[Satellite TODAY 04-02-11] Australian satellite operator NewSat received a $4.4 million contract from the U.S. Department of Defense to provide communications services to U.S. military troops stationed in Afghanistan, NewSat announced April 1.
    Beginning in June, NewSat will provide satellite communication services to more than 15 U.S. military locations in Afghanistan via the company’s first geostationary communications satellite, Jabiru-1. The contract includes an option to extend the arrangement for an additional year.
   “The US Military requires high-performance, reliable and secure communications. This new contract win, together with NewSat’s recurring work for the U.S. military, demonstrates NewSat’s capabilities, products and services and puts us at over $10 million in contract work for this year,” NewSat CEO Adrian Ballintine said in a statement.