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Echostar Communications Corp. and its Dish Network satellite TV service announced Nov. 27 that its subsidiary, Echostar Fixed Satellite Services Corp. (EFSSC), has entered into a long-term contract with Sprint Nextel to provide domestic Ku-band fixed satellite services (FSS) capacity. The agreement will provide full-time, part-time, and on-demand satellite capacity to support Sprint Nextel’s emergency...

DirecTV Inc. announced it is now offering local HD programming to customers in the Green Bay, Wisc., Greensboro, N.C., Grand Rapids, Mich. and Providence, R.I., markets. The additions mean that DirecTV offers local HD broadcast channels in 49 cities, representing more than 65 percent of U.S. TV households. DirecTV plans to launch an additional eight...

The main stage of Europe’s new small launcher, Vega, is slated to undergo a maiden test firing Nov. 30 at Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. The test, in which the rocket stage will remain safely attached to the ground, uses a unique test pad already used for Ariane 5 boosters. The firing will last...

Datapath Inc., a global provider of satellite and wireless communications networks, announced Nov. 28 its appointment of James R. Balkcom, Jr., to its board of directors. Balkcom, chairman of the board of advisors for Corporate Psychology Resources, a leadership consultancy, has more than 30 years of experience in corporate governance and finance. He also serves...

Andrew Corp., a global provider in communications equipment and systems, expanded its milsatcom offerings Nov. 28 with introduction of a new 2.4-meter transportable antenna to serve military and large commercial customers. The lightweight 2.4-meter Rugged Quick Deploy Transportable Antenna offers high radio frequency performance, efficient gear-driven pedestal mount for high accuracy, and quad- band operation....

Euro1080, a provider of high-definition (HD) content to satellite platforms throughout Europe, has announced a distribution deal with set-top box manufacturer Topfield. Under the agreement, Topfield HDTV satellite receivers will be offered via Euro1080’s e-shop. Topfield also has the right to show Euro1080 content at all of its points of sale. Euro1080 now has partnerships...

Germany’s Terrasar-X radar satellite is scheduled to be launched Feb. 27 launch aboard a Russian Dnepr-1 rocket, the German Aerospace Center (DLR) announced. The mission had been planned for Oct. 31 but was rescheduled following the July failure of a Dnepr. Terrasar-X, the first German satellite to be built in a public-private partnership between DLR...

Satellite operator Hispasat is offering advanced broadband services via its onboard processing system housed on the Amazon satellite. The company’s advanced multimedia-enhanced regenerative Hispasat (Amerhis) system is an advanced multimedia useful load on a commercial communications satellite. The program is sponsored by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Center for Technological and Industrial Development...

Batelco, an integrated communications provider in Bahrain offering telecommunications in the Middle East, plans to expand its global reach through satellite-based IP (Internet Protocol) services. Batelco is expanding its Ras Abu Jarjoor-based teleport by commissioning an international gateway using iDirect VSAT hub technologies. The move will enable Batelco’s customers within the Middle Eastern market to...

Robert Vacek has resigned as president of Spacedev Inc.‘s Starsys division to pursue an opportunity outside of the aerospace industry, Spacedev announced Nov. 24. Vacek was appointed president of Starsys in January when Spacedev completed its acquisition of the company. He joined Starsys in November 2004 and served as president and general manager of the...