Satellite News

Loral Space & Communications Inc. announced that the jury in the trial of the lawsuit with ViaSat, Inc. (ViaSat) returned a verdict against Loral’s former subsidiary, Space Systems/Loral, LLC (SSL). The jury found that SSL infringed the patents asserted by ViaSat in the case and also that SSL breached certain non-disclosure agreements with ViaSat. Damages of US$283 million were awarded against SSL. The jury also found that Loral was not liable for either patent infringement or breach of contract.

ViaSat Inc. announced that a federal court jury has awarded ViaSat US$283 million in damages in its patent infringement and breach of contract case against Space Systems/Loral (SS/L).

Orbital Sciences Corporation said in a regulatory filing that it has agreed to dismiss without prejudice its antitrust lawsuit against United Launch Alliance, LLC and RD AMROSS, LLC.

The European Commission welcomed a vote of the European Parliament on the Copernicus Regulation. Copernicus, the EU’s Earth Observation Programme, will ensure the regular observation and monitoring of Earth sub-systems, the atmosphere, oceans, and continental surfaces.

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has signed a government directive consolidating space industry assets under a single state-controlled corporation.

SES and Eutelsat Communications announced that the two companies have concluded a series of agreements including a comprehensive settlement of legal proceedings concerning the right to operate at the 28.5 degrees East orbital position and containing long-term commercial as well as frequency coordination elements.

Copernicus, the EU’s new Earth Observation System, was approved by the European Parliament’s Industry Committee last week. Replacing the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) programme, it will have a EUR3.79 billion budget for 2014-2020. Its data will serve many purposes, including monitoring climate change and protecting public security.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed into law a decree to establish a state corporation that will consolidate spacecraft developers and manufacturers.