Satellite News

Iridium Communications Inc. announced that the Iridium Certus service will be commercially available in the second quarter of 2017.

ESA today unveiled the first Sentinel-1 satellite images sent via the European Data Relay System’s laser technology in high orbit. Sweeping around the globe at 28,000 km/h, the satellite transmitted the images to the EDRS-A node in geostationary orbit via a laser beam at 600 Mbit/s.

Airbus Defence and Space has been awarded a contract worth EUR113.8 million by the procurement agency of German Armed Forces (BAAINBw) to provide commercial satellite communication services until 2023. Airbus Defence and Space has been providing these satcom services since 2006.

Telesat announced new service contracts with SpeedCast International Limited.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and Eutelsat Communications announced the signature of capacity contracts on four Eutelsat satellites. The capacity will be used to carry live broadcast signals of flagship events in the sports calendar.

NASA has awarded Harris Corporation two 1-year options, adding US$384 million of contract ceiling, to continue supporting the Space Communications Network Services (SCNS) programme. The award was received during the third quarter of Harris’ fiscal 2016.

SES announced a multi-year, multi-transponder agreement with Sky Cable, the largest cable television provider in the Philippines. Sky Cable will be broadcasting direct-to-home (DTH) satellite TV channels via SES satellites at 108.2 degrees East – the SES-9 and NSS-11 satellites.

SES Platform Services, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SES, has strengthened its partnership with K-NET, an ICT and Telecoms platform services company based in Ghana, to create a joint venture.