Focus: Telecom

[Satellite Today – 5-1-08] The cameras aboard the Cartosat-2A and Indian Mimi Satellite-1 (IMS-1) satellites have been turned on and are transmitting images, the Indian Space Research Organization announced April 30.      The color camera onboard IMS-1 was switched on April 29, followed by the hyperspectral camera onboard IMS-1 and the black-and-white camera onboard Cartosat-2A...

[Satellite Today – 5-1-08] India is setting up a satellite-based information system using Inmarsat’s maritime network to enable vessel tracking for maritime security and permit faster search and rescue of vessels along its coastline, Inmarsat announced May 1.     The new system will use Inmarsat C and Mini C to track all safety of life...

[Satellite Today – 4-30-08] EMS Technologies Inc. posted a profit of $4.2 million on revenues of $75.5 million in the 2008 first quarter, the company announced April 30. In the 2007 first quarter, the company recorded a profit of $2.4 million on revenues of $66.6 million. The satellite communications segment reported revenues of $25.8 million...

[Satellite Today – 4-30-08] Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. has been selected by Synterra, one of Russia’s largest telecommunications operators, to provide a SkyEdge broadband satellite network for use by Russian Post, Gilat announced April 30. Gilat was chosen for the second phase of Russian Post’s VSAT network following the deployment of an initial SkyEdge network,...

[Satellite Today – 4-29-08] Harris Corp.‘s government communications systems segment increased revenue by 27 percent in the company’s 2008 fiscal third quarter, Harris announced April 29. The segment posted $490.6 million in revenues for the quarter ending March 28, compared to $387.6 million in 2007. Operating income for the quarter was $6 million, compared to...

[Satellite Today – 4-30-08] XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio have agreed to extend their merger agreement indefinitely, the companies announced April 30. The companies agreed to extend the merger agreement, as necessary, for rolling two-week periods unless either side notifies the other of its intention not to extend. The companies have been waiting...

[Satellite News – 4-29-08] The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is making all archived Landsat imagery available on the Internet for free, the agency announced April 28.     By February, users will be able to access any Landsat scene held in the USGS-managed national archive of global scenes — the largest archive of civilian land cover...

[Satellite Today – 4-29-08] The Florida National Guard has selected SkyPort Global Communications and Applied Global Technologies (AGT) to provide satellite communications services and solutions in emergencies, SkyPort announced April 29.     AGT and SkyPort will provide with teleport services, bandwidth, hardware and MPLS backhaul to the Florida National Guard’s network and iDirect Hub services...

[Satellite Today – 4-29-08] SES Astra has initiated a new orbital position at 31.5° East as it looks to make more of an impact in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, the company announced April 29.     The new position will allow SES Astra to operate satellite services at up to 40 new broadcasting frequencies....

[Satellite Today – 4-29-08] iDirect Inc. has received a contract from ScopeTel Sdn. Bhd. to standardize service on iDirect’s platform, iDirect announced April 29.     ScopeTel, headquartered in Malaysia, will consolidate its customer networks onto iDirect’s satellite communications platform in an effort to increase bandwidth efficiency and simplify network management. The operator will replace its...