Focus: Telecom

[Satellite Today – 4-1-08] ProtoStar Ltd. has closed $245 million of debt and equity financing to complete the development and launch of its second satellite, the company announced April 1.       The satellite, ProtoStar 2, is scheduled for launch in early 2009 on an International Launch Services (ILS) Proton rocket.     “This is surely...

[Satellite Today – 3-31-08] Gilat Satellite Networks will be acquired by a consortium of private equity investors in a deal valued at $475 million, Gilat announced March 31.     Under the terms of the agreement, Gilat shareholders will receive $11.40 per share in cash, a premium of about 38 percent over Gilat’s average closing share...

[Satellite Today – 3-31-08] RigNet Inc., a provider of managed communications solutions for the oil and gas industry, has appointed Bill Sutton vice president and general counsel, the company announced March 31.     Sutton will be based in Houston and be responsible for all legal matters around the globe, the global  business compliance program, telecom...

[Satellite Today – 3-31-08] TransCore has commissioned new ground station equipment to support the addition of a second satellite communications channel by regional partner Skygistics, a South African company that specializes in wireless systems to track, monitor and control mobile assets.     The new equipment to expand GlobalWave Inmarsat satellite capacity was installed at the...

[Satellite Today – 3-31-08] Pace Micro Technology will now pay less for the set-top box division and connectivity solutions Business of Philips, the company announced March 31.     As a result of changes in trading terms with certain key customers, as well as other issues identified after the initial transaction was announced, the deal now...

[Satellite Today – 3-28-08] Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) conducted the first three-engine firing of its Falcon 9 medium-to heavy-lift rocket, the company announced March 28.     The March 8 test in Texas generated more than 270,000 pounds of force and consumed 1,050 pounds of fuel and liquid oxygen per second. SpaceX plans to incrementally...

[Satellite Today – 3-28-08] ICO North America Inc. has entered into an agreement with Jefferies Finance LLC for a $40 million working capital facility, ICO Global Communications (Holdings) Ltd. announced March 27.     ICO will use the proceeds for working capital and for general corporate purposes.     "ICO is entering an exciting period as we...

[Satellite Today – 3-27-08] Northrop Grumman Corp. has promoted Terri Zinkiewicz to vice president and sector controller as part of its implementation of the previously announced realignment of the reporting of its missiles business from the Mission Systems sector to the Space Technology sector, the company announced March 27.     Zinkiewicz, who has more than...

[Satellite Today – 3-27-08] Globalstar Inc. reseller Open Range Communications Inc. has secured approval for a $267 million broadband loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Program, Globalstar announced March 27.     Globalstar signed an agreement in late 2007 with Open Range permitting the company to deploy wireless broadband service in rural America...