Satellite News

An insurance contract for the Vinasat 1 satellite will be signed between the Vietnam Post and Telecommunications Group (VNPT), the Vietnam Insurance Group (Bao Viet) and the Post Insurance Company (PTI) on 21 December in Hanoi.

GeoEye has secured insurance in the amount of US$20 million on its Ikonos satellite for 2008 with terms comparable to those it had for 2007, the company said.

MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. announced that the Alliance Spacesystems acquisition has closed. The acquisition is expected to be slightly accretive to MDA’s earnings in 2008.

Arab Satellite Communications Organisation (ArabSat) has signed a strategic agreement with Saudi Hollandi Bank for an Islamic facility that will secure Arabsat’s expansion over the next five years.

COM DEV International Ltd. reported financial results for its fiscal year 2007.

Stratos Global Corporation announced that CIP Canada Investment, Inc. has acquired beneficial ownership of all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Stratos through a Plan of Arrangement under the Canada Business Corporations Act for a cash purchase price of C$7.00 per share.

Saab said it is examining if there is any interest among other companies in acquiring Saab Space AB. A deal could take place during the first quarter of 2008.

EchoStar Communications Corp. plans to change its name to Dish Network Corp.