Satellite Industry Joins Typhoon Haiyan Relief Efforts

The streets of Tacloban, Leyte Island, destroyed by Typhoon Haiyan. Photo: Eoghan Rice – Trócaire / Caritas

Satellite manufacturers and operators around the world have come together to assist in the relief effort for Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.
Mitsubishi Electric is donating 10 million yen ($98,770) to recovery efforts. Astrium and SES have released images from their Earth observation satellites to provide coverage of the damage. ITU has deployed a number of satellite phones along with BGAN terminals and CDMA base stations. And Thuraya is also coordinating with its service partner Smart Communications to provide further aid to Philippine government agencies as well as relief organizations.

Spacecom’s Amos 4 Satellite Ku-band Capacity Bought Out Entirely

A Southeast Asian data services provider has contracted all Ku-band capacity on the recently launched Amos 4 satellite, operated by Spacecom. Pursuant to this new contract, the data provider will use Amos 4’s full complement of four transponders to provide VSAT, mobile backhaul, maritime and other services to its customers throughout the region. Amos 4 will soon begin commercial operations at 65 degrees east, its designated permanent service location.

Amos 4 has Ku-band and high power Ka-band transponders with steerable beams. These Ku and Ka transponders create a powerful platform, enabling a wide range of cross-region, cross-band and cross-beam connectivity options to reach the vast urban and rural areas of these regions. Amos 4 provides traditional and next-generation broadcast, emerging interactive, mobile and broadband reach for satellite services, including DTH, video distribution, VSAT communications and broadband Internet.

ISRO Selects Arianespace for Gsat 15 and Gsat 16 Launch

Following the launch of its Mars Orbiter Mission, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has chosen Arianespace to launch its Gsat 15 and Gsat 16 telecommunications satellites. Both satellites are to be launched using the Ariane 5 vehicle from the Guiana Space Center in French Guiana.

The Gsat 15 and Gsat 16 satellites, designed, assembled and integrated by ISRO, are designed to provide C- and Ku-band telecommunications services including VSAT transmissions, TV broadcasting and emergency communications.

Comtech Wins $1 Million Satcom Equipment Order

Comtech EF Data, a subsidiary of Comtech Telecommunications, hasreceived a $1 million equipment order in Asia. This follow-on order from a telecommunications operator is for satellite Earth station equipment, including satellite modems, CX-U RAN Optimization Units, RF transceivers and amplifiers. The operator will use the equipment to support the further build out of a Vipersat-powered unified national emergency telecommunications and network restoral platform in the Asia-Pacific region.Following the launch of its Mars Orbiter Mission, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has chosen Arianespace to launch its Gsat 15 and Gsat 16 telecommunications satellites. Both satellites are to be launched using the Ariane 5 vehicle from the Guiana Space Center in French Guiana.

The operator will use the equipment to support the further build out of a Vipersat-powered unified national emergency telecommunications and network restoral platform in the Asia-Pacific region.

Gogo to Provide In-flight Connectivity to Japan Airlines

Photo: Sergey Kustov

In-flight connectivity and entertainment solutions provider Gogo has signed a contract with Japan Airlines (JAL) to provide Gogo’s in-flight Internet service on JAL’s entire domestic fleet, which consists of 77 aircraft.

The new service will use Gogo’s Ku-satellite connectivity technology and is expected to be available to JAL passengers beginning in the summer of 2014.