The Satellite Industry Association (SIA) President’s Report is a weekly executive summary covering current satellite industry news and events.
Member News
Boeing has successfully reconfigured an on-orbit U.S. Navy satellite, adding 30 percent more communications capability. The satellite, the 11th in the Ultra-High Frequency Follow-On (UFO) series built by Boeing, was launched in 2003 and supports the Navy's global communications network, serving ships at sea and a variety of other U.S. military fixed and mobile terminals. UFO 11 has the most sophisticated digital signal processor in the constellation. Its ability to reprogram existing user channels allowed Boeing to exploit small, unused portions of the allocated radio frequency spectrum to add 10 channels, for a total of 54. Link to additional information
Hughes Network Systems, LLC announced the launch of its Inter-Government Crisis Network (IGCN), a unique satellite-based solution that enables government agencies to communicate securely and reliably in preparing for and responding to an emergency—when terrestrial networks are most vulnerable to failure. Link to additional information
ICO Global Communications Limited announced that ICO G1 satellite In Orbit Testing (IOT) and testing of the innovative Ground Based Beam Forming (GBBF) system for the ICO Space Segment are both now complete, and the company's subsidiary, ICO Satellite Services G.P., has accepted the Space Segment from
Space Systems/Loral. Launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, ICO G1 is the world's first satellite to utilize a two-way GBBF system. Delivered and integrated at ICO's gateway in North Las Vegas, GBBF delivers unprecedented flexibility to provide next-generation mobile satellite services. Alpha trials featuring ICO's satellite-terrestrial network are underway in Las Vegas, Nevada and Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina. Link to additional information
TerreStar Networks Inc. and Comneon announced that the integrated satellite-terrestrial multi-mode handset designed by EB (Elektrobit Corporation) for TerreStar has successfully demonstrated VOIP connectivity using satellite simulation in a Comneon test lab. Link to additional information
Space Systems/Loral announced that it shipped Telstar 11N to the Baikonur Space Center in Kazakhstan, where it will be launched on the Land Launch system. Space Systems/Loral designed the satellite, which was built for Telesat, to provide commercial and government customers with high powered, state-of-the-art satellite capacity for a broad range of video and data applications. Following its launch next month, Telstar 11N will operate from 37.5 degrees West Longitude and will connect three continents: North America, Western Europe and Africa. It also has a unique Atlantic Ocean beam, which will support growing demand for mobile broadband from maritime and aeronautical markets. Link to additional information
The new Inmarsat-4 (I-4) Americas satellite entered commercial service, paving the way for the introduction of full global coverage for our broadband services. Commercial switch-on was completed when all BGAN, FleetBroadband and SwiftBroadband traffic was transferred to the new satellite, positioned at 98 degrees West, from its sister craft, the I-4 F2. To implement full global coverage and at the same time optimise data connectivity across the new worldwide BGAN network, Inmarsat now needs to reposition the I-4 F2 and then the I-4 F1 spacecraft. Link to additional information
Comtech EF Data Corp. and Comtech Xicom Technology, Inc. (both subsidiaries of Comtech Telecommunications Corporation) obtained satellite communications equipment orders totaling $19.1 million from a US based prime government contractor for follow-on procurements for a Ground Multi-Band Terminal Program to expand an existing military network. The order if Satellite Ground Station Modems DMD2050, based on MIL-STD-188-165A standard which covers data rates up to 52 Mbps. Link to additional information
Northrop Grumman announces Organization and Leadership Changes to Position for the Future to strengthen customer alignment, drive performance and improve cost competitiveness. These changes are effective immediately and include streamlining its organizational structure, reducing the number of sectors from seven to five. Integrated Systems and Space Technology sectors have merged to form the new Aerospace Systems sector, led by Gary W. Ervin, Corporate Vice President and President of the Information Technology sector. Information Technology and Mission Systems sectors have combined to form the new Information Systems sector, to be led by Linda A. Mills, currently Corporate Vice President and President of the Information Technlogy sector.
Alexis C. Livanos has been named Corporate Vice President and Chief Technology Officer Philip A. Teel, Corporate Vice President and President of the Mission Systems sector, has decided to retire at the end of January 2009 and will serve as Corporate Vice President reporting to Ronald D. Sugar, Northrop Grumman Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, until his departure. Link to additional information
Spacenet announced that Symon Communications, a global provider of digital signage solutions has joined its Digital Media Alliance. The Spacenet Digital Media Alliance combines the expertise of some of the most respected companies in their fields to provide a single-source solution for digital content delivery. Digital media applications including: digital signage and interactive distance learning, are increasingly being used by businesses as a way to increase revenues, lower employee training costs, and improve efficiencies. Link to additional information
2009 Upcoming Meetings and Events
January 18-21 – Pacific Telecom Council PTC ’09, Hilton Hawaiian Village, Honolulu, HI http://www.ptc.org/
March 24-27– Satellite 2009 Conference & Exhibition, Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC http://www.satellitetoday.com/satellite2009/
March 25 - SSPI Champagne Reception and Gala, Grand Hyatt, Washington, D.C. http://sspi.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=29
June 1-3 - Hilton TelCap’s International Telecoms Week, Marriott Wardman Park hotel, Washington, D.C.
June 2-4 – ISCe 2009 “SATCOM Solutions for the Military and Civil Agencies”, San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina, San Deigo, CA http://www.isce.com
August 18-20 – LandWarNet 2009, Fort Lauderdale, FL
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