite on Vega Rocket

Arianespace has been selected to launch the DZZ-HR high-resolution observation satellite being built by Astrium for the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Arianespace’s Vega light launcher will send the satellite into a Sun-synchronous orbit from the Guiana Space Center in the second quarter of 2014. Astrium-trained Kazakh operators will independently control the DZZ-HR system, which aims to will high-quality panchromatic and multispectral products for a wide range of applications, including cadastral surveys, management of natural resources, environmental monitoring and homeland surveillance.

Boeing Teams Up with Raytheon, Harris to Support Air Force GPS Contract

Boeing, Raytheon and Harris Corp. have partnered to complete development and sustainment work on a U.S. Air Force contract for GPS ground hardware and software for space vehicles.

The team will work on the GPS Operational Control Segment program for Air Force space vehicles and their payloads, which will eventually transition to the GPS OCX next-generation control segment that is being designed to provide more precise satellite navigation for military and commercial use. Raytheon is developing GPS OCX with support from Boeing.

Com Dev Wins Follow-On Contract for TDRS Satellite Hardware

Com Dev has received a follow-on contract from Boeing Satellite Systems to supply filters, switches and ferrite components for use in NASA’s Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) program.

The TDRS System is a constellation of satellites that aim to provide high bandwidth communications services for low-Earth orbiting spacecraft and expendable launch vehicles. The TDRS-M flight set contract is valued at about $12 million. Com Dev said that it had successfully completed the engineering and production of more than 800 flight-qualified components for the TDRS-K and TDRS-L satellites last year.

Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems was awarded the TDRS-K and TDRS-L contract in December 2007. The contract has options for two additional spacecraft, TDRS-M and TDRS-N.

Eutelsat Selects SBB to Distribute Tooway Service in the Balkans

Serbia Broadband (SBB) has signed a contract with Eutelsat Communications’ Skylogic affiliate to distribute the operator’s Tooway satellite broadband service in six Balkan countries.

The new agreement enables SBB to bundle its Total TV platform on the Eutelsat 16A satellite with Tooway broadband services via the Ka-Sat high-throughput satellite.

SBB said it plans to use the service to offer satellite broadband solutions to users in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, FYRO Macedonia, Croatia and Montenegro located in areas with limited or no access to terrestrial broadband.

Harris Caprock Renews Brazilian Enterprise VSAT Contract

Harris CapRock has signed a four-year renewal contract with drilling contractor Brasdril to continue providing turnkey, VSAT communications to 13 of its semisubmersibles and drill ships, located along the coast of Brazil.

Brasdril will receive a bandwidth increase for 11 sites. Harris CapRock will deploy a fully managed, end-to-end VSAT communications solution to enable corporate networking, Internet access and voice services for Brasdril. The expanded solution aims to enable Brasdril to extend its corporate network to its drilling assets and upgrade communications technology and overall standardization of its customer site maintenance.

International Launch Services (ILS) Picks Up AsiaSat Proton Launch in 2014

International Launch Services (ILS) has been contracted by AsiaSat to launch AsiaSat 6, AsiaSat 8 or AsiaSat 9 on an ILS Proton rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome as early as 2014.

The launch contract includes an option for AsiaSat to order one additional launch service from ILS for any of its upcoming three satellites.

KVH Industries Selects Andesat as South American VSAT Reseller

Maritime satellite communications company KVH Industries named South America’s Andesat its reseller for its mini-VSAT broadband service and TracPhone V-series satellite communications systems in the region.

In addition to managing a KVH mini-VSAT broadband hub at its teleport in Santiago, Chile, Andesat also will provide TracPhone V-series systems and mini-VSAT broadband service to its distribution partners in Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador.

MDA Awarded Amos-6 Satellite Payload Deal

Canadian space and satellite company MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates (MDA) has been contracted by Israel Aerospace Industries to supply a communications payload solution for the Amos-6 satellite. The contract is valued at more than $90 million and scheduled for finalization by the end of July. MDA said it has started work under an authorization to proceed.

Amos-6 will be launched in 2014. Once in service, the satellite aims to enhance the capacity of the existing Amos satellite constellation, which is owned and operated by Israeli satellite communications service provider Spacecom.

The constellation provides a large range of fixed and mobile communication services in the Middle East, Central and Eastern Europe, Central Asia and Africa.

Orbcomm To Deliver AIS Data to EMSA

Orbcomm has agreed to a multi-year framework contract with the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) to provide satellite Automatic Identification System (AIS) data.

The framework contract covers up to 500,000 euros ($625,000) for the first year, with options for an additional two years at a cost yet to be determined. Orbcomm reached the deal through its partner, LuxSpace Sarl, an affiliate of OHB System.

EMSA will use the AIS data for ship tracking and other maritime navigational and safety efforts in designated regions and for specific maritime projects.

Orbcomm also announced it is actively participating in a number of other AIS demonstrations and tests, including a Naval exercise conducted by 22 Pacific Rim nations in the Pacific Ocean. The 18 additional AIS-enabled satellites that will complete Orbcomm’s next generation constellation are scheduled to begin launching later this year.

Raytheon Inks $19 Million NMT Modification Contract

Raytheon received a $19 million contract to modify the U.S. Navy’s Multiband Terminal (NMT) to link it with the Air Force’s Enhanced Polar Satellite (EPS).

Raytheon said it has started software and systems engineering modifications to the existing NMT ship, submarine and shore terminals to enable seamless operation with EPS.

The link will allow Navy and Air Force warfighters to overcome communications gaps in the remote polar region. EPS, which is replacing the existing Interim Polar System, was designed to provide continuous coverage for secure, jam-resistant, strategic and tactical communications to support peacetime, contingency, homeland defense, humanitarian assistance and wartime missions.

SAIC Scores $36 Million AFSPC Support Contract on Satellite Programs

Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC) was awarded a task order by the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC) to provide consolidated logistics management support (CLMS) in support of the Air Force Space Command (AFSPC).

The single-award task order has a seven-month base period of performance, two option years and a total contract value of approximately $36 million if all options are exercised.

Under the contract, SAIC will provide CLMS services including: initial engineering technical analysis; project planning; project budgeting analysis; and coordination support required to evaluate sustainment issues.

SAIC also said it would provide immediate technical assistance to military users working under several space weapon system programs including: Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS), military satcom and the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program.