World of Satellite-News Updates

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SSL to Build Hughes’ Jupiter 2/EchoStar 19 Satellite
March 21, 2013
Hughes Network Systems has chosen SSL to build the Jupiter 2/EchoStar 19, projected to be the world’s highest capacity broadband satellite, the commercial satellite provider announced March 21.
The large, multi-spot beam Ka-band satellite is designed to have 50 percent more capacity than the Jupiter 1/EchoStar 17 satellite, aiming to meet the increasing demand for HughesNet Gen4 high-speed satellite Internet service in North America. Jupiter 2/EchoStar XIX is based on the SSL1300 space proven platform, designed to provide the flexibility to support a broad range of technological advances and applications.
“Hughes is a pioneer in providing satellite broadband to the consumer market and there is an excellent spirit of teamwork between our companies,” SSL President John Celli said in a statement. “Jupiter 2/EchoStar 19 will be the highest capacity broadband satellite ever built, as a result of technology advances from both our companies.”

 

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U.S. Air Force Launches Second Satellite for SBIRS
March 21, 2013
The U.S. Air Force launched the GEO-2 satellite March 19, the second of its second next-generation missile warning constellation.
The GEO-2 was launched via a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket into geosynchronous orbit in the Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS). This system aims to include four satellites in geosynchronous orbit, infrared sensors hosted on classified satellites in highly elliptical orbits and ground stations to receive, process and distribute the data. SBIRS will replace the Defense Support Program constellation that has been in operation since the early 1970s. Lockheed Martin Space Systems serves as the prime contractor for the project and Northrop Grumman is the payload manufacturer.
"Today's successful launch of the GEO-2 satellite marks another milestone in the evolution of infrared surveillance from space," Northrop Grumman Military and Civil Space business area Vice President Stephen Toner said in a statement. "The team played a significant role ensuring that the sensors on GEO-1 are performing beyond specification, and we are confident that the GEO-2 sensors will exhibit similar performance."

 

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DAARSAT to Utilize Amos-5 Capacity
March 21, 2013
DAAR Communications has launched its Nigerian Direct-to-Home (DTH) satellite TV service DAARSAT on Spacecom’s Amos-5 satellite at 17 degrees East, Spacecom announced March 21.
DAARSAT is the eighth Nigerian DTH service on the Amos-5, joining the Infinity and HiBand services among others, and is now available as a stand-alone digital TV service to all of Nigeria. The DAARSAT platform offers five consumer bouquets, with features such as messaging, subscriptions, fingerprinting and chipset pairing and includes 30 various channels.
“We are proud to add another DTH platform to the Amos-5 at 17 degrees East neighborhood through our relationship with the leading communication group, DAAR Communications, Spacecom President and CEO David Pollack said in a statement “Delivery of high quality service on a powerful platform is what elevates Amos and helps our business grow.”

 

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SpaceX’s Merlin 1D Engine Now Qualified to Fly on Falcon 9
March 21, 2013
Space Exploration Technologies’ (SpaceX) next generation Merlin 1D engine has achieved flight qualification through a 28 test program and is now fully qualified to fly on the Falcon 9 rocket.
“The Merlin 1D successfully performed every test throughout this extremely rigorous qualification program,” SpaceX CEO and Chief Designer Elon Musk said in a statement. “With flight qualification now complete, we look forward to flying the first Merlin 1D engines on Falcon 9’s Flight 6 this year.”
SpaceX’s testing program demonstrated a ratio of 4:1 for critical engine life parameters, with an industry standard of 2:1. The Merlin 1D’s vacuum thrust-to-weight ratio exceeds 150, making the Merlin 1D the most efficient booster engine ever built while also maintaining the thermal and structural safety margins to carry astronauts. The engine uses higher efficiency processes, increased robotic construction and reduced parts count, therefore improving manufacturability.

 

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Gilat’s SkyEdge II System to Expand Hispasat Network
March 21, 2013
Hispasat will expand its broadband satellite-based network with Gilsat Satellite Networks’ SkyEdge II System, Gilat announced March 20.
The SkyEdge system aims to join thousands of new broadband users throughout under-serviced areas across Spain to the network by the end of 2013. Gilat’s SkyEdge II system will be combined with the beam capabilities of the Hispasat 1E satellite, allowing the network to boast speeds of up to 100 Mbps per 36 MHz transponder. As a result, high quality services aim to be provided to the residential sectors at low prices similar to those offered by terrestrial networks.
"The ongoing success of this project is made possible thanks to the strong partnership Gilat and Hispasat have developed collaborating on this national initiative," Hispasat Director Broadband Services Pedro Pinto Marin said in a statement. "The flexibility embedded in Gilat's SkyEdge II system allowed us to offer our customers residing in under-serviced areas a true alternative for broadband access both in terms of performance and price."

 

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U.S. Satellite and Telco Subscribers Increase as Cable Falls in 2012
March 21, 2013
U.S. satellite and telco distributors achieved a small gain of multichannel video subscribers in 2012, SNL Kagan reported.
According to SNL Kagan, the three primary TV distribution platforms increased 46,000 video customers in 2012, reaching 100.4 million consumers now accounting for 84.7 percent of occupied U.S. homes. A majority of these gains occurred in the fourth quarter, as all the U.S. multichannel service providers collectively added 51,000 new customers.
Cable TV distributers decreased1.66 subscribers from 2011 to 56.4 million, but still stands as the biggest U.S. TV multichannel distributor. Satellite TV distributors increased 288,000 customers to 34.1 million, while Telco TV companies gained the biggest rise of 1.4 million to 9.9 million.
“The modest fourth-quarter and full-year 2012 subscriber growth suggests the segment is not rebounding with the broader economy, and customer formation is lagging the rebounding housing market," Kagan said in a statement.

 

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Yahsat CCO: YahClick Success a ‘Personal Triumph’
March 22, 2013
Yahsat CCO Shawkat Ahmed, whose company is playing a key role in bringing satellite broadband services to the EMEA region, told audience members of SATELLITE 2013’s closing rapid-fire panel session that the launch of the YahClick service this past summer was a personal triumph for him beyond its regional and international significance.
While giving credit to globally disruptive satellite technology breakthroughs such as Intelsat’s EpicNG open architecture platform and the upcoming O3b Networks broadband constellation, Ahmed expanded on the significance of the YahClick service as a platform that could drive noteworthy changes to the way providers roll out services.
“YahClick brings affordable and instant Internet connectivity to the population and, therefore, fast tracks connectivity to this young country beyond what is possible with the time and expense it would take to expand fixed or wireless Internet solutions,” he said. “We see huge potential for the country in further developing its socio-economic growth. YahClick is a game changing technology that provides broadband services to everyone from government, businesses, education institutes, NGOs to personal home users.”
YahClick, which functions as a business unit of Yahsat, has launched its satellite broadband in six countries. Though Ahmed admitted that YahClick’s service rollout expectations for the company launch service in at least 20 markets in Middle East, Africa and Central and South West Asia by the end of the month are a bit out of reach, he highlighted how it has performed exceptionally well in specific markets by doubling its monthly take-up rates.
“In Nigeria, the main delivery of broadband happens via mobile broadband on 3G networks,” said Ahmed. “When you have a lot of users on these networks, speeds drops dramatically. Through YahClick, we offer a higher quality of service, with 99.5 per cent of coverage across Nigeria. That makes a big difference, especially when 3G coverage in Nigeria reaches 90 per cent in the country.”
Ahmed said that the SATELLITE 2013 conference has built a distinct buzz about high-throughput satellite service as the clear innovation leader for the industry. “What is also encouraging is how Ka-band and other high-throughput offerings are evolving at such a rapid pace, even though they are, in essence, a state-of-the-art resource,” he said.

 

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Army Analyst: No New U.S. Military Satellite Constellation Orders Until 2025
March 22, 2013
While speaking on a military satcom panel at the Satellite 2013 conference, United States Army CIO G6 Space and Airborne Branch Senior Milsatcom Systems Analyst Edward Aymar predicted that the Pentagon would not procure any new satellite constellations until 2025, thought it would continue to acquire new terminals and other related technology.
“We have got Wideband Global Satcom [WGS]. We also have Advanced-Extremely High Frequency [AEHF] and Mobile User Objective System [MUOS]. That will be basically what we have on orbit until 2025 and maybe beyond that,” Aymar said on the panel. “We know we don't have enough capacity. Our opportunities to really achieve advances and efficiencies will be whatever we can do with the satellite terminals on the ground and on our satellite control systems.”
Aymar said the Department of Defense does not have to establish a brand new network every time it arrives in a new area of operations. “This practice requires satellite communications because building up fiber-optics takes time. The Army does plan to field about 4,000 new WIN-T terminals for communications on the move. However, most of our current milsatcom fleets are designed to service fixed architectures.”

 

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Mitsubishi Electric Expands Production Facility to Double Satellite Output
March 22, 2013
Mitsubishi Electric has completed an expansion of its satellite production facility at the company's Kamakura Works in Kamakura, Japan. Mitsubishi said the upgraded facility aims to double its annual satellite production capacity to eight satellites, the largest among all facilities operated by Japanese satellite manufacturers.
“The global satellite market is showing increasing demand for communication and other purposes,” Mitsubishi Electric said in a company statement, referring to the Japanese government’s Basic Plan for Space Policy, announced in January, covering for five fiscal years beginning April 2013. The plan includes expanded use of space for telecommunications, broadcasting, positioning and remote sensing purposes for improved quality of life.
Mitsubishi Electric has recently produced and delivered a variety of satellites, including: the meteorological satellite Himawari-7; the first Japan-made commercial communications satellite Superbird-C2; and the Quasi-Zenith Satellite-1 MICHIBIKI, which provides location-information services.

 

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Intelsat Inks Capacity Lease Extension with Lebanese Distributor
March 22, 2013
FSS operator Intelsat has signed a multi-year contract extension agreement with Lebanon-based ART/International Network Distribution (ART/IND), which aggregates and distributes niche and international channels in the global market, Intelsat announced March 22.
ART/IND extended its agreement on the Intelsat 21 satellite located at 302 degrees East, for the contribution and distribution of its key programming channels in the Americas.
The Lebanese company is a long-standing Intelsat customer that will join several other media companies on the satellite in delivering diverse content.
“Intelsat 21, along with Intelsat 805, offers media companies the premier video neighborhoods and DTH platforms available in the Americas, providing unparalleled access to viewers,” the operator said in a statement.