Satellite News

In a memorandum dated 28 May, Secretary of the U.S. Air Force Heather Wilson and Secretary of the U.S. Navy Richard Spencer announced the transfer of responsibility for future narrowband satellite communications.

Analytical Space Inc. (ASI) is launching a technology demonstration spacecraft intended to pave the way for users on the ground to gain faster access to satellite data. The spacecraft features a patented MITRE antenna that could help enable that application, as well as government missions including tactical communications and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.

Amazon Web Services, Inc. (AWS) announced the general availability of AWS Ground Station, a new service for customers to control satellites from AWS and download data from satellites into AWS Global Infrastructure Regions using a fully managed network of ground station antennas located around the world.

Eutelsat America Corp., a subsidiary of Eutelsat Communications has been selected by NASA for the Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships-2 (NextSTEP-2) as part of the NASA Space Relay Partnership and Services Study.

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has awarded Harris Corporation a three-year, US$284 million sole-source extension on the ground segment contract supporting Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) -R Series weather satellites – bringing new technologies that support increased capabilities.

ATLAS Space Operations, Inc. announced an agreement to augment PlanetiQ’s ground station operations and provide telemetry, commanding, and data support for PlanetiQ’s constellation of 20 small satellites. ATLAS will support the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation via their global network of ground stations.

Telesat, Vodafone Group and the University of Surrey have successfully demonstrated that Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites can provide effective backhaul transport for mobile network operators (MNOs), including advanced backhaul solutions for 5G.

Viasat Inc. and China Satellite Communications Co., Ltd. (China Satcom) announced an agreement for a strategic partnership to jointly provide in-flight connectivity (IFC) services within China for domestic and international airlines.