Technology

MSV Unveils New Satellite Communication Repeaters

Mobile Satellite Ventures (MSV) announced the availability of a pair of new vehicle-mounted repeater products that operate with the MSAT-G2 Mobile Satellite Radio. These products are intended for use by public safety and emergency response personnel. CPI Communications’ SV300 compact control unit allows the use of MSV’s Two-Way Radio service both in a vehicle and outside the vehicle, while Pyramid Communications’ MSAT-200 provides on-scene conventional portable radio coverage. (Moblie Satellite Ventures; 10802 Parkridge Boulevard; Reston, VA 20191; Tel: (877) 678-2920; Fax: (703) 390-2770; Web: http://www.msvlp.com)

Pace Launches Set-Top Box For Free HD Satellite Signals

Pace Micro Technology has introduced its first pan-European high definition (HD) set-top box for receiving free-to-air satellite signals. The DS810XE will allow users to access HD content from non-pay TV operators across Europe and also can work with a range of conditional access systems. (Pace Micro Technology; Victoria Road, Saltaire, Shipley, West Yorkshire, BD18 3LF, England; Tel: +44 1274 532000; Web: http://www.pacemicro.com)

Hughes Unveils Next-Generation Broadband Satellite Platform

Hughes Network Systems LLC introduced its next-generation platform, dubbed HN System, which will support the DVB-S2 industry standard with adaptive coding and modulation. The system also is compliant with Internet Protocol (IP) over Satellite. Hughes will offer the HN7700S for high-end enterprise and government applications, the HN7000S for smaller business requirements and the HN7740S for integrated Voice-over-IP and broadband services. These terminals will support DVB-S and DVB-S2 standards. (Hughes Network Systems, LLC; 11717 Exploration Lane; Germantown, MD 20876; Tel: (301) 428-5500; Fax: (301) 428-1868; Web: http://www.hns.com)

Swe-Dish Demonstrate Satellite COTM Platform

Swe-Dish Satellite Systems AB and Saab AB unveiled a demonstrator for a satcom-on-the-move platform based combining the companies’ existing technologies and commercial off-the- shelf components.

The platform integrates Swe-Dish’s satellite terminal technology and Saab System’s stabilized platform technology. The demonstrator offers on-the-move capability via commercial satellites and conventional communication infrastructure as well as other architectures. The demonstrator can be applied to vehicles and naval vessels, offering steering accuracy in accordance with satellite operator requirements. (Swe-Dish Satellite Systems AB; Halsingegatan 40, S-113 43 Stockholm; Sweden; Tel: +46 8 728 50 00; Fax: +46 8 728 50 50; Web: http://www.swe-dish.se)

Services

CapRock Expands Disaster Recovery Satellite Services

CapRock Communications expanded its disaster recovery product line with a pair of service packages available under two different programs, Broadband DR-VSATTM and Private Line DR-VSATTM. They provide digital telephone service and broadband Internet access at speeds ranging from 256 kilobits per second to 2 megabits per second, all in a self-contained trailer that includes ruggedized satellite and networking equipment, telephones, fax machines and an option for an on-board electrical generator.

Geoeye To Deliver Imagery To Emergency Responders

Global Relief Technologies and imagery satellite operator Geoeye Inc. have formed a partnership to deliver timely satellite imagery to emergency relief workers operating in remote areas around the globe. Telenor Satellite Services will provide delivery via its Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) service.

ISRO To Expand Telemedicine Network

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) signed a memorandum of understanding with four specialty hospitals to further expand the space agency’s satellite-based telemedicine network. The network, launched in 2001 on an experimental basis, is aimed at linking remote/rural district hospitals with hospitals in major cities via Insat. ISRO provides the software, hardware and communication equipment, as well as satellite bandwidth. The hospitals provide the infrastructure, manpower and maintain the system.

Spacenet Adds Connexstar On-Demand Services

Spacenet Inc. has unveiled its Connexstar SE On-Demand, a new service designed to provide satellite-based mission critical backup and business continuity solutions. The service, based on the Gilat Skyedge VSAT platform, provides a wireless last-mile solution that has a physically diverse network path from terrestrial alternatives, having customers pay for bandwidth on a usage basis.

Contracts

Bigelow Aerospace Orders Seaspace Antennas

Allied Defense Group Inc. received a pair of follow-on contracts from Bigelow Aerospace for tracking antennas. Bigelow, a privately funded company developing commercial inflatable space habitats, ordered Seaspace’s 6.1-meter Axyom 3-axis tracking antennas. These antennas are used for tracking objects in low Earth orbit. The systems are scheduled to be delivered before the end of 2006 for installation at commercial ground station facilities in Alaska and Hawaii.

Comtech Receives Order From Datapath

Comtech Telecommunications Corp. announced that its subsidiary, Comtech EF Data Corp., received a $1.7 million order for satellite communications equipment from Datapath that will support a major U.S. government program. The order includes a variety of satellite modems, including the CDM-570/L Satellite Modem with an optional IP Module and the new SLM- 5650 High-Speed Satellite Modem. Also included is the Vipersat Management System, an automated network and capacity management tool designed for satellite networks.

EMS Satcom To Provide Equipment For Bombardier Business Jets

Bombardier Aerospace selected EMS Satcom’s Enfusion AMT-3800 high-gain antenna as factory option on Bombardier’s Global Express XRS Global 5000 business jets, EMS announced. The AMT-3800 antenna joins EMS’s AMT-50 tail-mounted high-gain antenna as an option available to aircraft purchasers.

Eurimage To Supply Satellite Imagery To EC

Eurimage, Digitalglobe’s European business partner, has signed a four-year contract with the European Commission’s (EC) Joint Research Center to supply satellite imagery. The Center will use 60-centimeter imagery collected by Digitalglobe’s Quickbird satellite as well as Landsat spacecraft and Digitalglobe’s planned Worldview satellite, scheduled to be launched in mid 2007. The data primarily will support the Control with Remote Sensing campaign, which is focused on supporting the EC’s Common Agricultural Policy. Digitalglobe’s share of the contract is valued at $7.7 million.

Lockheed Martin To Cooperate With EADS Astrium On Satellite Navigation Systems

Lockheed Martin and EADS Astrium announced that they have signed a teaming agreement to ensure interoperability of the GPS 3 constellation and Europe’s Galileo program. The companies will perform systems engineering and technical assistance tasks for each other in the areas of interoperability, integrity and optimization of joint constellation performance. Additionally, the companies will offer reciprocal bids on operational hardware and software within the policy and export constraints of both programs.

Satellite Engineering Group Partners With Raptor Networks Technology

Raptor Networks Technology Inc. signed a partnership agreement with Satellite Engineering Group to provide gigabit Ethernet technology for the broadcast, cable TV and satellite communication industries.

Executive Moves

Caprock Names VP Of Corporate Development; Selects New CTO

Caprock Communications named Britt Carina Horncastle vice president of corporate development.

Horncastle will be in charge of managing Caprock’s long-term growth strategy, which includes its presence in emerging regions and in new vertical markets through acquisitions, partnerships and strategic centers. Horncastle previously was president of Telenor Satellite Services and also served on the boards of directors Inmarsat Ventures Plc and Global Services Group.

Separately Caprock announced the appointment of Bryan Olivier as its chief technology officer.

Olivier joins Caprock with more than 22 years of experience managing engineering and operations for technology-based companies. Most recently, Olivier served as the executive vice president and chief operating officer for NovoLink Communications and as senior vice president of engineering and chief technology officer for Clearwire Technologies.

DirecTV Names VP Sales And Distribution

DirecTV Inc. named John Shelton senior vice president of sales and distribution. His responsibilities include management of DirecTV’s distribution network and the development of sales programs for DirecTV’s independent dealer network, consumer electronics retailers and the Commercial and Multiple Dwelling Unit segments as well as special markets. Shelton previously worked at Nextel Communications for 13 years, holding positions as North Region vice president, senior vice president of sales and distribution, and president of the Midwestern and Western regions. Shelton also served as president of Powerfone Corp., a mobile radio services provider.

EMS Technologies Adds New Directors, Announces CEO Succession Plans

EMS Technologies Inc. that Paul Domorski will became its president and chief executive officer following the retirement of current president and CEO, Alfred Hansen. Until he accepted this position, Domorski had served as vice president of Avaya Inc. with operational responsibility for its $1.6 billion services business. Prior to Avaya, Domorski served first as president and CEO and then as a consultant with RSL Communications Ltd. and as president of British Telecom Syncordia Solutions.

Separately, EMS announced that Francis Erbrick and Bradford Parkinson were elected to the company’s board of directors at the annual meeting of shareholders.

Erbrick and Parkinson join the company’s current six directors, who were all re-elected to additional one-year terms. Erbrick worked since 1997 as a consultant with the business technology office of McKinsey & Co. For the previous 12 years, he was chief information officer and a member of the management committee of United Parcel Service.

Parkinson holds the title of Professor Emeritus at Stanford University, where he has full-time research and student advisory responsibilities. Until 2001, Parkinson was Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics at Stanford, where he directed NASA’s Gravity Probe-B spacecraft development project. Since 1984, he has been a member of the board of directors of Trimble Navigation Ltd., and from 1998 to 1999, he served as the company’s president and CEO.

Northrop Grumman Elects President

Northrop Grumman Corp. announced that its board of directors elected Wes Bush president. Bush served as Northrop Grumman’s corporate vice president and chief financial officer and will continue to serve as CFO until a successor is named. Bush joined Northrop Grumman in 2002 as part of the company’s acquisition of TRW Inc. He joined TRW in 1987, where he held increasingly responsible technical and management positions in electronic and space systems.